Dan Zanes may be familiar to some as the lead singer of the 80s roots/rock band The Del Fuegos….…well if that's how you remember him you're in for a shock.
These two albums are aimed at the entire family, with the emphasis on younger members, but rather than the soulless, corporate music that is in the mainstream, these discs have the same musical values that you would expect to find on a first-class singer/songwriter album.
These two discs would have stood up for themselves without the high profile guests, but the inclusion of Suzanne Vega, Sheryl Crow, Loudon Wainwright III, Rosanne Cash, and Sandra Bernhard, amongst others really adds to the overall quality feel.
The songs are a mixture of original and traditional, and are subject to a wide variety of musical styles and instrumentation, but the constant is the overall quality - there are some superb performers and musicians on show here.
There's a wonderful playful air across both discs, the trad songs are fresh and vibrant (Cash's country/folk 'Fooba Wooba John', and Vega's 'Erie Canal' are both brilliant), while the originals are equally strong (Zanes' own 'Jump Up', and Barbara Brousal's 'Malti' both standouts).
Of all the discs around that are aimed at children and families, these two are head and shoulders above anything else out there - they're not sugar coated, and they don't patronise the listener (young or old), it's just great music, played well and that everyone can enjoy.
If you have little people around, or you if want music that will appeal to children without compromising musical values, and will, more importantly, stand up to repeated listening by children and adults alike, then you should look no further than these two albums.

£12.99

(note review also covers Family Dance - details here)