Last week I had shoulder surgery, and spent most of the time leading up to it trying to cram in as much as I could. Boring things like errands and laundry that would soon be impossible. But also, fun things with my kids, because I knew, soon enough, that time together would vanish.
We went to the zoo. We went swimming. We played hard at a new playground. We spent hours at the library. We ate our favorite meals. We induced Carpal Tunnel Syndrome trying to finish up that last difficult chapter of Skylanders.
And through all of this, I just kept wishing things could slow down.
So we took a day off and lounged around the house. It was exactly what we all needed.
And we had the perfect thing to listen to while coloring for hours in our pajamas.
Dan Zanes and Elizabeth Mitchell, two of the most beguiling voices in the children’s music circuit, have collaborated on an album together, the perfect accompaniment for a lazy day at home.
Turn, Turn, Turn, set to be released on August 27th, is one of those albums you can just let play in the background and let it fill the room with it’s great mood. It’s a CD that provides music for all ages from two lovely, well-respected and critically acclaimed musicians
On their own, each has a unique sound. Dan Zanes is smooth and cool vocals with a hint of grit and a whole bucket of charm. And Elizabeth Mitchell’s sweet and clear sounds make me wish she could sing me to sleep every night.
Together, the combination is purely delightful.
Turn Turn Turn contains five original songs by Zanes, one by Mitchell and several spins on American classic folk songs. These two artists sound as if they’ve been playing together for decades, their collaboration seems that effortless.
Dan Zanes does blues, folk, and creole like no one else, and songs like the lead off track “Sail Away Ladies,” the folk song “Train Is A-Coming”, and the lullaby “My Creole Belle” showcase that talent. The toe-tapping “Raccoon and Possum” makes me want to get up and square dance.
Elizabeth Mitchell’s voice shines bright in tunes like “Honeybee” (penned by Mitchell and her sister-in-law Anna Padgett), “So Glad I’m Here,” and the hymn revival of “When I Get Home.”
Zanes and Mitchell work in beautiful harmony on tracks like the charming “Wim Wam Waddle” and “When You’re Smiling,” in which you can almost hear Dan and Elizabeth smiling as they sing.
“Coney Island Avenue,” a Zanes original, has pegged down my experience of walking from the F train to the boardwark at the end of summer and all the different neighborhoods and sights you see along the diverse avenue. “Now Let’s Dance” begs you to move along with Zanes and Mitchell and if they’re asking, I’m dancing. “Hot Weather Music” sounds like a lazy summer and is Dan Zanes at his smoothest.
My favorite song on the album is “In The Sun.” With it’s sophisticated lyrics and lilting chorus, it doesn’t sound like a song made just for kids. The mood of this song reminds me of those beautiful days in the early spring when the weather is unexpectedly perfect and you look up in the bright blue sky and feel grateful that you’re alive. Like those kinds of days, this is one of those songs I don’t want to end.
“Shine” is an homage to our sun and the power of solar energy. With great lyrics like
someone in a school desk now
will make it work, will make it cheap
so the people of the world can keep
their lights on and on and on
this song not only has a great sound but great message as well.
The highlight of the album is their rendition of the Pete Seeger classic “Turn! Turn! Turn!” Mitchell and Zanes certainly do The Byrds justice.
This version is a bit more kid-centric, as it contains additional lyrics written by Seeger’s wife especially for children. Additions like “A time to share. A time to take turns. A time for candles on the cake.” Those Big Kid Issues that can be difficult to understand or hard to give up. And yet, as the song reminds us, there is a time for everything, good or bad.
There is a time for me to take my kids to the park. A time to get my butt kicked on Just Dance for the Wii. And a time to take a break and soak it all in while listening to great music.
Turn Turn Turn by Dan Zanes & Elizabeth Mitchell gets released on Festival Five Records on August 27th. You can preorder your own copy here!
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I was provided a copy of this product for review purposes. All opinions are 100% completely my own.
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