You don’t have to be a kid or speak French to enjoy French Playground

Kindie and children’s music are fascinating subcultures. To distant observers they’re the same, yet once you dig into them they’re quite different, just like children. French Playground is a compilation of French and Quebec music that blends both worlds of kindie and children’s music into its own creation that almost defies categorization.

A great example of this is that our 5 year old does not like children’s music, but he likes kindie. Our oldest simply likes happy music in any genre. We had Putumayo Kids presents French Playground in the CD player for two weeks before either of them asked what they were listening to. That’s important to point out because at least once a day during our errands one of them will say “I want to hear song number six please”.

Not once for two weeks during our normal course of running to the store, science club, grandmother’s house or wherever did they mention it. During that time I came to like many of the songs too, yet children’s music puts me to sleep. Literally, it puts me to sleep.

This is a re-release that includes four songs that were not on its initial release. The music in French Playground is varied in pace and presentation. That’s what separates it from children’s music, but the songs are so carefree and happy you’ll immediately associate it with that music. French Playground also uses lots of different musical instruments, very few of which are associated with kindie.

The big separation is that adults can easily listen to the entire disc, over and over, without falling asleep or getting bored. The music in French Playground doesn’t lower the music or message to the audience the way that some children’s music does. In a way this is smart French pop that’s OK for children. It’s much the way that Laurie Berkner straddles the line between children’s music and kindie, this release does that too, but in French.

It comes with liner notes in French and English that provide details on the songs, their history and the artists that sing them. Many of the singers on the disc have a children’s audience in France or Quebec. Their talent is obvious as the disc is populated with ten pop nuggets that any mother tongue will enjoy.

My French is not that good. However,  you do not need to speak a word of French to enjoy this release. It’s fun, happy music that makes your toes tap and the corners of your mouth turn up towards your eyes.