“THE BEST KIDS’ ALBUMS NOW! Leeds and her band bring big fun on their new release. Don’t attempt a family road trip without this minivan-friendly winner.” – People Magazine “The latest album from Leeds and her band, The Nightlights, is a high energy collection of tunes that'll keep kids and parents alike entertained. " – USA TODAY “Leeds continues to be a stellar performer, as well as creator of brilliant recordings; this latest song collection, housed in eco-friendly packaging and including full lyrics and liner notes, is a fine addition to her already impressive catalog. – Parents' Choice® Gold Award review of Joanie Leeds’ Good Egg – Parents' Choice GOLD Award "Her band may be called the Nightlights, but there’s nothing soporific about the music." – The New York Times NEW YORK (June 5th, 2015) – Joanie’s back, with a stunning new album! Beloved singer/songwriter Joanie Leeds continues to build her award-winning body of work with the September 4th release of her seventh children’s album, Meshugana (Limbostar, $15.00, for ages 4 – 14, run time 34:46 minutes). Joanie Leeds is once again joined by her band, The Nightlights, this time with a self produced holiday album recorded and mixed blocks from her home in Brooklyn, NY. Unlike any of her previous albums, Meshugana is made up of stories set in the Jewish context (for families), embracing each holiday throughout the calendar year along with themes such as love, family and the world around us. The Hebrew words used throughout Meshugana are all translated in the liner notes and focus on family values rather than religious texts creating accessibility for all who listen. Meshugana soars with soulful tunes intertwined with rock and folk. Joanie Leeds, known for her genre bending albums says of her newest release, “While writing these tunes, I channeled sitting around the camp fire at my summer camp!” An exceptionally versatile artist, Joanie Leeds is gifted with a soulful, “rock solid” voice that ranges from low and bluesy to high, light, and breezy. Says SiriusXM’s Kids’ Place Live Program Director Mindy Thomas, “Joanie Leeds is that cool babysitter who would let you try on her lip gloss once your mom left the house. You idolized her, and your mom knew she could trust her. That’s Joanie. Only she’s also likely to completely ROCK THE ROOF OFF YOUR HOUSE!” ‘Meshugana’ ‘Ahava’ ‘Hello, Goodbye, Shalom’ ‘Honey and Apples’ ‘Al Cheit’ ‘Sukkah Shakin’ ‘Spinning’ ‘Tu Tu Tu B’shevat’ ‘Haman’ ‘Mi Chamocha (Wade in the Water)’ ‘PJ Party’ ‘Lila Tov’ ‘Mayim’ Self produced by Joanie Leeds and drummer/husband, Dan Barman, Meshugana (Yiddish for crazy) kicks off with an off-the-wall party tune and titled track “Meshugana” and segues into the clap-along, folksy love tune “Ahava”. “Hello, Goodbye, Shalom” is a harmony filled Beatles tribute (with a twist) and “Honey and Apples” is an old timey mandolin ditty centered around the Rosh Hashana holiday. Next is Yom Kippur’s most country-rock tune ever with “Al Cheit”, a song about saying “I’m Sorry” and trying to be “the best you can be”. Other highlights include the spunky organ driven “Sukkah, Shakin’”, “Spinning”, an indie-pop-rock infused Chanukah tune about getting into trouble spinning inside the house and the Nightlights call and response rocker that screams CSNY on “Tu tu tu B’shevat”. Hilarious story telling ensues about a Purim Spiel on the Johnny Cash inspired “Haman” and the soulful, bluesy throwback “Mi Chamocha” fuses elements of the Passover story and the famous gospel tune “Wade in the Water”. It’s all about reading books before bed on PJ Party followed by a gorgeous lullaby “Lila Tov” (meaning- good night). Finally, “Mayim”, (translation: water) brings all of earth’s elements together (earth, wind, fire and water) on the folk/rock closing anthem. Joanie Leeds captured first place for her original music in the USA Songwriting Competition and has won an Independent Music Award, three Parents' Choice® Gold Awards, a NAPPA Gold Award, NAPPA Silver Award and a Family Choice Award. She has been honored as a finalist twice in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, the International Songwriting Competition and The Great American Song Contest. While often found serenading families in her hometown of NYC, Joanie also performs in dozens of cities across the country, and her music has been highly praised in People Magazine, Parents Magazine, The New York Times, USA Today and The Washington Post. Her tunes are played on many radio stations nationwide and have climbed the chart to #1 on SiriusXM's Kids Place Live and WXPN's Kids Corner. Joanie is also a PJ Library musician! Previous to Meshugana: Good Egg (2014) Bandwagon (2013), What a Zoo! (2011), and I’m a Rock Star (2010), Joanie released a children’s holiday CD, Challah, Challah (2009), a Parent’s’ Choice® Recommended children’s album, City Kid! (2008), and two albums for adult listeners: Soul From My Footsteps (2004) and My Job Application Knows More About Me Than You Do (2000). Joanie’s City Kid Live! DVD, released in 2010, won three Telly Awards. Also just released, Joanie’s new DVD- Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights- Live from Madison Square Park in the summer of 2015. Joanie Leeds’ love for music began when she was just a little “city kid” in Miami. At her second birthday party, Joanie surprised and dazzled the crowd by grabbing the party performer’s microphone and singing, at the top of her lungs, "Tomorrow" from Annie at the top of her lungs. Party guests may have been astonished, but two-year-old Joanie had no idea that entertaining kids was anything unusual. As she grew older, it was clear that Joanie possessed a major talent, and she gravitated toward musical and theatrical activities throughout her school years. Joanie’s interest in working with kids surfaced early; during high school she taught music to children at Temple Beth Am and at song sessions and conventions of the National Federation of Temple Youth. Sporting a Syracuse University B.F.A. in drama and musical theatre, Joanie Leeds began her career as a singer/songwriter by performing in such NYC clubs as The Living Room, The Bitter End, Arlene’s Grocery, and CBGB’s. Performing at night while working at a succession of “dead end” jobs by day proved less than fulfilling, however. At the suggestion of a friend, Joanie began working with children at a Manhattan Gymboree location, singing with and for the kids all day long. This led to positions as music specialist with a number of different children's programs and nursery schools. Joanie soon became so popular with NYC families that Time Out NY Kids dubbed her “one of the best at-home sing-along entertainers for kids,” and Nickelodeon’s ParentsConnect similarly honored her. Having discovered the joy of sharing music with children, Joanie has never looked back. Meshugana will be available online at joanieleeds.com, cdbaby.com, iTunes, and other related digital outlets.