CATCH UP TIME!… Much has transpired since the last NATIVE DAUGHTER NEWS update… Among the happenings: hand surgery for tendonitis (a success, I’m pleased to report, after a few months of no-performing downtime), music travels to Japan and Indianapolis and Clarksdale, MS (as well as some less exotic, but no less fun, destinations), and the completion of JUMP ON UP!, my brand new CD for kids and families. Since then, I’ve also been mastering the finer points of playing a newish National Tri-Cone Resonator guitar, adding more traditional songs (and tunings) to the banjo-playing repertoire, begun work on CD #3 (more later on this), and putting a few more gigs on the books
JUMP ON UP!--DOWNHOME MUSIC FOR MODERN KIDS... A year in the making, my JUMP ON UP! CD is an eclectic mix of old and new kid songs--some traditional; some from campfire-side; and some, originals written to celebrate being a kid and, of course, to honor favorite playmates, Raggedy Ann and Andy and friends. Expertly co-produced by Brian Baynes, the songs on JUMP ON UP! (including the award-winning “Raggedy Candy Heart”) range stylistically from rounds to ballads; calypso to country; rockabilly to blues. The recording comes with an illustrated liner-note booklet that includes song lyrics for sing-along fun. You can order your own copy of JUMP ON UP! by visiting PATTY'S PRODUCTS.
JUMP ON UP! CD REVIEWS… Are you a member of the print or broadcast media, or do you know someone who is? E-mail me at patty@pattyhall.com with particulars, and I can provide review copies of JUMP ON UP! You can also read Allen Singer’s well-crafted SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR review of JUMP ON UP! by visiting SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR.
JUMP ON UP! ENTERED IN GRAMMY VOTING… We're proud to report that the new CD has been officially entered in the running for a possible Grammy nomination in “BEST CHILDREN’S RECORDING” category. Bear in mind this is an entry, and not an actual Grammy Nomination. However, being entered as "product" is the first important step in the nomination process. Later this year, voting members of the Recording Academy (NARAS) will vote on all approved entries, and from that, five Grammy Nominees are selected in each category. So, to all of you who may be members of the Academy or the broadcast/print media (or who know folks who are), or who are involved with children’s music -- please help me get the word out about JUMP ON UP! The more folks who hear the CD and can spread the news about it and get it airplay, the better chance it has to be voted on.
FOR INFO ON MY UPCOMING GIGS… You can visit PATTY'S UPCOMING APPEARANCES and, as always, thank you all for your love and support of my music. I’ll hope to see you sometime soon, out there on the performing trail.
JUMP ON UP!, Patty's new cd for kids was reviewed in the May 2008 issue of the SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR. Read the online version by visiting SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR or enjoy the following transcript:
JUMP ON UP!
A review by Allen Singer
In some distant corner of one of those soon-to-be-gone music stores, in between show tunes and spoken word CD albums, you might still find a children's section with discounted, overly dusty, but still in alphabetical order children's CDs. There might be some wonderful children's song collections there and Patty Hall's new CD would be a perfect addition to any child's home library of songs.
JUMP ON UP! is a joy for both children and adults. It's a 12-track musical surprise consisting of five of Patty's original children's songs, six American traditional tunes, and an excellent original tune called "Little Dancers" by Jason Weiss. The folk songs all lend a sense of continuity and provide a historical grounding for her CD. Knowing Patty, this is not an accident of musical roulette with the tracks or style, but a way of enriching what children and even adults hear. The CD welcomes children in and invites adults to join them in a quality music experience. Jump on Up! provides kids with a wake-up call to be yourself and appreciate who you are. It's a CD with a beat and a distinct rhythm, providing a musical place where kids' differences and similarities can be universally appreciated.
The CD starts out with "Wrinkly Knee Blues," a song played as a Chicago-style blues tune that lyrically points out the uniqueness of each of us while giving voice to our own little quirks. Patty has definitely moved on with this CD by adding blues to her trunk full of musical styles. Whether doing old traditional tunes or her own wonderfully written songs, Patty performs heartfelt music. Her award-winning song, "Raggedy Candy Heart," is a complex but heartwarming song that feels very real. Patty Hall really is Raggedy Ann! In fact, she has written many books about the doll, her adventures, and her stories.
The old traditional tunes on the CD showcase Patty's core as a musician who is dedicated to the very roots of American string music and her special talent as a banjo player, vocalist and guitarist. Patty plays "The Keeper," an old camp that brought me back to when I was a kid away from home at summer camp, enjoying the comfort of a great group sing around the campfire.
JUMP ON UP! is comforting, educational, and musically diverse. Unlike many children's musical CDs, it's not condescending or overly commercialized. Adults can learn a thing or two by giving this children's CD a listen. You'll definitely shake your tail feathers to this wonderful collection of timeless music.
Patty will be performing her JUMPIN' UP! SONGS at the 2008 ADAMS AVENUE ROOTS & FOLK FESTIVAL on Sunday, May 4, 11am on the Park Stage. **************************************************************************************************************
