Hands Up!

A few months back I interviewed the super lovely Justin Fletcher (I know, I kept it quiet, I definitely didn't show off about it ALL THE TIME to anyone who would listen, you probably missed it...) and this week I had the chance to do it again! 


I know, how lucky am I?!






This time it was to talk about his new album - Hands Up - which is bloody excellent, might I say!


The title track was released as a single last year and is a really poppy, dancy track that Justin plays on his tour - and he said when we spoke that it's always a hit, and gets the kids up dancing.


Going by the hyper booty shaking that was happening all over our flat I can well believe it - the song, and the rest of the album, got all of us on our feet and boogying together.


My favourite track on the album is track 2 - the Hokey Cokey - teaching Jellybean to put his left arm in, left arm out, left arm in and shake it all about had me in fits of laughter - he looked very confused the first time but soon got the hang of it! 


We have another album from Justin, a nursery rhymes album, and though the kids love it it isn't really one you can get up and dance to. It's saved my sanity on many a long car journey - but this whole album is something we can get up and really dance to, which on a rainy day when the boys are going insane with the energy bubbling up inside them is brilliant.


For parties, for weekends, for rainy days or just because, I think this album is going to be a favourite for a long time - and watching Midget Gem try to copy Jellybean as he does the moves for Head, Shoulders Knees and Toes (track 7) will never cease to amuse me!


Talking to Justin it was clear, once again, how excited he is by his job. He seems very genuine and open, and when he's doing an interview on the phone he's bubbly and happy, but also has no 'superstar' aloofness, he's just open and friendly and fun - and a real person. 


After 17 years in children's TV Justin could be forgiven for letting his sparkle fade at times - but he seems to have a never ending supply of excitement about his work and genuinely loves working with children.


With a tour, panto and all kinds of TV work this year Justin is like superman - he never seems to have an off day and never seems to want one.


I'm planning to try and find our way along to one of the tour dates to meet Justin this year, I know I desperately want to meet the man I've now chatted to on the phone twice, and I'm pretty sure my kids would be thrilled too!

I was sent a copy of 'Hands Up' the album by the lovely Louise at Rock and Roll Baby and wasn't otherwise bribed in any way to give it a positive review - we genuinely loved it and have played it loads since it arrived.