Live at Wolf Trap

by John McCutcheon

Overview

Let's face it: A lot of the children's music that comes from the United States is appallingly bad. It is annoying and highly sophomoric, not to mention condescending -- it does kids a tremendous disservice by talking down to them. John McCutcheon feels the same way, which is why the folksinger has been providing intelligent children's music. Not everything McCutcheon does is children-oriented, but here's the thing: His children-oriented work is so intelligently done that it isn't all that different from the McCutcheon albums that aren't specifically aimed at kids. Live at Wolf Trap falls into the latter category, although a lot of parents bought it anyway because of his fine reputation in the children's market. Recorded live in Vienna, VA, in 1990 and 1991, this CD paints an attractive picture of McCutcheon as both a singer/songwriter and a performer of traditional folk repertoire. Some of the songs that he performs are in the public domain, including "The Water Is Wide" and "Stole and Sold from Africa." But plenty of McCutcheon originals are also performed, and they range from the reflective "High Hearts" to the playful "Black Sea." One of the nice things about McCutcheon is his awareness of the roots of Anglo-American folk -- he realizes that the folk traditions of the U.S. have their roots in the folk traditions of the British Isles. McCutcheon has blues influences, but he also has Welsh and Celtic influences. So even though the Wisconsin native is very much a part of Anglo-American folk, he is also well aware of his European musical heritage. Live at Wolf Trap falls short of essential, but it's still an enjoyable, satisfying document of the singer/songwriter's live performances. ~ Alex Henderson

Product Details

Release Date:	02/14/1992
Label:	Rounder
UPC:	0011661028326

Tracks

1. Calling All the Children Home
2. Medley
3. Stole & Sold From Africa
4. Black Sea
5. Old Brown's Head Light
6. Joe Hill
7. Going, Going, Gone
8. High Hearts
9. Cut the Cake
10. Reasons to Believe
11. Where Were You When
12. Yesterday's Fools
13. Christmas in the Trenches
14. Medley
15. The Water Is Wide

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John McCutcheon   Primary Artist,Banjo,Piano,Fiddle,Guitar,Vocals,Dulcimer,Hammer Dulcimer
Tom Chapin   Guest Artist,Vocals,Guitar
Gregor Gladkov   Piano
Paul Reisler   Guitar
Pete Kennedy   Guitar,Bass
Bobby Read   Clarinet,Saxophone,Sax (Soprano)

Technical Credits

Alfred Hayes   Composer
Mike Rivers   Assistant Engineer
Anthony Hayes   Composer
Charles Shoffner   Photography
Bill McElroy   Engineer
Paul Reisler   Producer
Bruce Springsteen   Composer
Tim Hardin   Composer
Metamora   Composer
Pete Seeger   Liner Notes
Traditional   Composer
Si Kahn   Composer
Bobby Read   Assistant Engineer
Earl Robinson   Composer
John McCutcheon   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Tina Liza-Jones   Composer
Jean Wilcox   Design