Reviews (1)

Wonderful music to sooth baby to sleep
This CD has become an important part of my son's bedtime ritual. The music is very calm and soothing... wonderful instrumental versions to familiar classics. The music is so nice that my husband has enjoyed listening to it as well (thru the baby monitor in the other room). This cd is harder to find than some of the other popular Baby Einstein cds (Baby Bach, Mozart, Beethoven), but it's worth the buy when you find it. ... 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

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

Reviews (18)

Great Baby lullaby CD!!!
I bought this for my newborn baby partly so I could learn some lullaby songs to sing him myself. I would play it and sing along. We eventually had a few favorites, and I would at least sing our top three favorites every night (with or without the CD), but somethimes we'd sing all the songs with the CD. My husband would just play the CD and rock the baby. Many months later, after not having played it in a while, we took the CD with us on a trip out of town and when our "baby" got fussy during the long ride from the airport to our destination, we popped in the CD and put on the #1 favorite, and he was asleep in half a minute!!! Beautiful songs. Beautiful voice. "All through the night" is so beautiful it still makes me tear up.

Perfect!
I started playing this CD for my newborn and it is so beautiful I actually look forward to playing it over and over again. Tina Malia's voice is so rich and soothing it calms both me and the baby down almost instantly. I love singing along with it while rocking him and usually listen to a few more songs just for me after he's gone to sleep in my arms. A must buy!

puts baby & mommy to sleep!
This is a great CD, and Tina Malia has a gorgeous voice. The only problem is that I almost pass out while feeding my son when this CD is playing! Her rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is especially beautiful.

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful
We received this CD as a gift for my baby shower...Tina Malia's voice is incredibly beautiful. We listen to it over and over, not only does it help come the little one, it helps to calm mommy!

Incredibly beautiful music
This is music we can listen to over and over again. My 3 year-old loves it as she falls asleep - it never fails to calm her down.
Beautifully sung and arranged. Great selection of songs. ... 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

Amazon.com

The party line on most Windham Hill products seems to be that it's either the greatest stuff since wave machines, or that it all sounds alike. On a Starry Night, with its collection of world songs and reputable artists such as Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, the Turtle Island String Quartet, and others, does lean toward a seamlessly understated, homogeneous quality that is broken only occasionally by Bobby McFerrin's piece and a couple of others. That said, there can hardly be a more mellow or sonorous album of kid's music anywhere. Starry Night could calm a nursery with no nurses; why, it could even soothe the pained yelps at the dog pound--and turn a freeway full of bumper-to-bumper sour pusses into pussycats. Effective? You've heard of mind control, haven't you? --Martin Keller ... Read more

Reviews (29)

gentle music for children and adults
I believe that music is a powerful and innate force in our lives, so I bought a number of CDs geared toward children when I gave birth. Most were harmless enough, many became tiresome after a while .... this CD still gets played regularly at our house after three years.

International artists play and sing old favorites as well as songs new to us, but even the old favorites (Rock-a-bye-baby, Brahms Lullaby) are performed in engaging ways which renew their interest. Heaven knows, I am not one to seek out Kumbaya, but I even like that song here! Seventeen songs are presented from the US, Japan, Indonesia, Brazil, Ireland, Congo, Ghana, Cuba, Iceland, Israel, England, Russia and Germany. Some are sung, most are instrumental. All are very beautiful and soothing. The CD booklet contains a paragraph about each song with performance credits, original words and translation.

A remarkably soothing collection of lullabies.

Will definitely become one of your favorites!!
This CD is beautiful and so soothing. It really does give you a dreamy effect. It's good for the soul! We use it for bedtime music for our 4yr old, and not only does she love it, but we love it. I am so glad I found this CD. It raises the standard of what good lullaby compilations should sound like. First Class music, indeed. Don't hesitate if you're looking for good music for nightime or even a relaxing break in the day for your little ones-this is an excellent choice.

Soothing, dreamy music!
I just had to write a review of this cd. It was recommended to me by another mother, and I tried it and love it! We like to listen to it in the living room as nap time approaches, nursing with the lights dimmed. With the fan going and this cd on quietly, both momma and baby start drifting off to sleep. It's absolutely wonderful, and I recommend it to anyone who needs some instant R&R.

Your Baby Will Love This CD
We were given "Starry Night" as a gift when our son was born 21 months ago. It is one of the best gifts we have received as he has been sleeping to this CD from day one. The minute we turn the CD on and dim the lights he knows that it's time to sleep - whether it's for a nap in the afternoon or after a long day of running around.

We love this CD so much that both sets of in-laws bought it for our son...

