Ed and Carol's WebsiteEd and Carol's Artist Page on MainlyPiano
AmazonApple Music/iTunesSpotifyPandora
The Lure of You begins with the title track, a gently swaying yet very passionate song about new love with a rather mysterious person. “Summer Love Remembered” was first released as a single in January 2025. The lyrics reflect on a summer romance that could have been a few months or many years ago. With both the words and her voice, Carol very beautifully expresses a sense of longing to relive that memory. “No Ordinary Kiss” was released on Valentine’s Day this year and is about as romantic as they come. The gentle swing of the strummed acoustic guitar and the light hand percussion are a lovely contrast to Carol's sultry vocals. “Mystery Man” tells of a chance encounter with a handsome stranger in black jeans standing in the rain. It’s a fun love-at-first sight fantasy! A different kind of love-at-first sight tale, “Man in the Moon” tells the story of a love that has lasted a lifetime. “Heaven on New Year’s Eve” was also released as a single in early 2025 and expresses the excitement of getting married on New Year’s Eve while recalling that event many years later - very sweet memories!
The Lure of You is available to stream or download on Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes as well as on many streaming services including Spotify and Pandora. It’s music that’s sure to warm some of the chilly evenings coming up!
The Music CD Shelf-from MBR-
The Children's Bookwatch of The Midwest Book Review
It Goes This Way
Carol Nicodemi
Featuring Eddie, Federico, and Elyse
https://edandcarolnicodemi.com
Privately Published
$11.99 CD / $7.99 MP3 download
Creator's Website
https://edandcarolnicodemi.com/store
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008QBI3J0
Intended primarily for pre-K and kindergarten children (ages 0-7), It Goes This Way features twelve original songs that encourage positive qualities like friendship, self-esteem, imagination, love of reading, and more. The delightfully catchy guitar music makes It Goes This Way a choice pick for families, as well as school and public library collections of children's music. Highly recommended! The tracks are It Goes This Way; The Three Billy Goats Gruff; Two Kids in the City; Betcha I'm Having More Fun; I'm Glad I'm Not a Monkey; Feelings, Feelings, Feelings; Small Moments; Mr. Bubbles; Autumn; Monet's Garden; and Vincent van Gogh. 33 min.
Make a Happy Face
Carol Nicodemi
https://edandcarolnicodemi.com
Privately Published
$11.99 CD / $7.99 MP3 download
Creator's Website
https://edandcarolnicodemi.com/store
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0993Y2MBD
Intended primarily for pre-K and kindergarten children (ages 0-7), Make a Happy Face is a fun and playful music album of original, educational songs. The lyrics encourage children to develop social and emotional skills as they sing and move to the music. Carol Nicodemi's vocals (with guest vocals from Elyse Orecchio and Melody Orecchio) are a joy to listen to, supported by Ed Nicodemi's whimsical music artistry on guitar, bass, piano, toy piano, and theremin as well as Max Maples on percussion and Rachel Gawell on cello. Make a Happy Face is a choice pick for families with young children, ideal for car trips, rainy day fun, and children's parties. Highly recommended! The tracks are Dance All Over the Map; Do Like the Animals Do; Make a Happy Face; I Love To Dance Ballet; It's Ok to Make Mistakes; I Make Funny Faces For My Grandpa; We're Twins; and Storyland. 19 min.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
October, 2025
“Ride the Merry-Go-Round”
Carol Nicodemi
2025/ Carol Nicodemi
30 minutes
Review by Kathy Parsons
“Ride the Merry-Go-Round” is another utterly charming album from Carol Nicodemi and company. Intended for kids of any age as well as anyone needing a half hour of happy music, the twelve original songs feature Carol's vocals both solo and with her daughter Elyse Orecchio. A couple of tracks also feature Carol's grandchildren's sweet voices. The vocals are backed by Carol's husband, Ed, on guitar as well as Oskar Haggdahl on drums/percussion and Kevin Jones on bass. Five tracks have already been released as singles between 2023 and 2025, and it's really nice to have them all in one place in addition to the seven newer songs. Along with the catchy sing-along melodies, many of the songs express important messages about friendship, the environment, and the power of positivity. The simple instrumentation and the ‘message’ songs give the album a folk-music feeling that is bright, upbeat and encouraging.
