On this album, Michael William Harrison teams up with Linda King, founding member of Dallas-based Celtic group Amberhawke, for an album of folk songs chosen with children in mind. The collaboration came about after the artists learned that they were both planning a similar project. Encouraged by the North Texas Irish community they got together, began discussing ideas, and decided to go ahead. After laying down the basics for a few songs, they realized that what the recordings needed was some input from children. So they went out and recruited a choir ("The Kids") mainly from St. John's Middle School in Dallas, Texas, who were joined by a few of their friends' kids. Including the children turns out to be a brilliant idea because it gives the album an unexpected edge and lifts it to another level.

In my own experience, I've learned that we should never underestimate the power of folk music on children; they often take to it enthusiastically and enjoy 'joining in' a lot more than some people expect. I am often saddened these days when I find that the only music young children are exposed to is reminiscent of the deafening sound of a Lancashire Weaving mill or the engine room of a large ship.

On this album of mainly Irish-American folk songs, Michael and Linda take the lead vocals and the kids join in on the chorus. The overall effect is very good. It is what I call a once in a lifetime recording. But don't be misled into thinking that this is a "sing-a-long with mummy" record, for it certainly isn't. The songs are performed, as they should be, with just the acoustic guitars for backing in true folk tradition. The kids put in a great performance. True, in places the recording isn't perfect, for indeed it's not supposed to be, but this only adds charm to the recording.

The album start with the Bill Staines song 'A Place in the Choir' followed by 'The Garden Song' (Dave Mallett) with kids singing along on the chorus, which sets the theme for the album nicely. An Appalachian folk song 'Leatherwing Bat' gets a nice treatment from the kids, as does traditional song 'St Patrick Was a Gentleman' -- on the latter the kids sing a counter melody as backing rhythm ­ very effectively. Other songs include 'Wynken, Blynken and Nod', 'The Orange and Green', 'Molly Malone', 'The Unicorn Song' and 'St Brendan's Fair Isle'; all come to life very warmly with the kids on the chorus. My favourite track is a song that is very popular at my local folk club, 'Waltzing With Bears', and here again the kids steal the show, especially with violin solo at the end by young Rosie Cooper and Michelle Feldman.

The kids' contribution to the album means they all deserve mention, so yes, I am going to name all the Kids! In no particular order they are: Allison Woods, Andrea Caldwell, Maddie Crume, Kate Reticker, Annie Hukil, Rachel Brown, Jamie Kendrick, Chris Wallace, Maria Granello, Maggie Olvera, Daniel Gray, Katie Sexton-Ross, Allison Lewis, Grace Jones, Michael Patison, Sara Granger, Anna Grey, and Evelyn Howard.

Take a bow, kids, you're stars!

Truly, Michael and Linda are to be congratulated for bringing this album to fruition. It's a fine album in its own right, and I am sure many will enjoy listening to it, even if they have no children. In the children's hands, eyes and ears lies the future of folk and roots music. I fancy many a schoolteacher might want to take this album on board. But, I can also recommend that everyone to buy this album; it's real folk music, as it should be.

I understand that For Kids of All Ages is available online at CD Baby Web site or from the artists' sites.