Most relaxing compilation of music I've ever heard
This CD is a must-have! My 9-month-old puts her head on my shoulder to drift off to sleep as soon as she hears the first tune - no matter the time of day. She is always asleep before the end of the second track (the delicate, almost haunting Japanese Music Box) and I'm consistently teary by the end of the third (in English it's known as "Go to Sleep" - the lyrics will make any parent's heart ache with love for your child). It even gets the three- and four-year-olds to sleep in my older daughter's preschool class. What would really be great is if massage therapists would play this CD instead of that babbling brook, new age stuff - now THAT would be worth $100. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Just as adult authors from Isabel Allende to Clive Barker are writing kids' books these days, rock & roll artists (remember Jerry Garcia and David Grisman's 1993 recording Not for Kids Only?) are reaching out to the younger set. Thank goodness, we say... and scoot over, Barney. Festival Five Records is the children's music label founded by Dan Zanes, former lead singer of the Del Fuegos, where he hopes to capture "the sound of a neighborhood band on the front stoop playing tunes after dinner for a family dance." His third CD release, Night Time! ("a musical cool-down disc for all ages underground"), comes on the heels of Rocket Ship Beach and Family Dance. Here, traditional tunes such as the West Indian sea shanty "Pay Me My Money Down" and the African American folk song "Down by the Riverside" take their place next to folksy, hypnotic Zanes originals, including "Night Owl," "Firefly," and "Linger for Awhile," a song aimed to reflect Brooklyn stoop life. Mandolins, harmonicas, trombones, fiddles, electric guitars (and more!) add to the contagious buoyancy of this eclectic 16-track CD. Our favorite is "Rattlin' Bog," a delightfully nonsensical cumulative song, led by Father Goose and featuring the kids in the Dandelion Chorus. As in his other CDs, Zanes invites friends and family to join the fun, along with heavy-hitters such as Aimee Mann, Lou Reed, and Dar Williams. This irresistible collection, appealing to toddlers and easy on their parents, is packaged in a colorful board book illustrated by Donald Saaf with starry scenes of moonlit music making. An excellent addition to any children's music library. --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Great CD for Kids and Adults
We saw Dan Zanes perform here in Houston and it was great. Afterwards we bought the Cd and our two year old loves it. It's kind of funny to hear your child singing "Pay me/ You Owe me" at the top of his lungs in the car.

Musically, it's quite sophisticated folk music that most adults will enjoy juts a smuch as the kids. The thing I really appreciate is that Zanes doesn't dumb it down for the kids. Oh and yea, guests include people like Lou Reed and the brillian Pappa Goose (who you just have to see live to appreciate fully) are a treat.

You won't be disappointed.

so great!
We love this CD!!! The music is so fun and wholesome while also musically sophisticated. There are so many great instruments and words...fantastic. This CD has been a nice background while pacing with an overtired little one. It is also great sing a long music as well. I can't wait to get the rest of Dan Zanes CD's!

Danny Zanes Rocks The Little One To Sleep
Simply put, Danny Zanes and Friends Night Time is a knock out punch for warm hearted, cool minded little ones. My wife and I are fairly serious about getting our 1 year old Marley introduced to music she can really enjoy and groove to from day one. Danny and crew offer the beat, lyrics and diversity we find so appealing.

Let me reiterate our enthusiasm by saying: 1. this is the best kids cd ever made (we have dozens); 2. all Danny Z. CDs are fun for the whole family (if you can get certain songs out of mind); 3. we have changed our answering machine message several times in the past year and always default to a Danny Z. song in the background (if only for a lick or two); 4. we just ordered 9 copies for all our friends who recently announced a birth!

How's that for a ringing endorsement.

Have fun,

Paul Klein, SF California

My fussy baby loves it!
Not only is this a fun CD for kids and adults, my fussy 3 month old baby really loves it. There are times when he's fussy and crying and as soon as I put this CD on and the first song starts playing, he immediately stops crying and calms down! He also hates the car and cries whenever we drive anywhere, so I have this CD in the car as well. It has made our car trips much more enjoyable.

Night Time Shines
I am a night owl. I am also new to the music of Dan Zanes and Friends. All of his cd's are treasures. I relate to the theme of this one because I too am a night owl. Why can't I be in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, jamming with these folks?? Nothing could be more fun. I have a friend who plays guitar. I sat at my piano, and he sat with guitar, and together we learned to play the title song. Montana isn't Brooklyn, but the spirit of making music is alive, thanks to Dan Zanes and Friends. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Beware the pink and blue are the SAME CD, (Thought was I&II)
Great!. Verey good arrengements...
BUT, Beware buying too quickly... (as I did) because the Blue Cover & Pink Cover ARE THE SAME CD!, so you'll get the same CD with different cover!. (Well, I would make a present of the redundant... but I guess it's a silly mistake to buy them both thinking they are Vol I and Vol II).
A must have lullabies CD.

beautiful
many beatles albums made for the younger set often stink.., but THIS is the good stuff.
the songs are beautifully done, and don't have the nasty remake feel many beatles remake albums do.
perfect for anyone, not just babies

Got two as gifts--keeping both
I am not a huge Beatles fan. I like them, and have a lot of good memories, but that's not why I love this album. First, I believe it's important to play music to a baby (I'm a couple weeks away from having my first, so I'm no expert--it just makes sense to me). This music is so soothing and entertaining at the same time that I can't believe it. I find the songs running through my head during the day. Obviously I haven't played it for my daughter yet, but my wife and I have gone to sleep to it as we try to bank some rest before the baby comes. You can easily get the feel of this album by listening to the samples, which are representative. Also, this is a cool and different gift. If you know a Beatles fan having a baby, its a must.

