Parents Magazine said it best when they described Laurie Berkner as “the Pied Piper of the Preschool Set.” With her melodic tunes and unforgettable harmonies, The Laurie Berkner Band are just as much magicians as they are musicians—at least for my music-obsessed kid.
First introduced to this well-loved band’s tunes after becoming avid fans of Jack’s Big Music Show on Nick Jr., Laurie Berkner’s song lyrics are now part of our everyday vernacular. ‘Shaky Egg’, ‘Rainboots, stomp, stomp, stomp’… you name it, Laurie’s lyrics and music have made our entire family fans for the long haul. Like magic.
Released last month, The Best of the Laurie Berkner Band cd is a comprehensive collection of the band’s best songs. As their sixth cd, if you’re a longtime fan, such songs on the cd are expected, but for newer fans, this cd is a staple for your budding kindie rock collection. Unlike the songs recorded for Nickelodeon, Laurie’s Greatest Hits cd have a softer, less processed sound. Songs like “Shady Tree” exude the sweet, while songs like, “Monster Boogie” reinforces the silly. But overall, the 20-track cd encompasses the folk sensibility that keeps kids dancing and singing, and their parents humming and smiling.