Field Trips with Recess Monkey

Seattle-area teachers Jack Forman (bass), Daron Henry (drums), and Drew Holloway (guitar) use their insights into the child psyche to help fuel the lyrics and vibe of their trio Recess Monkey in this four-episode program featuring the guys and their primate puppet “manager,” Mayor Monkey. The first episode finds Mayor Mo visiting Gasworks Park, with segues into music videos for “Marshmallow Farm,” “Fort,” and “Under My Bed,” along with a segment at KKNW's Radio8Ball (where an obvious young ringer who's being filmed calls in with stilted questions) and footage from a live show at the Experience Music Project museum. Other episodes feature shots of landmarks including the Fremont Bridge and Pike Place Market, and a trip on the Bainbridge Island ferry, as well as more segments from Radio8Ball, numerous videos and live songs (“Hot Chocolate,” “S-L-EE-P-Over,” and “Haven't Got a Pet Yet”), a visit to the Animal Talk pet shelter, and a neat seaplane ride. Although the guys try a little too hard to be wacky and mischievous, the program is definitely recommended for regional collections and is a strong optional purchase elsewhere. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)