Superlatives for Jason Falkner's Beatle Lullabies
A perfect baby shower gift; a perfect Christmas gift; a great gift for any age group. Falkner's transformation of classical Beatles songs into "A Lullaby Album" is fantastic, enjoyable, delightful, soothing, nostalgic, pleasurable. The lullaby quality of the music is particularly reassuring. After the baby's asleep baby boomers might also want to put on the headphones. As Jason says in the liner notes: "it also sounds good at maximum volume." Whether you find the cd in the Jason Falkner, Beatles, or Children's section, this is a cd worth looking for. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Fantastic... a must have for Mama, Papa, and Baby
And you thought you were doomed to listen to those crummy fake vibraphone/music box sounds forever now that you are a parent? Thank you, Putumayo for not insulting our intelligence. These beautiful songs will provide your child with an enriching listening experience, and you will love them too. My favorite is the South African "Thula Mama" and I find myself singing it to my little one often.

Wonderful music!
We first learned of this CD by borrowing from the library and now we have bought it. The selection of music is beatiful, our daughter loves to listen to it at night before going to bed. Our favorite song is the one is Spanish from Mexico.

Lullabeautiful
This CD was a lovely gift, given to us by a friend of a friend, who had never met me or my beautiful daughter, yet had given us one of our most treasured "baby items" to date. Every song on the cd is soft and soothing. My husband and I love the multicultural aspect of the compilation and our two month old baby falls asleep within minutes of hearing notes from any of the songs. The songs are magical and so are their effects.

Gorgeous
Another gorgeous collection from Putumayo which has its intended effect on our 9 month-old whether in the car or at home, yet is wonderful listening for the parents. Each track is beautiful but standouts for me are the opener with Carlos Santana guesting and the haunting Teresa Doyle lullaby.

Amazing.....
I always thought lullabies were meant for babies or children at best. One listen to this cd and my ideas were changed. Putumayo has done it again! From world renown Angelique Kidjo to less known Tanja Solnik, the cd is one of soothing sounds. If you are stressed, take a listen, and let the lullabies take you away. Even if you aren't sleepy, trust me, the calming effects will help even the most high strung person. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Inspired by 1992's 'Til Their Eyes Shine: The Lullaby Album, an all-female collection of sleepy-time songs for children, Daddies Sing Good Night proves that men are no less tender in nurturing their wee ones. Or at least that's true of these men--including Jesse Winchester, Doc Watson, Peter Rowan, and the late Townes Van Zandt--who wrote the songs for their own offspring, and, in their day jobs, rank among the finest practitioners of folk, country, and bluegrass. In guiding their young charges to dreamworld, these fathers visit exotic lands, lonesome prairies, and even the wide heavens on the gossamer wings of horses. Parental listeners will likely detour into the recesses of their own hearts, in exploring the special bond and soothing strength of fatherhood. --Alanna Nash ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Faithfully puts my son to sleep
Though I'm not a country music fan, I enjoy listening to this CD, too. It's very soothing, and the songs are hearfelt with some truly precious lines. "Green-pea toes" comes to mind, along with "today you have the hands of a baby, tomorrow the hands of a lady."

Tender Fathers Sweetly Sing
Such a wonderful collection of loving songs, sung mostly by bluegrass and folk singers inspired by their own children. The words and melodies are both soothing to our baby and also so moving to her parents. Truly our favorite lullaby cd-- I would buy it for any parents who like good, folksy music and who have tender hearts.

Our *favorite* lullaby CD!
This is absolutely our favorite lullaby CD. Adults can enjoy the music as much as children can! We played this CD on the way home from the hospital with our son, and love it as much now that he is 6 months old as we did then. Some of the songs, such as "Little One," bring tears to my eyes, while my husband has a great time singing "My Little Buckaroo," to our son. A fantastic collection of songs!

My all-time favorite
The baby might be tired of this one, but, I can't stop listening to it. A must own for babies and parents who hate banal "baby" music.

I never get tired of this CD!
I love, love, love this CD! I don't care for those typical, sappy lullaby CDs, but this CD is different. It has a wonderfully earthy, bluegrass feel to it. I get teary-eyed every single time I hear "Little One," and songs like "My Little Buckaroo" are so much fun! Mommies and Daddies both will love this CD. ... Read more

Album Description

An actual human heartbeat is the rhythm (drums) of special arrangements of traditional lullabies and nursery songs. The songs on this CD actually stop babies from crying, soothe symptoms of colic, and help parents get their children to sleep through the night - without having to let them cry! Each CD includes a Parents Guide - An Introduction to Heartbeat Musical Therapy booklet with common-sense suggestions for bedtime routines that work. Satisfaction is guaranteed or the manufacturer will refund the full purchase price direct to the consumer. These recordings are used medically in over 8,000 hospitals and special care centers to calm listeners, induce sleep and assist in healing. They are also used in over 1 million homes to help establish regular healthy sleep schedules for children and to help families get the rest they need. They are effective for listeners of all ages - from prenatal to elderly - but are recommended for prenatal to 6 years. They can be started at any age. They can even be used during the last trimester of pregnancy to help both mom and baby get a good nights sleep. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

