Through the Woods, the newest release from the Grammy Award-winning musicians The Okee Dokee Brothers, is a toe-tapping, hand-clapping good time.
The 15 family-friendly songs were inspired by the duo’s month-long trek along the Appalachian Trail. While the music is heavily influenced by the Appalachia culture on the opposite side of the country, the themes of adventure, exploration and imagination in the great outdoors are something any family in our neck of the woods will feel right at home with.
Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing put together their second “adventure album” as they camped, hiked and visited with mountain musicians along the trail. Their journey was captured in the short documentary that accompanies the music in Through the Woods:
If your kids are hesitant to embrace a different kind of music, I recommend settling in with the kids to watch the entertaining pair in action (you can buy the CD/DVD combo on their website). The Okee Dokee Brothers immediately endeared themselves to my 5-year-old daughter and gained a new fan as they demonstrated genuine friendship and fun along the hiking trail.
The Americana folk music on the album features instruments some kids may never have heard before, such as the bones, mouth bow and gut string banjo, which combine to create unique, compelling songs for listeners of all ages. It’s almost impossible to resist tapping along.
“Big Rock Candy Mountain” and “Jamboree” are my daughter’s favorite tracks on the album. “Big Rock Candy Mountain” paints a picture of a place that any kid would love to explore, populated with peppermint trees and warm summer days all year long. Each time she hears the song, she listens closely to the lyrics to discover something more about the enchanting place. “Jamboree” is a lively romp, and you and your kids will quickly find yourselves singing along and wishing you could join the party.
“Riddle and Rhyme” is an instant classic for older kids who enjoy a good tongue twister, and “Lighten Your Load” imparts wisdom to kids (and adults) of any age to stop and think about what it is we really need to get us through our journey. Parents will likely find that the final song on the album, “Baby Mine,” resonates with them the most. The Okee Dokee Brothers are just as adept at plucking the heartstrings as they are at strumming the guitar and banjo.
If your family is anything like mine, it will take a special kind of music to finally knock the beloved Frozen soundtrack out of its permanent home in the car stereo. Through the Woods did just that. This amazing album sparks the imagination and inspires anyone listening to throw open the front door and run outside. I have a feeling it will accompany us on many trips and adventures to come.
The Through the Woods combination CD/DVD is available May 20 for a suggested retail price of $25. To learn more about the duo, visit www.okeedokee.org.
Photo credit: Alex Johnson.
