Tuesday, March 17

Elizabeth Mitchell, my uncle, and my 80s

We listen to quite a bit of children's music. Most likely, we have favorites in common with many of you. Laurie Berkner, Justin Roberts, Dan Zanes, and Putumayo Kids (such as World Playground) are a few on regular rotation in our cd player.
Most recently, I've gotten on an Elizabeth Mitchell kick. I say "me" because these are children's music artists in the category of "not likely to provoke parents to poke their own eyes out," which means I enjoy them as much or more than my children. And I've been enjoying Elizabeth Mitchell's You Are My Little Bird and You Are My Sunshine.
I'm not much for reviewing music, but I can say the cds include a lovely combination of folksy tunes that are either catchy and upbeat, but not overdone, or simple and soothing. Some songs are fun reminders of singing in my own childhood and some are new to me, but now happily familiar.
I happened to have the privilege, growing up, of having a drum-beating, piano-playing, guitar-strumming uncle who taught my sister and I some fun songs in the comfort of our grandparents' brown and gold living room. Every time I hear Elizabeth Mitchell's version of "Crawdad" ("You get a line, I'll get a pole, honey") I'm transported back there and singing in my head with my uncle, my sister, and my purple legwarmers. Good memories.
If you're looking for some delightfully old but new folksy tunes for your family, try Elizabeth Mitchell. And, as you listen, be sure to picture yourself in short shorts and tall socks.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Get right out of town. I have a draft post started about Elizabeth Mitchell right now (sneak preview: 'Pandora, it's not just for grown-ups anymore'). I LOVE her. And we shared a similar privelege: both my father and my uncle are fingerpickin' geniuses, and I have always had the honor of music in my house. Thank you for sharing this.

Amy said...

Ahhh...good music and bad clothes. The best memories. I remembering wearing that same pair of purple legwarmers to ballet class.

I hope you let our uncle know about this post. :)

April said...

we love justin roberts too! and i recently discovered e.mitchell too. We also love They Might Be Giants, and their album Here Come The 1,2, 3's. It's good stuff!

k-e-household said...

I found her CD at the library...it jumped out at me because the cover art was so beautiful.
The music matched it. I love love love her music. The songs you mentioned are our favorites too!!

Mollie said...

LOVE Elizabeth Mitchell! I have commented that I would like her to do a non-children's album, but the thing is, there's not too many of her children's songs that I wouldn't listen to anyway...

onegoldensun said...

I too, think Elizabeth Mitchell is really great. I love her music. Another really good musician to check out is Frances England. Her albums are Fascinating Creatures, and Family Tree.

http://cdbaby.com/cd/francesengland

Megan said...

April,
We also have a cd by They Might Be Giants. Fun.
One Golden Sun,
Thanks for the tip on Frances England!

Gretchen said...

thanks for putting new music on my radar. I'm a little bored with what we have right now.

The McAuleys said...

I love her, too! Check out the band Lunch Money and also Renee and Jeremy next. You're gonna love 'em!

The Lazy Girl Fitness said...

You have an award waiting for you on my blog!

kated said...

We have some e mitchell, but lean toward they might be giants (no!, here come the abc's and here come the 123's) and a great pod cast called "spare the rock, spoil the child" out of n hampton, ma. (2 hours each week of very fun family friendly tune-age!)

Monica said...

dang I was a teen in the
80's! missed it

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