THIS IS THE BEST LULLABY CD AROUND, NO KIDDING!
My sister passed the entire set of tapes to me when my son was born. It was her saving grace with her colic baby. It shortly became mine. My son is now 19 months old and as soon as he hears the heart beats he climbs into bed without much resistance at all. The tapes are now worned out from excessive use and I have recently purchased two cd's, one for home and one for daycare. The CD is a hit at daycare! His friends seem to love the music as well.

Have used it for years
My children are now 14, 11, and 8. We had used this
tape ever since the beginning of our family 14 years
ago. All three children loved it as it was a regular
part of our bedtime routine. It's also a great shower
gift. We highly recommend it!

Best CD Around!
We were given the cd as a gift, thru the Air Force's "First-time parent program" and didn't use it at first. However, when we did start to use it, we felt really stupid for waiting so long. We put my daughter to sleep every night with this cd, and use it as needed during the day. When the cd starts, you can see and feel her start to relax immediatly. Of all of the things that you need to have as a parent, this ranks as one of the top items!

Still using it 5 years later!!!
I bought this CD when my daughter was a newborn. In the beginning I'd rock & sing to her and just before she fell asleep, I'd put her in her crib. Eventually I was able to lay her in her crib and just sing to her and she would be asleep before the end of the 2nd track.

Now, as a new kindergartener, she has been having trouble falling asleep so early. I brought out the old CD and played it for her. She even remembered the music. She visibly relaxed the first time I turned it on and was sound asleep within 15 minutes. It has once again become part of her bedtime routine.

First thing to buy for a new baby!
We received the tape of this and wore it out completely with my son. We started using it when he was a few weeks old and it always put him to sleep. The warning on the tape is true...it will put parents to sleep as well (especially parents of newborns!). I really recommend buying the cd. The second the tape would end, we couldn't get in the room fast enough to flip it over. I'm expecting my 2nd child and buying this cd is #1 on my to-do list! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

LAME, LAME, LAME!!!!!
This CD really BLOWS!!! When I have my children, I will provide them real music to listen to that can enjoy, not this horrible, stupid rubbish coming from a lame bogus ugly purple creature. This CD is way darn overrated! I would give it no stars if I could. Why the heck did this CD get so many high ratings, when it's nothing but lame rubbish that would drive any parent up a tree? Are these people serious who are listeners that are not little kids? Come on! Don't waste your money on this, because before you know it, your kids will outgrow it!

Instead, I highly recommend anything and everything by Led Zeppelin! Led Zepppelin rules! Get the Led out!

Typical Barney
This is one of my son's favorite Barney CDs. He can listen to it over and over and never get bored. He even sings along with the songs and enjoys all of them. I would definetly recommend this CD is your child likes Barney. A lot of the songs teach kids great lessons like everyone is special, we all grow, friends and manners are good, buckle your seat belt etc. The downside of the CD is, like most Barney CDs, the music can get really annoying after a while for the parent. But if your kids like Barney then they will enjoy this CD.

awesome
Hi, i'm a 15yrs old girl, i'm french and i wanted to say that barney is really really great when i was little i used to sang his songs at school and now i'm older but i'm still a great fan ! barney is fantastic for childrens !

Great CD in the car!
I have an 18 month old who usually hates her 1/2 hour commute to and from daycare. Every morning when we get in the car, she immediately asks for "Barney". She is so happy now in the car, I actually don't even mind listening to it! We've listened to it so much, she now sings to all the songs and knows where they are on the CD!

Not one great volume, but two!!
This cassette, like Barney's Favorites Volume 1, contains voices from cast members of the "Barney & Friends" series. It includes voices from: Shawn, Derek, Tosha, David, Kathy, Min, and even Professor Tinkerputt! I highly recommend this tape, it is just as good as the first volume!! ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Beware of the obnoxious tracks!
I saw this CD and thought it would be great for my daughter whom I like to expose to as much wonderful music as possible, particularly at bedtime. The first night I played it, I stayed in her room and listened to the first 2 songs - they were charming versions of some well-known classics. Then, I turned on the baby monitor and went into the other room.

Suddenly, my ears were accosted by the most obnoxious, laughable sound of track 3. It is a synthesized, incredibly upbeat version of Hush A Bye Baby sung by a woman with the most grating voice. The same can be said of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Frere Jacque (tracks 6 & 11). Besides being irritating, these songs are actually LOUDER than the rest of the instrumental songs and could easily jolt a sleeping baby out of slumber.

Those 3 tracks completely undermine the "Lullaby" theme. I will be burning this CD onto another CD and leaving out those 3 tracks. Had I read the reviews and seen that others had complained about these same tracks, I never would have bought it. This CD defies logic and you will be better off without it!

