Allegra Levy: “Songs For You And Me” (2023) CD Review

Allegra Levy is a jazz vocalist and songwriter, known for her original compositions. She released her first album, Lonely City, in 2014, and followed that with albums in 2017, 2018 and 2020. Her song “Waste My Time” took first place in the Great American Song Contest, Adult Contemporary category. In 2020, while concert venues were shut down due to the pandemic, the John Lennon Songwriting Contest added a weekly competition titled “Stuck At Home.” Allegra Levy’s “Wash My Hands” was the winner in August of that year. That song taught children (and adults) the benefits of following safety protocols, such as washing hands, wearing masks and keeping a safe distance. And now she is releasing her first full-length album aimed at a young audience, Songs For You And Me. The album contains all original material. Joining her on this release are Neha Jiwrajka on flute, glockenspiel and backing vocals; Jason Yeager on piano, celeste, organ and toy piano; Andrew Baird on guitar, ukulele and banjo; Timothy Norton on bass; Sammy Wags on drums and percussion; Katie Seiler on backing vocals and whistling; and Tomas Cruz on backing vocals. There are also some guests on certain tracks.

The album opens, appropriately enough, with “Hello Song,” which has a sweet folk vibe, with some nice work on guitar. “Hello to you, and how do ya do?/I’m happy to see you again.” She then offers ways of saying hello in different languages, and later in the song we hear children offering their own greetings. That’s followed by a delightfully goofy song titled “Noodles!” It is so joyful, and should instantly raise your spirits, even if you don’t like pasta. And for someone like me who would love to eat pasta during every meal, it is a total treat. Each verse is about a different type of pasta, and the kids shout out the name when prompted: “Macaroni!” and “Spaghetti!” and “Tortellini!” and “Ravioli!” And there is a section where the kids shout out various names of pasta. And, yeah, the line “You’re not sharing, then you’re a meanie” reminds me of Jim Infantino’s “Meanies.” This track is one of my personal favorites.

“It’s So Hard To Be You” is another of the disc’s highlights. Right from the start, the presence of a horn section announces this is going to be a great track. Dan Urness is on trumpet, Mike Fahie is on trombone, Roxy Coss is on tenor saxophone, and Aidan Levy is on baritone saxophone. This is a jazzy number, featuring some wonderful work on piano and some fun percussion. “Oh, it’s so hard to be us/Yes, it’s so hard to be us/We hate to make a fuss/But it’s so hard to be us.” This track also features some good backing vocal work, and I love that instrumental section in the second half. And, perhaps most importantly, she offers some comfort in these lines: “But I’m here to tell you/That come what may/You’re gonna be okay.” A message that is good for adults, as well as children, to hear from time to time. Then “Los Animales” is a sweet tune that teaches kids the Spanish words for various animals. It has a fun rhythm, and features some nice work on flute.

I mentioned Jim Infantino earlier, regarding the “meanies” line. When the pandemic shut things down, he covered Tom Waits’ “Clap Hands,” changing it to “Wash Hands.” Well, Allegra Levy already offered “Wash My Hands,” and now on this album gives us “Clap Your Hands.” As you might guess, this one is all about the rhythm. “Clap your hands, stomp your feet/Everybody’s moving to a brand new beat.” And I dig that work on organ in the second half. Aubrey Johnson and Leslie Gauthier join Allegra Levy on backing vocals on this track. That’s followed by another delicious jazz number, “In The Tub.” Some of the horn section is back, delivering a brief, but great introduction before Allegra comes in on vocals, and then delivering some wonderful touches throughout the track. Dan Urness is on trumpet, and Mike Fahie is on trombone. This is a bright, positive tune, featuring a fun vocal performance. “You can always wash away your troubles/With some bubbly bubbles in the tubby.” Hmm, think I might take a bath, for this song has me believing it will do that trick.

In “Hip, Hip, Hooray!” Allegra Levy sings, “When you’re feeling kind of lousy/When you’re feeling kind of blue/Sing this song and you’re feeling brand new/Hip, hip hooray!” and the children echo her “Hooray!” And there is even some kazoo. This track features excellent work on both guitar and piano, and then the kazoo, guitar and piano come together, another delightful moment. That’s followed by “I Got A Boo-Boo.” Hey, any song that opens with bass and finger snaps has my attention. But what I especially love about this track is that Allegra Levy gives a seriously cool vocal performance, but is singing about having a boo-boo. She is clearly having a great time. And there is a section of piano and percussion that is perfect. And then, guess what, Dan Urness and Mike Fahie come in to take things up another level. And the song isn’t over yet. In fact, it gets a bit goofier. Okay, I wasn’t expecting her to sing about having “a booger.” Yeah, there is a certain juxtaposition here, which I appreciate, with how cool the sound is, compared with the subject matter.

“Toodaloo, Kangaroo!” is a light and playful tune. Not enough songs use the word “Toodaloo.” In fact, the only one I can think of offhand is the Grateful Dead’s “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo.” “Toodaloo, Kangaroo!” is followed by “The Way Of The World,” the last of the album’s tracks to employ the horn section. And this time it is the full section, with all four musicians. This track has a pleasant, easygoing vibe. “Come on, I want to love you/I want to hold you/And when I’m thinking of you/I know that you are the way/The way of the world.” Then “Imagination” is a song that takes place on a rainy day, so no going out and playing. “Gonna have to use our imagination today/Oooh, we’re going to make a better world/For you, we’re gonna make a better world/For you and me.” That’s followed by “Stella For Star,” a sweet, pretty song. Allegra Levy places the more mellow numbers at the end of the album, perhaps the idea being to get the kids to bed by the end. This track contains one of the album’s best vocal performances. I love the way she delivers this one. The track also contains some excellent work on guitar. It is another of the disc’s highlights. The album concludes with “A Quiet Song.” And, indeed, she opens it with the line, “Goodnight, lady, goodnight, love.” So the intention must be to calm the children as the disc approaches its end. And the adults too.

CD Track List

1. Hello Song
2. Noodles!
3. It’s So Hard To Be You
4. Los Animales
5. Clap Your Hands
6. In The Tub
7. Hip, Hip, Hooray!
8. I Got A Boo-Boo
9. Toodaloo, Kangaroo!
10. The Way Of The World
11. Imagination
12. Stella For Star
13. A Quiet Song

Songs For You And Me is scheduled to be released on April 7, 2023 on Little Moon Records.