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Editorial Reviews
Review
What do you get when you mix rollicking and soulful folk songs with captivating vocals and a first-rate mix of harmonies, guitars, banjo, piano, percussion, accordion, brass, strings and whistles? A topnotch family folk album, shaped, layered and made shiny new by skilled musicians led by vocalist Laura Veirs, whose voice is graceful, expressive and utterly charming. Each song is a memorable little jewel, from the familiar ''All the Pretty Little Horses'' and a version of ''Froggie Went A-Courtin' '' called ''King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O'' to Wood' Guthrie's ''Why Oh Why,'' Ruth Seeger's arrangement of ''Jack Can I Ride?'' and ''The Fox,'' based on a 15th century poem about a foxy late-night poultry raid. The one new song ''Tumble Bee,'' written by singer and multi-instrumentalist Karl Blau, fits right in. --Parents Choice Award Gold Medal
Product Description
Laura Veirs' new album is a collection of folk songs for children called Tumble Bee. Recorded by Grammy-nominated producer Tucker Martine in their home in Portland, Oregon in the spring of 2011, it covers a wide range of American folk songs, from early 20th century work songs to the ballads of Jimmie Rodgers, Woody Guthrie, Peggy Seeger and Harry Belafonte. Veirs and Martine have made a jaunty and moving album to be enjoyed by children as well as all fans of Veirs' earlier work.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A small gem, a kindred spirit to the Smithsonian Folkways tradition
November 20, 2011
Format:Audio CD
Looking to take a bit of a break after a long tour and giving birth to her son, Portland-based singer-songwriter Laura Veirs decided to do a kids album. But instead of writing a dozen or more songs with kid-friendly themes, she decided to research kid-appropriate folk songs. The result is titled Tumble Bee: Laura Veirs Sings Folk Songs for Children -- a simple, direct title reflecting the simple, direct music inside.
Many of the dozen songs (plus an instrumental reprise) on Tumble Bee will sound familiar to a long-term listener of music for kids or anyone who has more than a couple Smithsonian Folkways albums. (There is but one wholly original track, the title cut.) "All the Pretty Little Horses," "The Fox," "King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki Me O" -- these aren't songs that Veirs rescues from obscurity -- they're part of the (American) folk canon. Nor is "Jump Down Spin Around," which Raffi nicked from Leadbelly (and recorded it as "Pick a Bale o' Cotton"). But that latter track -- which Veirs credits to Harry Belafonte (she was struck by his version of the track) -- is given an extra boost of energy on the new album, with a chorus of friends singing along in response to Veirs' words and adding a few stomps for emphasis.
I'd call Tucker Martine's production of his wife's music as unfussy, designed to highlight Veirs' voice and the classic melodies -- why get in the way? Bela Fleck provides lovely (but not showy) banjo work on on "King Kong Kitchie." Colin Meloy duets with Veirs on "Soldier's Joy," making it sound a little bit like a track from some Bizarro Decemberists album where all the song have happy endings. And perhaps my favorite vocal turn is from Veirs herself, yodeling on "Prairie Lullaby."
Given the timeless nature of many of these songs, my typical suggestion of an age range is somewhat foolish, but it'll probably be more appreciated by kids ages 3 and up. (Though perhaps if you start younger, by the time they hit preschool they'll have all the lyrics to "The Fox" memorized.)
Tumble Bee is a lovely album through and through. Fans of Elizabeth Mitchell's and Dan Zanes' family albums should be especially drawn to it, though this trawls narrower, folkier waters. But it also compares well to albums of Mitchell's Smithsonian Folkways predecessors like Pete Seeger and Leadbelly. Methinks Ruth Crawford Seeger, another one of Veirs' inspirations for the album, would be proud of it. It's a small gem, and while it's not actually a Folkways album, it's a kindred spirit to that tradition. Highly recommended.
[Review originally appeared at Zooglobble.]
