SLJ Pick of the Day: Little Seed: Songs for Children by Woody Guthrie (CD)

SLJ — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 14:00:06 +0000

Little Seed: Songs for Children by Woody Guthrie. CD. 29 min. with booklet. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. 2012. ISBN unavail. $11.98.
PreS-Gr 3–Twenty years after Elizabeth Mitchell first discovered Woody Guthrie’s album, Songs to Grow On for Mother and Child, she performs 13 of those numbers in her clear, smooth voice on this outstanding album that coincides with the Woody Guthrie Centennial. Husband Daniel Littleton, daughter Storey, and others join Mitchell on several of the songs. These mostly folk and bluegrass style tunes are enhanced by excellent performances on acoustic guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, bass, upright bass, piano, harmonium, flute, melodica, drums, percussion, wood blocks, shakers, balafon (African instrument similar to xylophone), handclaps, and knee slaps. “Little Sugar” is an excellent bouncing song for baby story times. “Who’s My Pretty Baby,” “Grassy, Grass Grass,” “Riding in My Car, “One Day Old,” and “Little Sugar” are also on Mitchell’s previous albums. Among the other songs are “Bling Blang;” “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,” “Why, Oh Why,” “Sleep Eye,” “Rattle My Rattle,” “This Land Is Your Land,” “Merry-Go-Round,” and “Little Seed.” The accompanying booklet has notes on each song. This album definitely stands out from the crowd and should be in every library’s music collection for children.–Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Pick of the Day: Blue Clouds (CD)

SLJ — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:00:34 +0000

Blue Clouds. CD. 39 min. with booklet. Smithsonian Folkways. 2012. ISBN unavail. $11.99.
PreS-Gr 3–Beautiful harmonies and Elizabeth Mitchell’s lovely, sweet voice are the hallmarks of this outstanding collection of traditional and original songs. She’s joined by her husband, Daniel Littleton, and daughter, Storey, as well as others. Mitchell has breathed new life into these traditional songs and has transformed several classic rock numbers into folk style with elegant and simple arrangements. In addition to the top-notch vocal performances, the band and guest musicians give outstanding performances on a variety of instruments, including acoustic guitar, banjo, fiddle, cello, viola, zither, dulcimer, piano, recorder, oboe, drums, percussion, xylophone, glockenspiel, and more. Mitchell performs beautiful covers of some classic rock pieces: “I Wish You Well” (Bill Withers), “Kooks” (David Bowie), “Everyone” (Van Morrison), “May This Be Love” (Jimi Hendrix), and “Blue Sky” (Allman Brothers). “Arm in Arm” (octopus love), “Rollin’ Baby,” and “Blue Clouds” (a lullaby) are all original songs. Traditional numbers include “Hop Up, My Ladies,” a medley of “Froggie Went a-Courtin’” with “King Kong Kitchie,” “San Toki” (Mountain Bunny, Korean), “Summer Is Icumen In” (medieval round), “The Little Bird,” “Circle of the Sun” (dedicated to Storey’s cousin who passed away at age four), “Moon Don’t Go,” and “Yuki” (Snow, Japanese). The booklet has notes for each of the songs and is illustrated with pictures from Remy Charlip’s 1969 book, Arm in Arm (Parent’s Magazine Press, 1965). This fantastic album should be in every library’s collection of music for children.–Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX

School Library Journal» Elizabeth Mitchell

SLJ Pick of the Day: Little Seed: Songs for Children by Woody Guthrie (CD)

Pick of the Day: Blue Clouds (CD)