RANKIN DON aka “FATHER GOOSE” FIRST FAMILY ALBUM FEATURES SHERYL CROW, SISTER CAROL, DAN ZANES, SCREECHY DAN, ANSEL MEDITATION, WAYNE SMITH, BARBARA BROUSAL, GASTON “BONGA” JEAN-BAPTISTE AND OTHERS.

Father Goose, the Jamaican dancehall DJ (or emcee) who has rocked audiences across the country as a member of family music pioneers Dan Zanes and Friends, released his first solo album, It’s A Bam Bam Diddly! on Festival Five Records, October 23. The album features special guests Sheryl Crow, Dan Zanes, Sister Carol, Screechy Dan,Wayne Smith, Ansel Meditation, Barbara Brousal, Gaston “Bonga” Jean-Baptiste, Danger D and others, the album features traditional music for all ages from the Caribbean songbook in addition to a trio of Father Goose originals.

Father Goose, known in the dancehall world as Rankin’ Don, is the first Caribbean artist to bring the spirit, innovations and traditions of the dancehall to the family music genre. Children’s nursery rhymes, reggae, dancehall, calypso, hip-hop, mento, comedy and other traditional songs provide the backdrop for this dynamic album. For Goose, It’s A Bam Bam Diddly! is “an invitation to my very own musical party, a party which started in Jamaica and is continuing strongly in Brooklyn. Along the way, I’ve meet musicians from across the Caribbean and the U.S.”

With It’s A Bam Bam Diddly, Father Goose draws upon the music and memories of his youth growing up in Jamaica. A Dan Zanes and Friends staple since 2000, Father Goose is known particularly for his energetic, show-stopping appearances at Zanes and Friends concerts and on Zanes and Friends recordings. As the New York Post puts it, “No Dan Zanes disc would be complete without a cut from Father Goose… With Goose’s deep-voiced ‘uh-huhs’ and rap style, it becomes a real party song.”

Father Goose’s singing and toasting is complemented by an array of special guests on It’s A Bam Bam Diddly!, contributing to the album’s rich sonic fabric of traditional songs with a twist, classic tunes from the ’60s and ’70s and Father Goose originals. Sheryl Crow, along with Zanes, sings on the track “Flying Machine.” Legendary reggae vocalists Sister Carol and Ansel Meditation (the latter from the vocal trio The Meditations) perform alongside Father Goose on “Sly Mongoose” and “Mary Ann,” respectively. Wayne Smith (singer of the dancehall classic “Under Me Sleng Teng”) contributes vocals to “Chi Chi Buddo.” The song “Panama” features singing and drumming by Haitian roots musician Gaston “Bonga” Jean-Baptiste, as well as vocals by popular Zanes and Friends collaborator Barbara Brousal. Finally, dancehall DJ Screechy Dan joins Goose for “Jig Jog Gee” and the Goose original “Reminisce.”

Father Goose’s deep voice, catchy sing along hooks and most of all the non stop party influence has given Reggae a place amongst Zane’s children signature backdrop of everyone-is-invited Americana. While this music is suited for any kind of party, it’s also family music that can be enjoyed with or without the family.

The CD is on sale at Best Buy, J&R, Virgin and other leading record stores. Go and get your copy now!!!!!!!….….