If you're a regular around these parts, you'll know we try to present an alternative suggestion to the usual Christmas cash cows every year. In 2002 we suggested Low's beautifully minimal "Christmas" and last year Viper came up with the wonderfully heartwarming r'n'b selection "Papa Ain't No Santa Claus, Mama Ain't No Christmas Tree". This year we're providing an evern more unlikely idea for those of you with small children. And it's for charity, so take that "Band Aid 20".
"Lullaby" is basically what is says on the tin. It's a collection of familiar lullabies and nursery rhymes presented in a style that's soporific, pretty and sometimes quite melancholy. Its' sung beautifully by Zero 7 vocalist SOPHIE BARKER and produced by KK (Brian Eno, Bjork and, er, Dido) who also helps create a series of alternative and usually soothingly effective musical backdrops.
Anyone over about six months old will be familiar with the tunes, but certainly it's diffcult to dispute the beauty of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" (resplendent with minimalist beats and twinkly, Joanna Newsom-style harp) or the lovely, woodwind-assisted swirl of "Baa Baa Black Sheep". Having said that, this writer's always harboured a sneaky liking for "Row Your Boat", and this one - along with the exquisite "Brahms Lullaby" and the blissfully hymnal closing "Silent Night" are probably the best things here. Mind you, The Only Ones used to do a nicely shaky version of this latter back in the day. So there.
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Your reviewer only has a promo copy, but the official release includes a hard-backed 16-page book designed to fit on a child's bookshelf. This will include original illustrations and the song-words for children (and their parents) to read and sing-along to. It'll also be the first part of a collectable box-set of CDS for children called The Rainbow Collections. A goodly proportion of the proceeds will be donated to children's charities. Hurrah!
So, in terms of doing it for the kids (literally) "Lullaby" is a success and one you might find yourself using your offspring as an excuse to turn to for personal enjoyment on the quiet. Your reviewer would suggest it's a more creative vehicle for Sophie than the terminally dull Zero 7 into the bargain. Just another suggestion.
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