I’m A Rockstar! Joanie Leeds CD Review and Giveaway!

My 5 year old son, Ronen, and I were very excited when Joanie Leeds’ (and the Nightlights) I’m a Rockstar CD arrived in our mailbox. We like listening to music in the car, so on our next outing I popped the music into the CD player and we began listening.

My first impression was that it wasn’t really my ‘kind’ of music (I’m into more alternative tunes), but it wasn’t intended for me, right? It was produced for kids, so I asked Ronen what he thought after the initial listen, “I like it!” he exclaimed. OK. That’s good, but I knew if I was going to write a review worthy of MySentimentExactLee, I needed to do a little better than “I like it!” : )

So we listened to it again. And again, and again, and again. And I have to admit that after a few repetitions, several of the songs really grew on me. I thought I’d take you through the playlist, with my thoughts (and a few comments from Ronen).

I’m a Rock Star – One of the better songs, in my opinion. Pop-y, mainstream, but fun. If your kid likes to strum on a guitar, this is a good song for them to ‘play along’ with.
Sunglasses – This is one of my favorite songs on the CD! It’s catchy, I like the melody. In fact, I enjoy singing it with my own words substituted…oh Ronen, you are my s-o-o-o-o-o-o-n, I love you…um, well, that’s enough of that. Good tune!
More Cowbell – I can’t listen to this one. It’s bad. So bad. You know those songs that make your stomach clench and your ears bleed? This is one. But maybe it’s just me. Ronen says he loves it. There’s no accounting for preschool taste.
I Wanna Be Green – The environmentally friendly ditty. It’s fine – nice message, bouncy beat. ‘Nuff said.
Give me a Hug – The bedtime/ naptime song. We usually skip it. Not awful, just not that interesting.
Jump, Jump – Sort of, kind of, an old school R.E.M. genre melody. It’s good, but not great.
I like Jazz – An intro to basic jazz styling. Familiar songs (ABC, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Blackbird) get a jazzy treatment. I like this one. Ronen doesn’t. Go figure.
Popcorn – Eh. Not a fave. Sort of annoying.
En Espanol – I like that there’s a non English number on the CD. Ronen really likes this one, and will often ask to hear “The Spanish One”! There’s an authentic Latin flavor to the song (at least to my gringo ears).
It was the Elf – Ronen’s absolute favorite! This is somewhat a They Might Be Giants style story/song. Silly, funny, and very entertaining.
Joanie Says – ‘Simon Says’, Joanie Leeds style. Ronen has a lot of fun with this one. He’s partial to the part when she sings,“Simon’s on Vacation, now I’m in charge”! He likes trying to play along with the song, even when sitting in his harnessed car seat. This is a great ‘get up and dance’ song on a day when you’re cooped up in the house with the kids.
Put a Little Smile on Your Face – Hands down, my favorite song on the CD. Don’t ask me why. Sometimes it makes me cry (in a good way). Love, love it.
Goodbye, Goodbye – A sweet, but upbeat goodbye song. I can hear this one being played at Ronen’s preschool graduation, while all the parents simultaneously weep and laugh. Well done.

None of the songs are much longer than about 2.5 minutes (a few are shorter than 2 minutes), so the CD is only about a half hour long. Will this replace our beloved Dan Zanes or They Might Be Giants in our hearts and ears? No. But Joanie is a fun diversion as far as kids music goes, and I’m glad we have the CD.

I also think this is a perfect collection of songs for a daycare or preschool, perhaps even a birthday party. I plan on donating our copy to Ronen’s co-op preschool when he outgrows it. I’m sure Joanie will be enjoyed by both the kids and parent workers for many years to come.

This review was written by Amelia Stewart. Amelia lives in San Fransisco with her precious son Ronen and her husband Errol. She is a talented actress, teacher and music enthusiast.