Lullabies with Kind Messages

My grandfather sent me a letter when I was born. It has immense sentimental value to me, and has supported my sense of self worth at times of low ebb. In that frame of heart, I was considering new musical projects, so it occurred to me that lullabies with kind messages might counter some of the prevailing xenophobic environment, where they would be acting as a sort of protective talisman. They are my spells or wards, in a sense… my apotropaic magic… my love for the extended family of children in my life.

When my eldest son was really little, as a bedtime ritual (in addition to stories), we used to sing songs from Return to Pooh Corner. For my younger son, his mom (who has a gorgeous and devotedly trained singing voice, as her mom did) used to sing songs like, “You are my Sunshine,” and I would sort of sing along with her (with my amateur voice). It helped him to fall asleep. My daughter (who also has a lovely, accomplished voice) will no doubt sing often to her child, who (from the perspective of spring 2025) will be arriving not long from now… which is the person for whom I have started this album with lyrics of loving welcome.

The music has some substantial bass, as I suspect that a vibroacoustic soak will be pleasant for the intended audience.

Please keep in mind that my hearing is impaired. There could be streaks of high-pitched screeching in some of these songs that I would simply be unable notice, even after the judicious use of gates and filters (plus a careful eye on the waveforms). I am, however, sensitive to clicks and other such artifacts, and I believe that all of those have been repaired; furthermore, with the soft styles of these voices, given their intimate closeness to the virtual mic, there was a whole lot of popping. I treated each such instance individually to ameliorate the little disruptive shocks in the smoothness. Some of this repair required that waveforms be hand drawn.

In short, there is substantial attention to detail… as long as I could perceive that information.

When presented in album order, the messages of the individual songs can be concatenated into the following narrative (which gets increasingly soporific in style as it goes along… I am challenged to stay awake through the whole set, which is one purpose):

Love Abides: Welcome home. Welcome to the family. We perceive friends and loved ones, not strangers.

The Dreaming Tree: Dreams are also filled with friends (of all sorts).

Train Ride to Dreamland: Ymagination can be dreamed in the company of loved ones.

Listen to the Whoa: We listen. Listening is loving.

Ymagine Equity: Love comes in all forms. We are privileged to befriend everyone.

Smooth and Blue: Music summons wonder. (Also, jazz embodies openness. Just sayin’.)

Lull-a-Bye Baby: But what type(s) of music (and openness) will be your favorite?

And Then…: Sometimes life is a story leading to a story leading to a story... 

Velvet Whisper Pony Song: ...like this story (of friends in dreams).

Float on Down: Sometimes those stories move smoothly down into relaxation.

Slow and Sleep: But life always just keeps moving... even when that motion is nice and slow.

Dreamy Whispers: Sometimes that motion is “down and slow,” gracefully dampening in oscillation.

All of the lyrics (and album covers) are gathered in one document.

Welcome to peaceful sleep, children, and an open life. You are always loved, I promise.. just as I was.

So I dearly hope that this brings you love, and a sense of home and safety.