Giving the Gift of Music (Local Heroes)

As we get older and our extended families....well, get extended by the additions of nieces, nephews and cousins, at Holiday times, one wishes to be creative with gifts. After all, not everyone wants to give a Wii or a scarf or sweater or a check.

Methinks it's a good year to give the smaller ones music. May I suggest the very enjoyable "Ranky Tanky" from Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem. It's a sprightly collection of tunes ranging from Cat Stevens' infectious "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out" to fun sing-alongs such as "Kee-mo, Ky-mo (The Magic Song" - originally recorded by Nat "King" Cole!) and Billy Jonas's silly but sly "Bear to the Left." Parents will like it because the music is not stupid - with goofy tunes ("Purple People Eater") and touching songs (Tom Petty's "Wildflowers") and nice folk tunes ("Morningtown Ride"), all played and sung with great feeling and joy. For more information, go to www.raniarbo.com.

Dave Downs, who is a dedicated songwriter and do-it-yourselfer, has just issued "Three Little Fishies (and Other Fables for Children Young & Old.") As usual, the CD is a family affair (Downs' sons helping with production and cover art) and features the "nouveau crooner" playing and singing songs that range from sweet sing-alongs like "Yankee Doodle" to "Yippi Ti Yi Yo" to "My Blue Heaven" to quiet tunes like "Little Man, You've Had a Busy Day" and more, all delivered in Downs' low-key yet appealing style. There's nothing phony or put-on, no over-blown production numbers or noisy clatter, just friendly songs that are fun to sing along with. For more information, go to www.davedownsmusic.com.

For the more mature members of your gift list, there's a fine new collection of tunes from the Swift Brothers (violinist Gordon and bassist Jon) and guitarist Thom Sayers - collectively, they are the Lost Acres String Band and their self-titled debut CD is an instrumental delight. From reels to waltzes, acoustic blues to "swing" tunes, the impeccably-played music is perfect for cold evenings around the fire or, when Summer returns, for sitting outside and enjoying nature. The music has great presence and is worth exploring. To find out more, go to www.gswift.com/LASB.htm.

Pianist/composer Noah Baerman joins his good friends and classmates Wayne Escoffery (saxophones) and Amanda Monaco (guitar) for Playdate, a hard-driving collection of jazz tunes and improvisations. Their debut CD, released on the Posi-Tone label, features Baerman's long-time Trio mates Henry Lugo (bass) and Vinnie Sperrraza (drums) - if you attended Noah's premiere of "Know Thyself" at Crowell Concert Hall this past November, you know how powerful this quintet can be. This program is pleasing, well-played, jazz that's long on melodic invention, filled with strong improvisations and creative interplay and blessedly free of clutter. Rumor has it the band will be celebrating the CD release in the New Year and this is music that needs to be heard "live." In the meantime, to find out more, go to www.noahjazz.com.

If music does not fit your gift "bill", you can browse the impressive wares at Wesleyan Potters or Harriett Amanda Chapman or Ursel's Web or give a gift certificate from any one of the fine area restaurants. Any way you decide, giving "local" has never been a better choice.