Richard
Peeples, christened "Mr. Richard" by Orlando, Florida-area moms,
is a singer and storyteller. For five years, Richard was part
of the storytelling troupe at the Orlando Public Library, and
moms and kids were constantly nagging him to make a CD of his
silly tunes. At last, "Might As Well Sing" is here, with ten
original songs hand-crafted on Richard's couch and polished
for your listening pleasure at Delta Recording in Clarksdale,
Mississippi. Richard is joined by former Squirrel Nut Zippers
leader and Buddy Guy guitarist James "Jimbo" Mathus, who not
only produced the album but also played banjo, accordion and
some slippery slide guitar. Multi-instrumentalist Matt McWhirter
played piano, organ and drums, and Memphis-based blues babe
Miss Olga lends her silky vocals to the proceedings. As Jimbo
says, "It's real music played by real people".
The
whole family will enjoy "Might As Well Sing", from the pragmatic
"What Good Is A Fish?" to the toe-tapping rock of "Sammy Snake"
to the whimsical "Airplane Jane". Unsung pets are given their
due in "Animal Friends", while a pig's natural slovenly tendencies
are addressed in "Pig Pig Pig". And "Underwear", while a pub-friendly
sing-along, has been proven to get your toddler out of diapers
for good!
The
New York Post picked "Might As Well Sing" in a round-up of new
children's "platters that matter", and called "Sammy Snake"
a "hip ode to a hipless animal". Parenting magazine featured
the album as a May 2005 "Parenting Picks" for the 5-8-yr-old
set, citing "skewered melodies, groovin' guitar, and zany lyrics",
all featured at Mr. Richard's appearance at this year's New
Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Kid's Tent. "Might As Well
Sing" has also won two 2005 Children's Music Web Awards: Best
Recording for Children Ages 5-8 and Best Song ("Underwear")
for the same age group.
