Right in time for October 31, Johnette Downing has a Halloween record out that will entertain both kids and adults. An energetic stage act and prolific songwriter, Downing uses her years of experience performing for kids to focus her work on haunted and scary themes. There are songs about bats and pumpkins and witches which will thrill children as they sing along. Downing even rewrites standards such as the “Hokey Pokey” and “Frere Jacques” to have Halloween themes. She is so good at her craft that, unlike many recordings geared for kids, parents will not be driven freaking mad by having to listen to it over and over. Given the history and popularity of novelty songs from South Louisiana (Although not written as kids’ songs, hits such as “My Toot-Toot” and much of the songs of Huey Piano Smith and the Clowns make great songs for children), these songs fit right in as songs for both kids and adults. In addition, Johnette Downing’s band makes sure that these songs are tight and great for dancing. But you would expect nothing less from zydeco legends Nathan Williams and Lee Allen Zeno on accordion and bass, respectively, and late-night music stalwarts C.R. Gruver and Jake Eckert on keyboard and guitar. In my travels in the music world, I have seen all of these musicians either playing for kids or bringing their kids out to hear music, so their real-world experience informs and strengthens this record. And there is nobody better to make sure such a record hits in all the right place than producer Scott Billington who has helmed more good records from this part of the world than I can count, and he lays down some great harmonica too.