American Folk Songs for Solo Singers: Medium High Voice

I'm reviewing this more just to say what's in it rather than to say what I think of it. I'll just mention that there is a LOT of space on the pages in the book, which means a larger-looking book, but a lot of page-turns.The descriptions of the songs (e.g. Kentucky Folk Song) are taken from the book. The ranges I eyeballed, so I might have made a mistake or two, but you get the general idea. All of the songs are arranged by Jay Althouse, except the ones where it is noted that he did more than just arrange.1. Bright Morning Stars (Kentucky Folk Song) Range: f' to d''2. Down in the Valley to Pray (Southern Folk Ballad) Range: c' to e-flat'' Near the end this song changes unexpectedly into Lonesome Valley (Southern Folk Song) for about a page and then goes back to the original song. The range of the Lonesome Valley part is e-flat' to f''3. Honey Babe (the Crawdad Song) (American Folk Soong) Range: e-flat' to f'' (The words are written to be sung by a man.)4. How Can I Keep from Singing (Quaker Song) Range: d' to d''5. My Lord, What a Morning (American Folk Spiritual) Range: f' to d''6. Nine Hundred Miles (American Folk Song) Range: d' to e''7. Old Joe Clark (Southern Fiddle Song) Range: d-flat' to e-flat''8. Pretty Little Girl (with a Red Dress On) This is a song written by Jay Althouse, inspired by an American Folk Song. Range: c' to f-sharp'' (but with little notes, the top of the range is only e'') (The words were written to be sung by a man.)9. Shenandoah (American Folk Song) Range: a to g'' (with small notes d' to e'')This uses the "Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you..." variant of the lyrics. It appears to me to be a slightly odd arrangement, and the reason for the large range is that it changes key from D to G halfway through. I think if you had to use the little notes, it would be an obvious cheat to anyone who was listening, but the outside-edge notes are generally short, so you might not have to.10. Simple Gifts (American Shaker Song) Range: d' to e''11. Sometimes I Feel like a Motherless Child (American Folk Spiritual) Range: d' to d''12. Sun Don't Set in the Mornin' (Based n a Southern Folk Hymn. Adapted and arranged by Jay Althouse. Words Traditional, with new verses by Jay Althouse) Range: e' to f''13. The Water Is Wide (American Folk Song) d' to e''

I have been using this book for years with my young voice students to introduce them to Folk songs. They love them and I do too!