Not too happy
I purchased this CD under the impression that it was all instrumental music - WRONG! Interspersed with rather lovely renditions of classical favorites -- perfect for bringing a baby to sleepyland -- are painfully perky upbeat vocal variations on a few traditional lullabies that have a tendancy to jar a baby awake! Rather antithetical to the purpose.

this sux chizzle dawgs
this g-unit cd is off da hook

i give it 3 starz

oh classic music sux bach

Its a LULLABY!
A lullaby is a soothing song used to lull a child to sleep. This CD features the most annoyingly rambunctious renditions of Hush A Bye Baby (track 3), Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (track 6) and Frere Jacques (track 11) I have ever heard. (Of course, I've never before heard any rendition of Hush A Bye Baby that could be characterized as rambunctious.) These tracks are peppy, bouncy, not at all soothing. Might be good for a toddler jumping dance, but the CD is called LULLABIES, not Baby Dance Tunes. These tracks are guaranteed to wake up the soundest sleepers. They certainly won't lull anyone INTO sleep. The last track (14), When You Wish Upon a Star, isn't as annoying as the other three, but it also isn't as soothing as it should be. Strangely there are absolutely no liner notes. No indication of who this incredibly annoying vocalist is, or who performed any of the music. The remaining tracks are all instrumentals. They are acceptable renditions, but not particularly noteworthy. A major disappointment and waste of money. I would recommend Mozart Wombsong from Musical Soup instead. Soothes my little guy every time.

A complete hack job
Do you want to raise a child who has absolutely no musical taste or refinement? Subject him or her to this substandard collection of hack-job performances, and you may get your wish.

This CD is obviously a slapped-together production, designed to make a quick buck more than anything else. The production values are absolutely bottom of the barrel.

I am only thankful that I didn't pay money for this. It came as a gift, and as a formality I gave it one run-through on the CD player. It has been permanently retired.

For the record, I tend not to take the "soothing lullaby" approach with my 4-month-old daughter. More often than not, she gets high-volume, thematically complex music when she is in her swing. She likes it just fine and usually falls into a deep slumber in due course. This weekend we went through the Schubert D. 958, 959, and 960 piano sonatas, played by Murray Perahia, which is as far from the "Baby's First Lullabies" hack-job travesty as you can get. Helen liked it just fine, went to sleep, and (I hope) will emerge from childhood with a more refined musical palate than if she listned to this junk. ... Read more

Amazon.com

By turns mournful and mystical, these 14 Celtic lullabies performed by musicians from around the world give voice to the experience of mother and child in haunting, evocative folk songs. "More often than not," veteran Irish singer Nóirín Ní Riain writes in the liner notes, "a true lullaby is more indicative of the mental state of the mother than of her wish to lull her child to sleep, and so often her frustrations find a legitimate voice through song." Celtic Twilight 3: Lullabies will become a bedtime favorite, both for its lulling pull to sleep for baby and the numinous, soothing tones of old-country songs for parents winding down at the end of the day. --Stefanie Durbin ... Read more

Reviews (24)

This music is a blessing to mothers and babies
I received Celtic Twilight 3 Lullabies as a gift and have been playing it for my son since his birth. He's now a year old and has come to expect it's soothing sounds at naptime and bedtime. If the CD isn't handy, I only have to sing "Castle of Dromore" to him, and he drifts off to sleep. You would think having heard the same music several times a day for a year, I would be sick of it...but I'm not, and we both enjoy it tremendously. I have recommended this CD to several friends and have given the CD as shower gifts.

Beautiful lullabies
I purchased this CD because the first two Celtic Twilight CDs were wonderful. We listened to this CD moments after the birth of our first child. Each hospital attendant that heard the CD wanted to know about the beautiful music. Some tracks still bring tears to my eyes while I am holding my son as he falls asleep. I believe this will always be my favorite CD. This would be a perfect gift for any expecting or new parent.

Can't Live Without it!
I received this CD as a shower gift, as well as a number of other lullaby CDs by various artists. This one is our absolute favorite. My daughter goes to sleep to this CD every night. It's beautiful melodies are very soothing, and I never tire of hearing it, and neither does she, and she's now almost 18 months old. I even find myself humming a couple of the tunes at work. It's not your typical lullaby CD by any means. It lasts about an hour, and even through those nights where she's up sick and doesn't sleep well, we play it over and over again.

relaxation
I have MAJOR trouble relaxing.
It normally takes something like a 90 minute massage, a very long walk, or an hour soak in a hot tub.

Before I found this CD, I did not know of ANYTHING that could instantly relax me. Yet, with this CD all I need is 10-15 minutes, and I am back to a happy, relaxed person. This CD, Celtic Twilight 3: Lullabies, is an absolute must for me (as well as the cd by an artist named Meav). It has helped me refocus and return to tranquility after a stressful day at work. It's so important, I have 2 copies of it. ( Just incase I break or loose it.)

Now, as if being good for me wasn't enough, my two extremely active kids love it. This CD instantly puts my 10 year old daughter and 2 year old son asleep for a nap or in the evening. Both even ask for it if they need a "little time-out alone".

