New York (NY), USA – Putumayo World Music has released anew recording as part of its collection of children’s albums. New Orleans Playground is a playful romp through the musical landscape of New Orleans.
New Orleans is one of the world’s great cultural crossroads, and children who grow up there are literally steeped in the music of the city. With its frequent parades, festivals and non-stop music-making, the sounds of the Crescent City can be heard in every nook and cranny.
As Putumayo World Music co-founder and CEO Dan Storper notes. “New Orleans children hear music for ‘breakfast, lunch and dinner’ and, until Katrina, there were probably more young musicians per capita in New Orleans than anywhere else.” Storper married a New Orleans native, bought a home a few years ago and is raising his own New Orleans kid.
Charmaine Neville, a member of the famed New Orleans musical family, performs a version of the classic jazz parade song, “Second Line.” Another song, “They All Ask’d for You,” performed by The Meters, is known widely in New Orleans as “TheAudubon Zoo song,” one of the first tunes New Orleans kids learn. And Lee Dorse/s rousing 1961 hit song”YaYa” is actually based on a popular New Orleans playground rhyme about waiting for somebody who is late.
Grownups will also appreciate the range of world-renowned artists featured on New Orleans Playground. From Clifton Chenier’s “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie” to tunes by Fats Domino and Dr. John, these are engaging, singable songs for all ages. Kermit Ruffins is joined by a chorus of his own children on his tune “Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.”
Hack Bartholomew, a New Orleans street entertainer, ends the CD with a rousing version of the all-time favorite, “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In.” Full-color liner notes include song and artist information in English, Spanish, French and German.
As part of Putumayo s on-going commitment to helping revive and rebuild the musical culture of New Orleans, a portion of Putumayo’s proceeds from the sale of this CD will be donated to the Louisiana Children’s Museum to help create a New Orleans music exhibit there. A CD release party will be held on November 18th at the museum. That week, Putumayo will also sponsor New Orleans and multi-cultural music workshops at local elementary schools.
Since Katrina, Putumayo has contributed over $200,000 of the proceeds from its New Orleans CD to New Orleans musicians and other area relief efforts. New Orleans Playground, released in conjunction with New Orleans Christmas, will join Putumayo’s growing collection of New Orleans and American roots music. It is the eighth release in the best-selling and award-winning Playground series from Putumayo Kids. A division of Putumayo World Music, Putumayo Kids is committed to introducing children to various cultures through fun, upbeat collections of music.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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