Amazon.com essential recording

The appeal of this album isn't limited to children--though the gentle repertoire and soft acoustic musical accompaniment will surely soothe little ones at the end of a long day, adults will find the silky-smooth vocals, beautiful harmonies, and creative production just as engaging. Parents will enjoy listening to the metamorphosis of Loggins's 1969 Top 40 hit "House on Pooh Corner" to the updated '90s version. And with titles like the traditional "All the Pretty Little Ponies" and "To-Ra-Loo-Ra" and covers of Paul Williams's "Rainbow Connection," Jimmy Webb's "The Last Unicorn," and John Lennon's "Love," Mom might find herself borrowing this CD from the nursery when it comes time to kick back and relax after the kids are asleep. --Deborah Moore ... Read more

Reviews (115)

Simply Magic for Children and Adults Alike
I realize from the large amount of reviews for this CD that everyone loves Return to Pooh Corner. It is wonderful to relax and unwind to. Babies, children, and adults love it. For the shopper who hasn't actually seen the CD cover, here are the songs listed on it:

1. All the Pretty Little Ponies (with background vocals from David Crosby and Graham Nash)

2. Neverland Medley: Somewhere Out There/Never Never Land/ Pure Imagination (Gene Wilder reprises his voice as Willy Wonka at the begining of Pure Imagination)

3. Return to Pooh Corner (Kenny originally wrote this song as a high school senior as a farewell to childhood. Now he rearranged it and added more lyrics)

4. Rainbow Connection (from the Muppet Movie)

5. St. Judy's Comet (written by Paul Simon)

6. The Last Unicorn

7. Cody's Song (Written by Kenny Loggins for his son Cody)

8. The Horses

9. Love (written by John Lennon)

10. To-Ra-Loo-Ra (a traditional Irish Lullaby)

I can't say enough about this CD. It gives me the warm Fuzzys. My 76 year-old mother also commented several times how much she liked this CD. This CD pampers the souls of young and old alike.

the perfect naptime music
I work in child care and therefore spend a section of each day watching sleeping children. We probably have 100 naptime cds with a variety of classical music and music for children and this is by far my favorite. I put it on repeat and listen to it for 2.5 hours without getting bored. It is a must have for any parents or teachers of young children!!!

I love it
I am a 16 year old, and return to pooh corner almost makes me cry when i listen to it because it is so touching and it makes me remember my childhood. You definately dont need to be a parent to love these songs.

Makes me cry just thinking of the songs! I LOVE IT!
We received this as a baby gift in 1998 when our son was born. It was played every night in his nursery as we rocked him. We played it for our daughter many times after she was born as well. Now that they are getting older, I keep it in the car and whenever I am stressed with the kids, I just pop it in and it takes me back to those precious moments I spent rocking them. WHAT WONDERFUL MEMORIES! I still find myself singing or humming "All the Pretty Little Ponies" to my daughter when she is having trouble sleeping. This is such a wonderful alternative to the "typical" lullabies you hear. It really gives you a nice collection of songs that even adults enjoy listening to. We also bought his other collection...just wish he would make more!!!!!

Best baby's bedtime CD.
Music for babies that Mom and Dad will love too. Calms down everyone in the house when it is time for bed for the little one. We often let it play to the end after the baby was in her crib to soothe ourselves. Not boring classical, not corny nursery rhymes, not sappy baby songs. This is the perfect music to relax to for parents ready to put their little bundle down for the night. Received it as a gift and have given it as a gift at least a dozen times. ... Read more

Amazon.com

At a moment when mainstream music is clogged with a surfeit of stale, formulaic songs and huge egos, Dan Zanes has found the Drano. Family Dance, his second kids' record (after the fab Rocket Ship Beach), again comes through with big-name helpers--Sandra Bernhard, Rosanne Cash, and Loudon Wainwright III among them--but instead of assembling a mixed bag of self-important numbers, Zanes, who produced and plays on all but one of 15 tracks, maintains a cohesive vibe that's low-key and playful. Yet here's a disc that's all over the map, genre-wise. Gruffster Rankin' Don, a.k.a. Father Goose, rasta-raps his way through "The Hokey Pokey" and "Skip to My Lou," the Sandy Girls carry us off to a colorful Caribbean village for "Linstead Market," Cash folks up "Fooba Wooba John," and Leadbelly's "Rock Island Line" makes a stop in Memphis bluesland. Zanes's originals--"Jump Up," "Wonder Wheel," and "Thrift Shop," performed as a duet with Bernhard--manage to be wholesome, happy, and hip all at once, no mean feat. But it's the music making on Family Dance that impresses most of all. Fiddles, beatboxes, mandolins, tubas, banjos, and concertina elbow their way onto these tracks, and they're balanced by Zanes's arrangements and backup singer Barbara Brousal's graceful voice and guitar work. Kids 2 and up will be likewise captivated by the chunky board-book packaging, again with original artwork. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (18)

My kids virtually wore this CD out!
Dan Zanes has refocused his music career on entertaining families, and we are all the better for it! This is a rare CD--it entertains kids without pandering to the latest fads. Dan Zanes and friends have made an album that will sound as good and fresh 20 years from now as it does today. Can anybody say that about the usual kid-band dross? Every song is a gem, and the production is frist-rate. Grab this CD and savor it with your kids, again and again. A five-star treasure!

We love this CD
We saw Dan Zanes in concert this summer (a surprise treat, as we had never heard of him but the concert was part of a children's series). After the show, my 5-year-old begged for a CD. We haven't been disappointed. Great songs for kids, with a sound that adults can not only tolerate, but enjoy!

Enjoy this one with your whole family

Sit still and keep a straight face
Two things you WILL NOT do when listening to this cd is sit still or keep a straight face. Watch out as the good medicine of music makes you dance and smile. Thanks for the happiness Dan Zanes and Friends!

