A brand new release by Little Monster Records is a fun, frivolous album by the matched-well duo Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke: Rise and Shine!
Rise and Shine is different and mold-breaking in and of itself: It comes housed within a fun board book full of illustrations by Key Wilde. Key Wilde and Mr. Richard Clarke, who began their musical partnership in the 90s, are a teacher/daddy duo…so they know their audience well. They represent a crazy world “where pigs grow as big as tractor trailers, little dogs think they are bullfrogs, and people can go to the moon in a red balloon.”
This album isn’t just for wake-up time. Its zany, extremely varied tunes are for any time of day or night….and will get pretty much anyone up and dancing. Songs range in sound from bluegrass to punk rock to British-inspired folk. Whether you’re tapping and clapping to “Rattling Can,” thrash-dancing around the den to “Favorite Names” or nodding off to “Pekepoo,” one thing is true: The lyrics are nonsensical, zany, and utterly unforgettable.
Kevin Salem of Little Monster Records is excited to release Rise and Shine:
“It was inevitable that we would put this recording out. It’s rare to find a record that feels organic and believable from beginning to end. There are so many layers in these songs; I love the diversity and contrast, not only between Key and Richard, but also between the traditional and ethnic instruments. And the songwriting is stellar.”
Listen to the music now, enjoy the board book later….or read and listen at once. Rise and Shine is a multi-sensory adventure! You can buy Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke’s Rise and Shine via Little Monster Records, from Amazon, or at select music shops.
(Enjoy the music video of “I Had a Dog,” created with Key Wilde’s adorable artwork:)
Win it! Thanks to Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke, Little Monster Records, and Sugar Mountain PR, one of you can win a copy of the Rise and Shine board book/CD album! Just leave a comment below telling me something you learned/read that was fascinating while skimming over the duo’s write-up at Little Monster Records….and who you’d like to win this album for. I’ll close the contest next Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 11pm EST. Sorry; US entries only. Good luck!
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
Congrats to commenter #2, Corrie, the winner of this CD!
AND! Key Wilde/Mr. Clarke/Little Monster Records wants to offer Muse Reviews readers a free download of the song “I Had a Little Dog!” Just click the button below. The button will stay in the right-hand sidebar through the duration of the contest, so be sure to pass the news along!
FTC info — Disclaimer: I received this product for free for review purposes; however, my review was honest and my opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Cindi (2 years ago)
While listening to and watching their music video, I wanted to polka! I liked reading the history of the two musicians
and how they ended up together. Mr. Wilde has worked on illustrations,so I am assuming he did the book. He started writing songs specifically for children after being asked to perform regularly
at his daughter’s school. They liked his quirky songs versus the traditional children’s songs. Many thanks, Cindi
Corrie (2 years ago)
I liked hearing that the group has a DIY ethnic and punk beginnings. I think my happy daughter would love this CD.
Kelly Deaton (2 years ago)
I thought this was funny: For over 20 years Key Wilde started writing songs specifically for children after being asked to perform regularly at his daughter’s preschool. “I found that, rather than traditional kids songs, they responded most to my own quirky original tunes”, says Wilde, “so I began adapting my material for a kid audience which often entailed simply omitting curse words.” I’d love to win this for my two kids! Thanks for the chance!
Wehaf (2 years ago)
I would love to win this for my nephew. I love that the album includes a Brazilian percussionist playing on a traditional Irish song.
melissa n (2 years ago)
they have ethnic and pnk beginings
this sounds like an adorable CD
Judy B (2 years ago)
“Syd Barrett meets Hank Williams”…enough said.
My little man loves to wiggle around and this would be a good addition to his collection!
Laureen (2 years ago)
If I understood correctly, the duo met when Mr. Clarke was performing and Key Wilde was a 5-yr old who was hanging around Mr. Clarke and hitting him with a microphone. I’m also interested in the fact that Mr. Clarke grew up in England and France. (My family is French.)
I would love to give this CD album to my three little girls. Thanks!
Jessica Cobb (2 years ago)
I love that Wilde’s daughter is partially responsible for the writing of “going to the moon.” How sweet!
I would love to win this for my daughter, she loves music and this would be perfect!
MJ (2 years ago)
Key Wilde and Mr Clarke are currently working on a series of animated videos and are developing a kids TV show.
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
MJ (2 years ago)
OOps – I’d want it for my kindergarten class.
mj.coward[at]gmail.com