Ella Jenkins and a Union of Friends Pulling Together

Smithsonian Folkways - SFW CD 45046

Format: CD, Album, Stereo
Country: United States
Released: 1999
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, & Children's
[Tracklist]
01 Miss Sue Joined the Union: Ella Jenkins (00:45)
02 Family Reunion / Skip to My Lou: Ella Jenkins (03:33)
03 Mabel, Mabel, Mabel: Ella Jenkins (02:13)
04 Union Train / Train's A-Coming: Ella Jenkins (00:52)
05 Hallelujah, We Are Traveling: Bucky Halker and chorus (02:15)
06 Keep Your Hands on the Plow: Ella Jenkins (01:00)
07 The Farmer is the Man: Bucky Halker and chorus (03:50)
08 Let My People Go: Ella Jenkins (01:27)
09 Going down That Road Feeling Bad: Bucky Halker and chorus (03:58)
10 In Unity There Is Strength / Union Maid: Ella Jenkins (01:16)
11 What's Your Trade?: Ella Jenkins (00:50)
12 Hammer, Hammer, Hammer: Mary Ringstad and chorus (02:05)
13 A Singer of Folk Songs: Ella Jenkins (01:06)
14 Hammer Song: Pete Seeger (02:05)
15 A Union Meeting: Ella Jenkins (00:54)
16 Speak Right Up: Mary Ringstad, Bucky Halker, and chorus (02:14)
17 The Picket Line: Ella Jenkins (00:23)
18 Step by Step: Henry and Suzan Herzog (02:00)
19 Making Music Together: Ella Jenkins (01:13)
20 One Meat Ball: Josh White Jr. (03:56)
21 The More We Work Together: Mary Ringstad and chorus (01:23)
22 The Union Team: Ella Jenkins (01:03)
23 Which Side Are You On?: Bucky Halker, Ella Jenkins, and chorus (02:31)
24 Union Maid (1): Ella Jenkins (00:57)
25 Solidarity Forever: Mary Ringstad and chorus (02:22)
26 Circle of Friends: Ella Jenkins (00:14)
27 Union Maid (2): Ella Jenkins, Mary Ringstad, and chorus (01:10)
[Credits]
Producer: Bernadelle Richter, Liner Notes: Ella Jenkins, Designer: Carol Dirga, Cover Artwork: Peggy Lipschutz, Engineers: Chris Shepard and Charlie Pilzer
[Notes]
Legendary children’s performer Ella Jenkins and a group of young and older musical friends introduces children to the ideas of unity, cooperation, and labor unions through songs, recitation, and poetry. Recorded in 1999, this CD features harmonica, piano, percussion, banjo, guitar, vocals, and chorus. The recording reminds us how unity and strength are part of family ties as well as adult life and work. 47 minutes. 18 -page booklet, discography. Suitable for children ages 4-12 and their parents.

Pete Seeger: Goofing-Off Suite

Folkways Records – FA 2045

Format: Vinyl, LP, Reissue
Country: United States
Released: 1955, 2018
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
A01 Theme (01:09)
A02 Cindy (00:54)
A03 Blue Skies (02:23)
A04 The Girl I Left Behind Me (01:13)
A05 Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (01:00)
A06 Duet from Beethoven's 7th Symphony (02:04)
A07 Chorale from Beethoven's 9th Symphony (01:24)
A08 Russian Folk Themes and Yodel (02:10)
A09 Anitra's Dance / Brandy Leave Me Alone (01:48)
A10 Theme (Reprise) (01:15)
B01 The Mexican Blues (01:57)
B02 Time's A-Getting Hard (02:20)
B03 Barrel of Money Blues (01:29)
B04 Sally My Dear (03:29)
B05 Oh, Liza, Poor Gal (01:44)
B06 Sally Ann (01:26)
B07 Woody's Rag (01:27)
[Credits]
Producers: Huib Schippers and Atesh Sonneborn, Reissue album designer: Natalia Custodio
[Notes]
2018 vinyl reissue, remastered from the original 1955 master tapes, packaged in classic Folkways-style tip-on jackets with original liner notes. Originally issued as a 10-inch album in 1955, Goofing-Off Suite finds Pete Seeger playing a mix of classical, popular, and folk music. Side 1 of the recording includes five classical music themes adapted by Seeger for banjo. In the liner notes, Seeger urges musicians to swipe music from different genres to break down musical barriers and expand musical horizons. Side 2 is Seeger playing a more familiar repertoire of traditional folk music on banjo, guitar, and chalil (flute) ("Sally My Dear"). The vinyl reissue of Goofing-Off Suite includes Pete Seeger's liner notes and is part of Folkways Records' 70th anniversary celebration series, revisiting some of the most iconic and influential albums released on the record label. We are offering the vinyl reissue of American Banjo: Tunes and Songs in Scruggs Style, Dock Boggs: Legendary Singer and Banjo Player, and Pete Seeger Goofing-Off Suite as a Vinyl Bundle with Bonus Folkways Slipmat.

Mark Olf sings Jewish Folk Songs Vol. 1

Folkways Records – FW 6826

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1951
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, & Judaica
[Tracklist]
A1 In an orem shtibele (02:39)
A2 Hob ich a por oksen (01:44)
A3 Bulbe (01:36)
A4 Der rebbe elimelech (02:20)
A5 Oif'N pripitchik (03:04)
A6 Rozhenkes mit mandlen (01:45)
B1 Dona dona (02:53)
B2 Vei vos fun main mantle iz gevoren (02:47)
B3 A ganeyveh (01:57)
B4 Mariyashe (02:51)
B5 Zlatke (01:54)
B6 Tumba tumba (01:57)
[Credits]
Mark Olf (guitar/vocals)
[Notes]
Mark Olf (1905–1987) was a composer and singer of Yiddish and Hebrew songs. He emigrated from Russia to the U.S. with his family when he was in his early teens; he later recorded some of the songs he had heard as a child, toured the country performing, and taught music at the Henry Street Settlement on the Lower East Side, Queens College (CUNY), and the University of Rhode Island. On this recording-–one of four he made for Folkways Records—he sings well-known Yiddish folk songs, accompanying himself on guitar. Yiddish, which incorporates German, Hebrew, and Slavic elements, was the primary secular language of the Jews in Eastern Europe. Liner notes provide English translations and the original Yiddish texts.

Songs of Steel and Struggle: The Story of the Steelworkers

Sung by Joe Glazer with the Charlie Byrd Trio

Collector Records - 1930

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1975
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, & Struggle
[Tracklist]
A1 Pittsburgh (01:59)
A2 Red Iron Ore (02:23)
A3 The Ballad of Jon Catchins (03:42)
A4 United Steelworkers Are We (01:54)
A5 Amalgamate as One (03:27)
A6 The Homestead Strike (03:17)
A7 Memorial Day Massacre (01:59)
A8 The Spirit of Phil Murray (02:29)
B1 Too Old to Work (02:57)
B2 Corrido Del Minero (02:49)
B3 Steel Mill Blues (02:41)
B4 1913 Massacre (04:06)
B5 I Lie in the American Land (03:02)
B6 When a Fellow Is Out of a Job (02:41)
B7 Solidarity Forever (02:34)
[Credits]
Joe Glazer (guitor/vocals) Charlie Byrd Trio (guitar/bass/drums)
[Notes]
Collector Records presents Joe Glazer along with the Charlie Byrd Trio in this collection of Songs of Steel—as no series on industrial folklore and folksong in America would be complete without an album dedicated to steelworkers. Glazer opens the album with Woody Guthrie’s hit song “Pittsburgh” and sings of other poignant moments in steel unions’ history, including the gut-wrenching tale of the "Memorial Day Massacre"

The Music Of New Orleans Volume One

The Music of the Streets: The Music of Mardi Gras

Folkways Records – FA 2461

Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: United States
Released: 1958
Genre: Jazz, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Jazz, & Ragtime
[Tracklist]
A1 Street Cries (1): Vegetable peddlers (00:49)
A2 Let God's Moon Alone: Dora Alexander (01:13)
A3 Times Done Changed: Dora Alexander (01:29)
A4 Street Cries (2): Percy Randolph (01:15)
A5 What a Friend We Have in Jesus / My Old Kentucky Home: James Mitchell (03:13)
A6 Shine: Percy Randolph (01:07)
A7 Liebestraum: Frank Amica (04:14)
A8 Hambone: Shoeshine boy (01:06)
A9 Mean Old Frisco: Snooks Eaglin (03:08)
B1 To-Wa-Bac-A-Way - The Indian Race: Mardi Gras Indians with Joe DeGrait (03:38)
B2 Red White and Blue Got the Golden Band: Mardi Gras Indians (05:13)
B3 On Mardi Gras Day: Hank (03:49)
B4 Bourbon Street Parade: A brass band (03:23)
B5 When the Saints Go Marching in / Margie: A parade with brass bands (02:42)
[Credits]
Producer: Moses Asch, Recorder: Samuel Charters, Designer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
This fascinating collection of music from the streets of New Orleans was recorded between 1954 and 1958, and includes an inspiring variety of material, from vegetable peddlers' street cries to the musical saw and brass bands, from a shoeshine boy's hambone to Sister Dora Alexander's impassioned "Russia, Let God's Moon Alone," written the day after Russia launched a satellite.

