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What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Jacqueline Rupp

The Americana roots-infused family music band Ben Rudnick & Friends is back with its fifth release, A FROG NAMED SAM. The CD offers a mix of original tunes, instrumentals, and some old favorites. The title track is about a frog that moves to the big city to start a rock band but then misses his old pond friends. Classics like "Old Joe" and "Erie Canal" round things out.

Is It Any Good?

4

Eschewing typical cartoony kids' music, Ben Rudnick & Friends' offer up a mix Allman Brothers Band-style southern rock with the groovy eclecticism of a band like Phish. The silly and singable lyrics are addictive, and the band's musicianship is outstanding. Young ears will get to know the sounds of the saxophone, ukulele, dobro and mandolin and will find it easy to dance, sing-along, and bang some pots and pans to these high-energy tracks.

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