I can sing them in public and not feel stupid!
This is a great CD for you to enjoy as much as your kids. I can find these songs stuck in my head and not be annoyed! There's a combination of funky renditions of traditionals ("Hokey Pokey," "Skip to My Lou"), international tunes (My son's West Indian babysitter knows "Linstead Market," and it's one of my favorites on the CD) and savvy originals. My son appreciates them while being too young to understand the words at five months, and it's a friend's two-year old's favorite too.

Dan Zanes Rocks!
Finally, kids music that engages all ages! Dan Zanes has a wild ability to entertain all musical interests, plus introduces young kids to multiple genres. We love his CDs and especially like Malti on Family Dance. The CD itself is a work of art. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Not "Disney Movie" songs---traditional Americana!
...I was so surprised to find the traditional songs brought back to life in a format that everyone in the family loved. We ran our tapes right into the ground with thousands of hours of listening, singing along, and dancing to the music...Well, this series has stood the test of time for us through our older children, and I am so happy to find the tapes put on CD so our younger set can memorize them and love them as we do. Some kids' music makes the teenagers groan and beg to have turned off, but this isn't one of them.
I am not exaggerating, this is the best children's sing along you will ever find. The male voice is at a pitch that children can match, his folk guitar arrangements are just right, and children's voices add to the fun. You'll be so happy you purchased this for yourself, your friends, your children, your grandchildren, or for those who have never heard or forgotten about American folk music.

Just what I've been looking for . . .
Highly recommended. This is one of the best collections of children's songs I've found. Volumes 1-4 together contain just about every song you want to sing to your kids but can't remember the words to. All the old favorites are there. The arrangements are nice -- sort of folky, not too cute, with sparing use of kiddie chorus that enhances rather than detracts. It completely avoids the hyper-energetic cutsiness of a lot of children's recordings. The songs are performed by a real live folk singer some may remember from way back named Larry Groce, and he does a good job -- he's engaging, inviting, enthusiastic, without embarrassing himself the way some of those kid singers do. For its completeness, for the good musical taste of the arrangements and production, and for the hours and hours of fun it contains, this entire collection is a must have in our book.

One of our favorites
We have a HUGE collection of kids CD's - this is by far one of the favorites. It has an adult singing in a very enjoyable tone - traditional arrangements and lyrics. We have had this in the CD changer in the car for almost a year, and my 2 & 6 year olds sing along every time it comes on.

I'd have these if I didn't have kids
These songs remind me of my childhood and listening to my parents and grandparents sing. My 70 y/o father ask for them for christmas after hearing them in my car. My kids love them!I play them on long trips when the kids start finally start to burst with boredom. I have even heard my husband humming.

oh so awesome!!
I absolutely love this cd! Unlike some of the other rubbish out there it doesnt destroy traditional childrens songs putting them to some stress filled modern music. Here are the songs the way I remember them and the way my son loves them! ... Read more

Reviews (46)

Fun! Fun! Fun!
I bought this CD for my son when he was 15 months old to listen to because he gets fussy before mealtimes. He loves to listen to music and this CD does the trick. It is a lot of fun for him to hear the other little children singing. Adults might find the little children singing off key, but hey they are only little kids. We are not looking for perfection, just something for our childrens pleasure. Me son loves to hear the kids singing and it has even helped him become more verbal. I really like the creative updated version of many songs, especially the wheels on the bus. This really is a very nice CD and I would highly recommend it. Thanks

Best Toddler CD Around
This is my 4 year old niece's favorite cd! It's really a very fun cd, that the adults can also enjoy. The woman singer has a fun style of singing, and blended with the kid voices, it makes this cd a keeper. My niece's favorite songs on this cd are Wheels On the Bus, Where Is Thumbkin, I'm A Little Teapot and Monkeys on the Bed, and I agree, after repeated listenings, these songs really stand out and have a fun sound to them that the kids will really enjoy. Even for adults listening, these songs are very enjoyable to listen to!

I highly recommended getting this CD for your little ones, it's a wonderful traveling cd, if you happen to have a cd in your car, it does keep them occupied!

Must have CD...fun tunes, inexpensive, my son loves it!
We only had Raffi's Baby Beluga (great CD), and I was needing a change...fast! After seeing the generally positive reviews for this CD, I took a chance...only 7 bucks. My 1 year old absolutely loves it. Yes, it is a little folksy, but that's one of its good points. It jazzes up all the traditional favorites. I like that its not just a cd full of kids singing, that would grate on my nerves. There are parts where kids do sing at times; its really cute and my son claps when they come on. Yes, the lead singer is not Barbra Streisand, but her voice is perfectly fine for the material, and she's silly. My son gets especially fired up for Wheels on the Bus, Where is Thumpkin and Five Little Monkeys. I played the CD at his 1st birthday party, and the other kids hearing it for the first time were loving it. Anyway, the point is, kids love this cd, I only see great, big smiles. If you're looking for an easy going fun cd with all the fav's, this is it. I give it 4 instead of 5 stars because it could be a little longer. Also, for some great unconventional kid's cd's, check out They Might Be Giants "No!" and For the Kids (Barenaked Ladies, Sarah McLachlan). If you like folksy, Ralph's World, and Dan Zanes. Enjoy.

They won't stop playing it !!!!
The CD arrived today and I have already heard it 6 times...all the way through. My son and daughter LOVE it! I love it since I can sing to it and make them laugh! The songs are great and to hear some kids singing along makes it really cool to my kids. My son just went to bed and wanted it on his CD player...again! No parent should go without this CD!

