American Play Parties [sound recording]

FW-ASCH-7RR-1070

Folkways 7604 Historically, in rural America, dancing by young people was frowned upon by their elders, whereas children's games were permitted. Therefore, young people, eager to interact and dance, employed the expedient of substituting children's games for dancing, adapting the games, referred to as play parties, to their needs. Sometimes the end result was similar to the forbidden dancing, but without instrumental accompaniment. On this recording, Pete Seeger and his young daughter Mika, joined by Rev. Larry Eisenberg, sing traditional play parties, which they obtained primarily from the collections of Lynn and Katherine Rohrbough. In accordance with traditional practice, the play parties are sung without accompaniment, save for handclapping. The liner notes, written by Pete Seeger, discuss the history, development and characteristics of play parties, and provide the lyrics. CDR copy; copy exists in DAMS system Eisenberg, Larry - "Play Parties" - late 1950s - Mono - 7.5 ips Eisenberg later released these songs accompanied by Pete and Mika Seeger as "American Play Parties" on Folkways Records in 1959 (FW07604 / FC 7604).