Rock and Roll Playhouse releases debut album, lines up shows
Plus, Vinyl of the Week: ‘Four Women: The Nina Simone Complete Recordings 1964-1967’
Most parents who are music fans are — or should be — aware of The Rock and Roll Playhouse.
Founded in 2014 at its flagship venue, Brooklyn Bowl, it was conceived to allow children to experience the magic of live rock ‘n’ roll in a real live music venue, but with music performed specifically for kids’ eyes and ears.
Created by concert promoter Peter Shapiro and his teaming with educator Amy Striem, The Rock and Roll Playhouse Concert Series introduces timeless songs to the next generation, while providing early music exposure, encouraging creativity and offering fun and educational ways for families to experience live music together.
Now, with national live shows set for every weekend in 2024, including a handful in the region, comes the debut LP from the series, titled “Friends Rock!”
The album’s core cast of lovable characters, Mick, Stevie, Tina, Quinn and Jerry, gleefully “kid-ify” a myriad of rock ‘n’ roll songbook staples, translating the classic choruses and unmistakable melodies of some of the most recognizable anthems into age-appropriate singalongs for the little ones.
“I cannot wait to witness the magic that happens when you introduce our interpretations of classic rock ‘n’ roll to families through these upcoming albums,” Shapiro said in a statement.
Among many highlights, Queen’s “You’re My Best Friend” doubles as a sugary sweet ode to friendship. Paying homage to another classic, they reimagine The Beatles’ “We Can Work It Out” for the next generation.
They even took on the uplifting theme song to the sitcom “Friends,” “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts, making it a sort of lead single for the set by releasing it last year.
Additionally, The Rock and Roll Playhouse continues to book family concerts in the country’s most legendary rock clubs with a variety of live shows celebrating the music of a wide variety of artists at kidfriendly late morning/early afternoon set times.
Probably the best part about it is the gigs are fun for the children and the adults, seeing good music that’s not dumbed down.
Later this month at Ardmore Music Hall, on March 23, The Playhouse will pay tribute to the music of David Bowie. At Philly’s own Brooklyn Bowl on March 30, the focus will be on the music of Queen.
Back to Ardmore Music Hall on April 14 will be a show sure to draw a robust crowd as it honors Taylor Swift.
Finally, to wrap up the first half of 2024 and coincide with Father’s Day, the series zeros in on the music of the Grateful Dead. Featuring the Dead tribute outfit Lovelight Band, it’s being billed as a “Father’s Day Grateful Dad Celebration.”
To find out more information about The Rock and Roll Playhouse, where the concert series will be next and to purchase the “Friends Rock!” record, head to therockandrollplayhouse.com.
Vinyl of the Week
Keep an eye on this spot as each week we’ll be looking at new or soon-to-be-released vinyl from a variety of artists.
It might be a re-pressing of a landmark recording, special edition or new collection from a legendary act. This week, it’s a box set taken from one of the most meaningful phases of arguably the greatest female jazz voice of all time.
• Nina Simone, “Four Women: The Nina Simone Complete Recordings 19641967”
A new box set, “Four Women: The Nina Simone Complete Recordings 1964 — 1967,” brings together in their entirety all seven albums Nina Simone recorded for the Philips label during what was the most significant period of her long and distinguished career.
It’s when she fully embraced the civil rights movement and became one of the louder voices demanding immediate change for Blacks in the country.
Simone was wildly productive during this era for Philips, kicking off with “Nina Simone in Concert,” taken from a series of shows at New York City’s Carnegie Hall, and “Broadway-BluesBallads,” both of which came out in 1964.
She was even more prolific the following year with “Put a Spell on You,” “Pastel Blues” — featuring the 10-minute-plus version of the classic spiritual “Sinnerman” — and “Let It All Out,” one of the poppiest albums in Simone’s career.
The collection rounds out with 1966’s “Wild Is the Wind,” a stunner of a record, even more so given it’s made up of studio leftovers from sessions that took place over the previous two years, and 1967’s “High Priestess of Soul.”
The latter was another run at pop-centric compositions and the title was taken from a nickname bestowed upon Simone which she may or may not have had an issue with being labeled as she didn’t think of herself as solely a “soul” artist.
“Four Women” captures a uniquely powerful artist at her peak.
Housed in an elegantly designed faux-alligator hardcover slipcase, the seven-LP “Four Women” features beautifully packaged versions of all seven albums, each newly remastered and cut from the original analog tapes, an 18-page booklet with rare photos and liner notes by Grammy-winning music historian Ashley Kahn.
The deluxe box is limited to a run of 2,500 units globally.
Look for “Four Women: The Nina Simone Complete Recordings 1964 — 1967,” online and from all respectable retailers who carry vinyl.