tag:grenadillasings.com,2005:/blogs/grenadilla-reviews?p=2Grenadilla Reviews2017-02-01T18:04:11-05:00grenadillasingsfalsetag:grenadillasings.com,2005:Post/1752622012-06-05T13:30:00-04:002012-06-05T13:30:00-04:00Parent's Choice Award Children's Media & Toy Reviews<div style="text-align: justify">Need an instant pick-me-up? Try Grenadilla's dancing rhythms, gorgeous vocal blends and sunny lyrics spiced with kwela, an irresistibly effervescent style of music indigenous to South Africa. Named for the South African word for passion fruit and founded by Cape Town-born Debbie Lan, Grenadilla is a six-member, all-female group of singers whose voices weave Lan's original songs together in velvety melodic layers.<br><br>
A sampling: The title track embraces each day as a glad opportunity for learning and growing. "C'mon C'mon," an invitation for together time, is tenderly wrapped in African-flavored harmonies. "Doodle Doodle Doodle Doodle Do" is simply a playful delight. Lan crafts her happy songs with the expressive chops of a cool pop pro, providing stand-out lead vocals, as well as piano and piping pennywhistle. Guest musicians round out the CD with polished flair.<br><br>
A long-time Parents' Choice music critic, Lynne was a staff writer for 25 years at the Los Angeles Times where she established and maintained the paper's first weekly children's arts and entertainment beat and was a general arts reporter. Now a freelance writer, Lynne works in the areas of non-profit communications, the arts and family entertainment (specializing in children's theater, music, audio books and book illustration). In her spare time, when she's not reading, Lynne is likely to be found strumming American Songbook standards and Tin Pan Alley novelty songs on one of her seven ukuleles.<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=30225&StepNum=1&award=aw">ARTICLE</a>
</div>grenadillasingstag:grenadillasings.com,2005:Post/1752762012-06-01T09:00:00-04:002022-05-11T14:55:52-04:00School Library Journal<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Multimedia Reviews: June 2012</b><br><br>
Can’t Wait. CD. 30:53 min. New Sound Kids. 2012. ISBN unavail. $14.98.<br><br>
PreS-Gr 3–Grenadilla (South African name for passion fruit) is a six-woman band that performs in various musical styles, including the indigenous South African kwela, Cape Town jive, big band, and blues. Debbie Lan, Jodi Palinkas, Leah Glennon, Annemarie Callan, Brittany Sacash, and Natasha Williams blend their lovely voices into beautiful harmonies. <br><br>
Accompanying them are outstanding musicians performing on guitar, bass, piano, organ, trombone, saxophone, pennywhistle, melodica, balafon, drums, and percussion. “The Way It Goes” is about wanting to be in two places at once, such as at the beach and in the mountains. The uniqueness of every person is featured in “The Same As Me.” <br><br>
Among the 12 lively songs are “Sitting on Top of the World,” “Oh Sing a Song to the Sun,” “Doodle Doodle Doodle Doodle Doo,” “Smiling,” “Sunday Afternoon,” “Exactly Where I Want to Be,” “Rhyming,” and “When I Fall Asleep.” Featuring superb vocal and instrumental performances, this is an excellent addition to world music collections.–Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX <br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/reviews/multimedia/894433-318/multimedia_reviews_june_2012.html.csp">ARTICLE</a>
</div>grenadillasingstag:grenadillasings.com,2005:Post/1752822012-05-11T13:00:00-04:002021-08-28T02:13:12-04:00Zooglobble <div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Grenadilla - Can't Wait</b><br><br>
Artist: Grenadilla<br><br>
Album: Can't Wait<br><br>
Age Range: 3-7<br><br>
Review: A sunny, danceable album from Debbie Lan and her New York band. The band plays kwela-inflected music -- for those of you who don't know what "kwela" music is (and, hey, I didn't, either) Wikipedia suggests it's a "happy, often pennywhistle-based, street music from southern Africa with jazzy underpinnings and a distinctive, skiffle-like beat."<br><br>
