Rockin' in the Forest with Farmer Jason (Kid Rhino, 2006)

"Farmer Jason" is more than just a nom de plume for alt.-country pioneer Jason Ringenberg to create kid's music. While early Jason & the Scorchers audiences marveled at Ringenberg's whirling dervish antics, they didn't realize that it was just his unbridled enthusiasm spilling out on the stage. Ringenberg brings the same sort of reckless joie de vivre here, his second kids' album and the first under the Kid Rhino imprint.

Ringenberg is a good enough songwriter that he can pen material for kids that won't drive parents entirely crazy with repeated listens, slipping in clever asides and erudite references that sound funny enough to kids, but whip-smart to the adult listener. Farmer Jason's good-natured goofiness and nice-guy personality create a natural appeal for kids with tunes like "Punk Rock Skunk" and "Opossum In A Pocket."

The music is quite sophisticated, however, ranging from raucous country and folkish storytelling to pop-punk and rockabilly. Ringenberg is backed here by top-notch musicians like George Bradfute, Fats Kaplin and Victor Wooten while friends like Todd Snider, Webb Wilder and Kristi Rose drop by to lend their vocal talents.

If you want to provide your young 'uns with intelligent entertainment, let 'em spend some time with Farmer Jason.