Big Smith - From Hay to ZZZZZZ: Hillbilly Songs for Kids

'From Hay to Zzzzzz: Hillbilly Songs for Kids' finds Big Smith looking not only to their own children for inspiration, but also up the family tree for songs that have been handed down from their ancestors, some songs that can be traced back at least five generations. The band includes their family on this release in other ways as well - parents, children, aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents are all part of the recording. It is a generous portion of music - 42 tracks spread across two CDs, arranged so that playtime comes first, followed by a second disc of 13 lullabies to wind things down. Besides being a preservation of family music history, the album also features many new original songs - 10 of these songs were written by the boys or other family members. This is Big Smith's first solely self-produced CD, and was recorded, mixed and mastered at their home studios in Springfield and in the peaceful rural setting of Spokane, Missouri. New-found freedom in the recording process allowed new avenues of creativity as well. The soundscape is a virtual playground of homemade effects and studio experimentation. The CD package features original artwork by Rosie Arnold, augmented by pictures of the band when they were kids. Most importantly, the album is a pleasure to listen to. In contrast to the bland output generally aimed at children, 'Hay to Zzzzzz' has some musical and conceptual teeth. It's sure to please Big Smith fans, older, younger, and in between, and to win the band new audiences.

1) ABC's
2) Hay Is for Horses
3) Hay Is for Horses Reprise
4) Leap As You Run
5) Cheese Enchilada
6) Itsy Bitsy Spider
7) Easy Greasy
8) Brian O'Lynn
9) Concernin' Murder
10) There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea
11) Round Medley
12) 20 Froggies
13) I Married My Wife in the Month of June
14) Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
15) Cross-Eyed Gal
16) The Whale Swallowed Jonah
17) The Scarecrow Song
18) Ring Around the Rosy
19) Kookaburra
20) Hagalena Magalena
21) She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain
22) I'm Blue Eyed I'm Black Eyed
23) Great Big Silver Airplane
24) Old MacDonald
25) Susie Little Susie
26) Forks of the Branch
27) Bone Terry and the Paw Paw Patch
28) Paw Paw Patch Revisited
29) Giddyap Hoedown
30) When I'm One
31) I See the Moon
32) Hush Little Baby
33) Cady's Lullaby
34) Night Light
35) Go Tell Aunt Rhody
36) Little Cowboy's Lullaby
37) Do Nothing at All
38) Rocky Baby
39) Sweetly the Swan Sings
40) Sandman's A-Comin'
41) Hush-A-Bye Owlet
42) Forest Animal Lullaby
43) [Untitled Track]