Music Review:Oh come all ye Christmas Albums!

It's the third week before Christmas. How's everyone doing? ( I got most of my shopping done, now have to wrap gifts, get the tree up, and make cookies. And hopefully my sister and the cat will make it home for the holidays.)

One of the biggest part of the holiday season, besides reading The Night before Christmas or watching the holidays specials and movies ( Hallmark Channel has the best movies for the holiday season, and this weekend is It's A Wonderful Life on NBC) is holiday music, whether by the radio stations or CD. Some of us may prefer sacred, traditional carols like " Silent Night" or golden standards by Crosby, Williams, or Como. Some of us may prefer popular artists like Mariah or Kenny G. And some of us may prefer the wacky and wonderful ( like this year's oddity, Duck the Halls from the cast of Duck Dynasty.)

For this blog entry, I decided to list a few of my  holiday CDs I have used for programs ( or owned), both from children's and the regular AV dept (and don't worry, they stay out all year around , so if you need a little Christmas in March or July, go ahead.) Most tend to repeat songs ( I think everyone seems to favor covering " The Christmas Song", " White Christmas", " Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and most recently, Joni Mitchell's " River"), so I decided to list the album by type of music to expect, some songs, and similar albums. Enjoy.
(Note- Bold means regular AV)

• Radio Disney Holiday Jams-Various Artists: Kid-friendly holiday songs from Disney's radio station ( which in the Midwest is 1300 AM, but very hard to get). Features "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by Jackson 5, " Jingle Bells" by the Barking Dogs, and " Last Christmas" by Doctor Who star Billie Piper ( apparently was a teen pop star before TV and film). Similar albums: Radio Disney Jingle Jams Volumes 1 and 2, Disney Channel Holiday Playlist,  Disney Channel Holiday
• Phineas and Ferb Holiday Favorites-Various Artists: Holiday songs from the characters of Phineas and Ferb . Features original songs like " I Really Don't like Christmas" and "That Christmas Feeling" plus holiday classics like " Let it Snow" . Similar albums- see  the suggestions of  Radio Disney Holiday Jams
•  Now That's What I Call Christmas series-Various Artists: Holiday completion albums from the Now That's What I call Music series. Currently there are about seven ( including one that is all songs by country-western artists.) Mixture of holiday songs from the past to today, most tend to repeat tracks. Similar albums-A Very Special Christmas, Time-Life Treasury of Christmas Songs, Ultimate Christmas, Let it Snow, Hotel Cafe presents Winter Songs
• Cool December -Various Artists: Winter, non-Christmas songs from artists of the 40s-60s. Includes " Let it Snow " by Doris Day and "Warm December" by Julie London. Great use for programs involving winter and/or snowmen. Similar albums-In the Christmas Mood-Glenn Miller, Snowfall-Tony Bennett,Christmas Classics
• Polar Express Original Motion Soundtrack-Various Artists: Music from the 2004 animated movie. Includes original songs like "Believe" and " Hot Chocolate" plus classic Christmas songs and score by Alan Silvestr. Similar Albums: Love Actually soundtrack, Elf soundtrack, A Very Ally McBeal Christmas,  Nick at Night's Classic Cartoon Christmas, Glee Christmas 1-3
•  40 Years--A Charlie Brown Christmas-Various Artists: Jazzy anniversary tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas, featuring artists like Vanessa L. Williams, Toni Braxton, and Dave Koz. Similar albums: December Makes Me this Way by Dave Koz, any Kenny G holiday album, any Harry Connick Jr. holiday album,  Christmas by Michael Buble, The Season by Jane Monhait
• Noel-Josh Groban: Pop-classical artist, features mix of original and classic Christmas songs, such as " I'll be Home for Christmas ( which features holiday messages from soldiers stationed overseas). Similar albums: My Christmas by Andrea Bocelli, These are the Special Times by Celine Dion, The Gift  by Susan Boyle
• The Ultimate Relaxation Christmas Album-Various Artists: Instrumental, relaxing mix of sacred and secular Christmas music. Similar Albums:  Ultimate Relaxation Christmas Album 2,  A Windham Hill Christmas,any Mannheim Steamroller holiday album
• December-Kenny Loggins: Very gentle Christmas album from 70s'-80s' singer/songwriter Loggins (who's first solo single in 1978 " Celebrate Me Home" has over the years become a unofficial holiday tune.) Features original and classic Christmas songs, such as " White Christmas" and " Walking in the Air". Similar Albums: Wintersong by Sarah McLachlan, James Taylor at Christmas by James Taylor, Christmas Spirit by Richard Marx
• Dr. Demento Presents the Greatest Christmas Novelty Album of All Time-Various Artists: For those looking for an offbeat Christmas, this is a good album to go with ( and clean!) Contains favorite novelty songs like " I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" " The Chipmunk Song" and "Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer. Similar Albums: Grandma Got Ran Over by A Reindeer by Dr. Elmo, Twisted Christmas by Twisted Sister, Meowy Christmas by The Jingle Cats, Holidays in Dementia, and Duck The Halls by the Robertson Family.

