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BUNDLE Magazine
Punk Baby! Punk rocker-turned-papa Yosi
doesn't plunge into mosh pits anymore, but the catchy Ska &
Pop on his Under A Big Bright Yellow Umbrella CD will have
your tot pogo-ing like she's at CBGB's. And no kid will be able
to resist Yosi's lowdown "Stinky Blues." -BUNDLE
Magazine (Spring, 2006)
PARENTING:
Yosi: A lovely way to enjoy a rainy day. UNDER
A BIG BRIGHT YELLOW UMBRELLA: A dozen high-energy songs about
such eclectic topics as selling salt in the Sahara, stinky feet,
and more make up this original collection. With wisdom fit just
for kids: "Cheese forms in between your toes/Leaches grow in a
garden hose." -Suelain Moy, Parenting (September 2004)
NEW YORK TIMES
By The Way: A Fan Base That Dances, Claps and
Naps
Better judgment may tell you to steer clear of
a guy named Yosi with a guitar slung over his shoulder, but there
is no need. Tribes of drippy new-agers do not trail Yosi, an Island
Heights musician. Two-year-olds do. "They're funny," Yosi said
after a recent Point Pleasant Concert for a crowd of clapping
preschoolers. "They're actually star-struck by me. They'll say,
'Oh, we'll see you next week at the Ocean County Library show.'
They know my schedule better than I do." Little wonder. The June
release of "Under a Big Bright Yellow Umbrella." Yosi's third
whimsical, genre-spanning CD for 2-to-9-year-olds, which is holding
at No. 11 (down from its peak of No. 2) on the XM Satellite Radio
Childrens' chart has won him honors including the Film Advisory
Board's award of excellence. His success coincides with a schedule
that most artists would call crazy. In addition to distributing
the CD himself, this year Yosi will play 450 shows from New York
to Virginia, most of them scattered around New Jersey. "I'll do
three or four shows a day sometimes," said Yosi, whose full name
is Yosi Levin. That can include "three festivals or a couple of
private parties and a library show." At his shows, the barely-out-of-Pampers
set peppers him with requests for "Hole in the Ground," a bouncy
number about the burning desire to be a worm, or the hard-luck,
smoky "Stinky Blues," for which his normally even-keeled voice
goes gravely. He's a casual Fridays kind of performer who dons
a theme outfit only when it's called for. It is a lifestyle, he
said, that he can barely believe he lucked into. "Seven years
ago, when my daughter was 3, I brought my guitar into her preschool"
- Toms River Nursery School - " and the director liked it so much
she gave me a tuition reduction to keep coming in and playing.
From there it just mushroomed." New Gods, the Punk outfit he led
from 1985 to 1989, while he was a Rutgers student, had little
effect as a launch pad, he said. He became a counselor to the
emotionally disturbed. "It just fizzled. I had no idea I'd ever
do anything with music," he said. The career switch has been met
with across-the-board thumbs-up from his own four children, ages
2 through 10. "Even the 10-year-old still likes it," he said proudly.
"She's not the type of kid to put on airs. She doesn't have to
be cool."
—Tammy La Gorce, NEW YORK TIMES (July 11, 2004,
NJ Section)
Under a Big Bright Yellow Umbrella Brightens Even
Cloudiest Days Before parenthood, you never imagined the music
your kids listen to would crawl into your own brain. Where you
once knew the words of popular songs, now yhou find yourself singing
Raffi's toothbrush song in the car, the shower, or heaven forbid,
in public. It's inevitable, so we might as well choose their music
carefully. That's where a hip, new CD called Under a Big Bright
Yellow Umbrella comes in. This is the second release by Yosi,a
New Jersey artist and father. The upbeat, fun songs will quickly
become family favorites, particularly the cover song and "Stinky
Blues," which talksa bout the epitome of y oung child humor, smelly
feet. You'll find yourself singing these catchy tunes, too --
don't say I didn't warn you. But somehow it doesn't feel quite
so embarrassing. -Rebecca Murphy, Editor, Metro Augusta Parent
(Georgia), Sept. 2004
The songs on 'Under a Big Bright Yellow Umbrella'
by Yosi run the musical gamut from folk to ska (Yosi Music, $14.99).