True toddler favorite
My son (a toddler) loves this cd so much! It is one of the few alternatives to the Wiggles that he loves to listen to. The songs are bright and engaging. Although I originally bought this cd hoping it would have classic versions of old songs, I really like what they've done with them. The singers are obviously having a lot of fun. Unfortunately, my son loved "teapot", as he called it, so much that he eventually loved it to death (big scratch). We bought the 4 cd set put out by Music for Little People which has most of the songs from this cd plus 3 other cds. Unfortunately, the only song that the set doesn't have is "teapot". ... Read more

Amazon.com

This is a real sleeper of an album, literally. Smooth-jazz musicians--including Peter White, Dave Koz, Norman Brown, David Benoit, and others--play music here to put babies to sleep. Fans of New Age music, specifically what came out of the Pacific Northwest in the '80s, may find many of these 14 tracks reminiscent of that period. Long-time listeners of smooth-jazz radio may be reminded of the kind of ethereal, spacey music that was played in the early days of the format. Many of the songs are as obvious as Brian Culbertson's somnambulating "Brahms' Lullaby" and Koz's "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," but some are inspired choices with creative arrangements and strong performances. Koz and his brother Jeff shine on the Beatles' title tune and the other Lennon/McCartney chestnut, "Blackbird." Brown's take on James Taylor's "You Can Close Your Eyes" is also moving, while not straying from the stillness of the concept. Perhaps the standout track is the superb performance of vocalist John Stoddart on Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely." --Mark Ruffin ... Read more

Reviews (37)

Amazing
This is probably the most beautiful lullaby collection I've ever heard. My 2 1/2 year old son absolutely adores it . . . especially the versions of Hush, Baby and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. The music is far from old fashioned, yet it is amazingly relaxing and calming --- even for a very excitable little boy. While it is great for a small child, I find it the perfect music for adults to listen to when taking a nice relaxing bubble bath or trying to unwind for the evening.

I'm a huge Dave Koz fan and always adore his selection of guest artists (Peter White, David Benoit) and this CD is no exception. They all made fabulous contributions to this album.

Indescribably Beautiful
From the first lush, bell-like sounds of "Blackbird", it's obvious that this CD is all about the lullaby. And I've never heard a prettier collection of music in my life.

Maybe it's the sentimentality of being the father of a 15-month old, but more than a few tracks brought me near to tears, and that's on the first listen. Each expressive note evokes the sounds of a small stuffed animal, mobile, etc playing those tinky notes that sounds like the sweetest music ever played. Highlights are "Blackbird", Brahm's Lullaby, "When You Wish Upon A Star", "Golden Slumber", and....."Isn't She Lovely". The soft, amazing, understated vocal for this song creates an interpretation that floored me. Be warned - you will never forget it. It's a reworking of the song that rises well above Stevie Wonder's and really brings out the words in a whole new, beautiful way.

I'm sure this is not for everyone. It's very mellow. There's no great improvisations for the jazz purists. But it's a great sound and I think every new parent should receive a copy.

Get this one and for sure get ANGELS ALL AROUND too
I like this CD very much. I like it almost as much as my best lullaby CD, ANGELS ALL AROND ULLABIES, by GENIE.

I would get them both.

The perfect gift for new parents
This CD is amazing. My husband is a fan of David Koz and he bought this for our now 16 month old son. When I first rocked and held him to the sounds of Isn't she Lovely...I just cried at this miracle I held. The songs are very soothing, even to me and as soon as I put this CD on, my son knows it's time for sleep. Of all the many lullaby CDs I have, this is my favorite! I highly recommend it.

Very soothing music
My sister bought this for my husband and I at the birth of our baby girl. She was touched by the fact that one of the songs was titled after her neice (Charlotte's song). The CD is very soothing, relaxing and beautifully made. It's been one of our favorites all these months. If you are a "smooth jazz" fan, you'll love it! ... Read more

Amazon.com

For Our Children launched in 1990 and in many ways inspired the bounty of celebrity-philanthropy records for kids in its wake. From Bob Dylan and Sting to Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, and Elton John, the roster on this cornucopia of great kid songs--and even greater interpretations--has donated all proceeds to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Although tilted toward baby-boomer parents, the tracks have a timeless, ageless appeal. You'll be hard-pressed to find another five-star children's recording this satisfying, including the follow-up effort, For Our Children, Too. Little Richard rocks "Itsy Bitsy Spider," McCartney turns his sweet, melodic gifts toward "Mary Had a Little Lamb," and Bruce Springsteen makes a lively stew of "Chicken Lips and Lizard Hips." Other noteworthy moments include Jackson Browne and Jennifer Warnes doing the Beatles' "Golden Slumbers" and Carole King reprising the Disney Dumbo love theme, "Child of Mine." But surely the crowning touch is Dylan's unforgettable version of "This Old Man," phrased and delivered as only Dylan can with his mercurial invention and powerful character. This belongs in your children's collection. --Martin Keller ... Read more

Reviews (38)

A perfect children's cd
I always tuck this cd in the bag as part of a baby shower gift. I loved rocking my babies to these tracks in the middle of the night and can't believe it's been ten years that I've owned it but still love to listen and smile thinking about their nursery years. There are a number of different charity pop compilations that were released after but none can compare to this original. All of them have just enough stylized arrangements to make them as endearing to adults who know these artists as to kids.

If you need another reason to convince you to buy it - the profits go to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

My favorite tracks are:
"Gartan Mother's Lullaby" - Meryl Streep; "Child of Mine" - Carole King; "Child Is Born" - Barbra Streisand; and "Tell Me Why" - Pat Benatar - soft sweet soothing songs. Got my kids to sleep every time.
"Getting to Know You" - James Taylor - perfect song for his style. I remember this song being sung to me!

"Itsy Bitsy Spider" - Little Richard; "Blueberry Pie" - Bette Midler; and "Chicken Lips and Lizard Hips" - Bruce Springsteen - hilariously adorable.
"Golden Slumbers" - Jackson Browne - just a great song well done.
"This Old Man" - Bob Dylan - is so cute, so Bob Dylan - you'll have to hum along.

The Gartan Mother's Lullaby
I am both surprised and disappointed that nobody has mentioned the Gartan Mother's Lullaby. What is the Gartan Mother's Lullaby? Why, it's an absolutely lovely Donegal traditional lullaby. However, the most beautiful version I ever heard of it was sung-- surprise surprise, by Merryl Streep. Who knew she could sing? It's an absolutely beautiful rendition, perhaps the most beautiful you'll ever heard of this song. Magical.

