AMG Review of Sunny Day

James Christopher Monger
All Music Guide

Elizabeth Mitchell’s third collection of children’s music follows in the footsteps of fellow tyke crooner Dan Zanes by employing numerous styles, including folk, country, and world music, to convey a world that is as boundless and creative as childhood is. Sunny Day’s 19 tracks feature Mitchell along with husband Daniel Littleton, daughter Storey, and an eclectic group of friends which includes the aforementioned Zanes, legendary Band drummer Levon Helm, Jon Langford (Mekons, Waco Brothers), and Warren DeFever (His Name Is Alive). It’s a quaint, earthy affair that hardly feels like a cookie cutter, keyboard-and-funny-voice-driven children’s record, relying instead on Appalachian and international folk songs and lullabies with an emphasis on acoustic arrangements. In short, it’s a sweet and serene collection of songs for kids that adults won’t tire of, let alone play begrudgingly.