Traditional Folk and Classic Rock For Kids CD

Smithsonian Folkways Will Release Elizabeth Mitchell’s

Blue Clouds

Traditional Folk and Classic Rock… for Kids

Available October 23rd

Washington, DC, fall 2012 – Over the course of six beautiful albums in nearly 15 years, Elizabeth Mitchell has invited listeners to join her, husband Daniel Littleton, their daughter Storey, and other friends and relatives to become part of an extended musical family. On Blue Clouds (out October 23), she raises her special kind of family-centric music to new heights by bringing clarity and beauty to a surprising range of songs. Breathing contemporary heart into traditional folk songs, and transforming classic rock songs by David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Van Morrison, and others into folk songs, Mitchell continues to grow that family of listeners with each album and concert. And while the family has grown, with well over 100,000 of her records bringing comfort and joy, Blue Clouds still makes Mitchell’s audience feel like they are part of a small picnic jam session.

The recordings on Blue Clouds are illuminated by elegant and simple arrangements, with acoustic guitars, harmoniums, banjos, pianos, fiddles, glockenspiels, and gentle drums and bass creating a soulful atmosphere forMitchell’s clear and loving voice. The songs range from new compositions (“Rollin’ Baby,” “Arm in Arm”) to traditional tunes (“Hop Up, My Ladies,” “Froggie Went a-Courtin’”), to several unexpected covers. Mitchell looks to her childhood memories of 1970s radio on road trips in the family station wagon, and the resulting versions of “Kooks” by David Bowie, “May This Be Love” by Jimi Hendrix, “Blue Sky” by The Allman Brothers Band, “Everyone” by Van Morrison, and “I Wish You Well” by Bill Withers display Mitchell’s care in presenting popular material in a family music context.

On an album full of moving performances, perhaps the most beautiful is “Circle of the Sun,” recorded in honor of Storey’s cousin, Destry, who tragically died at just four years old. “Blue Clouds,” the title track, was written by Daniel Littleton as a lullaby for Storey when she was only three and is a fitting way to close this loving collection.

Mitchell is also a founding member of the veteran indie rock band Ida and is one of Smithsonian Folkways’ best-selling artists alongside Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Ella Jenkins. Her previous Smithsonian Folkways releases are Little Seed: Songs for Children by Woody Guthrie (2012), Sunny Day(2010), and You Are My Little Bird (2006). Starting with the album You Are My Flower, recorded in 1998 in a single afternoon as a gift for friends and family, Mitchell has developed into an accomplished artist with a devoted fan base and critical acclaim.

Mommy Ramblings Thoughts:

I was thrilled to review this CD. My kids are a little different than most being children; with a guitarist father who is passionate about Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers and more, they are the few kids that go to preschool singing Foxy Lady, Me and Baby Brother, and Smoke on the Water. Beyond that we are a very musical family and they are constantly gathered around my husband as he plays the guitar every day. I was anxious to hear how Elizabeth Mitchell arranged the Hendrix, Bowie and Allman Brother’s songs. I was very pleased as was my husband with the whole CD and the kids liked it to. I really liked the Arm in Arm track which is an octopus love song that is too cute with kids vocals that make it endearing. Kooks is rather funny and this Bowie song is arranged very nicely. Hendrix’s May This Be Love is absolutely marvelous and The Allman Brother’s Blue Sky is arranged perfectly for kids. You will not be disappointed in this CD. You can listen to 3 Tracks HERE.

The Giveaway:

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