Search - Antonio Vivaldi, Maurice Ravel, Ralph Vaughan Williams :: Bedtime Beats: The Secret to Sleep

I Haven't Heard the Second Half Yet..........

Thomas D. Ryan | New York | 10/06/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Usually, when I write a review, I like to let the songs play in the background, hoping that it will inspire me to some new revelation as I write. In this instance, though, I can't risk it; every single time I play either disk from this two-disk set, I start to drift off. I'm not kidding! For insomniacs, this collection could work better than Sominex. My normal procedure for any review is to listen straight through every note of music at least once, and then listen twice more, emphasizing the bits that made the deepest impression. Nearly a month ago, I thought I would do just that, but this disk threw that methodology right out of the window. For three weeks, I listened to this collection at home, at night, in the environment that it is intended for - my bedroom. For three weeks straight, I fell asleep before track five...

How can I write a responsible review if I can't even stay conscious while listening? Determined to do the right thing, it occurred to me that maybe I should alter the environment. For instance, I could listen to "Bedtime Beats" while driving, but there's no way that I'd risk it. If the potency of the formula carried over, I could kill somebody, so here is all I can tell you about "Bedroom Beats - The Secret to Sleep";

1) The title is really stupid. There is nothing resembling a `beat' anywhere on this collection (or at least not on the first four tracks). Percussion players need not apply. Some tracks barely have a `tempo'.

2) The first four tracks on either disk vary from entrancing (an excerpt from "Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major" and Debussy's "The Girl with the Flaxen Hair") to corny (Vaughn Williams' "Fantasia on Greensleeves."

3) It works. The stated intention of the collection is to promote rest, and I can personally vouch for its validity in that regard. As for the quality of the music on this collection, though, you'll have to ask someone else. ...Yawn.....

B Tom Ryan"

Not as tasty as Merlot...

Laurie Eckhout | Juneau, AK USA | 09/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...but it doesn't come with the unpleasant side effects either!!

Seriously, this product arrived during a particularly stressful week, so I didn't think it would be very effective under the circumstances. I was wrong. First off, don't let the "beat" aspect deter you. It does not mean there is an odd, new-age, techno rhythm inserted into these beautiful classics. The "beats" are inherent to how the music is played, so you are not getting hit over the head with a separate, strumming sound. I leave the science of all this to those who created it. What is apparent is that the pieces chosen for this set of 2-CD's are amazingly lovely. Sort of a "best hits" in their genre, in my opinion.



But the real question is: "Does it help you sleep?" YES!! Beside the pure listening pleasure, I noticed right away my breathing pattern calmed, even when mind-juggling those things that were determined to keep me awake. In a short while I was able to relax enough to the point of focusing on the music and a sense of calm, not the stresses du jour. A feat that normally calls for a glass (or two) of Merlot. It goes without saying, one cannot (well, should not) frequently rely on the Merlot-method as a sleep aid. :o)



No unpleasant side-effects here! It really does make a difference in getting to sleep and sleeping better. AND the music is sublime.



It is going to be my main gift giving product for the upcoming holiday season.



I Highly recommend this!!



Regards,

Laurie"

It works!

Emilie A. Bolan | 09/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you wonder does the CD work - it certainly does. I don't think I got through the 3d selection before I was asleep. It certainly is relaxing."