If your kid is lacking enthusiasm for September’s march back to the classroom, maybe they need some rhythm in that step. The new song, “Back to School” — Joanie Leeds’ enthusiastic country-rock ode to academia from her latest album, “Bandwagon” — will soon have him marching to a happier beat.
The singer-songwriter’s new CD is recommended for kids ages 2-9, but her warm voice — redolent of Sheryl Crow’s vocal charms — and her funny, poignant lyrics will be appreciated by the whole family. “Bandwagon” serves up songs from a variety of musical genres, ranging from “I Love New York,” a rockin’ “list song” (think: Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire”) in which the Brooklyn resident bares her Big Apple pride, to “Use Your Words,” which offers soothing, empowering advice for bullying victims.
Get the kids in a back-to-the-books state of mind at one of the artist’s summer gigs: Joanie Leeds and The Nightlights will perform a free show at the Summer on the Hudson Concert Series on Pier I in Manhattan’s Riverside Park South on Aug. 8 at 10:30 am.
“Bandwagon” CD by Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights, $15, www.joanieleeds.com.