Among the typical kid-centered lyrics about boogers, frogs and
making friends, Yosi deftly includes a theme of cultural appreciation.
A fun anthology of tongue twisters, lullabies, and more. - MetroParent
(Detroit & Ann Arbor), Sept., 2004
Making funny voices brings smiling faces to Yosi's
audience of children! -Susan Van Dongen, Time Off, July
8, 2004
A diverse group of sounds can be heard on "Under
a Big Bright Yellow Umbrella" by musician Yosi (YosiMusic, $14.99).
Winner of a 2004 iParenting Media Award, as well as a 2004 Film
Advisory Board Award of Excellence, this CD includes reggae, rock,
blues, country, lullaby and more, in high-energy. -Parents
Express, (Philadelphia area), Sept. 2004
CONSTANT LISTENER – (HushNJ.com) October/November
2004 - By Jim Testa
Jersey Beat, the fanzine that I edit and put
out, has been turning music fans into rock critics for over 20
years now, providing budding rock writers with a chance to be
published and see their first bylines in print. Some of our alumni
include the music critic at the Chicago Sun-Times, a Conservative
born-again Christian columnist at Salon, Mickey from Ween, and
Ben Weasel from Screeching Weasel. They’ve all grown up and gone
on to become pundits, critics, rock stars, and professional punks…
but none of those stories tops Yosi Levin’s. You see, Yosi not
only earns a very nice living from music – he does it performing
hundreds of shows a year to an audience that isn’t even old enough
to read yet. He is the prince of Pre-K, the poet laureate of the
potty-training set, bigger than Barney and hipper than Hillary
Duff. And how he got there is one heck of a story. As a snotty
high-schooler playing in New Jersey hardcore bands, Yosi became
Jersey Beat’s first (and only) advice columnist. Of course, he
did it with a twist; his column was called “Ask The Anarchist,”
and his words of wisdom usually amounted to things like “Drop
out of school and learn to play guitar, loser!” It's hard to believe
that twenty years later, the same Yosi Levin is now adored by
a small army of toddlers and grade school kids who think he’s
cooler than Spongebob Squarepants and Thomas The Tank Engine times
infinity. So how exactly does one go from being an anarchist punk
rocker to performing catchy singalongs for little kids? “It's
a long nonmusical road from hardcore Punk to children's music,”
Yosi explained. “When I was in The Exposed (1986-‘87,) I was just
starting college. The band morphed into the New Gods (‘87-‘91)
by the time I finished college. After the New Gods broke up, I
finished grad school and became a professional counselor. I got
married and when my first child went to nursery school, I brought
in my guitar to sing some traditional kids songs. That was about
1996. The director loved the sing-along and offered for me to
return twice a month. From there things took off.” On Yosi’s latest
(and third full-length) CD, Under A Big Bright Yellow Umbrella,
released this summer, he swings effortlessly between upbeat ska-punk
and growly Tom Waits- ish blues, mellow reggae and head-bobbing
synth-pop. There are songs about monkeys and umbrellas, stinky
feet and trains, digging holes and flying balloons, a patriotic
ode to the flag, and a lilting Calypso number called “My Friend
Juan” that’s sung in both English and Spanish. On “Friends Around
The World,” Yosi introduces his young listeners to boys and girls
in India, Copenhagen, Ecuador and Israel, set to a new-wave beat
that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on an early Elvis Costello
album. It’s all so perky and catchy and PC that of course parents
love it. But what do kids think? Well, Yosi says he plays around
450 shows a year – usually several shows a day at malls, schools,
daycare facilities, theaters, and even senior citizen centers.