The liner notes don't explain much about the song, so here it goes:

Sleep O babe, for the red bee hums the silent twilight's fall,
Aoibheall from the grey rock comes, to wrap the world in thrall.
A leanbhan O, my child, my joy, my love my heart's desire,
The crickets sing you lullaby, beside the dying fire.

Dusk is drawn and the Green Man's thorn is wreathed in rings of fog,
Siabhra sails his boat till morn, upon the Starry Bog.
A leanbhan O, the paly moon hath brimmed her cusp in dew,
And weeps to hear the sad sleep-tune, I sing O love to you.

Aoibheall - (EE-val) Meaning: the name of the queen of the northern fairies
leanbhan - (LYAN-uh-van) Meaning: little child, baby
Tearmann - (CHAR-uh-muhn) Meaning: tearmann = sanctuary, refuge, or church land, name of village near Lough Gartan
Siabra - (SHEE-vra) a prankster class of trooping fairies, also spelled Shefro or Siofra.

This song alone is worth the entire Album. But "Autumn To May" is also a beautiful rendition.

This CD is just the BEST!
Like so many other reviewers, I had this CD 20 years ago. I was a nanny at the time, and shared this music with so many different children and without exception, they all LOVED it! As fate would have it, the CD was lost, and I was devastated. When I saw that it was available again, I was beyond thirlled and ordered it immediately! This CD is an excellent way to fight childhood obesity - my own children (ages 5 and 6-1/2) just cannot sit still when they hear this music - they dance and sing throughout!

Awesome comeback with this album!
I bought this for my daughter in 1991 when she was a baby... She is now 13 yrs old. She new all the songs by heart by the time she was 1 1/2. My mom's favorite is Itsy Bitsy Spider. Unfortunately it was lost in a move and like many folks, who looked for it for years,I found it no longer in print. I had my 2nd child 5 yrs ago and by the time I tried to find a used one out in cyberspace I found, to my surprise, it was in print again(YAY!). Now my son enjoys this and still, so does my daughter. I am so glad they brought this back onto the market!!

In Harmony is better
I got this CD for my grandson. I was disappointed when I heard it. It was nice but surprisingly bland. In Harmony, while older, is a much better children's "album." ... Read more

Amazon.com

For centuries the world over, mothers (and fathers) have been cradling, cooing, and crooning to babies and small children with song. There's scarcely a one of us that cannot recall a particularly gentle song a special someone sang for a wee self--to calm, soothe, and aid slumber. This tender music is to the soul what mother's milk is to the body, and we call it the lullaby. Rooted in age-old tradition, Lullaby: A Collection presents an even dozen lullabies from around the globe. Particularly beguiling are the African "Be Still My Child" by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the traditional Spanish "A La Nanita Nana" as sung by Tish Hinojosa, and Bobby McFerrin's "Common Thread," which you may recognize as the theme from the American documentary Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt. Other featured artists include Sweet Honey in the Rock, Judy Collins, Derek Bell, and Loreena McKennitt. --Paige La Grone ... Read more

Reviews (83)

Wonderful!
I bought a number of lullaby CDs to make mix tapes for my mommy-to-be friends, and this CD was by far the best. It includes international lullabies as well as more familiar tunes (in new arrangements), resulting in a rich and deep collection of different musical styles that is both soothing and enjoyable. This is not "toy" music that will eventually insult adult ears after repeated playings -- I don't have kids, but have been listening to it simply because it's good stuff. Don't buy trite, condescending music for your baby -- complex music (like classical music) is better for them anyway. This is an intelligent, sophisticated collection of lullabies that I can't recommend highly enough!

A wonderful CD to share with your child at bedtime
I bought this without knowing anything about it while looking for lullabies for my newborn daughter. It is a great collection of international lullabies that instantly became our favorite. The songs are beautiful and very soothing. The variety of languages and styles really works and all of the artists are great. It doesn't make a bit of difference if you understand the language that the performer uses or not--the love that you feel while rocking your child to sleep comes through in every song. We listened to this almost every night for months at bedtime. Now that my daughter is a toddler, it is great music for "quiet time" or nap time during the day. My gift now to the new babies we know is a kids cassette player and this tape--I love it that much!

I'd give it 6 stars if I could.....
This has been our favorite lullaby CD. We decided to listen to the CD about three months before the baby was born to "try it out". We listened to it every night from that day on! The songs are all relaxing. The music and voices (even if you don't understand what is being sung) are beautiful. If you want a CD with a nice variety of songs that exposes your child to different languages you will not be disappointed!

Get it, but ANGELS ALL AROUND works better for sleep
This is one of the best lullaby CD's you could get. It's much better than most of the other kind of smooth jazz type lullaby CD's.

It's top notch for quality. But it's not the most quiet and soothing.

The most quiet and soothing one is GENIE's ANGELS ALL AROUND.
I would definitely get that one and all 4 Genie CD's if you want to relax yourself or your child for real.

Pure Gold
We received this album as a gift and fell in love with it immediately. It works like a charm getting our little ones to sleep. It's also relaxing for adults to listen to. We never take a long car trip without this CD! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Everything about this CD, from its eye-popping cool packaging to its beautiful booklet, is wonderful, perhaps peerless. It's a study that spans 16 countries, catching paeans to childhood sleep from varied traditions. The set traverses the Cape Breton Gaelic tradition with the Rankin Family, Haiti with pop stars Boukman Eksperyans, and the African continent with music from Tonga, Algeria, and Cameroon. Despite their distances from each other, at times the songs sound quite alike. Voices might begin alone but then gather into choral size, with a reliance on wordless passages to emphasize the flow of time as sleep encroaches. In execution, the surprises are many. Algerian Houria Aïchi sounds East Indian; the Traditional Japanese Music Ensemble of New York sounds poised somewhere between a stately concert of historical court music and a touching homage to childhood; and German singer Michelle sounds pop-music ready even as she toes the line on singing a sleep-triggering song. Beyond being a great collection of international music, this is probably the most interesting mix available of cultural voices approaching the issue of children sleeping. --Andrew Bartlett ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Uniquely enchanting, lullingly blissful--a worldly baby gift
Initially, I ordered The Planet Sleeps to add to the multicultural music collection at my daughter's elementary school library; the CD arrived last night, and I became so taken with it that I already plan to order several more as new baby gifts as well as one for my own children. The hauntingly beautiful "Chi Mi Na Morbheanna" (which I listened to nearly 20 times in the first 24 hours) is worth the entire purchase price, but the other songs are marvelous too, and those that don't have immediate appeal will most likely grow on you. I was holding my toddler son in my arms while listening to the CD, and he fell asleep during the sitar lullaby from India. For those of us trying to raise our children with a familiarity and appreciation of other world cultures, this lullaby collection is truly invaluable.

