Down at the Sea Hotel [Enhanced]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 23, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Secret Mountain
• ASIN: B000VKL0D0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,796 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

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, Carole King, Bruce Cockburn, Jesse Winchester, Don Henley, and Steve Earle. The whimsical title track is penned by Greg Brown and performed by all of the singers. The whole project has a warm, rich, soulful sound.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for kids: Gorgeous lullabies and a delicious taste of Wailin' Jennys 3.0, October 27, 2007

By 

J. Weber (Washington State USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Down at the Sea Hotel (Audio CD)

This enhanced CD is the paperless version of a project that includes both a picture-book for kids, and a 14-song CD that will be enjoyed not just by the kids, but by their parents and grandparents as well.

The book, which is included in the CD as a printable .pdf file, features beautifully whimsical illustrations by Mireille Levert, inspired by the lyrics of a Greg Brown lullaby. (The book is also available in traditional hard-cover format, with a copy of the CD included.) But the real gem is the music: lesser-known lullabies written by well-known contemporary songwriters and performed by top musicians of Red House Records.

The recording will be of special interest to fans of The Wailin' Jennys. It's the first CD with the Jennys' new lineup, which now includes Heather Masse (the group's third alto) and instrumentalist Jeremy Penner, who in early 2007 joined the founding members, soprano Ruth Moody and mezzo Nicky Mehta.

Even in an album full of lovely songs, the two performed by the Jennys stand out. With sparse, beautifully arranged instrumentation, their vocals shine. Masse sings lead on Neil Young's "Barefoot Floors," while Mehta takes the lead on "Trick Rider" by Gord Downie. Both songs feature the Jennys' signature exquisite harmonies. The Jennys also join all of the other singers on the opening and closing cuts. The closing, "Nothing But a Child" by Steve Earle, may well be the prettiest Christmas song you'll hear the entire holiday season.

The project is dedicate to the memory of Bob Feldman, the well-beloved founder of Red House Records. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Breast Cancer Fund, an organization dedicated to eliminating the environmental causes of breast cancer.

So what you have here is a CD that is full of gorgeous music for adults and kids alike, plus the digital version of a delightful picture-book, all supporting a good cause. How can you miss with that?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful CD!, November 5, 2009

By 

Angilan - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Down at the Sea Hotel (Audio CD)

We purchased this CD for our daughter to listen to at bedtime. The music is wonderful- not like some typical sickeningly syrupy sweet lullaby CDs. She enjoys listening to it (calms right down!) and it is nice for mom and dad too!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent CD...Good Alternative to Lullabies, June 17, 2009

By 

Gypsybaker (Wellington, FL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Down at the Sea Hotel (Audio CD)

I liked the CD that came with the book by the same name...so, I bought one for myself. The compositions are really thoughtful and the melodies are soothing.