The Story That the Crow Told Me, Vol. 1 compiles a fun selection of rural folk songs for children. Included among these recordings of the 1920s and '30s are songs about pigs, hens, groundhogs, a gum-chewing girl, and biblical figures as with the tunes "Little David Play on Your Harp" and "Daniel in the Den of Lions." Also included on the compilation are the well-known classics "Jesus Loves Me" and "The Frog Went A-Courtin" (otherwise known as "King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O"). Some of the performers, such as
Leroy Carr, will be familiar to fans of the Yazoo label, while other performers -- such as
Bradley Kincaid, the Carolina Tar Heels, and
Bill Carlisle -- may be known to listeners of early rural recordings in general. Obviously, this album is not about presenting big names; nor is its focus excellent sound quality, since it draws from historical recordings of the 1920s and '30s. This collection succeeds in gathering upbeat bluegrass and folk tunes with whimsical lyrics that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. ~ Joslyn Layne