The extensive liner notes (36 pp.) are often quite moving, offering details about each artist, country, song, and recording experience as well as a song translation. The back of the case says "music meant to bring bliss into a frantic world." This collection certainly achieves its goal--and it's not just for bedtime by any means.

The most beautiful CD ever to grace my home.
This CD is exactly what I have been looking for. I play it softly as background music while playing with my 2 year old and 6 month old. "Ana Latu" is one of our favorites. I also feel that the write-up on "Oj Talasi" alone is worth buying the album. David Field journals his work at compiling these lullabies, adding to the feeling of connectedness that imbues from this collection. I was especially glad (and surprised) to find a lullaby from my own distant heritage, "Yahnaway Hay Yowna". This disc makes a wonderful baby shower or blessingway gift for expectant parents. The "jewel" case is all-natural, too, better for our Mother Earth!

Perfect for Calming
I started listening to this CD when I was 7 months pregnant to help myself go to sleep. Since my daughter was born 5 months ago, we put it on whenever she has trouble calming down to go to sleep. As soon as the music starts she begins to relax and takes her nap. We all love hearing the beautiful lullabies play throughout the house.

A relaxingly adventurous album!!!!
I can't understand most of the songs (I think there's only one in English, if that), but the music speaks a lot just as the words do, so it's good. Each song is enchanting and engrossing, you get lost in the melodies. They are all smooth and calm, peaceful. I suggest this album to anyone who just wants to unwind and let loose all the stress of the day!

Dream Time
I have been listening to this album for the past seven years and never grown tired of it. I bought it to play for the children I taught, but I have come to love it myself. It is the sure cure for nighttime tension, and beautiful to listen to at any time.

The material is interesting and eclectic, but above all, lovely. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Lullabies lend themselves to woozy re-creations, a sort of endless repetition that flags under the weight of the concept (putting kids to bed for their much-needed sleep) and the lack of weight accorded to the music. You might expect a Disney lullaby collection to be on a par with the most mediocre collections, but this one is really a fine set. The tunes are standard--from the famous "Brahms Lullaby" to "All the Pretty Little Horses"--but they're uniformly excellent and creative, staying within the realm of acoustic music that sounds and feels organic. These are Disney-related tunes, for the most part, so "Stay Awake" is here, as is the whimsical "Sleep, Daddy, Sleep." Musically, the set is varied, steering away from a repetition of instrumentation or delivery. That makes it easily entertaining enough for back-to-back listens, which any parent will be asked for with this collection. --Andrew Bartlett ... Read more

Reviews (39)

A great cd for bedtime!
I got a copy of this on tape and quickly wore it out listening to it with my new baby. I then purchased it on cd. It is worth every penny! The lullaby's are sweet and soothing. I often fall asleep while listening to them myself. The tunes are catchy too and I often find myself singing them around the house. I was happy to have "Baby Mine" on it, since I loved the song in "Dumbo". Now, this does not contain original recordings from the movies themselves, but has revamped songs. They are really worth listening to. I can't say enough good things about it!

This is one of the best lullaby collections I've heard.
We received this CD as a gift when my daughter was born. She just turned six, and we listen to it almost every night. The songs are familiar, and readily singable by even the worst parental vocalist. I hate to admit it, but sometimes I'll stay in my daughter's room after she's fallen asleep, just to listen to the end of the disc. For babies, the music is soft and soothing. For older kids, it's familiar and still soothing. I recommend it highly.

A MUST Have!!!
We received this in '95 for the birth of our 1st child. We ran the tape to death and bought it on CD. It goes everywhere w/ us. Even in a German birthing center playing while I was laboring our 3rd child. It just has the best calming effect. Of course every child has had it's own special time w/ it and it brings everyone together when bonding w/ a new baby. This will be our 4th and final baby to have to go thru this w/. It's the 1st thing I put in my hospital bag!

Excellent calming CD
I bought this CD when it was a tape back in 1989. My daughter loved it. Now 15 years later, I am blessed with another child and have searched to find it again.

"It works!!" Wonderful CD
This is CD is wonderful, it works for my two and half month old daughter. As soon as I start playing this CD, she will be calm and closes her eyes by the 2-3rd song and she will be fast asleep by the 10th song. Ofcourse, it doesn't work in just one day, it takes abt 4-5 days to make effect on the baby.
I recommend to all moms who want to have treasure time as the baby sleeps. Its calming after the looong day for parents too!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Thomas The Tank Engine At His Best!!!
This is a great CD for the car. My 3yr old son LOVES this CD and has to hear it every time we are in the car. Very catchy tunes with British humor. Your Thomas fan will just adore this CD!!!

A Must-have for your Thomas fan!!!
My three year old and I LOVE this CD. He alternates between asking for this and his Wiggles CD. The songs are upbeat without being overstimulating.

Okay, but a little annoying
This cd is okay - I wish there were more actual train sounds since my three-year-old really likes to comment on the train sounds. Also, some of the children's voices are really over-acting and that can certainly be annoying, but overall, this is a nice cd. It's upbeat but after awhile,the songs sound the same.

Do CD's ever wear out?
I purchased this CD for my 2 1/2 yr old who is obsessed w/ Thomas. This CD is now his new obsession. His joy is just about absolute while it plays. He now requires it play while he goes to bed at night. (Make sure you have a repeat button on your CD player, you'll need it!) We have the Thomas Sing Along video, so my son knew most of the songs already, which helped him identify it with Thomas. I don't know how many times I am prepared to listen to this, I find the children's voices sometimes annoying, but I will live with it for the total glee my son finds while listening.

