The 3 CD box set ‘The British Are Coming’ is a decent compilation of mid-60s British acts. Of course, The Beatles aren’t represented (and I imagine that just about anyone who would buy a 3 CD set of British Invasion acts would probably have most of the Beatles discs anyways). The Kinks, Donovan, Peter and Gordon and The Zombies all have a few tracks (since the set would have to sell a few copies on pop recognition), but the real gems on the set are some of the more obscure acts. There is a REALLY early Bowie tack (‘I Dig Everything’) and a few tracks by The Foundations that really borrow more then most from the American R&B sound. It also collects together a number of number 1s. ‘Bus Stop’ by the Hollies is followed by ‘For Your Love’ by the Yardbirds which leads into ‘A Groovy Kind Of Love’ by The Mindbenders. Overall, a really nice set of pop hits from across the pond in the 60s.

My favorite part of this set though is how quickly Celia took to it. When she was about 2 or 2 1/2, we would put it on the CD player in her room, and she would dance like crazy to it. By the time my daughter was 3, she could ask for ‘She’s Not There’ by The Zombies, and hum along. This is a rather proud parenting moment for me. ‘Love Potion No. 9’ was get repeat playings, and Celia would jump along on her bed. And for the most part, this is all pretty kid friendly music. It’s mostly at a good tempo, repetitive and fun. And it has a good back beat. Tamiko and I have pretty much always played ‘our music’ around the girls and I think this has actually turned out for the best for all of us involved. Both of the girls dance like crazy to Kylie Minogue and ABBA, and while there is no Barney the Dinosaur in our playlists, there is T. Rex. Celia used to request ‘White Swan’ even, and there is nothing more adorable then a video Tamiko shot of Celia and Mira (in a jumper chair hanging in the kitchen) both dancing to ‘Children of the Revolution’. They have a love for music that I couldn’t have forced onto them, and I think a large part of that comes from the enjoyment they see in me and Tamiko when we play music. I’m not sure I could have faked it with Barney or Raffi. But there is no faking needed when the Kinks’ ‘Sunny Afternoon’ or The Foundations ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’ comes on… we can all dance quite happily.