On a Starry Night

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.

We received this as a gift shortly after the birth of our son, and it was a godsend from the start. These aren't the kind of lullabies that make you want to throw the stereo out the window, nothing nearly so syrupy or bland. I don't get sick of them either, because there's plenty of variety. Instead, it's a collection of various artists singing soothing yet really interesting music. George Winston's quiet piano, Bobby McFerrin's voice, they are all songs I might listen to even if we didn't have a baby- but the mood is perfect. We listen to it every night at bedtime, and I buy it for my friends when they have children.

This CD is great for relaxing and wind-down as well as through the nap/sleep times. My 19-mo-old son and I like it. The music is consistant in tone and rhythm - unlike some others we've tried.