Based on the sounds on Can't Wait, the band's second album, that's about right. There aren't lesson songs or slice-of-life stories here -- just odes to being happy, walking around, and playing or singing, all with a smile on one's face. Gentle and often retro-sounding, yes, but also with a bit of a groove.<br><br>
Dog on Fleas' Dean Jones produces his former bandmate Lan with his typical organic touch, letting the six voices of the band take center stage. With a sound unlike just about any other band, Grenadilla targets a niche in the kids music world and hits it. Recommended. / <a href="http://www.grenadillasings.com">Listen</a><br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.zooglobble.com/kids-music-reviews/2012/5/11/cant-wait-grenadilla.html">ARTICLE</a>
</div>grenadillasingstag:grenadillasings.com,2005:Post/1752852012-04-16T09:00:00-04:002012-04-16T09:00:00-04:00Tales of A Ranting Ginger<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Grenadilla "Can't Wait" CD Review</b><br><br>
JOYFUL SOUNDS OF SOUTH AFRICA FROM GRENADILLA<br><br>
Their Second CD Available now<br><br>
There are few happier kinds of music on earth than kwela, the irresistibly upbeat indigenous South African style marked by joyful, lively rhythms and birdlike penny-whistles. And Grenadilla (pronounced “gren-a-dill-a”, the South African name for passion fruit) captures those sounds beautifully on their second CD, Can’t Wait, available March 6.<br><br>
From the opening notes of the bass and pennywhistle on “Sitting On Top of the World” you know you are in for a singular experience. Grenadilla’s sound is sophisticated and at the same time the entire CD has the feeling of a block party – a community gathering together to sing and play. Grenadilla’s flawless harmonies and founder Debbie Lan’s crystal, soulful lead vocals are a hallmark of the CD throughout.<br><br>
Amy's review<br><br>
True to its promise, you can definitely hear the South African influence and positive messages in these compositions. The melodies and harmonies are simply beautiful and you cannot help but smile when you listen to the music. I even loved the piccolo!<br><br>
For a gift to my parent friends this will definitely go on my list. It's a happy medium between nursery music and mainstream. I could see many a toddler dancing around to the lively rhythms and a few mommy's and daddy's too. It would be a great CD to take on a roadtrip or to a picnic for the kids too as it just evokes a sense of fun and celebration.<br><br>
Enjoy!<br><br>
Check out <a href="http://www.grenadillasings.com">Grenadilla</a> for yourself and tell me what you think<br><a target="_new" href="http://www.talesofarantingginger.com/2012/04/grenadilla-cant-wait-cd-review.html"><br>
ARTICLE</a>
</div>grenadillasingstag:grenadillasings.com,2005:Post/1752862012-03-24T09:00:00-04:002012-03-24T09:00:00-04:00Learning To Be Thrifty<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>CD Review - Can't Wait by Grenadilla</b><br><br>
About the group and CD:<br><br>
There are few happier kinds of music on earth than kwela, the irresistibly upbeat indigenous South African style marked by joyful, lively rhythms and birdlike pennywhistles. And Grenadilla (pronounced “gren-a-dill-a”, the South African name for passion fruit) captures those sounds beautifully on their second CD, Can’t Wait.<br><br>
Grenadilla is music for kids and their families, layered voices with Kwela flavored rhythms, a touch of Cape Town jive and a hint of the blues.<br><br>
In addition to Debbie (who’s worked with Robbie Dupree, Orleans’s John Hall, Dog on Fleas among others) on lead vocal, piano and pennywhistle, Grenadilla’s members include Jodi Palinkas and Leah Glennon on vocals and pennywhistle, Annemarie Callan, Brittany Sacash and Natasha Williams on vocals, with co-producer Dean Jones on trombone, pennywhistle, melodica, organ, guitar, balafon and features guest musicians Nick Buda (drums, percussion), Jaf Farkas (bass), Jack Ryon (saxophones), Ken<br>
McGloin (guitar, bass) and Ruby Gunn (guest vocal).<br><br>
My Thoughts:<br><br>
