Tumble Bee

PreS-Gr 5—For her first family album, Laura Veirs scoured old recordings and American folksongs to come up with 13 obscure tunes that work well with her musical style and highlight the innocence of her whispery vocals. Veirs takes a risk opening with "Little Lap-Dog Lullaby" (a ballad recorded for the Smithsonian by Peggy Seeger) and follows with another ballad, Jimmie Rodgers's "Prairie Lullaby." She is brilliant in programming a mix of fast- and slow-tempo songs, coming full circle by closing with a lullaby. Highlights include "Jack Can I Ride?" (featuring an old-time tinny piano, a plinky-sounding electric guitar, and an electrified fiddle); "All the Pretty Little Horses" (a mournful rendition of the African-American lullaby); "Jump Down Spin Around" (a slave-era folksong popularized by Harry Belafonte); the classic 1850's American tune, "Soldier's Joy"; and the often-recorded "Jamaica Farewell." Listeners will recognize "King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki Me O" as "Froggie Went A-Courtin'" and "The Fox" as "The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night." The arrangements are stellar and the accompaniments are tight; musicians are always cognizant that Veirs's vocals are the star here. While most of these songs are not traditionally considered children's music, Veirs strips them to their simplest form to appeal to youngsters, yet leaves them sophisticated enough for everyone else in the family.—Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH