Customer Reviews

Cellabration: Tribute to Ella Jenkins

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Over the past six years, I have spent hundreds, maybe thousands, of hours listening to children's music. I've diligently traveled to the local library and checked out music CDs each month to foster my children's appreciation of diverse musical genres, to boost their musical intelligence, and to provide an ever changing variety of background music for playtime. I am on a never-ending quest to find great albums that feature a rare combination of musical talent with enjoyable music. So many albums these days drive adults crazy with mindless lackluster rhymes and the majority of them are just "ordinary" albums you can live without. Occasionally however, we discover some real musical gems like Cellabration. This album is truly a feel-good, fun-for the-whole-family music album. You cannot go wrong with this uplifting music.

Nominated for a Grammy award for best Musical Album for Children, Cellabration features a "who's who" line-up of the best children's recording artists of our time plus some favorites from the past. The variety of artists is complimented by the variety of musical styles. The quirky "Let's All Sing a Yodeling Song" by Riders in the Sky is by far the favorite of my two girls. We've had a number of yodeling contests in the car after listening to this song. There are some unusual spoken word tracks like the "World of Whickum-Whackum" by Bill Harley and the playful "I Know a Tom" by Tom Paxton. I'm amazed that Sara, my four-year-old, can recite these silly tongue-twisters from memory.

There are many multicultural songs including the "Hukilau Song" by Marcy Marxer, "Dulee, Dulee" by Michele Valeri and "Jambo" by Red Grammer, the "Raspa/Fiesta de Niños Medley" mixed in with the spoken word "Rushing Around Russia" by Mike Stein and the classic American tune "Turkey in the Straw" by Cathy Fink. There are some really catchy tunes on this album that you may have trouble getting out of your head. The "Go Miss Mary Mack Medley" by Sweet Honey in the Rock is one of those songs that is permanently etched in my mind in a pleasant way.

The next time your family is going on a roadtrip or if you just need a break from "ordinary" children's music, pop Cellabration in your CD or MP3 player for hours of great musical entertainment for the entire family.--Dr. Lara Ashmore

We recently received this CD as a gift and it has quickly become our favorite CD. My 4 yo son LOVES singing along to it, and the songs are simple (yet wonderful) enough for him to pick up, although he thinks "Dulce Dulce" is "goose egg, goose egg."

This CD is very happy. After listening I could not stop smiling.
The tunes are singable. The musicianship on the dixieland tracks as well as the others is excellent! This CD allows the young listener to hear real musical instruments and different musical styles, and might provide inspiration for them later to participate in music (school or at home).
I am very glad I ordered it for myself and as gifts for nieces and nephews.
I shared the Amazon link with my school teacher friends in several states. Thanks for providing the listening excerpts link!

If you grew up on Ella Jenkins, then this is the very album you've always wanted! My sister and I had several of her tapes when we were growing up. Ms. Jenkins will long be remembered for her warm smile, her golden voice, her gentle laugh, and of course her deep love for children. She's 86 now and still can't bring herself to retire! On this album several adult and children's artists come together and sing several of her songs. The album begins with Cathy Fink singing her most famous hit "You'll Sing a Song and I'll Sing a Song." Other artists include Riders in the Sky, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and John McCutcheon, to name just a few.

For most listeners this album is guaranteed to invoke a flood of fun-filled memories! And even those of you who have never heard of Ella Jenkins, will quickly discover what all the fun was about! So take my advice and add this to your collection. You'll be glad you did.

PS: There's also a concert DVD by the same title with many of these artists and even one minute of Ella herself. I've rented it twice from Netflix.

I bought this CD to use in my classroom and I fell in love with it! I love to listen to it in my car when I am driving, and my daughter and I sing along with it. My class loved listening to it and singing the songs. I highly recommend this CD! I purchased some other Ella Jenkins CD's, but I like this one even more than the original versions!

After purchasing this cd more than a year ago for my 3 year old, it quickly became a family favorite. So many memorable (and fun!) songs that we always all join in. LOVE this CD!