Various Artists, New Orleans Playground (Putumayo Kids)

 

What is Putumayo saying presenting the Meters’ “They All Ask’d for You,” Lee Dorsey’s “Ya Ya,” Chris Kenner’s “I Like it Like That” and Fats Domino’s “Whole Lotta Lovin’” as kids’ music? That there’s something immature about them? Probably not. That they make as a good a party soundtrack after school as after midnight? Maybe, but more likely it’s a comment on the playfulness of New Orleans music and an opportunity to expose kids to New Orleans’ R&B. When Radio Disney is teaching children to be lifelong Disney consumers and buy CDs by artists such as Cheyenne Kimball and the Cheetah Girls, maybe a little counter-programming is necessary.