I would list more, but then this post would never end. So instead I'm going to end with a fun tune off the the Phineas and Ferb Christmas album, " Let It Snow" . Enjoy!
 












Happy Holidays and keep the tunes going!

Music Review-Lullaby Round-up ( Part 3)

This is week six of Dream Big-Read. We still have about 3 ( or 2 1/2 half ) weeks of programs and turning in books for prizes ( today's program-Midnight on the Moon, 4 pm, for grades K-5.)

Back in June, I started a few reviews of lullaby CDs the library has to offer. For this final entry, I decided to list a few CDs with traditional lullabies, along with a list of instrumental CDs ( some in children's, some in the regular AV section, along with what kind of music is featured) I'm also listening a few keywords for searching our catalog  for  these and other CDs.

Again, anything in bold is regular AV.

Traditional lullaby songs:

• Quiet Time-Raffi
• Lullaby-Jewel
• Deliah presents Heartwarming Songs of a Parent's Love-Various Artists
• Barney's Sleepytime Songs-Barney
• Wee Sing for Baby ( Note-This CD comes with a song book.)
• Lullaby Themes for Sleepy Dreams- Susie Tallman

Instrumental Music

•  Baby Einstein series ( Classical music, music-box style)
• Kids Classic series ( Classical music, piano)
• Sleep Well ( New age, relaxation)
• Natural Sleep Inducement (New Age, relaxation, nature sounds)
•  Rockabye Baby series( Pop/rock music, music-box style)
• Love Songs and Lullabies-Jim Brickman ( Piano music, some vocal)
• Wish Upon a Star:a tribute to the music of Walt Disney-Jenny Oaks Baker ( Disney music, classical style featuring violin)

 Keywords to  for searching:
-Children's songs-Juvenile sound recording
-Lullabies-Juvenile sound recording
-Lullabies
-New Age music
-Music for relaxation-Sound recording
-Piano music
-Classical music, arranged
-Instrumental music-Juvenile sound recording

Keep the tunes going, enjoy the golden slumbers.

Music Review- Lullaby Round-up ( Part 2)

In last week's entry of   lullaby CD reviews, I mentioned children albums from Kenny Loggins, Jewel, and two CDs from the  Rockabye Baby series. In this entry, we have a jazz singer/actor, a collection of singing actors, and a folk singer who has the nickname "Lady Lullaby".
Again, anything in bold can be found in the regular AV section.

Songs I Heard ( Harry Connick Jr.)-Released in 2001, Connick sings songs from movies of his childhood , such as Wizard of Oz  and Sound of Music, in a  jazzy-New Orleans style.  Fun, fun, will have you  wanting to sing these songs ( and see the movies) over and over.
Favorite Track(s)- From Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, two clever mash-up tracks- " Pure Imagination/Candy Man" and " Golden Ticket/ I Want it Now" . Also good is " Maybe" from Annie.
Songs I Heard ***** ( 5 stars)

Unexpected Dreams ( Various Artists)-This one I am mixed about recommending. Released in 2006 to benefit the educational program " Music Matters", it features 15 stars of stage and screen singing non-traditional lullabies. Some stars, like Jeremy Irons and Tarji  Henson, are quite good. Others, like Marissa Winokur and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, not so good ( yes I know Winokur is a Broadway singer, but the song she sings on this CD is not great.) With this one, I would say get out of curiosity and then decide if you want to use as a lullaby CD.
Favorite Track(s)-Who knew the likes of Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Garner would have amazing singing voices? Johansson's version of " Summertime" is really amazing, as is Garner singing " My Heart is So Full of You."  Also amazing is  Irons's bluegrass-like take on Bob Dylan's " To Make You Feel My Love."
Unexpected Dreams-*** ( 3 stars)

