Consumer Critique: Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie (Kid-Friendly Blues)

myKaZoo Music, the new family label from Universal Music Enterprises (UMe), recently released Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie. Recorded by Randy Kaplan, the album is full of child-friendly versions of country blues and ragtime numbers from the 1920s, 30s and 40s. The CD features extensive liner notes to teach kids about America’s great musical heritage, and will be available July 10.

Randy reworked the lyrics for each song, making them appropriate for kids, but keeping the original sense of humor. There are kid-friendly titles too, including “Ice Cream Man Rag,” “Runaway Blues,” “In a Time Out Now” and “Kindhearted Babysitter Blues.”

Randy Kaplan’s music videos already appear on myKaZootv, the new 24/7 interactive kids’ entertainment channel, and new videos from Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie will launch this summer.

This CD is fun. I enjoyed listening to it, as a more serious musician (my husband is a music ed major and we both were classically trained) and also as a parent. The music is good, and it's a good introduction to old-time rag and blues. It's also fun for kids to dance to, and my toddler and preschooler both seemed to enjoy it.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary download of Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie to facilitate this review.