I first reviewed Lah-Lah back in 2021 when I took a closer look at their extensive catalogue of original children's music and reviewed their excellent song "Catch Me If You Can". On this occasion I decided to take a deep dive into the Lah-Lah YouTube channel which has a phenomenal library of preschool music videos on display. The creative team behind the channel is husband and wife duo Tina and Mark Harris. They are musicians and early childhood educators who have been in the business of educating and entertaining children for over twenty years.
It is well-documented that nursery rhymes are a wonderful way to boost language development and literacy skills in the early years. This is also the focus of the Lah-Lah YouTube channel where the emphasis is on music videos that are highly interactive thus encouraging young children to actively participate through singing, dancing and joining in rather than watching passively. This new video certainly upholds this vision.
Their latest music video release is a fascinating reworking of the classic nursery rhyme "Wheels on the Bus". Yes, I know some of you might be thinking this has already been done, but this band has a unique ability to take something familiar and really make it their own, which is some achievement. The Byrd's cover of Dylan's classic "Tambourine Man" comes to mind.
Tina Harris (as Lah-Lah) and Mark Harris (as the bus driver/lollipop man) are the stars of the video supported by a host of animated characters. Their on-camera presence shines through as among the best in the business, as they always look so relaxed and at ease on camera. As with all things Lah-Lah, the visuals in this music video are exemplary with high production values, clearly establishing them as experts in their field.
The band's music is generally jazz-inspired but this time they have ventured into pop territory with a sound slightly reminiscent of the Jackson 5. The music is quite sparse with drums, bass and keyboards dominating the sound, along with crystal clear vocals and highly effective harmonies. The overall approach is inclusive and welcoming with a sound that stirs the senses, further encouraging the listener to jump on board. The band also manages to squeeze in an additional refrain to the song, cleverly introducing a freeze game adding further interactivity.
If you have little ones in your life be sure to check this one out. You'll be glad that you did because a trip into the world of Lah-Lah is certainly a joyful one! You might even catch yourself singing and tapping along. Who knew bus travel could be this much fun?
Lah Lah - hop on board everybody's welcome.
