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Producers of kids music have run every scheme imaginable to make their projects seem pleasing across the generations. Grown-up songs have been stewed in kiddie sensibilities in the name of rendering family music palatable, and sophisticated names have been dragged through the sandbox. So when a new CD of lullabies boasting a slate of A-list artists works its way toward nightstands, getting excited about getting drowsy is no longer the automatic response. Sometimes, though, it should be. This CD companion to a beautifully illustrated bedtime book of the same name will send alt-country and indie-minded adults to a gentle Shangri-la of the mind, while floating the five-and-under set off to a long spell under the sandman's supervision. Credit the singers, especially the always reliable Lucy Kaplansky and John Gorka, with concocting a restful vibe that reaches beyond the simply mellow to someplace heartfelt, and credit the songwriters with doing what each of them is known for: making the heart and mind move a little closer together. Standouts include Neil Young's evocative "Barefoot Floors," sung by the Wailin' Jennys, Steve Earle's "Nothing But a Child," sung by all this project's performers, and Tom Waits's robust, sober, and sincerity-drenched "Midnight Lullaby," sung by Guy Davis. --Tammy La Gorce
Album Description
14 singer-songwriter lullabies written by celebrated songwriters of our time (Neil Young, Billy Joel, Tom Waits, Carole King, Don Henley, Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Jesse Winchester, Steve Earle, Gord Downie, Bruce Cockburn, Marc Cohn, and Jim Cuddy) performed by artists presently signed to the highly respected Minnesota roots music label Red House Records - Eliza Gilkyson, Guy Davis, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, Lynn Miles and The Wailin' Jennys.
The CD also contains a 40-page printable file with a dream song by two-time Grammy nominee GREG BROWN which reads like a bedtime story illustrated by Governor General Award-winner MIREILLE LEVERT
