Little Seed Nominated for Grammy!
Wow! Our album “Little Seed: Songs for Children by Woody Guthrie” was nominated for a Grammy! We are crazy grateful for this recognition of our work, almost 20 years into making music with children! And we are so happy to be sharing our nomination it with our constant source of inspiration, Woody Guthrie. Here is a sweet little video we made of a song from the album, the inventive lullaby “Sleep Eye.”
Little Seed wins a Parents Choice Gold Award!
“Elizabeth Mitchell’s light, effortless soprano and natural warmth shine on her latest release Little Seed. On this compilation album, Mitchell’s talents match the simplicity of the timeless songs by Woody Guthrie, who spun their melodies, lyrics and wordplay with the first-hand knowledge of a father’s heart and a child’s wonder. “Rattle rattle rattle/skiddle my skaddle” (“Rattle My Rattle”), “My pony runs to the music and drums/Round and round and round” (“Merry-Go-Round”), “I’m a little baby a few days old/I’m a little snick-snack some days old” (“One Day Old”)-the nonsense words have a joyful rubber ball bounce, while the songs overall evoke play and family togetherness in a gentler world without electronic distractions. No museum pieces, Guthrie’s songs are alive and thriving in the tender care of Mitchell and her fine cadre of fellow acoustic musicians.- Lynne Heffey”
People Magazine calls “Little Seed” Exquisite! And Storey draws on the page!
Little Seed Review
It may not be cosmically possible for Elizabeth Mitchell to release an unrewarding, lackluster, run of the mill album; nevertheless it’s always great to see that she’s still got the magic touch. Anyone can record an album of Woody Guthrie songs (and many people have!), but it takes a nimble but earthy musical touch to get it just right. Little Seed is an all around winner, and is highly recommended for any home, classroom, and library. Send a copy to your congressperson and ask them to thoughtfully listen to all the verses of “This Land is Your Land,” maybe it’ll open up some minds and hearts.
Warren Truitt, About.com
All Music Guide reviews “Little Seed” !
“The 13 tracks are ceaselessly charming and often cut the preciousness inherent to kid’s music with a subtle sense of humor and reverence walking hand in hand with the more childlike elements. Field recording-like automotive sound effects on “Riding in My Car” are devoid of any cuteness whatsoever, and Mitchell’s extensive liner notes speak of her discovery of Woody Guthrie’s freely associated children’s music and how it helped her find mystery and joy in what formerly seemed too straightforward or cloying. Her deep connection with his innocent sounds in her adult life is felt throughout the album… Little Seed captures all of the freewheeling ramble of Guthrie’s spirit and fuses it with the starry-eyed beauty of Mitchell’s crystal-clear voice and glowing songcraft.”
More at All Music Guide
Zooglobble: Little Seed Review
“Longtime Elizabeth Mitchell fans will love the new recordings on Little Seed, and if you’re a newcomer to Mitchell’s music for families, it’s a sweet half-hour introduction to the kids’ artist most visible folk interpreter. She does right by Woody Guthrie. Definitely recommended.”
Dear Friends,
It is with great excitement that we announce the release of our new album this month, Blue Clouds. This record has been a long journey of magic and joy and we are so grateful to be able to share it with you now. So many beautiful hands and voices came together to make this album, including the late Remy Charlip, whose art cradles the music. Our dear friend Brian Selznick, author of “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” wrote the liner notes and so many musicians lent their talents- including Amy Helm, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Ruthy Ungar and Mike Merenda and our own family band You Are My Flower, featuring aunt Anna, uncle Miggy, cousin Penny and fairy godmother Jean Cook. We interpreted songs by David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Bill Withers, Ella Jenkins, Van Morrison, The Allman Brothers and The Good Ms Padgett. Please give this album a listen- we promise you will find joy there too!
Sunny Day Coloring Book
Our Sunny Day Coloring Book is now available in our very own, brand new, online store! Please click on “store” above to behold the excitement!
Little Seed
Greetings Friends,
Our new album, Little Seed: Songs for Children by Woody Guthrie, has been released by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Featuring eight newly recorded tracks and five previously released, we hope you will enjoy it!