This cd is a good easy listening CD. We listened to it as we were running errands throughout this week ans really enjoyed it. Baby Bug is a big music fan, between songs she will clap and say "yeah Music," she did this between each song on the CD this week.<br><br>
I must admit that one song has an instrument that sounds a little like screeching tires and that song just happened to be playing while I was turning right at a traffic light I was just sure someone was about to have an accident. I felt so goofy when I realized it was only the CD!<br><br>
I really liked the layed back happy feel of this CD it would be a great selection to add to your collection of music.<br><br>
You can find out more about Grenadilla at their <a target="_new" href="http://www.grenadillasings.com">website</a>. <br><br>
Disclaimer: I did receive a copy of this CD for review purposes all opinions in this post are my own and are not influenced by the company. <br><a target="_new" href="http://thriftytori.blogspot.com/2012/03/cd-review-cant-wait-by-grenadilla.html"><br>
ARTICLE</a>
</div>grenadillasingstag:grenadillasings.com,2005:Post/1752732012-03-20T09:00:00-04:002012-03-20T09:00:00-04:00DADNABIT (Dad's Writing About Kids Culture)<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>CD Review: Grenadilla, “Can’t Wait”</b><br><br>
Review by Jeff Giles<br>
March 20, 2012<br><br>
Like any good parent, I’ve taken thousands of snapshots of my kids, but there’s one particular picture of my daughter that always makes me smile. It captures her mid-swing on the playground, head tilted back toward the sun, with a look of absolute, unbridled, carefree joy on her face. For me, that look represents the perfect grace of the childlike spirit: the ability to uncouple from whatever worries are weighing us down and simply be happy. It’s also the best way I know how to describe Grenadilla’s music — I mean, these songs just sound like giddy motion, warm sunlight, and laughter.<br><br>
Of course, when your band makes liberal use of the pennywhistle — and has been gifted with a frontwoman whose voice is as carefree-sounding as Debbie Lan’s — you’re going to make happy-sounding songs even if you’re trying to be emo. But that doesn’t take away from the addictive pleasure of Grenadilla’s music, including its newly released second album, Can’t Wait.<br><br>
Produced by Dog on Fleas member (and longtime Dadnabbit hero) Dean Jones, Can’t Wait fleshes out the Grenadilla sound without tinkering with anything too much — the album adds a few new colors to the band’s sonic palette, but they’re relatively subtle; a horn section here, handclaps there. That sort of thing. The most crucial ingredients — the band’s lovely harmonies and the Capetown flavors in Lan’s arrangements — remain front and center.<br><br>
Can’t Wait also delivers another solid, sprightly set of songs — 14 tracks, weighing in at a breezy 30 minutes and change, with titles like “Exactly Where I Want to Be,” “Oh Sing a Song to the Sun,” “Smiling,” and “Sunday Afternoon.” Doesn’t just reading those make you a little happier? Listening to them will finish the job.<br><br>
Can’t Wait is available now from your favorite digital retailer. Listen to samples at Amazon and order your copy today.<br><br><a href="http://dadnabbit.com/cd-review-grenadilla-cant-wait/" target="_new">ARTICLE</a>
</div>grenadillasingstag:grenadillasings.com,2005:Post/1752902012-03-19T09:00:00-04:002020-01-20T05:54:30-05:00Kid Independent<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Music Review - Can't Wait by Grenadilla</b><br><br>
Hi folks, this morning I’ve got the new release CD from Kwela music collective Grenadilla to share with you. Kwela is a style of street music from South Africa that has an upbeat jazzy sound that is decidedly smiley and “feel-good” its approach.<br><br>
If you like to use music (as I do) to heighten your mood and cheer up an otherwise mundane day, then this is an ideal CD for you. Its rhythmic beats and whistley melodies are fresh and vibrant and a little bit reminiscent of some of Paul Simon’s work. You might notice this in track four “The Way it Goes” which is one of my favourites.<br><br>
