Elizabeth Mitchell “Little Seed”: Songs for Children by Woody Guthrie

In “Little Seed,” Elizabeth Mitchell embraces the gentle genius of America’s musical bard, Woody Guthrie. The simple yet profound songs he wrote for his young children remind us of how the loving bonds between parent and child endure and are strengthened through music. Joined by family and friends, Elizabeth Mitchell offers us re-imagined renditions of classic Guthrie favorites. Her thoughtful versions pay tribute to Guthrie’s uncanny ability to inhabit both the perspective of a loving, protective parent and the voice of a freewheeling child. Features eight newly recorded tracks and five previously issued favorites. 13 tracks, 29 minutes, 20-page booklet with photos.

The only album of Guthrie’s children’s songs coinciding with the Woody Guthrie Centennial, “Little Seed” pays tribute to the legendary songwriter’s uncanny ability to inhabit both the perspective of a loving, protective parent and the voice of a freewheeling child. The album includes thoughtful versions of children’s songs “Riding in My Car,” “Grassy Grass Grass,” and “Bling Blang.” Mitchell also shares her version of “This Land Is Your Land,” Guthrie’s signature song that many people consider a second national anthem.

As always, Elizabeth is joined on the recording by family (husband Daniel Littleton and daughter Storey) and friends, including Amy Helm, daughter of the late Levon Helm, pillars of the American acoustic music scene Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, and Ruthy Ungar of Mike and Ruthy and formerly of the Mammals.

“Woody Guthrie’s songs for children are a gift to all of us. They are a part of me, part of my family,” says Mitchell. “Thank you, Woody, for giving us this beautiful experience and so many others like it. We can feel this profound musical joy anytime, anywhere, with you in our spirits and your songs in our hearts.”

Acclaimed by Time magazine as one of the “Stars of Kindie Rock,” Mitchell is also a founding member of veteran indie rock band Ida and is one of Smithsonian Folkways’ best-selling artists. ‘Little Seed’ is her third album with the label, following You Are My Little Bird (2006) and Sunny Day (2010), and features eight newly recorded tracks and five previously issued favorites.

We received this CD for review and it is just so great, the songs of Woody Guthrie, who doesn’t relate to them in some way. “This Land is Your Land” always takes me right back to my first grade class where we would sing in nearly every day. If you are looking for a selection of quality music for your kids, look no further than Little Seed.

Sugar Mountain PR is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own Little Seed CD. Thank you Sugar Mountain PR for the review CD and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US residents.