It was an honor to record these songs and to write about the profound impact Woody Guthrie’s children’s music has had on our lives.
Happy 100th Birthday Woody!!!
P.S.
Anyone in attendance at the Wolf Trap Saturday show who did not leave with a coloring book, send me an email here and we will take care of it! Myflowerinfo@gmail.com
Xoxo
Little Bird Records
New Yorkers Against Fracking
Dear Friends
We will be part of this upcoming rally and concert at the state capitol in Albany NY, trying to bring attention and awareness to the issue of fracking in New York State. We will be performing with our friend Dan Zanes at the afternoon rally, and then as our “grown up” band, Ida, in the evening at the concert. Please, join us if you are able.
The health of our children is in the hands of Governor Cuomo. He needs to know that we want him to do the right thing and extend the moratorium on fracking in New York State, and better yet, ban it completely!
Levon Helm
photo by: Catherine SebastianDear Friends,
We are mourning the loss of our dear friend, the great Levon Helm.
Levon was so generous and kind to our family and we will be forever grateful for the moments that we shared with him.
We love you Levon.
Rest in Peace.
Newport Folk Festival 2012!
We are so grateful to be invited back to host the kid’s tent at the Newport Folk Festival again this year. Our experience last year was one our family will never forget. Some of our favorite moments on the kid’s stage were sharing the stage with Pete Seeger twice and hearing the PS22 Chorus sing “Rollin in the Deep”! This years lineup is amazing, including Jackson Browne, My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst, The Guthrie Family Reunion, tUnE-yArDs, Tom Morello, First Aid Kit, Patty Griffin, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and many more wonderful artists. You never know who will come join us on the kid’s stage, along with healthy snacks and thoughtful activities all day long- all in a little tent where you can feel the ocean breeze. The festival will sell out very soon, so please get your tickets soon if you want to join us for this adventure!
For tickets and more information, please click here.
Books of Wonder and The Mother Company!
We will be at one of our most favorite bookstores this weekend, the legendary Books of Wonder in New York City. Hosting the event is the wonderful Mother Company, who will be celebrating the release of their new book, “A Little Book About Feelings.” We will be singing “The Happy Song” a song we performed in their film “Ruby’s Studio: The Feelings Show” There will be crafts and snacks and a very nice time for all. Join us if you can, it’s free!
For more information, please click here!
Happy New Year!
We are so grateful for so many musical moments we experienced in 2011 and our final ones of the year were truly special. Our annual concert at Symphony Space featured our very special guest, Storey’s godfather, the wonderful Brian Selznick, author of “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” upon which the Martin Scorsese film “Hugo” is based. Brian joined us for his first harmonica solo since childhood on “Freight Train” and rocked out to the Bo Diddley beat with us! Also in our family band was the fabulous Good Ms Padgett and family- our own Aunt Anna, Uncle Miggy and cousin Penny- our beloved violinist Jean Cook and our old friend, the incredible Clem Waldmann, on drums. Our extended family band also performed on New Years Eve in Boston as part of their lengendary First Night celebration, and ended our second set joined onstage by many children from the audience for “Peace Like a River.” 
We have big plans for 2012 and hope you will join us for the ride! We look forward to singing with many of you at shows across the country, releasing new recordings and sharing little surprises that are on the horizon. We wish you all good health, abundant joy and peace in the new year!
Breast Cancer Benefit with Natalie Merchant
On Saturday October 22 Elizabeth Mitchell will perform two family concerts with Natalie Merchant to Benefit Breast Cancer research at the Old Dutch Church in Kingston, NY. Sponsored by WDST as part of their annual “Pink October” fundraising campaign, these shows will also feature Daniel Littleton, Mike and Ruthy and other special guests. “I think this concert will be a wonderful community event,” said Merchant. “Elizabeth Mitchell and I have been making music together over the past year and I feel like I’ve found a true kindred spirit. We both share a passion for this cause.” More information at www.nataliemerchant.com and www.wdst.com