Sharing Cultures With Ella Jenkins

AMG Review of Sharing Cultures With Ella Jenkins

Chris Nickson
All Music Guide

Ella Jenkins does what she does very well, and this record, aimed at kids between the ages of three and eight, is a joy. However, the title is only partly true. It's probably more about language than culture, be it the Spanish of "Ya Se Van los Pastores" or the patois of "Day-O." It's really the songs in English that explore cultures somewhat, from the Irish sensibilities of "I Lived in Ireland" to "North American Tribes" or the African-American areas of "Walking Around in Bronzeville" and a pair of lues numbers. That said, it's a lot of fun (even if the violin version of "Yellow Bird" ends up sounding like the Portsmouth Sinfonia), and for younger children it's something of an adventure. Jenkins is a strong communicator, able to engage young minds (without ever talking down to them) and involving them, even on disc. Her first all-new record in four years, and well worth the wait.