Other tracks that I loved include “Exactly Where I Want to Be” which has some beautiful harmonies and a gorgeous message. “Do My Things” and “The Same As Me” are also fabulously uplifting and empowering songs for kids, and celebrate diversity and individuality.<br><br>
Oh, and I also like track 13, “I Like To Walk” because of the lyrics, “I like to dance, dance, dance, dance, every day…” (and I do).<br><br>
You can find Grenadilla’s Can’t Wait online at <a target="_new" href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/cant-wait/id511667068">iTunes</a>, or at <a target="_new" href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/grenadilla2">CDbaby</a>.<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://kidindependent.com/2012/03/cant-wait-by-grenadilla/">ARTICLE</a>
</div>grenadillasingstag:grenadillasings.com,2005:Post/1752892012-03-19T09:00:00-04:002012-03-19T09:00:00-04:00Blessed Elements<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Can’t Wait New CD From Grenadilla</b><br><br>
‘Grenadilla’ The name a lone just makes me want to tap my foot. Wait til you hear the music! Grenadilla (pronounced “gren-a-dill-a”, the South African name for passion fruit) captures those sounds beautifully on their second CD, Can’t Wait.<br><br>
The music is bouncy and the lyrics inspire especially the tune of “Doodle Doodle Doodle Doodle Doo” which should encourage kids that they can do it and anything else they desire to achieve.<br><br>
Each song is different and has a different rhythm and beat so with each listening, you discover something new in this CD. It is music you will encourage your child to listen to and the adult will enjoy it as well so take it in the car with you and play it during those road trips on your daily route.<br><br>
According to Debbie Lan, “There aren’t enough communities making music together in the world today,” “Kids and adults spend so much time with their games, TV’s and computers. We Grenadillans want to encourage all people, not just ‘musicians’, to make music a part of their daily lives, to pick up an instrument, open their voice and play and sing along, making music just for the fun of it.”<br><br>
I think that is so true and is a good goal for all of us to have. I’m passing this CD on to my 8 year old granddaughter and I think she will really enjoy having it in her collection of music.<br><br>
You don’t have to take my word for it you can listen to some clips <a href="http://www.grenadillasings.com">here</a>.<br><br>
‘Can’t Wait’ is available at retailers nationwide. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.grenadillasings.com">grenadillasings.com</a>.<br><br>
Stay up to date with the group and their music on <a target="_new" href="http://www.facebook.com/Grenadillasings">facebook</a>.<br><br>
Disclosure: A product sample was provided for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed in this post are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.blessedelements.com/create/cant-wait-new-cd-from-grenadilla">ARTICLE</a>
</div>grenadillasingstag:grenadillasings.com,2005:Post/1752912012-03-16T16:40:00-04:002012-03-16T16:40:00-04:00Social Studies Momma<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Can't Wait Review</b><br><br>
Having a background in teaching has led me to naturally plan Little Bit's day like I would have done in my classroom. I try to make sure he is exposed to all the areas that are in Momma's SOL's. Momma's SOL's include making sure that Little Bit has some art, physical activity, free play, reading time, exposure to number, letter, and colors, and music. Within those subjects I try to present variations to make his education more well rounded.<br><br>
With music I intentionally expose Little Bit to an array of different genres and styles. He has listened to everything from rap to the traditional folk music of Spain. With that deliberate sort of exposure I am always on the look out for new and fun music for Little Bit.<br><br>
