Ballad of America, Vol. 2: America Singing
Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX -- School Library Journal, 6/15/2007
Ballad of America, Vol. 2: America Singing. CD. 1 hr. Prod. by Slipstream Prods. Dist. by CDBaby.com. 2007. #SLP0004-2. $14.99.
Gr 3 Up–In his second excellent album, Matthew Sabatella sings 16 familiar and mostly traditional American folksongs in a rich baritone. The Rambling String Band joins him, performing beautifully on guitars, dulcimer, harmonica, banjo, bass, mandolin, fiddle, and washboard. The songs bring to mind the culture of America during the 18th and 19th centuries. Among these treasures are "Wabash Cannonball," "Go Tell Aunt Rhody," "Skip to My Lou," "Buffalo Gal," "Oh Susanna!" "On Top of Old Smokey," "Down in the Valley" (who knew this song had so many verses!), "Pick a Bale of Cotton," "I've Been Working on the Railroad," "Old Blue," "Home on the Range," and more. Fun to sing along and harmonize with, this album belongs in every collection that values folk music.