Many of the dozen songs (plus an instrumental reprise) on Tumble Bee will sound familiar to a long-term listener of music for kids or anyone who has more than a couple Smithsonian Folkways albums. (There is but one wholly original track, the title cut.) "All the Pretty Little Horses," "The Fox," "King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki Me O" -- these aren't songs that Veirs rescues from obscurity -- they're part of the (American) folk canon. Nor is "Jump Down Spin Around," which Raffi nicked from Leadbelly (and recorded it as "Pick a Bale o' Cotton"). But that latter track -- which Veirs credits to Harry Belafonte (she was struck by his version of the track) -- is given an extra boost of energy on the new album, with a chorus of friends singing along in response to Veirs' words and adding a few stomps for emphasis.
I'd call Tucker Martine's production of his wife's music as unfussy, designed to highlight Veirs' voice and the classic melodies -- why get in the way? Bela Fleck provides lovely (but not showy) banjo work on on "King Kong Kitchie." Colin Meloy duets with Veirs on "Soldier's Joy," making it sound a little bit like a track from some Bizarro Decemberists album where all the song have happy endings. And perhaps my favorite vocal turn is from Veirs herself, yodeling on "Prairie Lullaby."
Given the timeless nature of many of these songs, my typical suggestion of an age range is somewhat foolish, but it'll probably be more appreciated by kids ages 3 and up. (Though perhaps if you start younger, by the time they hit preschool they'll have all the lyrics to "The Fox" memorized.)
Tumble Bee is a lovely album through and through. Fans of Elizabeth Mitchell's and Dan Zanes' family albums should be especially drawn to it, though this trawls narrower, folkier waters. But it also compares well to albums of Mitchell's Smithsonian Folkways predecessors like Pete Seeger and Leadbelly. Methinks Ruth Crawford Seeger, another one of Veirs' inspirations for the album, would be proud of it. It's a small gem, and while it's not actually a Folkways album, it's a kindred spirit to that tradition. Highly recommended.
[Review originally appeared at Zooglobble.]
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By tesg
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
While marketed as 'folk songs for children', this is really a great album anybody can love.
There isn't a miss here. Veirs and producer/husband Tucker Martine deliver thirteen beautiful tracks...mostly traditional covers...arranged in a traditional folk style. It goes by quickly, maybe a little too quickly. Or maybe it simply doesn't overstay its welcome.
Either way, it's a gem.
There isn't a miss here. Veirs and producer/husband Tucker Martine deliver thirteen beautiful tracks...mostly traditional covers...arranged in a traditional folk style. It goes by quickly, maybe a little too quickly. Or maybe it simply doesn't overstay its welcome.
Either way, it's a gem.
By Meadows
Format:Audio CD
My daughter has been in love with this CD for 2 years now (she is 3.5). My husband and I both listened to Laura Veirs before this children's CD came out, so it is a win-win-win for us!! We dance to this CD, listen to it in the car, listen to it while we are cooking, etc. etc. I never get sick of it!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
baby loves this album, and so do I!
My husband and I saw Laura Viers open for the Decembrists several years ago, and loved both her beautiful music and clear vocal stylings. Read more
Published 1 month ago by neurogirl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Laura Veirs is wonderful
My baby only 3 weeks old so she didn't actually tell me she likes this album, but her dad and I certainly do. I am a long-time Laura Veirs fan and this album is really great. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ms. Piper Valentine
3.0 out of 5 stars
Tumble Bee
Love Laura Veirs but did not realize when I purchased this CD, that it's comprised of children's songs. Gave it to friends with a 6 yr old and he loves it! Read more
Published 3 months ago by Tracy C. Badger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun for music time with your child
This album is not only fun for children the adults will love it as well! It is a celebration of folk music, foot stomping fun and hand clapping musicality! Read more
Published 4 months ago by lolob
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great Laura Veirs album
This album is great. It's a bit more playful than any of her other records, but it's something that kids and adults can both enjoy.
Published 16 months ago by Carl Hancock
5.0 out of 5 stars
sooooo good.
unexpected. not at all typical of alternative children's music. this is for all ages. and authentically heartfelt. quite beautiful. nicely done!!!
Published 17 months ago by Dr. Robert
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kid's music you won't hate
This is a lively, fun album. You won't object when your toddler wants to hear it 5000 times. You'll probably enjoy the first 100 or so listens.
Published 18 months ago by Melissa Jonas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Solid Album From Laura
I've been listening to Laura for a couple of years now. She has a unique sound that quickly grows on you. This album is playful and fun. Read more
Published 18 months ago by bookgrubb
Listmania!
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