Everybody's in the Band!

Musician Billy Jonas' Everybody's in the Band! offers a 10-tune live concert featuring plenty of infectious rhythm bolstered by kid-friendly humor, as call and response songs are combined with fun gestures to engage both the audience and home viewers. Most of the tunes--including "What Kind of Cat Are You?", "Bangin' and Sangin'" and "Bear to the Left"--are original, but “Rockin' Robin” is also included, and one story/song features a chorus of “that's the way, uh-huh, uh-huh, I like it” (perhaps added for grandparent appeal). In addition, bluegrass star Alison Krauss sits in on the song “Nocturnal.” Each piece is introduced by Jonas, who argues that everyone can make music “anywhere, anytime, with anyone, and anything,” and uses homemade instruments to drive the point home in the song “We're in the Bucket Bridgade” (“We're in the bucket brigade/We've got stuff that we made/Instruments that can be played"). Unfortunately, there isn't any extra content on how to make homemade instruments, which would have enhanced the DVD extras (that include a couple alternate versions of songs, outtakes, and sample clips from the earlier video Billy Jonas, Bangin' and Sangin' [VL-1/01]). Winner of two previous Parents' Choice Gold Awards, Jonas' latest is recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (R. Reagan)