Under A Big Bright Yellow Umbrella reached No. 2 on the XM Satellite
Radio children’s channel (and is still charting in the top 20,)
and his list of honors and awards includes a 2004 Parenting Media
Award and the Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence. Yosi said
his target audience are children from age two through eight. “There's
a definite difference between boys and girls in the way they interact
with music,” he noted. Girls tend to engage more cooperatively
in twos or groups, holding hands, singing and dancing along together.
Boys are more rambunctious & competitive. I need to appeal to
their sense of challenge and keep them guessing as to what will
happen next. Preschoolers are naturally exuberant but need to
feel safe initially. So I always start with familiar and quieter
songs before we get to the energetic stuff. “ “School age kids
want to be entertained and feel smart,” he stressed. “Including
them in the act is key.” One thing that sets Yosi apart from the
purple dinosaurs and animated characters that tend to be his main
competition is that his music appeals to both children and adults.
“There's a lot of Barney type music for kids out there, and you
know how kids love repetition,” he noted. “It drives parents nuts!
Parents love to see their kids having fun, but after a dozen listens
of "I Love You," parents are really frustrated. So I not only
introduce kids to all kinds of great music (ska, reggae, blues,
rock, country, etc.) but also provide intelligent and witty lyrics
that parents can get into. Parents tell me that after they drop
off the kids at school, they're still listening to my songs on
the way to work.” “My personal taste in music is very eclectic,
and it seems to contribute to some of my success,” he added. “I
think my competition is limited. There are a few great children's
acts that literally rock (Trout Fishing In America, Ralph's World,
Dan Zanes). However there are too many uninspired, singsongy acts
that pander and, in my opinion, talk down to kids and annoy parents.”
After Yosi spends a full day entertaining other people’s children,
he comes home to a house full of kids of his own. “Hannah is 11,
she's listening to Fountain of Wayne and Good Charlotte,” he said.
“She plays piano. Matt and Nik (our 7-year old twins) love to
run around and wrestle to loud rock. Nik wants to play guitar
and Matt wants to play drums. They'll have lessons soon. Jon is
two years old and he definitely bops to daddy's music. I guess
I could have a family band on my hands one day.” Maybe having
his own brood at home has taught Yosi had to handle a room full
of toddlers. With competition from TV, video games, Gameboys,
and other diversions, it can’ t be easy to hold the attention
of a 5 year old for a 40-minute set. “The challenge of keeping
kids interested is greater than ever,” he agreed. “Kids are conditioned
to split- second, action-packed video and audio bytes. They also
need to slow down at times. So I engage them in highly interactive,
humorous and energetic performances. I keep them on their toes,
and there's always a question of what fun, silly and surprising
thing will happen next. However, I've learned to keep that interest
by slowing things down for a story song or two, using the same
methods.” I asked if having been in hardcore bands as a youth
himself helped with what he’s doing today. “Friends who remember
me from The Exposed days say my shows are like ‘kiddy punk shows,’”
he replied. “The frenzy and energy is undeniable. Parents, teachers,
and librarians are usually astonished that I can get the kids
so energized, then get them to lay down pretending to sleep, and
then sit up and listen to a story. If every song sounded alike,
it would get boring fast - for me as well as the kids.” “Some
of my favorite bands have always been eclectic,” he noted. “Like
The Clash, who played punk, reggae, pop, funk & blues. The Ramones
did ballads, bubble gum pop, surf rock & of course garage.” Yosi
keeps a very busy schedule. He’s already got a dozen shows booked
for October, including appearances at a camp out, several Baby
Gaps, Brielle’s Halloween parade, and the Mercer County Library,
where he’ll be performing “Yosi’s Spooky Halloween Stories” on
October 29. To find out when he’ll be in your area, visit www.yosimusic.com.
You can also order his CD’s from the website.
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NEW YORK Magazine
"Groove to a high-energy concert by Yosi
& Friends." - New York, October 14, 2005
"It's GREAT! 'Under a Big Bright Yellow Umbrella'
is the perfect CD to play while jumping on the bed!" —Kenny
Curtis, Program Director, XMKids, XM Satellite Radio (March
2004)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:
Singer-songwriter Yosi keeps it simple and keeps
it silly – a formula that engages young listeners at his many
live performances and translates well to this recording. A revved-up
opening track called “Hole in the Ground” kicks things off by
encouraging kids to do “the worm” and “get down and get wiggling.”
