Here's an entry in the Rounder Heritage series that'll make you sing, dance and roll up your pants! Bessie Jones has to have one of the most infectious voices and spirits ever recorded. Born in 1902, she learned these songs and games of the Georgia Sea Islands from her grandfather Jet Samson and others who had sung many of them back in slavery days. There are 32 of them in this package -- nearly 78 minutes of music -- along with a 96-page booklet with transcriptions, charming photographs and copious notes on the tracks. The music is made up of two previously released Bessie Jones Rounder albums: So Glad I'm Here, a collection of folk songs, gospel and children's songs and games, and Step It Down, a children's album that consists of songs and music sung and played to games such as line play, ring play, clapping play and others. The games are explained in a book that Jones wrote with Bess Lomax Hawes, also called Step It Down, which is, alas, not included with the package. (I know -- how much can we ask for?)

What is here is wonderful. Bessie Jones is accompanied in games and call and response songs by a delightful group of children and some adults, giving the entire proceedings a true sense of community. The children are actually playing the games during the recordings, and their laughter and cries add immeasurably to the overall effect. These are, after all, games to be enjoyed, not sociological and cultural documents (well, OK, they are, but that's secondary). "Bob-a-Needle," for example, must be a hilarious game, if the squeals and laughter are any indication!

Bessie Jones also tells a number of stories connected with the songs and games, and fans of traditional folk music will hear such songs as "Titanic," "Yonder Come Day" and intense and chilling versions of "Amazing Grace" and "Oh Death." But what prevades this unique CD is its sense of joy -- as far as inspiring smiles and creating sheer delight, I've not heard its equal this year.

[ by Chet Williamson ]
Rambles: 1 December 2001