Description
NOTE: Check your favorite music channel to listen to or purchase this album.
Last children’s music album by the SongSisters, an Ann Arbor-based singing duo. Although they are still sisters in song, Chris Barton and Julie Austin are now creating music separately from their home bases in Indiana and Florida (and online, of course).
The album won a 1992 Parents’ Choice Award, and was very popular locally, but has only recently been distributed via digital channels.
Basics
Produced by Doug Howell. Engineered by James Willard Spencer. Recorded in 1992 at Solid Sound, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Vocals (and various instruments) by SongSisters (Chris Barton and Julie Austin)
Arrangements, keyboards and various instruments (and a few background vocals) by Doug Howell
Banjo by James Willard Spencer
Guitars by Bill Barton
All songs © 1992 by Chris Barton, except “Ketchup,” © Paxton Legacy Songs c/o Reservoir Media Music • All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
Notes from Doug
In the early 1990s I was performing solo very rarely, but doing lots of freelance and studio work. Several of the freelance projects involved collaborations with wonderful local children’s music groups: from performing with Gemini, arranging and recording with the Chenille Sisters, to arranging, performing, recording and producing with the SongSisters (Chris Barton and Julie Austin). These led to a two-year stint as composer for Media Station (yes, that was actually my job title!), a multimedia company producing CD-ROM “animated storybook” titles for children, including Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree, Lamb Chop Loves Music, Haunted House, Barbie as Rapunzel, Fractured Fairy Tales: The Frog Prince, Stuart Little’s Big City Adventure, D. W. the Picky Eater, Tonka Raceway, and several other titles.
I did lots of different things for SongSisters, even some artwork and music notation and live performance, but the highlight was definitely the arranging, recording and producing of their album, Hello Sun, Goodnight Moon. Chris’s songs are absolutely delightful, as are the duo’s vocal interpretations. (The discerning ear might even hear me joining in on a couple of the tunes!)
Hello Sun, Goodnight Moon won a 1992 Parents’ Choice award, was very popular locally, and I’m extremely proud of it. Unfortunately, the album was the last from the SongSisters duo, and it fell through the cracks as the audio cassette format gave way to compact discs. The album has only recently been distributed digitally, and is now available on all your favorite music streaming channels. (Spoiler alert: I soon hope to introduce you to another of Christine’s songs, a duet featuring Chris and me.)
As we reviewed and uploaded these songs, I’ve been captivated by them all over again, and want to do what I can to encourage more people—especially parents with kids—to listen and share these with friends and family. I think they are the perfect mix of fun, frivolity and feeling. Enjoy!