Ken Whiteley, with his brilliant arrangements, immerses the collection in the influences of folk, gospel, blues, Cajun, olde tyme, Celtic and world music. The result is a toe-tapping, sing-along, rockabye collection which is beautifully childlike, and which will be enjoyed by the very young and their grownups alike.
The recording features DEBBIE
CARROLL on voice, Celtic Harp, Piano, and Fretted Dulcimer, along
with MUSICIANS
Kirk Elliott, Eve Goldberg, Ben Grossman, Jeff Morrison, Arnie Naiman,
Kathy Reid-Naiman, Ernie Tollar, and Ken Whiteley.
Produced and arranged by Ken
Whiteley
Executive producer Kathy Reid-Naiman
Merriweather Records Ltd.
TRACKS
- up and over the moon!
- it's a dancing day )
- can you hop like a bunny?
- this little cow eats grass
- little tommy tinker
- early in the morning / rattle on the stovepipe
- chatter with the angels
- flying / touch the branches
- here's a pot of tea
- shortnin' bread
- crawdad hole
- the tickle person / tickly
- nelly go 'cross the ocean
- this is the way the ladies ride
- up the tall white candlestick
- in a dark little town
- shoofly
- if i could have a windmill
- diddley diddley dumpty
- the cat and the drum / elephants marching
- take the seed
- far in the wood
- the meadow-bout fields
- i'm sittin' in a boat
- mama bring me a china doll
- jessica's flowers / hush little rooster / twinkle, twinkle little star
BRAM MORRISON (of Sharon, Bram and Friends): “One of the most difficult challenges in songwriting is to create a new song that has that feeling of well-worn and comfortable familiarity that so many old folk songs possess. This wonderful collection of old and old-feeling new songs is perfect for young children and their families. Debbie Carroll and her musical friends have created a thoroughly charming listening experience featuring clear and sweet singing in the best folk tradition, with an engaging variety of instrumental accompaniments produced by the versatile Ken Whiteley. Up and Over the Moon! clearly belongs in the company of the finest folk recordings for young children in North America.”
JEAN RITCHIE (performer): "Your music is so light and lovely ... that even a Great-Granny cannot resist it!”
KATHERINE WHEATLEY (singer-songwriter): “What a gift Debbie has for communicating to children and for helping them find the joy of music. The melodies on her CD are irresistible; the lyrics are fun and meaningful. Her songs are ones that every kid - big and little - will want to sing along with.”
LYNNE HEFFLEY (Parents' Choice Foundation): "Toddlers and preschoolers - and their favorite grown-ups - will want to swing and sway, dance, bunny hop, swoop, soar and march like an elephant to this generous helping of 26 playful folk tunes, sunnily presented by early childhood music teacher Debbie Carroll. Joined by other accomplished musicians, Carroll accompanies her light soprano on Celtic harp, piano and dulcimer. (©2003 Parents' Choice)
DWAIN WILDER (Bear Meadow Dulcimers, Rochester New York): “I've spent the day with your CD. It is rare for me to spend a whole day with a single CD, but "Up and Over the Moon" is irresistible! You really have achieved a humor that is fresh, unpatronizing, and completely other than the corporate cuteness and correctness ... that so plagues thinking about children in the U.S. And, needless to say, I found it appealing even though I'm about ten times the age of your target audience.”
MARTY KOHN (of the Detroit Free Press): "A lovely collection of songs and rhymes for very young children to listen and move to. You might even, without any kids around, find yourself singing (and dancing to) the catchy "Elephants Marching.'' If anyone notices, try to act cool."
TODAY'S PARENT - BABY & TODDLER (Spring/Summer 2005): "Up and Over the Moon! Giggle, Dance and Cuddle Songs for the Very Young by Debbie Carroll is that rare treasure: a compilation that is specifically for the littlest people but so beautifully executed that grown-ups will love it too. Just try to keep your toddler's feet on the ground- just try to keep your knee from bouncing - when you hear, "You get a line and I'll get a pole, honey. We'll go down to the crawdad hole..." Or Tommy Tinker, sounding authentic - almost exotic - accompanied by fretted dulcimer."“This is a children’s CD that I, as an adult, actually love listening to!” ~ L.B.
“Our entire family (our children are 2, 5 and 6 years old) is enjoying your new CD. Every song is delightful and offers a broad array of rhythms and origins. Your singing is lovely. Everyone here has their own favourites and when you take into account all of our varied musical tastes (including my husband's!) every song on the CD is a hit with someone”. ~ F.P.-H.
“My child sings all the songs and teaches them to her bears”. ~ B.G.
“We would like to order another CD. We need another one. Our daughter Heather took our CD to Grandpa’s house, and he didn’t want to give it back.” ~ C.B.
“My baby can’t talk yet, but I know that he loves your CD. He starts dancing as soon as he hears your voice.” ~ S.M.
“I would please like to order 4 copies of Up and Over the Moon! – one for each car and one for each CD player in our house!” ~ K.M
" You have a real talent that appeals to all ages. Not many can do that. " ~ J.G.
"Debbie Carroll brought the sunshine into [our store] with her lively songs and dancing fans! Old friends met and had fun and her CD flew out of the store. Debbie's interactive songs encourages interaction between caregivers (parents) and their charges (baby/toddler/child). Everyone was dancing in their hearts with the lovely music Debbie played!!! She was a joy to have in our store and people are already asking when she is coming back!!!! " ~ Toronto retailer
"...I'm enjoying Over the Moon. The songs are fresh like the morning and reflect someone who knows kids...." ~ K.M.