Brady Rymer
Every Day Is a Birthday
(Bumblin' Bee)
First Appeared in The Music Box, February 2006, Volume 13, #2
Written by John Metzger
Constantly on tour with his band From Good Homes, Brady Rymer didn’t get to
enjoy fully the first few years of his son Gus’ life. Viewing the group’s
dissolution as an opportunity to find some semblance of balance between his
family and his career, he subsequently ventured into the challenging, but no
less rewarding, business of making music for children. Although his debut Good Morning, Gus was a tad tentative, Rymer since has refined his approach,
and his growth is evident throughout his fourth endeavor Every Day Is a
Birthday. Much like his previous outings, Rymer playfully merges together a
diverse array of styles in order to craft songs that can be enjoyed by parents
and kids alike, but never before has he sounded quite as confident or
comfortable delivering them. On the opening track Rock ’n‘ Roll Mother Goose,
he giddily sings, "Mary had a little amp and a guitar white as snow," thereby
setting the stage for the rest of the affair. In spewing his tales of tired
parents (Keep Up with You) and easily distracted kids (Dilly Dally
Daisy), a similar sense of silliness abounds, and Rymer facilely commingles
the sweetness of soul-pop with driving beats, bucolic back porch refrains, and
even a lyrical nod to the Rolling Stones. Along the way, he also succeeds in
teaching the power of imagination as well as the importance of friends, family,
and community. While those traversing similar terrain have meant well, their
efforts largely have been filled with ditties that are condescendingly
saccharine. Rymer is one of the few performers who gets it right and treats kids
with the respect that they deserve. 
Of Further Interest...
Jerry Garcia / David Grisman - Not for Kids Only
Del McCoury Band - Little Mo' McCoury
Every Day Is a Birthday is available
from Barnes & Noble. To order, Click Here!
Ratings
1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!
Copyright © 2006 The Music Box