Mike's Recordings
Mike writes, records and performs songs for both adults and children.
The Birds Don’t Sing Around Here released November 4th 2024. Read more...
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If you’d like to buy this album as a download for £10.00 (plus vat) please click here |
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Buy Birds Dont Sing Around Here CD for £10 plus £2.00p postage and packing in the UK
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Download: The Cat Asked Everyone to Tea, Except Me
The Cat Asked Everyone To Tea, Except Me is the title of the new album of children's songs by Mike Reinstein.
He's joined, as usual, by his regular group of brilliant musicians and singers, this time collectively called The Purrfect Whiskers Band.
The album is only available as a download from www.mikereinstein.bandcamp.com
Review
It's easy to get a bit sniffy when it comes to music created for children. Perhaps that is in part due to the dearth of such music in our younger days; the odd novelty album by the likes of the Smurfs, the Wombles, or Paul McCartney joining forces with Rupert The Bear. Most of us still shudder at mention of Mr Blobby or Bob The Builder riding high in the charts in years mercifully gone by. In more recent times there has been a lot more music created with children in mind, and that's not restricted to Australians in coloured shirts singing about their big red car.One of the finest creators of music for children is back with his fifth such album. You may be more familiar with Mike from his well received adult themed music, the last of which, Acts of Love, was a wonderfully warm and captivating listen. His songs for children however are an absolute delight, as anyone who has witnessed the live rendition of Cheesy Feet can attest to. These are far from the few lazy rhymes with lowest common denominator humour that can be easily found elsewhere. All these songs are well crafted and you can sense the joy in the playful lyrics throughout.
As usual he has brought together his talented crew, performing here as The Purrfect Whiskers Band, with wife Reina, Ali Gavan, Mick O'Connor and Tim Wade all adding their skills to the mix. There's a real mixture of styles at play here too, with Beau Crow having a wondrous folky feel to the track, as has the closing song, The Shining Sea. These are as far away as you can get from your stereotypical kids song. Long Shoe Laces Blues has a rocky/bluesy element to it, and Nothing Happens In This Song is a lovely little country sounding track.
All through the album there are exquisite moments. The vocals on the title track feature a fantastic comical mournfulness, building up to a happier ending. Tim Wade's trombone on Naughty Elephant is glorious, and the lyrical gymnastics on What Is A Skeleton For, all elevate their respective songs.
If you're looking for superior music for your children to listen to, you'll find none better than The Cat Asked Everyone To Tea, Except Me. Unlike the vast majority of other such albums, instead of wanting to perform a double ear-ectomy on yourself, you may even find yourself singing along. So if you have children, or want to get back in touch with your own inner child, this is an essential purchase.
Adam Jenkins FATEA
Wobbly Tooth was released in June 2019. Read more...
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If you’d like to buy this album as a download for £5.00 (plus vat) please click here |
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Buy Wobbly Tooth CD for £10 plus £1.50p postage and packing in the UK.
UK delivery: £10+ £1.50 p&p Europe: £10+ £2.70 p&p Rest Of The World: £10+ £3.40 p&p |
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Acts Of Love was released in March 2018. Read more...
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Buy Acts of Love CD for £10 plus £1.50p postage and packing in the UK.
UK delivery: £10+ £1.50 p&p Europe: £10+ £2.70 p&p Rest Of The World: £10+ £3.40 p&p |
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A Long March Home was released in 2015. Read more...
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Buy A Long March Home CD for £10 plus £1.50p postage and packing in the UK.
UK delivery: £10+ £1.50 p&p Europe: £10+ £2.70 p&p Rest Of The World: £10+ £3.40 p&p |
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The Tommy Tomato CD came out in 2005 and was met with considerable critical acclaim. The songs have become firm favourites with teachers and children wherever they are sung. Read more...
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If you’d like to buy this album as a download for £5.00 (plus vat) please click here |
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Buy The Tommy Tomato Songbook CD for £10 plus £1.50p postage and packing in the UK.
UK delivery: £10+ £1.50 p&p Europe: £10+ £2.70 p&p Rest Of The World: £10+ £3.40 p&p |
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More to Be Revealed, Mike's debut CD was released May 9th 2011. Read more...
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Buy More To Be Revealed CD for £10 plus £1.50p postage and packing in the UK.
UK delivery: £10+ £1.50 p&p Europe: £10+ £2.70 p&p Rest Of The World: £10+ £3.40 p&p |
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The Blewdle, released Summer 2012. Read more...
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If you’d like to buy this album as a download for £5.00 (plus vat) please click here |
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Buy the Blewdle for CD for £10 plus £1.50p postage and packing in the UK.
UK delivery: £10+ £1.50 p&p Europe: £10+ £2.70 p&p Rest Of The World: £10+ £3.40 p&p |
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Funnies released Winter 2013. Read more...
| If you’d like to buy this album as a download for £4.00 (plus vat) please click here |
Dear Santa released October 2015. Read more...
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If you’d like to buy this album as a download for £5.00 (plus vat) please click here |
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| Buy Dear Santa CD for £6 including postage and packing in the UK. |
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