We are so honored to be part of Joan Osborne’s first annual Mother’s Day Benefit Concert at City Winery in NYC next month. The concert will benefit the organizations Somaly Mam and Save the Children. We are thrilled to be performing alongside Joan and one of our all time favorite bands, Ollabelle. Join us if you can!

The Recording Academy didn’t give us a Grammy this year, but we actually won TWO from some different judges! Thank you dear Brian Selznick and Penny Littleton!

Learn more at momsdemandaction.org

Wow! Our album “Little Seed: Songs for Children by Woody Guthrie” was nominated for a Grammy! We are crazy grateful for this recognition of our work, almost 20 years into making music with children! And we are so happy to be sharing our nomination it with our constant source of inspiration, Woody Guthrie. Here is a sweet little video we made of a song from the album, the inventive lullaby “Sleep Eye.”

From Parents Choice :

“Elizabeth Mitchell’s light, effortless soprano and natural warmth shine on her latest release Little Seed. On this compilation album, Mitchell’s talents match the simplicity of the timeless songs by Woody Guthrie, who spun their melodies, lyrics and wordplay with the first-hand knowledge of a father’s heart and a child’s wonder. “Rattle rattle rattle/skiddle my skaddle” (“Rattle My Rattle”), “My pony runs to the music and drums/Round and round and round” (“Merry-Go-Round”), “I’m a little baby a few days old/I’m a little snick-snack some days old” (“One Day Old”)-the nonsense words have a joyful rubber ball bounce, while the songs overall evoke play and family togetherness in a gentler world without electronic distractions. No museum pieces, Guthrie’s songs are alive and thriving in the tender care of Mitchell and her fine cadre of fellow acoustic musicians.- Lynne Heffey”

People Magazine calls “Little Seed” Exquisite! And Storey draws on the page!

Little Seed Review

It may not be cosmically possible for Elizabeth Mitchell to release an unrewarding, lackluster, run of the mill album; nevertheless it’s always great to see that she’s still got the magic touch. Anyone can record an album of Woody Guthrie songs (and many people have!), but it takes a nimble but earthy musical touch to get it just right. Little Seed is an all around winner, and is highly recommended for any home, classroom, and library. Send a copy to your congressperson and ask them to thoughtfully listen to all the verses of “This Land is Your Land,” maybe it’ll open up some minds and hearts.

Warren Truitt, About.com

All Music Guide reviews “Little Seed” !

“The 13 tracks are ceaselessly charming and often cut the preciousness inherent to kid’s music with a subtle sense of humor and reverence walking hand in hand with the more childlike elements. Field recording-like automotive sound effects on “Riding in My Car” are devoid of any cuteness whatsoever, and Mitchell’s extensive liner notes speak of her discovery of Woody Guthrie’s freely associated children’s music and how it helped her find mystery and joy in what formerly seemed too straightforward or cloying. Her deep connection with his innocent sounds in her adult life is felt throughout the album… Little Seed captures all of the freewheeling ramble of Guthrie’s spirit and fuses it with the starry-eyed beauty of Mitchell’s crystal-clear voice and glowing songcraft.”

More at All Music Guide

Zooglobble: Little Seed Review

“Longtime Elizabeth Mitchell fans will love the new recordings on Little Seed, and if you’re a newcomer to Mitchell’s music for families, it’s a sweet half-hour introduction to the kids’ artist most visible folk interpreter. She does right by Woody Guthrie. Definitely recommended.”

more from zooglobble

It is with great excitement that we announce the release of our new album this month, Blue Clouds. This record has been a long journey of magic and joy and we are so grateful to be able to share it with you now. So many beautiful hands and voices came together to make this album, including the late Remy Charlip, whose art cradles the music. Our dear friend Brian Selznick, author of “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” wrote the liner notes and so many musicians lent their talents- including Amy Helm, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Ruthy Ungar and Mike Merenda and our own family band You Are My Flower, featuring aunt Anna, uncle Miggy, cousin Penny and fairy godmother Jean Cook. We interpreted songs by David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Bill Withers, Ella Jenkins, Van Morrison, The Allman Brothers and The Good Ms Padgett. Please give this album a listen- we promise you will find joy there too!

Our Sunny Day Coloring Book is now available in our very own, brand new, online store! Please click on “store” above to behold the excitement!

Greetings Friends,
Our new album, Little Seed: Songs for Children by Woody Guthrie, has been released by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Featuring eight newly recorded tracks and five previously released, we hope you will enjoy it!

It was an honor to record these songs and to write about the profound impact Woody Guthrie’s children’s music has had on our lives.

Happy 100th Birthday Woody!!!

More on the album here

Dear Friends
We will be part of this upcoming rally and concert at the state capitol in Albany NY, trying to bring attention and awareness to the issue of fracking in New York State. We will be performing with our friend Dan Zanes at the afternoon rally, and then as our “grown up” band, Ida, in the evening at the concert. Please, join us if you are able.

The health of our children is in the hands of Governor Cuomo. He needs to know that we want him to do the right thing and extend the moratorium on fracking in New York State, and better yet, ban it completely!

photo by: Catherine Sebastian

Dear Friends,

We are mourning the loss of our dear friend, the great Levon Helm.

Levon was so generous and kind to our family and we will be forever grateful for the moments that we shared with him.

We love you Levon.

Rest in Peace.