Phil Rosenthal and his family perform old and new folk songs in this Parent's Choice Honors and best-selling album. Instruments featured on this recording include banjo, mandolin, guitar, bass, trumpet, flute, dobro, harmonica, congas, and a samba drum.

Phil Rosenthal's entire family is featured on this album, including his wife, two children, his parents, his two sisters, and his three nieces! Rosenthal's daughter, Naomi, plays the flute and sings, while Rosenthal's son, Daniel, plays the trumpet in several songs. They are both featured in "Neighbors", "Down the River", and "I Had a Little Nut Tree", among others. The song tempo and mood varies from the comforting lullaby, "Hush Little Baby" sung by Rosenthal and Naomi, to the upbeat story-song of "Over the River and Through the Woods." Other moods include hypnotizing and calming baritone vocals in "The Train Song", and the attractive simplicity of Rosenthal's voice and a banjo in "Oh Susanna". All of the songs have repeating choruses, which the whole band often joins in on.

The family sing-along approach easily encourages participation from little listeners. The Green Grass Grew All Around is presented in a call-and-response approach, with Rosenthal leading. This encourages and helps your little one jump right in, even the first time they listen! The song also builds on itself each verse, "...the nest was on the twig, the twig was on the branch, the branch was on the tree..." making the song a fun memory game for your child. Further encouraging listeners to sing along, the choruses are repeated, and the lyrics are fun. Would doesn't want to sing "Hey Lolly, Lolly lo" ?! "Jig Along Home" provides the opportunity for you to teach your child what 'jig' means, and perhaps encourage them to come up with their own while listening to the song. Regardless of singing or dancing abilities, you and your little one will undoubtedly have fun interacting with this CD.

My three-year-old friend, Sam, loves the sound of the banjo. He says it sounds like a 'girl guitar' (as in a guitar that is female - not a guitar for girls), and decided he wants one for Christmas. When I suggested that he wait until he's a little older, he just looked at me and started playing air banjo. It was actually quite impressive!

--Audra

Rosenthal's daughter, Naomi follows in her father's footsteps as an acclaimed singer and songwriter. Daniel, Rosenthal's son, tours internationally playing the trumpet in the Either Orchestra and the Daniel Rosenthal Quartet.