Soon after, a reggae beat wafts through “Selling Salt in the Sahara,”
which features vocals by Deb Lyons that will have listeners swaying
and singing along. “The Stinky Blues,” a ditty about wet, smelly
shoes (and feet), fittingly gives prominence to some blues hallmarks:
gravelly singing, wailing harmonica, and rhythmic piano. Child
singers (including several of Yosi’s family members), sound effects
(train, quacking ducks, etc.) and a variety of music styles and
instruments help maintain a fresh sound from the first song to
the last. - Publishers Weekly, July 12th, 2004
School Library Journal, October, 2004
Under a Big Bright Yellow Umbrella. 1 CD. 43:44
min. Yosi Music. 2004. $14.99.
PreS-Gr 2–Yosi Levin’s third album for kids is
a worthy addition to the world of music for children. He wrote
10 of the 12 offerings here. Great vocals, competent instrumentals,
and an enthusiastic children’s chorus make these toe-tapping songs
appealing. Guitars, harmonicas, trumpet, trombone, keyboard, drums,
bass, piano, banjo, and saxophone are among the instruments played.
Song styles include rock, rhythm ‘n blues, bluegrass, and folk.
“Hole in the Ground” is where “I” want to be when “I” want to
be a worm. Simple Simon is “Selling Salt in the Sahara.” One can
play in the rain “Under a Big Bright Yellow Umbrella.” Stinky
feet and shoes give one the “Stinky Blues.” “Where Do All Things
Come From?” includes some interesting theories such as teachers
from a petri dish and asparagus from outer space. Two very young
children sing “My Flag” with piano accompaniment. Levin turns
“Six Little Monkeys” into a wonderful rock song with the help
of an enthusiastic children’s chorus. The “Train Medley” includes
“New River Train,” “Down By the Station,” “Little Red Caboose,”
and “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.” “Friends Around the World”
celebrates multinational friendships. “My Friend Juan” is sung
in English and Spanish. “Sleepy Little Town” and “Me & My Balloon”
are sweet lullabies. This album has already garnered an iParenting
Media Award and a 2004 Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence,
and “Hole in the Ground” reached #2 on XM Kids Radio in April.
A solid addition for all libraries.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio
Public Library, TX
Midwest Book Review, Oct. 2004
Under A Big Bright Yellow Umbrella is a cheery
music CD featuring the guitar play of Yosi, who happens to be
a licensed family therapist as well as a skilled musician. His
music revolves around the theme of having fun; the accompanyment
includes trumpet, trombone, drums, bass, piano, harmonica, and
more or various different songs. Cheerful, international vocals
with themes of friendship, sharing, and new ways of looking at
the world around one distinguish this family-friendly listening
experience, that will appeal to listeners of all ages. Tracks
include Hole in the Ground, Selling Salt in the Sahara, Under
a Big Bright Yellow Umbrella, Stinky Blues, Where Do All Things
Come From?, Six Little Monkeys, My Flag, Train Medley, Friends
Around the World, My Friend Juan, Sleepy Little Town, and Me &
My Balloon. A treasure meant to be shared and enjoyed.
