Friday, November 02, 2007

***Down at the Sea Hotel***

A must-have for dreamers and those who rock them to sleep! The latest from Canadian publishing house The Secret Mountain is one of the best lullabye/naptime CDs you'll ever hear, and for several reasons: The performances, songwriting, and production on Down at the Sea Hotel are worthy of any grownup album...no shortcuts were taken here just because it's a kids' CD.

A gaggle of stellar singers and musicians from Minnesota's roots rock label Red House Records convened to record quiet songs written by the likes of Nanci Griffith, Tom Waits, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Neil Young, Billy Joel, Goffin & King, Bruce Cockburn, Jesse Winchester, Don Henley, and Steve Earle. The whole project gets its warm, rich, deep sound from producer Paul Campagne, who makes sure each voice and instrument get their own space.

There are two ways to enjoy this collection of tunes for beddiebye-time: As a picture book/CD package, illustrated by Mireille Levert's amusingly fantastical paintings, and featuring Greg Brown's "Down at the Sea Hotel"; or as a digipac CD. Throw this one in the stereo on a drowsy afternoon, or read the picture book with your little one as the title song plays in the background. High quality on all fronts!

2 comments:

andrew said...

like the blog - i am a primary school teacher and am just about to have my first child so have developed interest in childrens music that doesnt drive you mad.
you have probably heard these but thought you might like:
songs for the young at heart compiled by the tindersticks and featuring jarvis cocker, cerrys matthews, kurt wagner, bonnie prince billy and others which comes in a nice board book with the lion and albert story.
also interesting is colours are brighter compilation with tracks by: Four tet,Franz Ferdinand, Snow Patrol, The Divine Comedy, The Kooks,Half Man Half Biscuit,Belle and Sebastian, Kathryn Williams and the Flaming Lips. seems pop stars are all cashing in now they are having kids of their own.
keep up the good work

Music Eloquence said...

I like your blog. I also like the content from Andrew (above). Thanks and I hope you update regularly. =) I am going to add you as one of my blog links.

-Von