Kid's music that isn't annoying . . .
While the songs are all about the Thomas characters, the music is absolutely delightful. It exposes children to many different types of music --- swing, etc., and doesn't talk down to the children.

My 2 1/2 year old often asks questions about the songs . . .like "what does 'rules and regulations' mean?" which gives me an opportunity to expand his vocabulary and his understanding of the world.

But most importantly, the songs are just a lot of fun! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

It's a oldie
Great CD nothing wrong with that but i'ts the same as Disney's Instrumental Impression. Just for the record.

Superb!
Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings CD holds fourteen very well orchestrated love songs from favorite movies like Cinderella, Pocahontas, The Little Mermaid, and many others. Listening to these majestic selections will make your heart swell with delight. Fall in love with this romantic instrumental collection.

One of the best!
I love this cd! I am getting married this November and am having sort of a Disney themed wedding and this fits PERFECT!

The Classics!
This CD contains so many classic Disney songs.If you are a die hard fan like me, then you have most or all of them already, but if not, this is an excellent piece to start your collection. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

We love it!
I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old and we all love this cd. It is a great way for my four year old to release some energy. It encourages him to listen to the music and follow the directions (shake your arm, act like a elephant, freeze). We even listen to it in the car and I'm sure the other drivers get a kick out of me dancing/acting out the songs. My one year old even rocks out in her own way. You can't listen to it and sit still. I would highly recommend it.

A kids CD that won't drive parents crazy
I bought this CD for my soon to be four year old daughter because her dance class uses it every week so I knew she would love it. Two of the best songs are Tummy Tango and Animal Action. With Tummy Tango my daughter gets to move her body into the shape of different foods. All of the kids in my daughters dance class go nuts for Animal Action. If the kids are good during class the teacher uses that song as a reward. All of the kids run around pretending to be different animals. It's a very catchy song. Another favorite song on the CD is the freeze song. We used to use it everyweek in Gymboree when my daughter was a baby. I have a lot of fond memories of her shaking her litle maracas to that song with the other babies. This CD provides a lot of excellent oppurtunities for the whole family to get up off the couch and get dancing. It even teaches counting in another of the songs on the CD. Unlike some CD's (such as those by a certain purple dinosaur)kids and parents can enjoy this one.

Fabulous Fun
As a former preschool teacher, I'd recommend this CD to anyone. It was a great way for the kids to get active and have fun using their bodies without getting out of control. 'Animal Action' and 'Freeze' were two of our favorites.

My Kardio Kids love it!
This is a great way to keep a bunch of kids entertained and also a lot of fun to play in the car or the living room. My Kardio Kids (age 3-5) love it and my 3-year old and 1-year old love to listen to it together at home also. The songs are great for action.

Greg & Steve
Kids in Motion is a wonderful cd. I enjoy it very much and so do all my siblings. This is a fun cd for kids to listen to all the time. They sing songs that interest all children. I love this cd and it is truly amazing. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent CD!!!
Relaxing!!! I love this CD and would highly recommend it to other mothers. My three month old loves to listen to it before he goes to sleep and during feedings. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

wonderful
Little Mermaid came out the year I started Kindergarten...I remember seeing it in theaters...and I've known "Part of Your World" word for word ever since. Menken and Ashman's beautiful melodies and joyful lyrics make everyone want to sing along. And Jodi Benson (along with the rest of the cast) brought so much to the music written by two of the best songwriters Disney has ever seen. It's unfortunate that Howard Ashman is no longer with us, but his music is his statement, and it's beautiful.

A CD for all places -- even "Under the Sea"
This is one of Disney's Must-Own soundtracks. These great songs range from "Les Poissons", the jovial "Under the Sea", the magical introduction of "Main Titles" to the really, really -- well, wonderful "Part of Your World". Jodi Benson (along with the rest of the cast) has displayed her (their) great talent(s) in this soundtrack which has sold over One Million Copies. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's music is simply-put... a Classic. An essential Disney album, one that really should be in your collection, regardless of age.

Return from the Abyss.
At the time that THE LITTLE MERMAID came out, the Walt Disney studio was in major trouble. They helped paved the way in animation and CGI, but they hadn't had a major hit on their hands in a long time. The animation department at the studio had failed to produce a solid success in a long time and rumors were circulating that the company might end up doing something drastic, like selling off assets. Then THE LITTLE MERMAID came out and Disney saw a complete turn around. The movie revived the art of animation and helped secure Disney's foundation so that it could produce later films such as BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN, and THE LION KING. THE LITTLE MERMAID has a good story and the plot is still memorable today. However, the thing that sets the film as almost being a classic is the soundtrack. THE LITTLE MERMAID set a whole new course for Disney and in some ways paved the way for the revival of movie musicals. After all, the movie is basically an animated musical. The songs from the film are sung so much nowadays that they are commonplace, but they are still memorable and just as moving as they were the first time I heard them. Some of the main songs include:

"Daughters of Triton"

"Part of Your World"

"Under the Sea"

"Poor Unfortunate Souls"

"Les Poissons"

"Kiss the Girl"

My favorite song in the arrangement is "Kiss the Girl", though "Part of Your World" is a close second. I am also one of the few people I've met who enjoy "Les Poissons".

The second half of this album includes the rest of the score from the film The score won a 1989 Academy Award for Best Score. A must have for Disney fans and a great piece of music to listen to in general.

I love this cd, but..!
I adore the movie and I love the music, but how could they leave out Vanessa's Song? That's my favourite song in the movie!

ASTOUNDING ORCHESTRAL SCORE REFLECTS MENKEN'S GENIUS!
From the moment the Prince's ship sails into the horizon, you get instantly captivated by this breath-taking score. And right throughout the movie the music enthralls you. One of the last collaborative efforts of Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, this magical soundtrack truly earns the title of a masterpiece.

