Sing Your Song
Self-Released, 2021
8/10
The recording moniker of Keeth Monta Apgar, as The Harmonica Pocket he sings and plays many instruments, and he’s also got plenty of friends helping him flesh out this diverse and quirky album for families with kids.
The title track starts the listen with warm, playful songwriting that recruits Renee Stahl on harmony vocals as Eric Eagle’s precise drumming complements the folk sounds, and “One Two I Love You” is an upbeat and charming pop friendly tune with children providing call and response vocals amid Ethan Sobotta’s bouncy upright bass.
Deeper into the listen, “Everything Is Everywhere” benefits from Apgar’s soulful harmonica, as Tom Gilhuley brings chicken sounds to the positively fun climate, while “Apples On The Sun” is Apgar solo with his guitar, harmonica, glockenspiel and imagination. “Twinkle Twinkle” then puts a spirited spin on the classic with both acoustic and electric guitar illuminating its timeless glow.
“Stand By Me”, another song we all love, then flows with my much beauty as harmonica, finger snapping and Johnny Bregar’s cautious drumming make this an interpretation worth the price of admission alone, and “Ukulele Lullaby” exits the listen with sublime picking alongside BigTalk Jon Rÿser’s saxophones in the indeed dreamy, soothing finisih.
This is the 5th album for The Harmonica Pocket, which has already nabbed a pair of Parents’ Choice Gold Awards, and Sing Your Song will certainly be embraced with the same amount of praise, as Apgar and company make universally enjoyable music with themes that surround all the enjoyment of family life.
Travels well with: Alison Faith Levy- You Are Magic; Carrie Ferguson- The Grumpytime Club