Clapping for Little Miss Ann

September 26th, 2009

         Move over Laurie Berkner… there’s a new gal in town at our place. My tinies are loving the tunes of Little Miss Ann, aka Ann Torralba, a hip 5’2″ mama from Chicagoland who makes great music for kids and plays live shows. (She’s also a former Chicago public school teacher and current Old Town School of Folk Music instructor.)

We’ve been digging her latest CD “Clap for Love”—it’s her second—on the dance floor at home and as we travel to and fro in our hot set of wheels (read: minivan). Her style: overall fun and engaging, a little bit folk infused with some lilting melodies, rocking-out songs, world tunes, and even indie aspects, too, for parents to love (I swear I feel some Wilco, my fav, chaneling on one song). She’s reworked some traditional songs, and also has several originals, and many songs are more than just fun: they feature great messages for kids (be your own bird—i.e., be an individual!) My 4-year-old loves the “Counting by Fives” song, and my 3-year-old loves “Around the Kitchen” (cockadoodle-doodle-do). And, they’re both smitten with “Good Morning,” featuring a call and answer with Torralba’s daughter, Olivia. Pretty much, my kids are just smitten with the whole album. Me, too.

You can listen to some of her tunes on Land of Nod’s web site (and purchase both albums there). Be sure to visit Little Miss Ann’s web site directly to purchase either of her CDs or check in on her performance schedule (Chicagoland and Wisconsin gigs) and read-up on the hot, thumbs-up reviews she’s gotten in the music press.

—Mama Kate

Entry Filed under: Made in the USA,Uncategorized,family,hip mama,product review