Songs, Rhythms & Chants for the Dance

by Ella Jenkins

Overview

Jenkins crafted this album with the intention of presenting songs that were suitable for children to dance to. They could do that if they were so inclined, but really, you would not guess that this was the purpose of the record if not for Jenkins' accompanying liner notes. Whether it's danced to or not, it's another in a long line of releases that proves Jenkins to be perhaps the best and most intelligent children's recording artist of the 20th century. The songs can be enjoyed by both kids and adults, and even if it's just kids that are listening, adults can be assured that these are performances that won't insult their intelligence by playing down to them. Musically it's very solid and often bluesy, and it boasts better sound than many other Folkways releases (including some of Jenkins'). The material and arrangements are varied to avoid homogeneity, some songs making use of full vocal choruses, some using basic guitar accompaniment, some based around chants, others getting into rather jazzy grooves with electric organ. (Actually, three numbers played by the Larry Novak Trio are not just jazzy, but actual jazz.) The disc concludes with a few interviews about dance, not just with dancers but also with a dance student, a dance reviewer, a dance teacher of the blind, choreographers, and so forth. Not the kind of selections many will listen to repeatedly, perhaps, but as they're all placed together at the end they don't impede the flow of the music. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	10/24/2000
Label:	Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
UPC:	0093074500422
Rank:	254518

Tracks

1. A New Day's Coming Soon
2. I Don't Care Where You Bury My Body
3. Plenty Good Room
4. Brother John Sellers
5. A Bad Man From the Badlands
6. Angry Words
7. I Heard Him Cry This Morning
8. Please Hurry Home
9. That's the Way Things Are
10. What's the Matter With the Team?
11. A Vivo a Vavo
12. Hey Moo Ma Moo Ma Moo Ma Hey
13. I Climbed a Mountain
14. Africa Llamando (Africa Calling)
15. Yemayah, God of the Sea
16. This Is an Afro Mood
17. Yemayah, God of the Sea
18. This Is an Afro Mood
19. Let Yourself Go
20. A Long Time (Instrumental)
21. Wading in the Water
22. Ann Barzel (Dance Reviewer)
23. Jimmy Payne (Choreographer, Specialist in Afro-Cuban Dance)
24. Lenore Lutheran (Dance Student)
25. Gina Martin (Dance Teacher of the Blind)
26. Genieve Fox (Dance Therapist)
27. Dudley Williams (Principal Dancer)
28. Ann Lehnoff (Dance Teacher of Children)
29. Ruth Page (Choreographer and Director of the Chicago Ballet)
30. Lorenzo Young (Dance Company Manager)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ella Jenkins   Primary Artist
Guy Guilbert   Primary Artist,Guitar,Piano (Electric)
Larry Novak   Primary Artist,Piano
Ileana Lavastida   Primary Artist
Pat Johnson   Primary Artist,Soloist,Vocals

Technical Credits

Lenore Lutheran   Dancer
Guy Guilbert   Narrator
Stu Black   Engineer
Ron Gordon   Portrait Photography
Dudley Williams   Dancer
Mary Monseur   Reissue Production Coordination
Carla Borden   Editorial Assistant
Ann Lehnhoff   Dance Teacher
Bernadelle Richter   Producer
Jimmy Payne   Choreographer
Irving Berlin   Composer
Pete Reiniger   Mastering
Gina Martin   Dance Teacher
Anthony Seeger   Reissue Production Supervisor
D.A. Sonneborn   Reissue Production Supervisor
Ella Jenkins   Arranger,Composer,Annotation,Liner Notes
Ileana Lavastida   Performer