All around it's a WONDERFUL CD!!

My Granddaughter Called This "MY CD"
I bought this CD for my granddaughter when she was a few months old. I'm not sure she has ever heard the entire CD, as she always fell asleep by the second or third song. Before Celtic Lullabies, it was hard to get her to lay down for a nap unless I stayed with her, but this music was a great replacement and she even looked forward to it. It was so relaxing for me to listen to while I caught up on chores as she slept. I somehow lost the CD when she was around three and a half years old (she's now almost five), but want to replace it. I know she'll love it today and I want to save it for her and her future children. ... Read more

Amazon.com

All too often the notion of creating webs of gentle sounds to help ease babies, toddlers, even children into sleep leads to overly synthetic musical concoctions. Mediterranean Lullaby (like its sibling Cuban, Brazilian, Celtic, Latin, African, and Guitar lullaby collections) takes a very different, more organic approach. Here you have singers and music from Mediterranean regions, including Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, and Spain. The music is so unadorned that you can't miss the heartfelt reverence for children, the respect for their ears, and the overall commitment to gentle sweetness. Guitar and vocals are the main fare, but there are mandolins, sentirs, nay flutes, and more--all played as if the musicians were able to show up in your child's room to soothe them after a day at play. --Andrew Bartlett ... Read more

Reviews (10)

enchanting and peaceful
I was looking for a lullaby cd that wasn't "kid's music" and that would reflect my baby's Meditteranean heritage. This cd is so beautiful some of the songs bring tears to my eyes. I listen to it every night, and will do so when my baby arrives. I can't recommend this cd enough.

very soothing
What a lovely CD. We listen to it during quiet time, or just when we want to slow things down a bit. We like it because, quite simply, it's just beautiful music.

Very soothing and peaceful CD
I bought this CD for my daughter to help her relax when I lay her down. And so far it has done the job. I especially like the mix of music from around the mediterranean, the songs come from a variety of countries including Greece, France, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Lebanon, Israel, and Catalonia. All the songs are beautiful and calming. Basically a wonderful CD.

The CD I listen the most without getting bored
This is a wonderful CD, my baby enjoys it as much as I do. The songs are soothing and melodic. The selection of songs from countries around the Meditterranean is great. I memorised some of them even though I don't know the language, I sing them to my little one when we are not home or simply when I want a peaceful and intimate moment with her. I recommend this CD very much.

Gorgeous!
I'm so glad I registered for this CD! Its SO beautiful! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Parents with more than a passing interest in classical music and those who make a point of keeping up with sleep studies are apt to be drawn to Guitar Lullaby, which presents 17 tranquil, snooze-inducing songs in two pleasing programs. A lot of research went into this album: the soothing speech patterns parents instinctively switch on when calming children were put under the microscope, as were the soporific effects of traditional "Hush-a-Bye, Baby"-type lullabies and the musical structures restless young ears respond to best. In the liner notes, producer Keith Pearcy explains that children's music mustn't be complicated. To that end, Guitar Lullaby's bag of technical tricks includes short phrases and quicker-than-average resolution to musical structures. The first nine tracks are intended for older children (say, ages 5 and up), while the last eight are for the very young. Each of the two programs starts with an energetic though hardly rollicking number then winds down gradually to slow, gentle strumming. Throughout, Ricardo Cobo, formerly of the Bogotá Philharmonic, displays his gift for getting a guitar to give off emotions--in this case, pure, uncluttered, peaceful ones. And that makes it sort of a shame to tuck this recording into the narrow lullaby category. Although its sleep-promoting potential will serve an important purpose for many, its calming qualities are best enjoyed when the whole family's wide-awake. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (10)

This is for everyone....not just the little ones
I bought this for my two small daughters and found I loved it so much that I play it much more often than just for naptime! Mr. Cobo's skill with the guitar is amazing and pieces he chose aren't the "normal" lullabys....and thank goodness they aren't! They are unique, playful, sensitive, soothing and a delight to listen to.

The packaging is also so well done that when I give it as a gift (both to my friends that are expecting children and those that aren't!), it makes it feel like much more that "just" a CD.

Whether you have kids or not, this is wonderful CD and I highly recommend it to everyone!

Finally, a classical CD my kids and I both loved.
As a musician myself, I appreciated the expertise of Ricardo Cobo and the pieces he chose. As a lullaby program, I found this recording very clever and quite unique. The first few tracks got my kids attention. The selections were energetic and fun (not what I would usually play for them right before bedtime). The next few tracks seemed to guide them from their usual hyper "I'll prove to you I'm not tired" pre-bedtime behavior to a calm and inquisitive state - asking about the "musical stories" they were hearing. A very gentle and gradual winding down. The last few tracks we found to be very comforting - like coming out of a warm bath. The best part is that it's 8:30pm and they're BOTH asleep!

Love this!
This is an amazing cd-very soothing and beautiful. My four year old listens every night before bed, and if his dad or I listen too, we're likely to fall asleep with him!

