Hit the Road to Dreamland - Kim Scanlon, Arlen, Harold
The Moon Is Made of Gold - Kim Scanlon, Jones, Richard
Pajamas - Kim Scanlon, Taylor, Livingston
The Inchworm - Kim Scanlon, Loesser, Frank
Memphis in June - Kim Scanlon, Carmichael, Hoagy
Warm Valley - Kim Scanlon, Ellington, Duke
Here I'll Stay - Kim Scanlon, Lerner, Alan Jay
Waters of March (Aguas de Mar?o) - Kim Scanlon, Jobim, Antonio Carl
Over the Rainbow - Kim Scanlon, Arlen, Harold
You Can Close Your Eyes - Kim Scanlon, Taylor, James [1]
Moon River - Kim Scanlon, Mancini, Henry
The Night Will Never Stay - Kim Scanlon, Farjeon, Eleanor
Vocalist Kim Scanlon recorded these 13 familiar tunes while pregnant and so, she says, each is about an "utter devotion" to someone she "had never met." The tunes range across the American popular traditions--from Alec Wil... more »der's "The Starlighter" and "The Night Will Never Stay" to Harold Arlen's "Hit the Road to Dreamland" and "Somewhere over the Rainbow" to Duke Ellington's "Warm Valley"--and they get a subtle swing treatment from Scanlon and her accompanists. Scanlon is blessed with a voice that's gentle enough to sound ideal in the lullaby realm, but it also has enough fiber when kicked up to sound grandly jazzy. Plus, it's a rarity to find someone gutsy enough to sing Jobim's "Waters of March" as a song for children. It works, like each of these songs, in a unique crossover between singer-songwriter folk, swinging small-group jazz, and straightforward lullabies. --Andrew Bartlett« less
Vocalist Kim Scanlon recorded these 13 familiar tunes while pregnant and so, she says, each is about an "utter devotion" to someone she "had never met." The tunes range across the American popular traditions--from Alec Wilder's "The Starlighter" and "The Night Will Never Stay" to Harold Arlen's "Hit the Road to Dreamland" and "Somewhere over the Rainbow" to Duke Ellington's "Warm Valley"--and they get a subtle swing treatment from Scanlon and her accompanists. Scanlon is blessed with a voice that's gentle enough to sound ideal in the lullaby realm, but it also has enough fiber when kicked up to sound grandly jazzy. Plus, it's a rarity to find someone gutsy enough to sing Jobim's "Waters of March" as a song for children. It works, like each of these songs, in a unique crossover between singer-songwriter folk, swinging small-group jazz, and straightforward lullabies. --Andrew Bartlett
"What an excellent CD! We play this for our three week old during feedings and when the baby is falling asleep. We especially liked Kim's rendition of "You Can Close Your Eyes" written by James Taylor. "Pajamas" and "Inchworm" are fun songs to sing along to as well. We would recommend this CD over a "Smart Baby" Classical CD any day!"
Wonderful, luxurious, warm renditions of many old favorites
10/06/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kim Scanlon and a talented group of excellent musicians create exquisite jazzy interpretations of many old classics. My young daughters (6 & 8) love this recording, and so do I! Not to be missed: Moon River; and Somewhere Over the Rainbow; and Pajamas."
My 7 year old daughter is obsessed with this CD
Brimfield | Seattle | 08/07/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This beautiful bouquet of songs has made our hectic morning commute a joy. And I have not fallen asleep at the wheel. My daughter's repeated "again", as the last note of The Waters of March sound, has etched that song forever in both our memories. Kim has a wonderful voice, and the other musicians on the CD are excellent. Thank you for this wonderful recording of gorgeous songs that never condescends. I am buying it for some friends who have children, and a couple others who don't."
A recording of intelligent creativity.
Brimfield | 06/09/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Here is a recording paradoxically simple and complex. Night Songs and Lullabies is an apt title describing the songs, but the title doesn't convey the smooth, lush blend of Scanlon's vocal versatility and her accomplished backup musicians. This album is obviously a labor of love and intelligent creativity. This is not really an album to make one sleepy as belied by the title. It is a work of art that celebrates a part of each one of us that longs for a simpler time in our lives. Each song has individual character and Scanlon pays delightful homage to each. Several of my friends have a copy, and each has a different favorite song. Mine happens to be "Pajamas" because it portrays the safety I used to feel when my mom got me ready for bed. Kim's phrasing in "Hit the Road to Dreamland" makes that song stay with me hours after the stereo is turned off. Anyhow, check this one out. I bet you buy it for a friend."