Customer Reviews

Down at the Sea Hotel

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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?

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!

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.

This terrific album has replaced my toddler daughter's personalized lullaby album - she requests it every night and for naps. It is relaxing and a little bit folksy - it is my new favorite baby gift!

This was really western music. I liked one song I had heard, but the rest,to me, were not what I had in mind for a child.

Our daughter, now 3 months old, has been soothed by this CD from birth. The singers are all have beautiful relaxed voices, and the audio quality is superb. What's great is that adults can listen to it over and over without it getting tedious, unlike with many childrens' CD's. It's beautiful music, with top-notch folk singers, like Lucy Kaplansky and Guy Davis. It has become our favorite gift to other new parents like us.

Played this at a baby shower I hosted, was well-recieved by tots and adults alike. Has a nice folksy sound.