This would have been folk-music legend Woody Guthrie’s centennial year. And so we celebrate the truly amazing legacy he left behind. Within the 3,000 song lyrics (wow!) that he wrote, there lies a powerful children’s music catalog that speaks directly to the energy and creativity of those ever-expanding minds.
There’s a whole lot more to Woody Guthrie than This Land Is Your Land, is what we’re saying.
Here, two
important new albums that offer families a new twist on some familiar tunes. We
know that you will dig these CDs as much as we do.
First up is the talented Elizabeth Mitchell,
a longtime CMP and family fave. She (along with her wonderful husband
and daughter) spins Guthrie’s tunes with her melodious voice and the
result is sheer delight all around. Her album, The Little Seed: Songs for Children by Woody Guthrie,
feels like a tribute album to an old friend. It’s clear that Elizabeth
is passionate about Woody Guthrie’s music and how it helped shape her as
an artist. I think Who’s My Pretty Baby may my favorite Elizabeth Mitchell song ever.
The second CD, the spectacular Keep Hoping Machine Running, is produced by our friends at Spare the Rock Records, who recently produced the wonderful Science Fair to help get girls excited about science. Here, they have compiled an all-star cast of kindie music favorites from Caspar Babypants and Frances England and Grammy-nominee Brady Rymer to celebrate Guthrie through wonderful covers of his classics.
Get a sneak peek on Amazon and see for yourself just how fun it is, because the bands are all so different. Frances England nails Bling Blang and The Okee Dokee Brothers hit Do Re Mi perfectly. The coolest part? All net proceeds go straight to the Woody Guthrie Foundation.
of these CDs will make great presents (for kids or for your favorite folksy grownups) because
they’re perfect for spinning in the minivan, with or without kids in the
back seat. -Eva
You can also learn more about one of America’s great folk singer/songwriters online at WoodyGuthrie.org.