Midnight Lullaby (Jane Roman Pitt)- I'm not familiar with this  independent folk singer/songwriter, but according to her website, Pitt started playing guitar at 15 and has a degree in music history and composition. On this album, she performs songs from Sade, Bob Dylan, and other well-known artists ( plus two original songs) as soothing, sweet-sounding lullabies. Vocal-wise, she reminds me of Judy Collins or Joni Mitchell, and I recommended this CD for those who do want to use nursery or traditional lullabies for going to sleep.
Favorite Track(s)- At the close of  the album, she combines two Beatles songs into one: "Golden Slumbers" and "Goodnight" ( and they fit perfectly together).
**** ( 4 stars)

I have one more entry planned, some recommendation of  instrumental CDs, coming soon.As for any future CD reviews, wait and see.

Keep the tunes going

Music Review-Lullaby Round-up (Part 1)

For the blog's first music review( or in this case, reviews) , I've been listening to various lullaby CDs of the children's and AV department to use as background music for my programs ( since this summer's theme is "Dream  Big-Read!" In fact, I have found so many good ones that I have to divide this entry into two, possibly three parts). However, I know there are some parents that may tire of hear Barney, Mickey, and the odd but hip Yo Gabba Gabba ( especially if they have listened to them all day. I know my parents did, so they would play Perry Como records to lull me to sleep). So here is part one  of  some reviews of a few CDs worth falling asleep ( perfect for little ones and their parents and even adults who do not have kids.)

Note- Any title in bold can found in the regular AV section.

Return to Pooh Corner and More Songs from Pooh Corner( Kenny Loggins)- Known in the 80s' for providing songs for the movies Footloose and Top Gun, Loggins, who is a father of five,  released Pooh Corner in 1994.  The songs range from traditional lullabies ( " All the Pretty Little Ponies","To-Ra-Loo-Ra") to  contemporary songs like " Rainbow Connection" and the John Lennon classic " Love ." A second album, More Songs from Pooh Corner, was released in 1998 and features " You'll be in My Heart", " Inchworm" and " Beauty and the Beast".
Favorite track(s)- On Pooh Corner, I like the "Neverland Medley" ( which is a mash-up of " Somewhere Out There, Pure Imagination" and " Never Never Land"). From More Songs, my favorite track is " Baby Mine" from Dumbo( I've tried to use the song a couple of times when I did MGOL for a while, but I usually do one verse before I end up in tears.)
Both Cds-***** ( 5 stars)

The Merry Goes Round(Jewel)-Yes, the gap-toothed Alaskan songtress known for " Who Will Save Your Soul" put out a children's album ( two actually.) Merry is her second album with Fisher Price that came out last year ( haven't had a chance to hear 2009's Lullaby but plan to), and features traditional and original tunes for wee ones. It's a little bouncy than typical lullaby CDs, but it's very sweet and soothing.
Favorite track(s)-"Supermarket Song" ( It's very catchy, and instantly a little cartoon image of a baby in a shopping cart following grocery food popped into my mind). Also good is the dreamy " Just Like Penguins Do."
***** ( 5 stars)

Rockabye Baby series-  For parents that do not feel like playing the traditional lullabies like " Hush Little Baby" and "Rock-a-bye Baby", they should check out this CD series. Rockabye Baby takes the music of popular artists like No Doubt and Coldplay and turns them into music-box sounding lullabies. Last week, I checked out the U2 edition, and currently, I have the lullaby renditions of the Beatles , and both are pretty good. The library has 12 CDs in the series.
The official website is  http://www.rockabyebabymusic.com/.
Favorite track(s)- From U2, I liked "One". As for Beatles, if I had to pick one track, it's " And I Loved Her."
Lullaby Renditions of U2-*** ( 3 stars)
Lullaby Rendtions of Beatles ***** ( 5 stars)

Stay tuned for Part 2.
Keep reading (or in this case, keep the tunes going.)