Various Artists - Celebrate Jewish Lullabies 1 / Various

Now the distinguished winner of a Silver Parents' Choice Award, one of the highest honors that can be given to a family product. Guitarist/singer Craig Taubman has gathered together an impressive lineup of musicians for this stunning album of Jewish lullabies for younger children. This is his fifteenth album, and the songs on this CD join traditional Jewish themes and ancient teachings with everyday aspects of contemporary Jewish life. While Taubman only sings two of the fourteen songs (the lovely opening prayer 'Laila Tov,' and the sweet, lyrical 'Angels By My Side,'), he is joined by such musicians as Yael Meyer, the jazzy Pop Ups Band on the hypnotically compelling 'I'm Tired,' and the gorgeous voice of Linda Hirschhorn on the Laura Nyro-like 'Talia's Lullaby.' Other highlights include Marsha Attie's sentimental and charming 'Heart of Mine,' Josh Nelson's acoustic ballad 'Night is Falling Down,' and Saul Kaye's bluesy, Yiddish/English sung 'Shema Lullaby.' As a lullaby album, it achieves the rare feat of being both sleep inducing, yet fascinatingly lovely in it's execution. While many of the songs are certainly specific to Jewish traditions, there is a universality to this set of songs that make it an accessible and enjoyable album for people of all faiths and cultures. Above all, this is an album that both parents, their children and other family members will want to relax to, time and time again. -Lahri Bond ©2011 Parents' Choice.

1) Laila Tov (Craig Taubman) - Craig Taubman
2) Tiny Nose (Yael Meyer) - Yael Meyer
3) I'm Tired (The Pop Ups) - the Pop Ups
4) Talia's Lullaby (Linda Hirschhorn) - Linda Hirschhorn
5) B'yado (David Paskin) - David Paskin
6) Heart of Mine (Marsha Attie) - Marsha Attie
7) Fading Light (Noah Aronson) - Noah Aronson
8) Dream Again (Moshav) - Moshav
9) Night Is Falling Down (Josh Nelson) - Josh Nelson
10) Sleep Baby Sleep (Aviva Chernick) - Aviva Chernick
11) Angels By My Side (Craig Taubman) - Craig Taubman
12) Hashkivenu (Elana Jagoda) - Elana Jagoda
13) Shema Lullaby (Saul Kaye) - Saul Kaye
14) Lullaby (David Broza and Elizabeth Bishop) - David Broza