AMG Review of Call and Response Rhythmic Group Singing

Richie Unterberger
All Music Guide

Originally released as a 10" LP in 1957, Call and Response Rhythmic Group Singing was the first recording of a lengthy, illustrious career that established Ella Jenkins as one of the most valuable educators and disseminators of folk music on record. This album concentrated upon call-and-response folk songs from Africa, as well as an American chain gang chant and an Arabic welcome chant, intended for teaching the songs to children between five- and nine-years-old. Jenkins accompanies herself on various percussion instruments, and performs with an actual group of school children, who usually supply the response parts; in fact, they occasionally take the leads, too. It's a quality children's/instructional release, but not long on running time, totaling only about 16 minutes.