Baby On The Subway
Self-Released, 2019
8/10
While there’s more and more children’s music coming out these days, it’s not that often you hear it coming from a jazz angle. Camille Harris, a multi-talented Brooklyn artist, finds this niche and fills it well with a strong sense of humor and superb backing band on the highly entertaining Baby On The Subway.
“The Jiggly Wiggly” starts the listen with a energetic, jazz influenced tune with plenty of bright percussion and a trumpet solo, and “Chopsticks” follows with timeless four part harmony vocals on the humorous and playful setting.
Near the middle, “The Wheels On The Bus” is a bare, playful take on a traditional, while the title track illustrates a wide range of rock ideas and the robust vocals of Harris as the music builds into a fuller, anthemic display. The album highlight, “Get Up And Try Again”, recruits strategic horns with more jazz friendly ideas that never out welcome their stay.
Near the end, “The Alphabet Backwards” is literally that- the alphabet sung backwards- with graceful keys and beach rock vibes, and “Lullaby” ends the listen soft and agile, as breathy singing resides alongside strings and sophisticated piano.
A longtime participant of musical theater and stand up comedy, Harris brings her radiant personality into this truly adventurous listen that’s innovative, clever and just so much fun.
Travels well with: Andrew & Polly- Earsnacks: Songs From The Podcast; The Shazzbots- Lightspeed!