The Year of Roosevelt Franklin

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Songs from	Sesame Street
Released	1971
Format	LP
Label	Columbia Records
Cat no.	C 30387

The Year of Roosevelt Franklin (Gordon's Friend from Sesame Street) is the first Sesame Street album to focus on one character. The songs deal with many different subjects, from learning letters and numbers, to traffic safety, sharing, and getting along with other people. It was subsequently reissued as My Name is Roosevelt Franklin in 1974.

All of the tracks on the album were co-written by Matt Robinson and Joe Raposo, with Robinson writing the lyrics, and both of them collaborating on the music.

The album was made available for the first time on CD on the 3-disc set Old School: Volume 2 in 2010, along with Grover Sings the Blues and The Count Counts.

Track listing

Side One

1. Roosevelt Franklin Counts - Roosevelt Franklin and Roosevelt Franklin's Mother
2. Days of the Week - Roosevelt Franklin and The Kids
3. Mobity Mosely's Months - Mobity Mosely
4. Keep on Trying - Baby Ray Franklin and Mary Frances Franklin
5. The Safety Boy Blues - Roosevelt Franklin
6. Just Because - Roosevelt Franklin

Side Two

1. The Skin I'm In - Baby Ray Franklin
2. A Bear Eats Bear Food - Roosevelt Franklin and Mary Frances Franklin
3. Halfies - A.B. Cito
4. Me and You - Roosevelt Franklin and Mary Frances Franklin
5. Old King Midas - Roosevelt Franklin
6. Roosevelt Franklin's Alphabet- Roosevelt Franklin and Roosevelt Franklin's Mother

Production credits

• Project Director: Arthur Shimkin

Cast

• Matt Robinson as Roosevelt Franklin, Baby Ray Franklin, Mobity Mosely and A.B. Cito
• Rosalind Cash as Roosevelt Franklin's Mother and Mary Frances Franklin

Album notes

The back of the album includes quotes from well-wishers:

John V. Lindsay, Mayor - City of New York: "Children are not born with racial prejudice - they learn it. From Roosevelt Franklin they can learn other things instead - tolerance and understanding and friendship for each other. This album is a delightful, constructive contribution to the struggle from understanding and equality."

Barbara Walters, Today Show - NBC-TV: "Roosevelt Franklin not only delighted my two-and-one-half year old, but more important, it should help her, and all of us, live in a happier, more understanding world."

Ed Sullivan: "As a grandfather of five I recommend it! Not only to the nation's youngsters, but to their parents as well. It offers something to people of all races and all creeds."

B.B. King, ABC Records Recording Artist: "I really enjoyed this LP when I heard it. I wish albums like this would have been available when I was a kid in Mississippi."

U.S. Congressman Shirley Chisholm: "Roosevelt Franklin brings together children, black and white, fat and thin, shy and bold. They are natural children untouched by the polluted minds of adults. It is beautiful."

Ed McMahon: "This recording is vibrant... it is with it... it is educational but above all it teaches tolerance for others and love for all. That's a big order beautifully fulfilled."

Mrs. Minerva Rosario, Kindergarten Teacher - PS 115: "Very lovely, modern, exciting beat throughout the record. The children love the rhythm of it. It made them feel like dancing."

Maratia Cantarella (Age - 3 years) Brooklyn, N.Y.: "I want to hear. You know, Mama, I want to hear the Roosevelt Franklin record. Do it again, Mama, please. Make it some more."

Additional images

The back covers and inside gatefold of this album in both releases contain a variety of artwork and commentary on the album.

The Year of Roosevelt Franklin inside gatefold.

The Year of Roosevelt Franklin back cover.

My Name is Roosevelt Franklin partial back cover.

Other releases

LP1971
Columbia Records
Radio Promo Copy

8-track1971
Columbia Records
CA 30387

LP1974
Sesame Street Records
CTW 22067
My Name is Roosevelt Frankin (reissue title)

International releases

LPAustralia
Axis Records
AXIS 6209
My Name is Roosevelt Frankin (reissue title)

CassetteAustralia
Axis Records
TC-AXIS 6209
My Name is Roosevelt Frankin (reissue title)

LPAustralia
Summit Records
8015
My Name is Roosevelt Frankin (reissue title)

CassetteAustralia
Summit Records
8015
My Name is Roosevelt Frankin (reissue title)

See also

• Sesame Street Discography