Lullaby on Staten Island

Each new lullaby project has a Soundcloud debut, and that is true of the songs that just got created with NY Foundling and artists from Carnegie Hall. As soon as the new lullabies are posted, I grab some headphones and make my way through the playlist. This project was anchored by the Biddies (Saskia Lane, Deidre Rodman Struck & Lee Ann Westover), and augmented by Daniel Linden, Clay Ross, and Mazz Swift. They're all terrific. If you don't believe me, listen for yourself. I was especially taken by two of the songs, each for different reasons. Track #4 "Georgie's Song" by Ana is the kind of up-close silly talk that might only happen between a parent and a baby, and some of the rhymes are priceless. The chorus: "I'll be there for you/You''ll be there for me/We're a family," provides the reassurance. The fun is in little parallels, like "You dance around in your underwear/You can sleep all day like a winter bear." And more. I love hearing the vocal combo of Clay Ross and Mazz Swift, practiced from their work in Matuto -- it's 2 minutes of ease and bliss.

Track #5 is by Oumu. Lee Ann Westover takes the lead vocals, and it is beautiful. Sounds like there is French and English and either another language or dialect. It opens with some lovely snapping, in sweet little groups of three. By the end of the track, the whole crew of artists finds its way into the vocals, and no matter what language it is, you cannot help but feel the love. 

The report from our friends on the Carnegie staff was that this was a challenging project to carry out. No matter. I am consistently amazed at how the lullaby artists find the beauty and spirit in every song.