David Tobocman, the singin', swingin' Dad makes ultra-musical, snappy, catchy, smart songs for kids. A tour of musical styles from jazz to rock to bluegrass and country to hip hop, David Tobocman's Very Helpful Songs are sure to engage and entertain kids from toddler to tween. Q&A WITH DAVID TOBOCMAN So, what's your story, David? Originally from Detroit, I've been in Los Angeles for 21 years making music for film and TV and now writing and performing snappy songs for kids. How long have you done children’s music? About 2 fun-filled years now. Describe your music in 10 words or less A musical tour for young ears with lyrics that are message-driven and fun. Who is your average fan? A music lover -- be it toddler, kid, or parent. Anything else we should know? I don't talk down to my audience. Kids are smart and creative -- I try to meet them at their level. Do you have a website where we can learn more? Sure you can hear my songs and read some nice reviews at www.VeryHelpfulSongs.com (Tobocman) has made one of the most refreshingly funny, cute, and touching records I’ve heard in some time... It has been playing in our house constantly since showing up in my mailbox... His voice is versatile and his lyrics are clever without ever being corny. “Very Helpful Songs” is one of those sweet lil’ records that come out of nowhere and is one of the best children’s albums I’ve heard in a long time. - Jeff Bogle, Out with the Kids Great old-school kids' album... nice arrangements, ear-catching melodies. "Home" could be a song Paul Simon forgot to record! And check out the Sublime/Sugar Ray-like "Favorite Son (Every Day)" ... oughta be on a kids' show or movie soundtrack. - Warren Truitt, Children's Music That Rocks What do you think about when you listen to this music video? I thought, "I'm sure going to miss when my kids outgrow children's music." That's Home, by David Tobocman. He doesn't know it yet, but he just launched a long and prestigious career writing and performing children's music. Up until now it appears he's been wasting his life composing music for films, and before that, TV shows, and before that, producing records. Having an 18-month and almost 4-year-old daughter has torqued his brain just so. His first CD, "I Count to Ten" and Other Very Helpful Songs, is worth a serious look. - Andrew Jones, Thingamababy (video) Tobocman's a southern California musician, and "Home" reminds me of nothing so much as the wistful songs on the soundtracks from another southern California musician, Randy Newman. The illustrations of Valerie Walsh make an excellent match. It's a great little video. (album) Many CDs attempt to impart lessons to kids -- I know, I've heard a lot of them -- but very few do so in a totally appealing musical manner. This CD easily makes that small but distinguished list.... The songs are, for the most part, solid -- they're great melodies backed up by well-crafted instrumentation. And more than half a year after I first heard it, I'm still moved by "Home," easily one of the top kids music tracks of the year... David Tobocman's I Count to Ten and other Very Helpful Songs is a solid little album... Recommended. - Stefan Shepherd, Zooglobble “Home” is an incredibly touching song that makes me want to immediately run over and kiss my wife, hug my kids, pet my cat, not yell quite so much at my fish, and otherwise be extra grateful for the home and love that I feel blessed to have in my life.... the song is so heartwarming that it’s almost heartburning, and the beautiful video created for it, with pictures by Valerie Walsh just takes it over the top into heartmelting territory... Thankfully, the rest of David’s album is really great too... - Eric Herman, Cool Tunes for Kids David has blown the lid off of the steroetype of so-called "helpful" children's music with this album... The jazz element in children's music has been done many times, as well as the the idea of teaching elementary tasks through music, but David created a combination style that brings a new element of excitement to watching your children learn these concepts, because they'll learn to love music at the same time... Appeal to children? Definitely! My two children (ages 2 1/2 and 1) both danced along with me, and my son even kept the beat. The older one was also able to count along with the number song, and as I said above, picked up key words in other songs like, "brush," "jammies," "love," and more. Appeal to parents? Positively easy on the ears. Some songs are even enjoyable to listen to when not catering to my children! - Stephanie Mondrut, Hear It, Love It, Share It K-Man loves this CD. From the very first song, “I Count to Ten,” K-Man quite literally rocked out in his car seat... The ultimate test? G actually leaned over and turned up the volume on “Favorite Son.” And, my wife isn’t some kind of music pushover. The fact that she wanted to “turn it up,” well, it speaks volumes (pun intended)... David Tobocman is clearly a talented musician who can write a variety of styles of music. I hope that someday we’ll be listening to David Tobocman’s fifth or sixth CD. - Todd Lieman, Life and Times of a New Dad I’m a Dad and I started writing fun songs for my kids to help teach them the ways of the world -- Important stuff like coping with frustration, keeping clean, why we keep our clothes on, the importance of creative thinking, and the comforting idea of a secure home. I know that my two kids have learned a lot through these songs and I hope these songs can help out your kids too. I live with my family in Southern California. We have 2 little girls, three cats, a fish, a Mom and a Dad in our house. No matter where kids live and what shape and size their family, I know that these fun songs carry universal lessons in a language that everyone understands -- music!