The Grumpytime Club
Walking Songs, 2021
9/10
An award winning singer-songwriter with a penchant for folk-pop sounds, Carrie Ferguson pens a superb family album here, where songs about accepting feelings, honoring differences and self-love are fleshed out with an all star cast of players that help each song radiate in its own light.
“Cat And Piggy” starts the listen with warm mandolin from Jim Henry as J.J. O’Connell’s precise percussion makes a big impression alongside Ferguson’s playful singing that talks about animals, and “The Puppy Song (You And I)” follows with a busy display of bouncy, spirited song craft where Samara Sawyer’s trombone and Jim Armenti’s clarinet won’t go unnoticed amid perhaps the most catchy chorus you’ll hear all year.
Moving along, “Tavi’s Song” brings in Tavi and Aza Wolfwood on vocals as the setting turns calm with some folk and Americana influences, while “The Best Way To Be” displays Ferguson’s ukulele skills, where charming storytelling is both wise and the soulful trombone is a nice addition. “Up And Down”, one of the album’s best, is a festive tune including gang vocals, bright brass, and strategic percussion from Joe Fitzpatrick that emits a jazz like quality.
Landing near the end, “Aza’s Song” flows with sublime beauty in the piano balladry that is both stirring and elegant, and “Hope Parade” exits the listen also gentle and piano fueled, where Ferguson’s versatile pipes have us hanging on every word sung and note played.
A children’s album in every sense of the word, Samara Sawyer (trombone) is just 11 years old, and Ajika Sawyer, who is only 6, plays bass on a couple tracks, too. An artist who has played rock, country, pop and folk in her lengthy and esteemed career, if you’re looking for a smart, relevant and contagious listen for the young ears, The Grumpytime Club will not disappoint.
Travels well with: Jenn Cleary- All Together Now; Beth Jean- Let’s Put On A Show