Customer Reviews

Shakin' a Tailfeather

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

 

 

This is a CD that I can actually share with my children -- I was enjoying many of these songs in my own youth. Check out cuts 9-11: "Land of 1000 Dances," "Jim Dandy," and "The Name Game," which is an all-time favorite of mine. Listen also to the deep funk of "Shortnin' Bread." This may be a children's CD, but there's plenty for an adult to enjoy. Just be careful playing "The Name Game" with kids named Chuck or Mitch.

AS A PRESCHOOL TEACHER, THIS CD IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES!! THE CHILDREN LOVE TO DANCE AND SING ALONG, AND I ENJOY IT TOO. NOW, IF ONLY I COULD GET THEM TO STOP SHAKIN' A TAILFEATHER WHEN IT'S TIME TO CLEAN UP......

This is not just a great sing-a-long album for kids, but for the whole family. It features a collection of classic 1950's and 1960's R&B tunes as well as folk rhymes. Included are exuberant renditions of "Land of a 1,000 Dances" (originally recorded by Chris Kenner and later Wilson Pickett), "Willie and the Hand Jive" (originally recorded by Johnny Otis) and a politically correct version of "Miss Mary Mack" called "Oh Mary Mack."

I'm not yet a parent, but I first heard the album when I visited my goddaughter and her parents, when they were living in Los Angeles. You should have seen the smile on that three-year-old's face when that tape was played. Of course, by the time I heard the tape, she knew partically every song by heart. Later, when I found out that the tape had been chewed up in her mother's tape player, I had to get them another copy (this time on CD). I'm also getting one for my nephew, who turns one year-old soon.

Simply put, this is fun album that is a must for anyone who has little children. This is particularly true if you want to sing with them. You will not be bored by this lively recording. This CD beats the current crop of generic children's recordings by a country mile.

One of my 5 year old son's and mine favorite kids tapes. Never tire of it as it has all great classics performed by fun, superb musicians who love what they are doing. Great sing along songs that everyone should know. We'll do finger snaps right along with it in the car and keep listening even when we get to our destination. "Follow the Drinking Gourd" even started a great conversation about slavery and trying to get to freedom between my son and me.

True blues fans will cherish this collection of songs, most of them adaptations of traditional African-American, southern blues music. I grew up on "Little Sally Walker" and the "Name Game" --these songs were part of the rich, cultural stew that made up my life in urban Philadelphia. I am delighted that Taj Mahal has documented these treasures so that I can now share them with my 3 suburbo-kids, who otherwise would not have a clue. Be advised -- this album is not for the feeble, folk-singer fan but for kids and parents with a love for danceable, singable music with soul.

While very professionally done and not bad for a children's CD, (as they usually stink) this CD contains the slowest, most plodding rendition of "Shake a Tail Feather" I've ever heard. If you're wanting a heart-pumpin' dance CD, this is definitely not the one. If you're a slow dancer without much pep, then go for it.

I absolutely hated this CD. I found it to be grating and irritating. I have played it once and have never played it again. I adore Taj Mahal, was raised on folk music like Pete Seegar and Woody Guthrie, but I am NOT a fan of the gospel music sound. That is what I would call this album. I heard very little Taj Mahal on it, also, which is bothersome. Get Shake Shugaree. It's awesome.

Ever since I was 3, I have had a constitutional aversion for that idiotic "Name Game" by Shirley Ellis. It is highly irritating, makes absolutely no sense and is darned annoying to boot. It has no saving grace, nothing to recommend it and makes jackhammers sound soothing by comparison.

I would have given this 4 or maybe even 5 stars, but including the idiotic "Name Game" cost this CD. Everything else on this CD is great, especially "Follow the Drinking Gourd." That is a good history lesson about slavery and about using a sky map. An excellent exercise for children (and adults) is to find the Northern Star and identify other constellations. This is a great teaching tool.

Leave off the vile "Name Game" and you've got a good collection here.