Dirty Linen: Wee Folk: Children's Recordings

Wee Folk

Various artists
A Child’s Celebration of Folk Music
Music for Little People 9 42585 (1996)
One factor in the success of this label is their use of seasoned artists to make "kids’ music." Thus, their releases tend toward a high level of musicianship and creativity, and this one is no exception to that pattern. Designed for cross-generational family entertainment, A Child’s Celebration of Folk Music is devoted to getting kids excited about the spirits and sounds of folk music. (It is part of a series which included releases devoted to show tunes, Broadway, and rock ’n’ roll.) There are lots of highlights on this release. Pete Seeger’s lively "She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain," Woody Guthrie’s "Car Song," David Grisman and Jerry Garcia’s "There Ain’t No Bugs on Me," Buckwheat Zydeco’s "Crawfish Song," Michelle Shocked’s "See the Sea," and on and on. A number of folk styles are represented, and with artists like Doc Watson, Taj Mahal, John McCutcheon and Sweet Honey in the Rock, it’s no wonder that the quality is as high as it is. - Ivan Emke (Corner Brook, NF, Canada)

Kate Jacobs
A Sister
Bar/None AHAIN-076 (1996), EP
Kate Jacobs
A Sister’s Wish
Hyperion Books for Children (1996), book
Kate Jacobs combines her natural gift for intelligently written and performed country-tinged folk with her love of children for this unusual CD/children’s picture book project. A Sister is a 5-song EP with music aimed at grade school aged girls. Unlike many other non-children’s artists who attempt kids’ albums, Jacobs has a real understanding for her intended audience, offering beautiful, clever and insightful writing with professionally-produced country music. The songs tell of the trials of growing up, without ever falling into drama or shallowness. The song "A Sister" is inspired by Jacobs’ book with illustrator Nancy Carpenter, A Sister’s Wish, which sympathetically tells the story of a young girl who longs for a sister to balance out her family that is dominated by six brothers. Jacobs’ concise writing combined with Carpenter’s lyrical pastel drawings make for a beautiful book for the 6-11 year old crowd. - Lahri Bond (Hadley, MA)

Catfish Hodge
Adventures in Catfish Pond
Music for Little People 9 42587 (1996)
Bob "Catfish" Hodge is perhaps best known for his association with Little Feat. This time around Hodge invites both the adults and the kids into his "Catfish Pond" for an album of environmentally friendly and deliciously witty tunes. He applies his usual good-natured Cajun, rock and blues to such fantastic tunes as the "Dixie Chickenish" "Come Join the Band," the balladry of "Down Where the Bluegrass Goes," the good time funk of "Pancake Man," and the Lovin’ Spoonful-like refrains of "Dreamy Dreamtime." It is no insult to Hodge’s artistry to say that if Lowell George were alive to record a children’s album, this is the kind of record he’d create. - Lahri Bond (Hadley, MA)

Golden Bough
Kids at Heart: Celtic Songs for Children
ARC EUCD 1348 (1996)
Golden Bough have long been a fine American based Celtic band, from their heady days with current Tempest leader Lief Sørbye, to their present lineup featuring Margie Butler’s lovely Celtic harp and vocals, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Paul Espinoza, and violinist and vocalist Florie Brown. The album combines traditional tunes such as "The Tailor & the Mouse" and "The Rattlin Bog," with many Espinoza originals like "Rain & Thunder" and the beautifully performed "Wee Jack." The band’s playing is flawless, but some of their vocal arrangements are best suited for very young children, as they tend to be a little too precious in their delivery. - Lahri Bond (Hadley, MA)

Phil Rosenthaland Family
The Green Grass Grew All Around
American Melody AM-CD-5116 (1995)
Phil Rosenthal will be known to many as the former lead singer and guitarist for the Seldom Scene. He left the Scene in 1986 and founded American Melody, but he has kept his finger in music performance as well. The 14 tracks of The Green Grass Grew All Around cover many of the old favorites of the kid’s genre, including the title track, "Over the River and Through the Wood," "Frog Went A-Courtin’," "Oh Susanna," "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean" and Woody Guthrie’s "Jig Along Home."
Rosenthal is assisted by his wife, children, parents, sisters and nieces, making it a true family album. The release sparkles with solid lead vocals from Rosenthal and tasteful, if sometimes understated, instrumental backing. This makes a good sing-along release, with lots of classic kid’s material. - Ivan Emke (Corner Brook, NF, Canada)