Beautifully Done Lullaby CD
My son takes his nap to this every day. The playing and music are beautiful and timeless, takes you away. I received this as a baby gift and give it to everyone I know that has a baby. I love this CD.

Guitar Lullaby
I found this C/D to contain some different and very pleasing selections. The lovely and soothing Brouwer Berceuse is especially well-performed by Mr. Cobo. While one reviewer didn't care for the sound of the performer's breathing, I didn't find it at all offensive or pervasive. Rather, I would think that to be comforting to a child falling asleep. The concept of moving gradually into sleep and slowing down the pace of the music at the same time is perfect - kudos to the producer, Mr. Pearcy, for taking so much care to carry this concept out. This should be marketed to the classical guitar crowd, as well as the children's market. ... Read more

Amazon.com

No fat cigar, not even Cuba's gorgeous sunsets, can register close on the sublimity scale to the country's lush, commercially unsullied music, something lots of folks discovered a few years back when a subtle loosening of regulatory strings let the brilliant, boundary-busting Buena Vista Social Club cross the shore. On Cuban Lullaby, another of Ellipsis Arts' impressively packaged, carefully annotated, and sweet-smelling Lullaby series (the scent of lavender, said to promote heavy-liddedness, comes wafting out once the protective plastic is removed), the tradition-steeped African and Spanish elements that fused the Cuban sound fall in for a 16-track close-up--intimacy, after all, is what lullabies are all about. The music moves from lilting piano ("Drume Negrita," "Berceuse a Jessie," "Drume Mobila") to elegant guitar (a different rendition of "Drume Negrita," "Suenos de Colores") to tribal-sounding bata drums ("Oguere"). The set is by turns sweepingly beautiful, twinkly sweet, and rhythmically soothing--no surprise, considering this record's artist roster. Grammy-winning pianist Chucho Valdes, immortal entertainer Bola de Nieve, and Buena Vista Social Club singer Omara Portuondo raise the talent bar to a dizzying level, the right altitude, it turns out, for drifting off to dreamland. If your little one is the lucky intended dozer, leave the light on and read the liner notes. The English translations of these songs, like "El Amor de Caracol y Lombriz," about a snail-worm romance, and "Nana Animalera," describing a late-night all-animal hootenanny, crack a window on Cuban culture, causing, without intending to, sharp regrets that it's been sealed away for so long. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (17)

What A Find !!!
Being the only non Cuban member(by marriage) of a Cuban household,I've heard several of the songs on this cd sung over the years,mostly by my mother in law. I found them amusingly rich,beautifully depicting the love of mother to child in it's own unique way. Sifting thru the latin music racks, I came upon this cd and what a find !! Cuban music is rich in diversity and these lullabuys are beautifully recorded by great Cuban artists. To the person who thought these folks are cashing in on The Buena Vista craze,you're so wrong. This selection stands on it's own and I would strongly recommend it to anyone interested in Cuban music, for it's beauty and insight. It would be great for lullabuys, too but my kids are 18 and 16 now... Standout cuts are "Drume Negrita"(the opening cut), the 2 versions of "Lacho", the beautifully classical "El amor de Caracol & Lombriz" and my personal favorite, "Arrrurru". which brought a smile and a tear from my mother in law when she heard the wonderful acoustic version by Pablo Melendez (along with an off key singalong!!!)Whether it lulls you or your child to sleep or brings a smile to your face and soul,it is a must buy for anyone who enjoys sweet wonderful music!

This is an AMAZING CD!!
I bought this Lullaby collection on a recommendation of a friend to help put my two year old daughter to sleep. She has been keeping us awake every night. Not only did this WONDERFUL collection of Cuban Lullabies help my daughter to sleep, but it has become my favorite CD as well. The music is beautiful and a welcome relief from the "itsy bitsy spider" and other popular American children lullabies. I would recommend this CD highly to any parent. This would make a great gift for anyone with kids for the holiday season.

Rare Gem
I am Cuban-American and found two rare gems this year. This CD, CUBAN LULLABY and the Cuban-American bilingual children's picturebook set in Cuban Miami's Little Havana Calle Ocho Festival, DRUM, CHAVI, DRUM!/TOCA, CHAVI, TOCA! The characters, author and illustrator are Cuban. These two recommendations are for children, but if you're Cuban-American or Latina/o you will relish in these two items no matter how old you are.

10 stars to both items!

Songs from my Familia
It is so wonderful to hear this album together with my child. I am looking forward to sharing this album with my new baby as well. My family is from Cuba and although my Abuela (grandmother) and Papi (father) are no longer with us, this album captures the songs they would share with my children. It is hard though, to listen to songs like Drueme Negrita, a favorite that my Dad would sing to me when I was young without shedding a tear. Hearing these special songs reminds me that my family and heritage are always with me. For anyone else it is enrichment for the child to hear songs in other languages with a different tempo and style. I highly recommend this for adults and kids alike.

