AMG Review of This-a-Way, That-a-Way

Johnny Loftus
All Music Guide

Ella Jenkins' This-a-Way, That-a-Way finds the famous folksinger leading a group of school children in fun call and response numbers and singalongs that are as energetic and sunny as they are educational. Jenkins leads her charges on the title track and "Miss Mary Mack," and has them snap along with her rhythm on "Do You Know Your County?" "I Know a Tom" is alliterative and funny, while "Please Is a Pleasant Expression" illuminates the word in numerous languages over a lilting, almost Hawaiian guitar line. Jenkins is masterful at keeping things simple, fun, and easy to follow, yet never patronizing or tiresome. Whether she's singing, calling out words, or playing an instrument, it always seems like she's simply having a conversation with the children, not to mention any grownups who might find themselves caught up in her particular easygoing magic. This-a-Way, That-a-Way is for laughing as much as it is for learning.