PARENT'S CHOICE AWARD WINNER 2008 You don't have to be a New York "city kid" to enjoy singer-guitarist Joanie Leeds' story and play songs. Colorful original tracks -- "Lizzie Spins," "Pretend," "Hey, Little Sun," "The Animals at the Central Park Zoo" and others - are inspired by Leeds' experience as music educator and entertainer and skillfully shaped by her vivacious soprano and gentle rock 'n roll approach. She includes, too, very nicely done renditions of a few songs by other artists, highlighted by Woody Guthrie's "Riding in my Car" and Tom Chapin's "This Pretty Planet." Lynne Heffley ©2008 Parents' Choice PARENT GUIDE MAGAZINE "Joanie Leeds shows off her keen understanding of the interests of metropolitan children on her debut children's album, CITY KID! Leeds teaches music in 5 Manhattan locations, and her street -savvy students inspired her to write songs about popular city activities including taking the subway, eating sushi and visiting the Central Park Zoo. Leeds' album also includes her take on songs like "You are My Sunshine", Crosby Stills, Nash and Young's "Our House" and Otis Redding's "Happy Song (Dum-Dum Song)." THE NEW YORK SUN "Children's tunes often have a way of getting lodged in a parent's mind long after the music has stopped playing — whether one likes it or not. But singer Joanie Leeds makes catchy music that little ones - and their parents won't mind hearing again and again. Her debut album, "City Kid," is an upbeat collection that is a tribute to New York City. It boasts original songs such as "Ice Cream," "Tongue Twister," and "Sushi," on which she chants, "tuna, yellowtail ... roll it up, I love sushi." The CD also includes classics such as "You Are My Sunshine" and "I've Been Working on the Railroad/Hinei Rakevet…” You don't have to be from the Big City to love "City Kid!" NYC singer/songwriter Joanie Leeds, already known for her pop/soul sound in the grownup world, is now making waves in the land of hip kids’ music. With her music chops and rockin’ debut children’s album, “City Kid”, she is sure to join the ranks of kid-oriented rock 'n' rollers like Laurie Berkner and Dan Zanes. Currently teaching music at four Manhattan schools, Joanie uses her students as inspiration for her original songs. “With museums, Broadway shows, art exhibits and a melting pot of culture right outside their door, these kids have the world at their fingertips and inspired me to write “City Kid.” After writing a song, I would play it for my music classes, if they liked it, I would play it at one of my birthday party concerts… if THEY liked it, then, it went on the album. Kids are smart. They know good music when they hear it”! With her many interactive and educational numbers, Joanie opens up the album with an upbeat, Beatlesque welcome song. “This was the first kids song I ever wrote! I knew I wanted to pen a tune where the kids can dance and sing along.” Joanie then goes on mixing genres and styles taking families on a journey through the city. Along the way kids eat “Sushi”, “Ice Cream”, have a “Happy Birthday”, use their imagination on “Pretend”, take public transportation and cabs on “We Wanna Ride” and learn their ABC’s with the harpsichord hit, "Animals at the Central Park Zoo." With witty “Good Ole Days,” moms, dads and grandparents will laugh at the sarcasm and kids and grownups alike will try to keep up on “Tongue Twister.” “City Kid” ends with a lullaby, “My Love” that may even have you shedding a tear or two. Besides her clever originals, Joanie covers a few songs and makes them her own such as a soulful “You are My Sunshine”, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s “Our House”, Otis Reddings’ “Happy Song” and her own arrangement of the traditional “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad intertwined with an Israeli folk song “Hinei Rakevet.” Every song on “City Kid” is masterfully recorded with an excellent backing band and not only does each song sound completely different from the next, but the album as a whole sounds different from anything you’ve heard before. It will surely appeal to both parents and children and turn you into a “City Kid” fan! Songs from "City Kid" can be heard live when Joanie performs at your child's next birthday party or her upcoming concerts. Please email her at joanieleeds@gmail.com or visit www.citykidmusic.com for information.