Call - And - Response: Rhythmic Group Singing

Conceived and Narrated and Sung by Ella Jenkins

Folkways Records – FC 7638

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1957
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Children's, & African
[Tracklist]
A1 Tah-Boo (01:59)
A2 Zeembah (01:14)
A3 Moon Don't Go (01:59)
A4 Moon Don't Go (With Instruments) (00:45)
A5 Toom-Bah-Ee-Lero (01:49)
A6 Toom-Bah-Ee-Lero (With Instruments) (01:26)
B1 A Chant From West Africa (01:23)
B2 A Love Chant From North Africa (01:12)
B3 An American Chain Gang Chant (02:15)
B4 An Arabic Chant That Means Welcome (01:14)
[Credits]
Producer: Ella Jenkins and Moses Asc, Photographer: Jo Banks, Designer: Matthew Langley, Mastering Engineer: Charlie Pilzer
[Notes]
In 1956, Ella Jenkins went to New York City with an acetate demo disc of children’s music she had recorded. She had decided to devote her life to music. At the office of Folkways Records, Ella met with label founder Moses Asch, who listened to her tape and, after she recorded a few more songs, made it into a record. Now, almost 70 years later, Ella Jenkins has become one of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings' most iconic artists. World renowned for her impact on the music education landscape, she has aptly been nicknamed "The First Lady of Children's Music." Originally released on a 10-inch LP record in 1957, Ella's first album features simple call-and-response chants from both the United States and Africa, specially adapted for young children. Rhythmic and easy to learn and performed with a group of school children, these songs encourage group singing and the development of musical skills and memory. Call-and-Response launched Ella Jenkin's long and storied career of making music for young people and is an excellent introduction to the beloved performer. Recommended for ages 5–9.

Camp Songs

Pete Seeger and Erik Darling with the Song Swappers

Folkways Records – SC 7551

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Ireland, & United States
Released: 1955
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Children's, & Folk
[Tracklist]
A1 Children of the Lord (01:51)
A2 Bingo Was His Name (01:29)
A3 Daughter Will You Marry? (01:39)
A4 If All the Rain Drops (00:38)
A5 Be Kind to Your Teachers (01:06)
A6 The Younger Generation (01:31)
A7 John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmitt (00:55)
A8 I Was Born 10,000 Years Ago (Just the Facts Ma'am) (03:05)
B1 Happy Jackie Junior (00:31)
B2 Spring Would Be / There Was a Little Man (01:26)
B3 Oh, When Pop was a Little Boy (01:27)
B4 Hard Luck Blues (01:29)
B5 Kevin Barry (03:53)
B6 Putting on the Style (02:43)
B7 Finegan, Beginigin (01:25)
[Credits]
Pete Seeger (guitar/banjo/vocals) Erik Darling (banjo/vocals)
Producer: Moses Asch, Designer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
The enthusiasm and informality of summer camp songs are captured by a group of six- to eleven- year-old children, whose performance is directed by iconic folksinger Pete Seeger (1919–2014). Seeger also arranged the songs, and with his banjo further enlivens the proceedings. In addition, folksinger/banjoist Erik Darling (1933–2008), perhaps best known for his recording (as leader of the Rooftop Singers) of the hit single "Walk Right In" in 1963, performs five camp songs as solo numbers. The liner notes provide the lyrics of the songs, enabling listeners to join in the fun.

Peggy Seeger: Animal Folk Songs for Children

Scholastic Records – SC 7551

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1957
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Children's, & Folk
[Tracklist]
A01 Little Brown Dog (02:13)
A02 Oh, Blue (01:45)
A03 The Big Sheep (The Darby Ram) (01:57)
A04 Riding Round the Cattle (02:05)
A05 The Old Cow Died (01:53)
A06 Raccoon and Possum (01:17)
A07 Cross-Eyed Gopher (00:37)
A08 Little Lap-Dog Lullaby (01:27)
A09 Jack, Can I Ride (01:52)
A10 Daddy Shot a Bear (00:55)
B01 The Deer Song (03:08)
B02 And We Hunted and We Hunted (01:55)
B03 Mister Rabbit (02:10)
B04 Peep Squirrel (01:52)
B05 A Squirrel Is a Pretty Thing (01:25)
B06 Snake Baked a Hoecake (01:06)
B07 Old Lady Goose (01:23)
B08 My Old Hen's Good Old Hen (01:05)
B09 Of All the Beast-es (01:06)
[Credits]
Peggy Seeger (guitar/banjo/fiddle/vocals)
[Notes]
It could not have been an easy task for Peggy Seeger to choose the 22 tracks for this album from the 43 featured in her mother’s 1950 publication, Animal Folk Songs for Children. Her mother was the influential musician, educator, and folklorist Ruth Crawford Seeger, who drew on field recordings archived in the Library of Congress for the book. A joyful album for children and adults, the music on this recording tells tales of little brown dogs, old frogs, pretty squirrels, and cross-eyed gophers, while the liner notes divulge the songs’ intriguing origins and lyrics. Although many of the songs have been passed down through generations with little more than perhaps some hand-clapping and foot-tapping, Seeger provides simple guitar, banjo, and fiddle accompaniment.