This energizing album encourages children's inner
playfulness, beckoning them to "have fun." Yosi, himself has been
an avid composer and performer since childhood, not to mention
being a licensed family therapist. The album features ten songs
with clever lyrics and instrumentals that fetaure sounds from
percussion instruments, trumpets, trombones, saxophones, and more
in a variety of musical styles. - Georgia Family Magazine,
Sept. 2004
Children’s performer Yosi did not start out as
a musician. A counselor and psychologist who played music on the
side, it took him years to heed his own advice to “live genuinely”
and follow one’s own inner voice. When he did that, he found his
way to performing for those he loved most: his own four children
and their friends. Perhaps because he understands so well what
it means, in the heart, to “have fun,” Yosi’s music just vibrates
with joy. Every song is a great big kid party. Yosi’s followers
in the Northeast seek out his concerts and sing along to every
word. If your kids are less than 9, check Yosi out. You’ll be
glad you did. - South Florida Parenting, August 2004
"Yosi combines high-energy spunk and warm-hearted
sincerity on an album that places this upstart children's music
innovator in front of the pack. From the frenzied punch of "Hole
in the Ground" to the sweetness and serenity of "Me & My Balloon"
(featuring Deb Lyons on vocals), Yosi is hard to classify and
easy to love. There's reggae, there's world beat, there's even
the "Stinky Blues." This is what the blues were meant to be: a
down and dirty meditation on a pair of old, dank shoes. Train-addicted
tots will eagerly listen to Yosi's "Train Medley," one of the
few tracks on the album that's not an original composition. But
even here Yosi gives it his own stamp by creating a unique amalgamation
of choo-choo classics. Move over Raffi: There's a new kids' musician
on the block, and his name is Yosi! " —Yvette Cadeaux,
Hot Off the Griddle (July, 2004)
"Summertime, and the listening's easy. Yes,
in every family, there comes a time to turn off the car TV, look
at the scenery and croon along with the kids. Here's some music
to soothe the wild child … If the kids need a little vigorous
wiggling, Yosi will get them pretending to be a worm in Under
a Big Bright Yellow Umbrella!" —THE DALLAS MORNING
NEWS, Family Entertainment columnist Nancy Churnin (June 22,
2004)
Under a Big Bright Yellow Umbrella runs a gamut
of styles from ska, reggae, and rock to blues, country, ballad,
and lullaby, all performed with vibrancy and energy. The music
is smart and clever as Yosi refuses to "talk down" to kids … Your
kids will get caught up in the magic and fun of this CD, letting
their imaginations run wild! -Ventura County Parent (California),
July 2004
Yosi is a lot like Bruce Springsteen - minus the
tens of millions of dollars, the international fame, the Rolling
Stone covers, or the style of music which they play. He has a
following. People check to see where he is playing and come to
see him. The crowd sings along with his every tune. -The Ocean
Star, August 2003
"Kids can rock out to songs about being a
worm and romantic dinosaurs. Yosi's fans are really into his blend
of ska, blues, country and reggea. They're also really intosnack
time, nap time and bringing their parents to his concerts. They
don't really have a choice considering his most senior fans aren't
older than 10." - Newport News (VA) Daily Press, Lisa
B. Deaderick, Sept. 30, 2005
KidsMusic.ABOUT.COM
(4 & 1/2 STARS out of 5)
Yosi's "Under a Big Bright Yellow Umbrella" is
a masterpiece. I love the combination of songs, Yosi's talent,
and his sense of style. One of my favorite tracks is "Train Medley"
- "Ridin' on the New River Train", "Down by the Station", "Little
Red Caboose", "I've Been Working on the Railroad/Dinah, Won't
You Blow", all sung by Yosi's slightly raspy voice in a traditional
but upbeat style. Yosi reminds me of Raffi in many ways. Both
use multicultural songs and various languages. They have similar
voices and musical styles. I love them both. Yosi uses more original
music and is more current and much closer to the rock end of the
spectrum though. Yosi's songs on this CD range from 'jump up and
dance' songs to lullabye type ballads. I believe that most of
the songs are original. Besides the "Train Medley" which is a
new arrangement, he also uses the traditional children's song
"Six Little Monkeys" (the alligator one, not the jumping on the
bed one). Yosi is frequently backed up by young children. The
least harmonic track is probably the most touching. "That's My
Flag" features the voices of several preschoolers. It's adorable.
Yosi does a great job of using many styles including rock, blues,
pop, traditional, reggae and more. His songs are great for inspiring
movement, humor, and thought processes as well as a love of music.
Yosi says his music is mostly geared toward preschoolers but I
think parents and preteens will enjoy it as well. - Fran Grauman
(April, 2006)
See: April '06 Interview
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