Smithsonian Folkways Releases Elizabeth Mitchell's
Blue Clouds
Traditional Folk and Classic Rock... for Kids
"When Storey was three years old, there was a bedtime story that Daniel
used to tell her called “The Land of Blue Clouds.” Many magical things
happened in this land where the sky was gold and the clouds were blue.
storey and daniel would weave the tales together, imagining adventures
with fairies, elephants, oceans, rainbows, jaybirds, and beyond.
During this time, we were on our first cross-country tour with
Storey, often spending every night in a different town. Returning to
this “land of blue clouds” each night gave Storey a sense of home,
whether we were in Tucson or Louisville, Eugene or Chicago. On our
journey, Storey saw her first rainbow in Texas, her first cactus in the
desert of Arizona, rode on her first pony (named Pickles!) in
California, drove through her first tornado in Kansas, picked her first
peach in Colorado, and made her first mural (a Christmas tree and a
snake!) with her godmother Tara Jane in Oregon. Halfway through the
tour, we were in northern California visiting my sister Caroline and her
family. While we were there, Daniel picked up a ukulele, and the song
“Blue Clouds” was born. Now we had a lullaby to carry us home, and we
still sing it today, many years later.
Anything could happen in the land of blue clouds, and it still can. A frog can propose to a mouse and they can share buttercups and dewdrop tea, a bunny may go off on an adventure and gather chestnuts for her friends. When times get tough, we can throw the homework in the fire and take the car downtown. Everyone can sing along, hop up, and ask the moon to stay just a little longer, because you never know, two octopuses might marry, have a baby, and dance every day arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm…just one more story, one more song, while the silver moon is on the rise…."
Anything could happen in the land of blue clouds, and it still can. A frog can propose to a mouse and they can share buttercups and dewdrop tea, a bunny may go off on an adventure and gather chestnuts for her friends. When times get tough, we can throw the homework in the fire and take the car downtown. Everyone can sing along, hop up, and ask the moon to stay just a little longer, because you never know, two octopuses might marry, have a baby, and dance every day arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm…just one more story, one more song, while the silver moon is on the rise…."
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My Thoughts:
"In the land of Blue Clouds, anything can happen" I wish I could travel here with my daughters and let them experience all the wonders that Elizabeth Mitchell's daughter, Storey dreamed about after listening to her father tell her this bedtime story. But, thankfully, Elizabeth Mitchell put together a wonderful album that celebrates family, imagination and love, for families to enjoy.
Released on October 23rd, I was sent an advance copy to review, and couldn't wait to listen to it with the girls. After hearing that she covered songs by David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Bill Withers, Ella Jenkins, Van Morrison, The Allman Brothers and The Good Ms Padgett, I couldn't wait to see how they sounded. Who would have thought a Jimi Hendrix song could be turned into a Jodi Mitchell type song? Well, leave it to Elizabeth Mitchell to do just that.
Her other CD, "Little Seed" became an instant hit in our house, and so did this new release. The girls love listening to this CD in the car, and always seem to drift off to sleep peacefully. I think they are just eager to get to the "Land of Blue Clouds." Even though all the tracks on this album are great, we especially love to listen to "Arm and Arm" and "May This Be Love." Savannah's personal favorite is the Allman Brother's cover of "Blue Sky."
This album is definitely one worth checking out. If you have other Elizabeth Mitchell albums, then you know how great her music and voice is? And, she outdoes herself again with "Blue Clouds." Parents and children will enjoy listening to this album together, and will be wishing like we are to travel to the "Land of Blue Clouds."
Released on October 23rd, I was sent an advance copy to review, and couldn't wait to listen to it with the girls. After hearing that she covered songs by David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Bill Withers, Ella Jenkins, Van Morrison, The Allman Brothers and The Good Ms Padgett, I couldn't wait to see how they sounded. Who would have thought a Jimi Hendrix song could be turned into a Jodi Mitchell type song? Well, leave it to Elizabeth Mitchell to do just that.
Her other CD, "Little Seed" became an instant hit in our house, and so did this new release. The girls love listening to this CD in the car, and always seem to drift off to sleep peacefully. I think they are just eager to get to the "Land of Blue Clouds." Even though all the tracks on this album are great, we especially love to listen to "Arm and Arm" and "May This Be Love." Savannah's personal favorite is the Allman Brother's cover of "Blue Sky."
This album is definitely one worth checking out. If you have other Elizabeth Mitchell albums, then you know how great her music and voice is? And, she outdoes herself again with "Blue Clouds." Parents and children will enjoy listening to this album together, and will be wishing like we are to travel to the "Land of Blue Clouds."
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Selected family concerts with
Elizabeth Mitchell and You Are My Flower
November 3 - Town Hall, Seattle
November 4 - Village Ballroom, Portland, OR
November 11 - Eddie's Attic, Decatur, GA
December 8 - One Longfellow Square, Portland, ME
December 15 - Symphony Space, NYC
Get updates at www.youaremyflower.org
Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this CD from the vendor in order to write up an honest review. The views above are mine and mine alone.
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