American Trap

Let's face it: A lot of the children's music that comes from the United States is appallingly bad. It is annoying and highly sophomoric, not to mention condescending it does kids a tremendous disservice by talking down to them. John McCutcheon feels the same way, which is why the folksinger has been providing intelligent children's music. Not everything McCutcheon does is children-oriented, but here's the thing: His children-oriented work is so intelligently done that it isn't all that different from the McCutcheon albums that aren't specifically aimed at kids. Live at Wolf Trap falls into the latter category, although a lot of parents bought it anyway because of his fine reputation in the children's market.