Seasons for Singing

by Ella Jenkins

Overview

Jenkins recorded these dozen songs, with children pitching in on the sing-along vocals, at a summer music workshop at St. Paul's Church in Chicago in 1969. Like many of Jenkins' albums, it's well above average for a children's-oriented recording, in that it can be enjoyed on strictly musical terms as well as used for educational purposes, and doesn't condescend to either kids or the parents who might buy it for their kids. Jenkins, with some assistance from her audience, plays an assortment of instruments -- ukulele, harmonica, guitar, drums, and rhythm sticks -- to give this more diversity than the usual folk sing-along. The material has more variety than the usual folk sing-along too, getting into blues ("Freight Train Blues"), classic folk ("This Train"), work songs ("Don't You Do Me Wrong"), Greek music ("Tee-kah-nees"), unplugged upbeat R&B ("You Look So Sweet"), and, most surprisingly, acoustic rock & roll ("Go, Aquanetta, Go," which has some riffs close to "California Sun"). The major flaw of this set is that it's only 30 minutes long, although if you use this for educational purposes at home or in school, that could be a bonus given that kids' attention spans might wander during a longer program. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	01/25/2000
Label:	Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
UPC:	0093074503126
Rank:	197922

Tracks

1. On a Holiday
2. Carry Me Ackee
3. Tee-Kah-Nees
4. You Look So Sweet
5. This Train
6. Freight Train Blues
7. Go, Aquanetta, Go
8. Lord, Lord, Lord
9. All Night, All Day
10. Don't You Do Me Wrong
11. Blue Walking
12. I Like Animals

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ella Jenkins   Primary Artist,Guitar,Harmonica,Rhythmstick,Drums (Snare),Baritone Ukulele

Technical Credits

Stephanie Smith   Archival Assistant
Pete Reiniger   Sound Supervision
Anthony Seeger   Production Supervisor
Big Bill Broonzy   Composer
D.A. Sonneborn   Production Supervisor
Ella Jenkins   Arranger,Composer,Liner Notes
SueEllen Lawton   Design,Layout Design
Scott Finholm   Assistant
Nakieda Moore   Product Manager
Mary Monseur   Production Coordination
Carla Borden   Editorial Assistant
Bernadelle Richter   Producer
David Gahr   Photography
Traditional   Composer
Charlie Pilzer   Mastering