The songs are excellent and vary from soothing ballads to beautifully styled Caribbean tunes. "Part of Your world" is unique; its haunting melody and Jodi Benson's mesmerizing voice (just listen to Ariel vocalizing) making it the best slow ballad ever heard on the silver screen. Samuel E. Wright's Caribbean vocals are the main highlights, with "Kiss the Girl" being a very tuneful, salsa number that has you swaying to its melody. "Les Poissons" in Rene Auberjonois' voice simply makes you giggle with laughter and Pat Carroll's "Poor unfortunate Souls" is a good villain song. "Under The Sea" truly is THE song of the movie, its Oscar-winning, foot tapping and humorous appeal making you want to listen to it over and over again.

The score, which earned Menken his first Academy Award, is outstanding and is easily one of the best scores in movie history. Later Menken efforts (like Aladdin and more recently Hercules) lack the magical charm so evidently present in The Little Mermaid.
"The Jig", "The Storm" and "Tour of the Kingdom" are definitely the finest sequences; the piano, strings, clarinet and drums conglomerate to produce a deeply invoking and overwhelming effect. Menken masterfully utilizes a host of instruments to eminently bring out the joyful, tense and melancholy atmospheres. "Destruction of the Grotto" and "Wedding Announcement" are such fine illustrations of the tense moments. As is mostly the case where the composer gives both the movie's music as well as its score; many parts of the score borrow tunes from the songs and beautifully manipulate them to highlight the emotional and imploring parts. "Bedtime" is a very good example of such a track, where the melody truly moves you. "Flotsam And Jetsam" portrays a dulcet sinister music, and "Eric to the Rescue" mixes all these ingredients into building up a captivating climax. "Happy Ending", which has a choral reprise of "Part of Your World", conveys the feeling of ecstasy and celebration.

The CD from Disney is something to really cherish, providing 44 minutes of engrossing Menken music. This perfect compilation does not miss out any significant part of the score. The Little Mermaid was the last Disney movie to exclude pop tracks from the end title. They are not at all missed. The soundtrack is complete in itself and honestly did not require any pop inclusions.

Menken was bade farewell from Disney after two of his scores (the much underrated Hunchback of Notre Dame and the most disappointing Hercules) did not quite attract the Academy. So this (and Beauty and the Beast) remain his best work till date. I honestly look forward to his return to animation and re-composing the genius which made Little Mermaid the crowning achievement of his career.

TRACK LISTINGS:

1. Fathoms Below
2. Main Title
3. Fanfare
4. Daughters of Triton
5. Part Of Your World [***** Excellent]
6. Under The Sea [***** Excellent]
7. Part Of Your World (Reprise) [***** Excellent]
8. Poor Unfortunate Souls
9. Les Poissons
10. Kiss The Girl [***** Excellent]
11. Fireworks
12. Jig
13. The Storm [*****Excellent]
14. Destruction of the Grotto
15. Flotsam And Jetsam
16. Tour of the Kingdom [*****Excellent]
17. Bedtime [*****Excellent]
18. Wedding Announcement
19. Eric To The Rescue
20. Happy Ending [*****Excellent] ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Our favorite Chinese C.D.
We listened to this every night for about 6 months after my second daughter came home. Sometimes I would play it in the middle of the night when she woke up. It had such a calming effect on her (and me too). I'm sure it helped her link to something familiar during those first hard months home. Now we don't listen to it every night, but it's still our favorite lullaby cd.

The choir is named appropriately. The children's crystal clear voices are so soothing and so angelic. Because all of the songs are in Chinese I do not focus on the words, but instead on the beautiful melodies which come from various provinces in China.

This cd has become my #1 favorite gift for baby showers along with a pair of squeaky shoes from China!

Beautiful music for babies and parents
We played this CD during my labor and it was incredibly soothing. Our son falls asleep to this CD every time we play it and it works well to calm him during bathtime or in the car. We liked it so much we purchased another copy for him to listen to while at day care and I think the familiar and relaxing music helps to ease his transition into his day there. We have quite a lullaby collection (African Lullaby, Brazilian Lullaby, Mediterranean Lullaby, Irish Lullaby, World Music for Little Ears and Chinese Lullabies) and we love them all, but this is our favorite--it's absolutely beautiful music.

Beautiful, angelic music
This CD has a collection of lullabies from different regions and different ethnic groups of China: Northeast, Guangdong, Taiwan, Hunan, Yunan, Anhui, Hainan, Guangxi, Tibet, Inner Mongolia.

Great CD, and it is in Mandarin Chinese
I agree with most of the reviews here that the CD is very soothing and provides good backgroud music. It works well for calming down a very active 22 months old toddler before bedtime, and most importantly, my daughter loves it. The entire CD is sung in Mandarin Chinese, contrary to a previous review that someone had said it was in regional dialects, which almost made me not purchase it (because I am a native Chinese speaker, and would like my daughter to hear more Chinese). But when I listened to it and matched the verses to the words printed inside the CD pamphalet, it is mostly in Mandarin Chinese except for the chorus in some of the songs were in the regional dialect. I am very happy with the purchase and would recommend it.

Good for colic! Chinese songs in regional dialects.
This soothing album is so beautiful and calming that it was one of the few that our daughter would fall asleep to consistantly during her first twelve weeks when she had colic. Even now, as our daughter is six months old, this album is still her favorite for sleeptime. The music is simply enchanting and features lullabies from different provinces in China.

I would like to add, though, for those of you interested in having your child be exposed to the Chinese language, that because the cd features songs from all over China, most of the songs are not in Mandarin, but in provincial dialects. All that aside, it certainly can't hurt for a baby to be exposed to several different dialects, but be aware that this cd won't be part of your "learn to speak Chinese" collection. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

very playful.Cute and lively.
This music is so fun! Lets children learn to love and appreciate classical.My children beg for this cd! Its nicely put together.