"Can't Wait" is an upbeat new album from Grenadilla. The albums style is influenced by the wonderfully upbeat style of South African music. The spunky beat was enough to get Little Bit to shake his groove thang. To be honest, I was having so much fun shaking mine along with him that I forgot to video it. "Can't Wait" is quickly becoming one of our favorite morning time music favorites.<br><br>
If you like to diversify your child's listening material or you are just looking for some fun kids music I recommend you check out "Can't Wait" for yourself. You can visit their website for news about upcoming shows, reviews, lyrics, and even listen to some of their terrific songs. Once you listen I'm sure you will be adding a copy of "Can't Wait" to your listening library!<br><br>
I received a free copy of "Can't Wait" to facilitate my review but I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://socialstudiesmomma.blogspot.com/2012/03/cant-wait-review.html">ARTICLE</a>
</div>grenadillasingstag:grenadillasings.com,2005:Post/1752942012-03-14T09:00:00-04:002012-03-14T09:00:00-04:00Stuff Parents Need<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Can’t Wait from Grenadilla CD Review and GIVEAWAY!!!</b><br><br>
Grenadilla is the South African name for passion fruit. It’s also the name of a group that puts out kwela music, which is a updeat indigenous South African style of music marked by joyful, lively rhythms and birdlike pennywhistles.<br><br>
Lead singer and South African native Debbie Lan has a beautiful voice! And the entire cd has such a fun feel…like a neighborhood coming together for a party! We have been absolutely delighted to welcome this fresh, vibrant music into our home. It’s probably not something I would have ever picked up on my own, but now that we have it, I’m so glad we do! It is expanding our musical horizons, and brings sunshine to our day when we listen to it. I highly recommend it!<br><br>
Can’t Wait was released on March 6th and retails for $14.98. You can puchase it through <a target="_new" href="http://www.grenadillasings.com">Grenadillasings.com</a>!<br><br>
Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a copy of Can’t Wait by Grenadilla!<br><a target="_new" href="http://stuffparentsneed.com/2012/03/cant-wait-from-grenadilla-cd-review-and-giveaway/"><br>
ARTICLE</a>
</div>grenadillasingstag:grenadillasings.com,2005:Post/1752802012-03-12T09:00:00-04:002012-03-12T09:00:00-04:00Family Man (Connecting To The Heart of The Fatherhood - Day By Day<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Grenadilla - Can’t Wait</b><br><br>
Review by Gregory Keer<br>
March 12, 2012<br><br>
Sure, it’s only March and cold weather still threatens a lot of our fair land. This is all the more reason to step into the warm ocean-spray sounds of Grenadilla, an American vocal ensemble that borrows much of its music from the South African kwela tradition. Grenadilla (pronounced “gren-a-dill-a”) also takes its name from the South African word for passion fruit, which makes all the sense in the world, given the sweet and exotic nature of this 14-track recording.<br><br>
Led by singer-songwriter Debbie Lan, who produced the project with Dog On Fleas frontman Dean Jones, the album rolls forward with “Sitting on Top of the World,” an upbeat song that would be comfortable as the kindie-rock cousin to Paul Simon’s Graceland.<br><br>
The fine musicianship (which includes Lan on the traditional pennywhistle and piano as well as Jones on various instruments) is matched by the creamy smooth voices of Grenadilla’s six female singers (Lan, AnneMarie Callan, Brittany Sacash, Natasha Williams, Jodi Palinkas, and Leah Glennon). The musical blend works wonders on such tunes as “Doodle Doodle Doodle Doodle Do” (with its verbal play), “Can’t Wait” (with its Laurel Canyon folk), “Sunday Afternoon” (with its South African horns and American blues guitar), and “The Same as Me” (with its theme of individuality). The album rounds out dreamily with “When I Fall Asleep.”<br><br>
Can’t Wait is like one of those small surprises you find in the sand when you’re not really looking. Pick it up and listen with your kids.<br><br><a href="http://www.grenadillasings.com" target="_new">www.grenadillasings.com</a> - $14.98 (CD) – Ages 2 to 9<br><br><a href="http://www.familymanonline.com/?p=539" target="_new">ARTICLE</a>