“Ride the Merry-Go-Round” begins with the title track, a happy duet sung by Carol and Elyse that celebrates the joy and innocence of riding the horses on a traditional merry-go-round. “I Like to Know” is sung by Elyse and recounts the order of events that happen each day in the life of a young child who appreciates learning. “Me and You” is another mother/daughter duet that could also be interpreted as a love song or a theme-song for besties- fun and charming for a duo of any kind! “What Should We Do On a Rainy Day?" cheerfully lists a number of activities to do on a day when it's too wet to go outside- lots of good ideas! The vocal duet of “Be My Friend” encourages befriending people from different countries and learning together- a great lesson for any age! “Fly On the Wall” is a joyful march about catching various animals (and bugs!) - just try to sit still while listening to this one! “Endangered”, a sweet trio for Carol and her grandkids- Avery and Tyler Nicodemi- puts climate change and the many endangered species of animals and birds in terms that kids can understand: “We need your help to go on.” “The Little Blue Engine” is based on the story of “The Little Engine That Could” and is sung by Melody Orecchio, Carol's granddaughter- very positive and uplifting! ”Mother Earth" honors nature and the need to care for it in language that kids can easily understand and relate to. The album comes to a close with “Stories,” a piece that encourages reading and the joy and comfort getting lost in a story can bring.
As I mentioned above, “Ride the Merry-Go-Round” was intended for kids, but it really is fun and uplifting to listen to at any age. It is available to stream or download from Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes as well as streaming platforms including Spotify and Pandora. Both thumbs up!
July 21, 2025
“No Ordinary Kiss” (single)
Ed and Carol Nicodemi
2025/ Ed and Carol Nicodemi
4 minutes
Review by Kathy Parsons
“No Ordinary Kiss” is a romantic bossa nova single by Ed and Carol Nicodemi. Released very appropriately on Valentine's Day, the song features Carol on vocals, Ed on guitar, and Kerry Kennard on percussion. The gentle swing of the strummed acoustic guitar and the light hand percussion are a lovely contrast to Carol's sultry vocals- oh, to be that much in love! It's a great love song for any time of year- or any time of life!
“No Ordinary Kiss” is available to stream or download from Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes as well as from streaming services including Spotify and Pandora. Give it a spin!
March 18, 2025
“The Little Blue Engine” (single)
Carol Nicodemi
2025/ Carol Nicodemi
2 minutes
Review by Kathy Parsons
“The Little Blue Engine” is a sweet and very catchy children's single by Carol Nicodemi. Sung by Carol Nicodemi's granddaughter, Melody Orecchio, it features Carol on piano, Ed Nicodemi on guitar, Kevin Jones on bass and Oskar Haggdahl on percussion. Based on the classic children's book, The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, the message of positive thinking is a great reminder for kids of any age. Melody's vocals are charming as well as clear and heartfelt, making the lyrics very easy for kids to understand and sing along with. This is a song that will make anyone's day a little brighter!
“The Little Blue Engine” is available to stream or download on Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes as well as on many streaming services including Spotify and Pandora. Both thumbs up!
March 18th, 2025
"Heaven on New Year's Eve (single)
Ed and Carol Nicodemi
2024/Ed and Carol Nicodemi
3 minutes
Review by Kathy Parsons
“Heaven on New Year's Eve” is a jazzy and charming vocal and guitar duet by Ed and Carol Nicodemi. It tells the joyful story of a couple meeting up on New Year's Eve, having a bit too much to drink, and racing off to the chapel to get married before midnight. I don't know how autobiographical it is, but I do know that Ed and Carol have been happily married for a lot of years, making the song even more charming. Carol handles all of the vocals (including some jazzy scat!) on the song while Ed plays his acoustic guitar. Kerry Kennard provides some light percussion and drums that give the song a danceable rhythm. It's really a fun piece for any time of year!
“Heaven on New Year's Eve” is available from Ed and Carol's website, Amazon, Apple Music/iTunes and many streaming services including Spotify and Pandora. Sure to bring a smile!
January 8, 2025