Not just for babies
This CD contains lightly arranged pieces which suit children very well. I am a 19 year old college student, and I use it personally for study music-it is really good background music without any of the distractions that usually arise from trying to listen to music and do homework at the same time. Highly recommended for children as well as adults.

A wonderful CD
I received several classical music CD's as gifts before my daughter was born, and out of all of them (also including classical CD's I had already owned) this is definitely my favorite. It stands out because it is not full of simply "traditional" arrangements but rather is very light and playful - there are all sorts of cute little chirping and whirring noises that add to it as well. It is just a lot of fun, and provides the perfect background for cuddling with your new little one.

There is one comment below from someone who thought the music was too simple and was of poor quality. I would agree that the music is very simple (not a bad thing), but disagree with the notion that it is poor quality. Anyway, this should be just one CD in a library of different types of music, classical and other, to help your child's music appreciation develop. If it happens to expand other developmental skills as well, even better!

Works as advertised-
The Mozart Effect - Music for Babies is a pretty good disc. Admittedly not the best Mozart recordings around, but then my child is not exactly picky. I prefer Genie's Angels All Around as a lullaby CD but either The Mozart Effect or Angels All Around would make excellent baby shower gifts.

Works Like A Charm
This is a must have for all infants and a terrific baby shower gift. My son is 14 months old and he has been listening to this CD for about 10 months. It has a TERRIFIC soothing effect on him. I think Mozart has become a musical comfort object for him, much like his soft blankie has become a comfort object. If he is cranky in the car and trying to unwind for a nap, I pop this CD in and he is automatically soothed. It's like magic.

I like that this CD is organized into more up tempo songs for playtime, and slower paced songs for sleepytime. I admit I wouldn't buy this CD if I were looking for some real Mozart listening pleasure, but this is for my infant, not for me. (Although I do admit, I am also soothed too by a little Mozart Effect.) And, I wish there weren't two versions of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, but it is still worth the $$. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Dan Zanes, lead singer of the 1980s roots-rock band the Del Fuegos, didn't need to enlist the high-profile help of pals Sheryl Crow and Suzanne Vega to produce a crowd-pleasing kids' record, but he got it anyway. On Rocket Ship Beach, where traditional tunes such as "Polly Wolly Doodle" (with Crow) and "Erie Canal" (with Vega) mingle in loosey-goosey, just-for-the-fun-of-it fashion with originals such as the plucky "All My Friends Live in the Woods" (written by Bad Company buddy Simon Kirke), Zanes exhibits the same plugged-in exuberance that gave his former band its unpredictable zing. Besides the no-amateurs instrumentation, which includes Zanes on guitar, lap steel, banjo-mandolin, and studiophone, and G.E. Smith on banjo-mandolin and guitar as part of a kickin' string band that performs the classic "King Kong Kitchie," plus a cluster of others, what stands out most about this 17-track funfest is its draw-you-in friendliness. Pitching in with the pros (who also include dancehall rapper Rankin' Don--he delivers the gruff stuff on "Father Goose" and "Sunny Side of the Street") are family friends such as the gang of West Indian babysitters turned vocal group the Sandy Girls, who give it up to impressive, get-you-boogying effect on "Emmanuel Road," and a kindergarten class that contributes, adorably, to "Sidewalks of New York." All told, this is way hipper than most kids' records and it also razzle-dazzles with its packaging--Rocket Ship Beach arrives in a chunky, colorful board-book illustrated with sweet, fantasy-fueled beachside scenes by banjo player and Zanes's brother-in-law, Donald Saaf. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Not Just For Kids
My wife, son, and I were given this CD as a gift. I was skeptical because I feel many new efforts geared towards kids are either too Smurfy or too preachy. I was very pleasantly surprised. This CD is now not only one of my son's favorites, it is also a favorite of his parents.

Zanes has put together a collection of songs that keep you tapping your feet the 70th time you listen to them. I stay at home with my son and this music has saved me many times when he has been too cranky to eat, or hang out by himself while I get a few things done. After a little dancing to "Polly Wally Doodle" or "Erie Canal" he is bright and cheery.

I knew many of these songs before I heard the CD - - but not all of them. And even though I knew the tunes, Zanes has produced them in fresh new ways sure to surprise even the most jaded parent.

It was fun to hear artists I had heard previously singing songs for kids. I especially like the efforts of Sheryl Crow, Suzanne Vega, and Barbara Brousal - - all of whom sing with the same clarity and spirit their fans love them for on their own CDs.

I can't recommend this CD highly enough. If you have kids you owe it to yourself to buy this and share it with them. If you don't have kids I recommend it as a charming, happy, intelligent collection of cherished songs by a group of talented musicians.

Can't say enough...
I honestly can't say enough...I recently went on a mad search for "listenable" children's music and fortunately Rocket Ship Beach was recommended. I purchased about 10 other children's CDs at the time and this one is the definite favorite! My 2 1/2 year old requests "Goodbye Old Paint" at least once a day and it hasn't even started to drive me crazy. Every track is great! I'm thankful for Dan Zanes and company daily. I bought "Family Dance" (his 2nd CD) as well, and while it's good, "Rocket Ship Beach" gets more air time. I would buy them both, but if you need a place to start go with "Rocket Ship Beach".

Baby Music you can Actually enjoy
My husband and I listen to different children's cd's in the car with our children almost every day, and in the kitchen while making dinner. This one beats them all as we all enjoy the laid back feel it brings to us, the folksy rhythm, the swanky voices. A must for parents who are tired of singing their ABC's.

Kids and Adults will enjoy this music
My husband recently purchased this for our 17 month old daughter. It is music that we both enjoy. We catch her in the back seat bobbing her head to the beat of the music and 'chair dancing' in her car seat. This is a wonderful collection of children's music that adults can enjoy as well. It is not the same old boring nursery songs or the classical music that is more appropriate for wind down time. This music is great for the car or during play time. A must for parents. I wish we would have known about it sooner. Now all my friends are getting it for gifts.

I just love this guy...
We just took our little guy to see him, and he met everybody after the show...He had a toddler mosh pit. It was awesome. And this album is great. ... Read more