</div>grenadillasingstag:grenadillasings.com,2005:Post/1752742012-03-09T12:25:00-05:002012-03-09T12:25:00-05:00You Know, For Kids<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>New Music: Can't Wait</b><br><br>
Review by Myles McDonnell<br>
March 9, 2012<br><br>
The influence of bands like Vampire Weekend (and, in some cases, the Broadway show Fela!) is widespread in today's music for kids, which is full of sunny African sounds and rhythms everywhere you turn. So when I first heard Can't Wait, the second album from Grenadilla, I first assumed it was part of that trend. (When will I learn not to assume things?)<br><br>
Turns out the band's lead vocalist and songwriter, Debbie Lan, hails from Cape Town herself, and thus has a closer tie to kwela music and the African-style harmonies that inform Grenadilla's sound than the influence of any mere New York City band. Lan also happens to have a marvelous singing voice, clear and warm, that will make parents who are fans of Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones, and Natalie Merchant feel right at home; the group's ensemble vocal harmonies are likewise marvelous.<br><br>
And the kids? Suffice it to say that within 12 bars of the first track on Can't Wait—the infectious "Sitting on Top of the World" (an original, by the way, not the '20s classic made famous by Al Jolson)—my son Dash had left the breakfast table to start dancing in the kitchen. A song that can distract a seven-year-old from pancakes? I'm not sure there's any higher praise for its creators.<br><a href="http://youknowforkidsblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/new-music-cant-wait.html" target="_new"><br>
ARTICLE</a>
</div>grenadillasingstag:grenadillasings.com,2005:Post/1752772012-03-06T08:00:00-05:002012-03-06T08:00:00-05:00Have Sippy Will Travel<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Grenadilla - A Fun and Funky Kids CD</b><br><br>
Grenadilla is a new group formed by Debbie Lan. Grenadilla is a 6 person kwela based music ensemble. Kwela hails from Sough Africa and is upbeat, joyful and bubbly.<br><br>
This music is perfect for families. It is happy and upbeat but not too childish where the music is irritatingly repetitive. Kwela is unlike the pop or rock based family music CDs out there, it has a worldly feel that is upbeat and fun.<br><br>
Coming out on March 6th is Grenadilla's second album, Can't Wait. The music is of the same style as their previous release, with songs like Sunday Afternoon, and I like to Walk the songs are perfect for families and will get everyone humming along. Even if you aren't a big fan of international music, this album is still fun.<br><br>
Exposing children to a wide range of music of all genres, starting at young age is tremendously important and will help them develop a sense of culture and awareness that will stay with them. Consider it a gift that will keep on giving :)<br><br>
This track list includes:<br><br>
Sitting on top of the World<br>
Oh Sing a Song to the Sun <br>
Doodle Doodle Doodle Doodle Doo<br>
The Way it Goes<br>
Can't Wait<br>
Smiling<br>
Sunday Afternoon<br>
C'mon C'mon<br>
Exactly Where I Want to Be<br>
Rhyming<br>
Do My Thing<br>
The Same as Me<br>
I Like to Walk<br>
When I Fall Asleep<br><br>
Layered voices textures with Kwela flavored rhythms, up-beat melodies, a touch of Cape Town and a hint of jive and the blues", your child will enjoy this fun and different CD- and you will too. It's not more of the same, and the music and beats are pleasing to the ear. Kwela, taken from the Zulu word "get up", is lively music.<br><br>
This happy Southern African street music with jazzy undertones and a distinctive beat evolved from the and brought South African music to an international audience.You don't have to hate your child's music. Embrace it!<br><a target="_new" href="http://www.havesippywilltravel.com/2012/03/grenadilla-fun-and-funky-kids-cd.html#more"><br>
ARTICLE</a>
</div>grenadillasings