Product Description Following the continued success of his series of family-friendly children's CDs, Dan Zane's & Friends long-awaited ALL AROUND THE KITCHEN DVD features 9 favorties shot live at NYC's Knitting Factory and six videos including three currently in rotation on "Noggin". a portion of the proceeds of this album will benefit Heifer International. .com With his trademark happy hair and spirited band comes Dan Zanes in his first-ever DVD, a concert/video collection of sing along melodies blending rock, folk, and global rhythms into a homespun musical menagerie. Formerly with the Del Fuegos band and riding on the success of seven CDs, Zanes presents All Around the Kitchen! featuring nine musical selections performed live in concert at New Yorks Knitting Factory. Whether familiar songs such as "Hokey Pokey" and "Polly Wolly Doodle," or lesser known numbers like "Malti," Zanes takes traditional music, winsomely turns it on its head, and adds such diverse instruments as accordion, banjo, upright bass, mandolin, and ukulele. On the programs alternative track, viewers can choose among a half dozen music videos pulsating with kids, street scenes, dancing, singing, and jubilant acoustics. There is "House Party Time," "All Around the Kitchen," and "Hello" as seen on Noggin, as well as "Jump Up" and "Go Down Emmanuel Road" performed on Sesame Street. Zanes soulful musicians, contagious enthusiasm, and all-inclusive approach to music make this a song-and-dance fest where everyone finds a voice. (All ages) --Lynn Gibson
B**N
Love it!
We saw Dan Zanes & Friends in St. Paul and couldn't wait for this dvd to come out. The live footage is a reminder of how great the show was. Our 2 year old is constantly asking to watch this dvd. My husband and I enjoy their music just as much as he does. Just recently, we were visiting family and put the dvd in to get our son to wind down and go to bed. By the second song the room was full of family members, mostly adults, in disbelief at how good the "kids' band" was. We ended up watching it several times because people kept wanting to see certain songs again. My 62-year old father was on the computer that night ordering it for the rest of the grandkids and was inspired to break out the guitar and search the internet for old "sea songs" that he could play/sing for my son. My 80-year old, ex-yodeler, grandmother's face lit up as she sang along to "The Sidewalks of New York" and other old songs that she recognized. My son spent the rest of the trip trying to play the guitar and refering to Dan Zanes.The video has two parts- the live footage and then the videos (which include the videos that they aired on Noggin). Like the other reviewer, I wish that they would have included a few more live songs (such as "All around the Kitchen" and "House Party Time". Even though the video versions are included, it would have been fun to see them live also because the kids (& parents) go absolutely crazy when they play those songs live). I also wish that it would have included some interview footage of the band (as an extra). I do like that it isn't overdone and how the live stuff has a homemade recording and small venue feel to it. I also like the documentary-style video ("wanderin" I think?) of the band.This is a great video and I recommend it to everyone (along with the cds). I don't see how anyone could not enjoy this band. I'm so glad that my son (finally!) has some good music to listen to!
B**R
A Lot of Fun!!
This is an excellent DVD. Dan Zanes and Friends, inlcuding Barbara Brousal, Colin Brooks, Cynthia Hopkins, and "Father Goose" have created a merry and tuneful set of videos. There are several that should appeal to the really young set -- animated and staged in a studio. A few others are just neat -- "Jump Up" takes place on the front stoop of a Brooklyn brownstone, and "Wandering" shows a lot of "on the road" scenes of the band. My 3 year old loves that video, even though it is geared toward adults -- I think, because it further humanizes the band.Then there is a series of concert videos with astonishingly high sound quality. All of the songs are wonderful, but you may be surprised at how much adults enjoy songs like the "Father Goose" compilation -- it really rocks!!My son is much more interested in music after watching these -- we had to buy him a harmonica, and now he wants a guitar. We all love watching these, and I think my son gets something out of it, and so it's a big winner.Very highly recommended!!
J**D
Dan Zanes for President!
My little girls, ages 2 and 4, were first exposed to Dan Zanes on Playhouse Disney. They quickly grew to love his music, his smile and his band. After purchasing a couple of his cds which became huge hits both in the house and in the car we decided to buy the dvd. This investment was a great one! The dvd consists of two segments.The first segment is an actual Dan Zanes and Friends concert, obviously but skillfully edited, which my girls absolutely love. The energy of the band and the crowd is apparent and when Father Goose makes his appearance it never fails to bring a huge smile to their faces.The second segment of the dvd is a compilation of professional videos of some of their songs. A few will be familiar to the Playhouse Disney crowd but there are also some new ones, all of which are a joy to listen to and watch.I'd highly recommend this dvd to anyone looking to bring good, clean musical fun into their homes!
C**N
boring for kids
the majority of this dvd is live footage from a concert. the band is cramped on the stage, the audience is cramped in the theatre, and the camera is so cramped it hardly moves - it is VERY dull to look at. there are a few videos at the end of the dvd but the best one is "jump up" which is often shown on sesame street. it was based on that video that i decided to buy the dvd, and it turns out that is the only entertaining one.
B**N
Excellent Buy!!! Gotta Have It!
This DVD is a steal at this price. After seeing the "Hello Hello" video on Playhouse Disney several times, I had to get a copy for my 20 month old. She's a true Wiggles fan, but I think she loves Dan Zanes and friends even more! She dances like crazy as soon as we put it on and has learned the hand movements to "Strike the Bell". The whole family enjoys his music and I can never get tired of it. He really ROCKS! Music is folksy, eclectic and Father Goose (Jamaican rapper) reminds me of my college days in 1993-1997. Zanes has a Tom Petty quality to his voice. Very cool.Just wish the DVD had a "repeat" or at least "play all" button since we have to watch it over and over again. I'm shopping for more Dan Zanes CD's and hope to catch him in concert.
C**H
Get "The Fine Friends Are Here" DVD instead!
We have this DVD and the Fine Friends Are Here, as well. My kids love the Fine Friends and watch that one over and over. On this All Around the Kitchen DVD, they only stay somewhat interested in the "videos" half, and they don't seem to like "the show" half at all. It's especially a pain in the car on long trips because each half of the DVD is fairly short (the two sections don't autoplay, once one is over it goes back to the main menu)Overall, this one is unfortunately not popular around here, but the Fine Friends DVD is great, much more appealing to my kids, ages 1 1/2 and 3 1/2.
P**T
Family music, nah, just plain good music
Who says family music has to be anything less than great. Dan Zanes never ceases to amaze me with his music. It is very accessible and multicultural. You get all sorts of styles and instruments. His choice of covers is always good and he also writes beautiful songs. My favorite CD is Night Time, but all the other ones are close behind. If you want music for your kids that won't drive you up the wall, get this guy!
P**0
Variable
Some bits good, some bits bad.We play the Father Goose ABC song a lot (its the only place I could get it) and the rest very occasionally. Bit on the 'cheap' side production wise....
Trustpilot
3 weeks ago
2 months ago
