So how long has it been exactly since we last heard anything about Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star? Or Baa Baa Black Sheep for that matter? Writing something unique and interesting about a children’s song CD has provided it’s own kind of challenge. I embrace that, however, I must be perfectly clear on learning to sing and play children’s songs. I have to tell you that I discovered that it wasn’t fun for me.
My idea of musical fun is a 20’ x 30’ stage under the lights with 30,000 watts, tuned up and jamming to a crowd of frenzied dancers. I have enormous respect for those that can just stand there and sing. I stand in awe of those that can carry that off with dignity and grace.
On Radmilla Cody’s Precious Friends; Songs for Children, There are several highlights. I am particularly entranced by the third trac, Buy a Vehicle. The lyric tells a story about what owning a car would mean to a Native family. It’s fun and I am sure is intended for a slightly older child.
While the first several trax are a vocal backed by a drum and rattle accompaniment the clever I Made Him/Her Cry changes it up with the use of a guitar backing.
The fifth trac, My Relatives, is a song about a traditional protocol in Navaho culture and how important your relatives are to you. They are important enough to go visit but, also, since everything is a relative, just stepping outside means that you are able to visit with your relatives by simply taking a walk. Everything has spirit and so we are comforted by the fact that we have relatives everywhere.
Of course you’ve got to have a song about fry bread or it wouldn’t be a children’s song CD. With a lovely piano accompaniment it relates the making of fry bread to kids in a fun and animated song form.
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star is sung with passion in Navaho beautifully by a woman that cares for kids. Another light and elegant piano accompaniment and some sort of music box chime really sets this “twinkle” apart from the rest of the pack. There is some serious thought behind what Ms. Cody is doing here.
Obviously, there is language preservation going on at the introductory level, which is the single most important step in the process of retaining and revitalizing a culture. Teach the young ones the language; you will keep the culture alive and vital. While she sings most of the songs in her traditional language, the universality of several songs puts them in the category of “instantly recognizable to anyone”.
The organization of the song titles, the spare arrangements, the traditional language, and the tasty use of sound effects, fatten the production and keep it interesting.
The real beauty of this CD, however, is in the nature of the singer. She has managed to get into a Child’s spirit and sing with the same enthusiasm you might get from a group of young children who love to sing it out loud. I wish that I could do that.
That is why it is such a joy to hear this CD. There is much skill involved in keeping the attention of young children but, there is no doubt any child listening to this CD will want to listen to it all. As for the child in me, I have really loved listening to this CD because for a minute there I became a kid again. Here is a listening experience that is not to be missed. The importance of this work must not be overlooked.
For further info on this artist please surf to the following web site: http://www.radmillacody.net/
To contact Radmilla:
Reporter
Jamison Mahto
Indigenous Internet Chamber of Commerce
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Radmilla Cody January 2008
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