The Whole Music Experience

Americana   American Playground Compilation   Putumayo Kids   Since I’m a childless adult, I usually avoid children’s CDs, but in the case of Putumayo Kids’ American Playground , I find myself reflecting on my childhood.   In fact, you don’t have to be either American or a child to enjoy American Playground , but it helps if you are familiar with American folk of the classic variety.   This compilation features such rainy day favorites as Blue Skies , You Are My Sunshine , the gospel tune, This Little Light and Bob Dylan’s 1974 tribute to his son, Forever Young .   With the songs (country, folk, bluegrass, blues, gospel) on this CD, we feel forever youthful and we find ourselves singing along as if we’re sitting around the proverbial campfire. While any of these songs (even though some of the text carries adult themes about broken hearts) would appeal to children, Alan Lomax and other song catchers would have a field day with this com...

Chamber/ Folk   Jason Seed Stringtet In the Gallery   Jason Seed Music Is it classical chamber or bluegrass? Certainly, guitarist-composer Jason Seed’s repertoire that appears on In the Gallery sounds like classical chamber with twang--a bit bluegrass swing played by a string quartet plus fusion guitar.   Well, that’s the best way I can describe the music on this CD.   Glenn Asch (violin and viola), Helen Reich (viola), Dan Armstrong (string bass) and Scott Tisdel (cello) join Seed’s guitar exploring new frontiers (much like the Kronos Quartet).   And if that’s not exotic enough for you Chinese Pipa master, Yang Wei appears on Where the Corners Meet , which resembles Chinese folkloric meets an Appalachian string band meets chamber music (though it sounds a bit busy for my tastes). Seed’s Tangoesque takes its inspiration from Bill Frisell (another eclectic guitarist), Strange Meeting, according to the liner notes.   Seed’s guitar gr...