What a surprise! What a delight!
Just when you think you know what a genre is like, something comes along and redefines it for you. I expected it to be good, because I love latin music, but it is like taking a trip to a romantic Cuban vacation to the romanctic period of the 40s and 50s. You can feel the family joy and pride in every track. Some are vocal, some instrumental, all are wonderful. Not just for baby. Put it on while you make dinner or share a candlelit supper. I bought this and the wonderful Brazilian one. ... Read more

Album Description

Winner of both a 2002 NAPPA Gold Award and 2001 Parents' Choice Gold Award. Aiko Shimada (voice) and Elizabeth Falconer (koto) play old songs from Japan; lullabies and age-old favorites that have been used to soothe children and adults alike for centuries. Compellingly understated arrangements bring out the warmth of Shimada's voice and the ephemeral beauty of the 13-string koto. Works sung largely in Japanese, with some English lyrics artfully woven in, but no knowledge of Japanese is necessary to enjoy the beauty of these intimate, nurturing songs. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

It' s the Japanese Sandman
Or perhaps it's the Sandwoman--Aiko Shimada (voice) and Elizabeth Falconer (koto) play traditional Japanese lullabies and songs. Ms. Shimada, however, does not employ the traditional Japanese singing technique--a kind of throaty sound mixed with that shrill sound so popular in Asia. Instead, she has an almost Celtic lilt to her voice. These songs seem to evoke night, a ruined castle, ghostly cherry trees in bloom or a pond reflecting a moon behind a cloud. This is a nice CD to play if you love Japanese songs but are not fond of traditional Asian music (I do happen to like the screechy sound of traditional singing, but this is a nice variation.)

This would be a fun CD to use as a bedtime CD for kids, encouraging them to relax and imagine they are drifting off on a barge on a night-dark river. Or good for atmosphere during your next sushi dinner at home. Very pretty stuff.

Exquisite!
"Oyasumi" is a very deceptive album: deceptive in its simplicity, that is. Like most folkloric music, the songs on this CD are deeply rooted in experiences common to all people, and their emotional impact is complex, subtle and very powerful.

I first heard sound clips from this recording in the wake of the horrific events of 9/11. I listened to the clips again and again, deeply moved by the beauty of Aiko Shimada's voice and Elizabeth Falconer's work on koto. The creativity and undertone of joy broke through the pain and brought new hope. (This in the midst of constant military surveillance flights in the airspace surrounding the Pentagon, and a pall of silence in an otherwise lively neighborhood...)

My initial impressions haven't changed, though my appreciation for what Falconer and Shimada have achieved grows deeper each time I listen to the CD. Both women are master musicians, but the chemistry here is something unusual - and lasting. All of the tracks reach the very high standard set by their creators, making it very difficult to choose the so-called "best." However, my top picks include "Mimura nu Angwa," "Hagoromo no Komoriuta" (traditional Okinawan songs), an extremely elegant reworking of "Sakura, Sakura," and two original compositions by Falconer and Shimada respectively: "Hatsu Yuki" and "Aiko's Lullaby." I'm sure you'll find your own favorites soon enough...

Beautiful collaboration!
A mesmerizing, vey relaxing compilation of songs sung in Japanese and English. Some interpret classic folk tunes, some are modern original ballads (a la Jewel or Tracy Chapman). All feature Ms. Shimada's spectacularly clear, pure, delicate voice, accompanied by the sonorous rainwater sounds of Ms. Falconer's koto. The harmonies are delightful and enchanting.
Even without knowing the lyrics (which can be accessed on their website), you'll be able to hum along with many of them, and the language exposure is wonderful for young minds! The CD is long enough that even an energetic little one will slow down by the end. My 18-month old was completely transfixed for the first 3 or 4 songs at least, and on subsequent days would hand me the case as a hint to play it, even at bathtime.
With songs about dragonflies, cherry blossoms, stars and the ocean, one's spirit feels charmed, lightened and youthful; and yet there is also a deep wisdom and connectedness to nature and culture in these traditional sounds that have probably soothed generations.

Lovely album
Aiko Shimada's voice is like the sky on a clear blue day. Simply gorgeous. Elizabeth Falconer's koto playing is superb! Simple and never distracting. This album of traditional Japanese lullabies is amazing. I would recommend it to anyone who loves Japanese music. This one is not just for children and parents. ... Read more

Album Description

Guitarist Ray Penney's Multi-Award Winning instrumental collection of lullabies and peaceful classics that span the globe and the centuries. Wonderfully relaxing and perfect for parents and children alike. In the words of music columnist Deborah Moore, "This work is pure, simple, soothing beauty." GOODNIGHT GUITAR is the recipient of the following children's product awards:

* PARENTS CHOICE AWARD * NAPPA GOLD AWARD (National Association of Parenting Publications) * OPPENHEIM TOY PORTFOLIO GOLD and PLATINUM AWARDS * PARENTING MAGAZINE'S "MOM TESTED" SEAL * BEST LULLABY ALBUM AWARD (Music-N-Moore)

GOODNIGHT GUITAR has been followed up by the release of GOODMORNING GUITAR. Together they make a great gift of beautiful music for children of all ages and cultures. ... Read more