Sesame Street - In Harmony

A charming record that is sure to strike an amiable chord among children's audiences and all ages. Sesame Street released "In Harmony" as an effort to bring together an all-star cast of talented musicians known for their commercial appeal during the late '70s. The album opens up with a beautifully spun and delightfully crafted poem/song, "Wynken, Blynken and Nod," words by Eugene Field with melody by Lucy Simon. Sailing off to a sea of dew one starry night are the fisherman three, fishing for the herrin' fish, "nets of silver and gold have we," sing the Doobie Brothers. Catchy and sincerely ethereal, the tune is worth a listen time and time again. Cornelius Bumpus adds extra sugar to the tune with radiant flute and saxophone leads. Singer/songwriting sensation James Taylor puts a charge into the chorus of a "Jelly Man Kelly," a man who makes a feast of anything jelly. Taylor also adds dazzling guitar work to Carly Simon's pleasant vocals in "Be With Me." Star soloist Bette Midler combines her talents with Bruce Roberts and Carole Bayer Sager to create the sassy "Blueberry Pie." Sesame Street creators Frank Oz and Jim Henson touch on the issue of sharing with Ernie and Cookie Monster. Songs by Al Jarreau, Linda Ronstadt, and Libby Titus are also featured, with an entire plethora of singers and crafty backing musicians. This record is pure project-oriented in the highest sense of the word. A symbol of craftiness and musical charm, the musicians and featured singers seemed to not shy away from bringing out their innermost talents to grant young listeners a treat. The families of James Taylor and Carly Simon graciously put much effort into "In Harmony," and the whole cast finishes the record with simplicity and exuberance in the tune "In Harmony." Blending a rich tapestry of lushly recorded, beautifully textured vocals, the singers continue to sing "In Harmony" over and over until the record fades out. Perhaps this was a record created and intended for kids, but it also touches on subject matters of greater depth that parents can certainly relate to, such as peace, hope, love, sharing, and harmony. ~ Shawn M. Haney, All Music Guide

Name Credits Al Brown Strings Al Gorgoni Guitar Al Jarreau Performer, ? Alex Acuña Drums Amy Helm Vocals, Choir, Chorus Anthony d'Amico Assistant Engineer Anthony Jackson Bass Arif Mardin Handclapping Arthur Jenkins Keyboards Arthur Shimkin Executive Producer Barry Finclair Strings Barry Rogers Horn, Reeds Bette Midler ?, Performer Bill-Dog Dooley Assistant Engineer Bob Cranshaw Bass Bruce Roberts Arranger, Vocals (Background) Carly Simon Performer, ?, Vocals (Background) Chet McCracken Percussion Cornelius Bumpus Flute, Saxophone Craig Hull Guitar David Levine Producer David Nadien Strings David Spinozza Arranger, Conductor, Guitar David Stone Choir, Chorus David Tofani Horn, Reeds Don Grolnick Keyboards Dr. John ?, Performer Earl McIntyre Horn, Reeds Ernie Performer Gene Paul Engineer George Benson Performer, ?, Guitar George Devens Percussion George Marge Reeds, Horn George Marino Mastering Greg Phillinganes Arp String Ensemble, Piano James Levine Hand Lettering, Sound Effects, Vocals James Taylor Vocals (Background), Performer, Guitar, ? Jay Berliner Guitar Jeff Baxter Pedal Steel Jeff Layton Guitar Jim Keltner Drums Jimmy Douglas Handclapping Jin Hi Kim Choir, Chorus Joanna Simon Vocals (Background) John Campo Horn, Reeds John McFee Violin Jonathan Abramowitz Strings Julie Levine Choir, Chorus, Artwork, Sound Effects, Vocals Kate Taylor ?, Performer, Vocals Keith Knudson Drums Kenny Edwards Bass Larry Williams Synthesizer Lew Soloff Horn, Reeds Lewis Hahn Engineer, Producer, Mixing Libby Titus ?, Performer Linda Ronstadt ?, Performer Livingston Taylor Guitar, Performer, ?, Vocals (Background) Lucy Simon Handclapping, ?, Performer, Vocal Harmony, Vocals (Background), Producer Lynn Blessing Vocals (Background) Maureen Gallagher Strings Michael Boshears Engineer Michael McDonald Vocals, Keyboards Michael O'Reilly Assistant Engineer Mike Lawrence Horn, Reeds Ora Shiran Strings Patrick Simmons Vocals, Guitar Pauline Wilson Performer, ? Peter Whorf Art Direction Phil Upchurch Guitar Randy Mason Assistant Engineer Randy Waldman Synthesizer, Piano (Electric) Richard Sortomme Strings Robert Popwell Bass Ron Carter Bass Sally Stevens Obbligatto Vocals, Vocals (Background) Sammy Figueroa Percussion Sanford Allen Strings Sid McGinnis Guitar Simon ? Simon Levy Design Skip Saylor Assistant Engineer Steve Ferrone Drums Steve Gadd Drums Susan Winterbottom Strings The Doobie Brothers ?, Performer Timothy "Ace" Holleran Drums Tom Canning Piano Tom Greto Engineer Tom Heid Assistant Engineer, Handclapping Toni Price Reeds, Horn Tony Levin Tuba, Bass Tony Lewis Drums Tony Posk Strings Tony Price Reeds, Horn, Tuba Warren Bernhardt Keyboards Wayne Andre Reeds, Horn Wendy Waldman Performer, ?, Piano, Vocals (Background)