Month: October 2024

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Jane Norman tries a talky-whispery delivery for her “Christmas Lullaby,” also addressed to Mary.

Michael J Toma also prefers spoken lyrics in “A Lullaby for All.” This declarative folk pop brooks no sneaking and peeking. It’s bedtime.

A quicker rhythm marks Lori O’Toole Buselt (feat. Corinne Levy)’s “Christmas Lullaby.” Counting the Savior’s fingers and toes is precious, but reminding him to do His Dad’s job is pushing it.

Sarah Winter also counts digits, this time to Brahms, in her (sl-ow-er) “Mary’s Lullaby.” Forcing scripture into this rhythm isn’t easy.

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Can i get another holiday in here? The Jewish Wedding Band advises you to close your eyes and gently drift away–so you won’t be sad the eight nights are over! Ritualistic “Low She Lies.”

Perhaps Ryan Miscilak’s more plaintive “Hanukkah Lullaby” suits your mood more for this Jewish observation. The candles are supposed to dispel the darkness, you know.

Not to get all Wiccan on you, but “Winter Solstice Lullaby” might leave out Christ. Jan Garrett + JD Martin unspool Celtic balm to remind us Heathens need sleep, too.

Jackie Oates brings us to the frigid North with “Wexford Carol.” Loolays and bare hollow sounds create an environment that needs soothing.

Claiming to use a music box as backbeat, Grandma Mikie heps the folk harmonies with her “Christmas Lullaby.” A better sing-along than a calming influence.

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Karie Hillary is trying out a deep voice for her “Christmas Lullaby.” Then the flute reminds us how music should be. Off pop.

Lynne & Mike put the gentle in their “Christmas Lullaby.” Wistful and sweet slow pop.

Robbie Williams has a sly sense of humor with his symphonic “Coco’s Christmas Lullaby.” Great dad stuff.

The Hipwaders get sentimental in their “Good Night” song. Retro pop makes it palatable. And it’s for anyone you love, including us old people who have trouble with that anyways.

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KRISTY sings her “Christmas Lullaby” in a tin closet, but her sincerity elevates the crummy recording into elegance.

Slim Whitman yodels at his best in the chilling “Long Ago There was Born.” Brahms has returned.

Gladness presents “A Christmas Lullaby” seemingly as a cleaned up verzh of ‘Fairytale.’ Then the ska sets in and i’m all set. He’s coming home to you–

…and don’t get up ’til morning, warns Jesús Villa with some sassy ol’ time RnR in “A Christmas Lullaby.” Dad seems to have trouble staying awake while tucking you in as well. That’s what i’m talkin’ ’bout.

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A cappella jazz from Flying Pickets dings us the dongs of Christ’s birth in their “Christmas Lullaby.” Groovy as cash for Xmas.

More a cappella from Parry Music, but this “Christmas Lullaby” is ’70s TV variety show material. Woof.

Time for a public service denouncement: Jennifer Hudson headlines the ensemble cast gospel “Hush Child (Get You Through This Silent Night).” Hunger, anger, and fear are not easy to sleep through.

Go to Sleep and dream of Christmas, begins Richard Shelton’s jazzy lounge number “A Christmas Lullaby.” Cool as a jack and soda on ice.

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Kris and the Kringles return us to the thrilling days of kidsong: a metronome and a pretty female vocal. “Christmas Lullaby” counts us down with slow pop.

Rejojice programs Christ into their symphonic slow pop “Christmas Lullaby.” Close your eyes, He is King. You know the drill.

Rocking helps that One who’s in “A Cradle in Bethlehem.” Soft pop from The Lower Lights is nearly hypnotizing.

Weirding me out, however, are The Wizards of Winter skipping the beat and asking us to Fly Away in the strange Carrib recording “Christmas Lullaby.” Is it just me or should children not fly away on Xmas Eve?

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David George and The Crooked Christmas Orchestra squeeze a serious lullaby “Tonight’s Child” from their den of iniquity. Excellent bluesy kidsong.

Tony Martino wants to tell his little one a story in his “Christmas Lullaby.” It’s The Christmas story, but it’s set to early ’60s rock’n’roll. Hep.

Non-English warbling from Dominika Jurczuk-Gondek (Nieznany) tells “The Christmas Lullaby” with discordant pop and protest vocals. This is kidsong?!

Back to the faith, Faith Evans that is. “A Christmas Lullaby” is a smoky, seductive come on with just enough R+B to haunt me.

More mellifluous, Kristin Guerrero sparkles with her “Christmas Lullaby.” It’s all about the manger baby. Easy listening with underlying gospel.

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It’s Jesus we want to sleep that first night, though, right? Tender and mild? He’s a baby! Sleep or Herod’ll find you!

Hark again! John Denver mentions the Nativity when he misses Colorado while in Australia during his countrified “Christmas Like a Lullaby.” Voice like a cherub!

Becca Lee Roberts settles on Dolly as a performing choice in her “Christmas Lullaby.” Country for God. (Spoiler alert: the baby dies as an adult.)

The Statler Brothers set their “Brahms Bethlehem Lullaby” to–well, Brahms. You know the one. But it’s Jesus all the way for them!

The Heffners set their “Christmas Lullaby” in Bethlehem. Lots of harp and harmonizing rounds, so–the full monty of lullaby elements.

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These are starting to sound the same…

David Alley’s brass backup has his “Christmas Lullaby” all brazen and tinkly and cool. But this pop jazz fusion comes on strong for a lullaby.

Amber Cavanaugh blends goth with pop for a more novel “Christmas Lullaby.” A marching syncopation with electronic prodding. Wild stuff.

Loorah Loorah Loorah haunts many of these pieces, including Greg Doolan’s short/sweet “Christmas Lullaby.” Makes a point, though.

So let’s give him an encore (with Susan McRae and Ross Bogaart) serenading our droopy eyes with the somewhat country “Mary and Josep’s Lullaby.” It’s like they are reaching across the millenia to tell you their story.

Ten de Vils describes an actual child (chocolate in his fist) he wants to talk down with a lite pop “Christmas Lullaby.” This one does NOT want to sleep. Ding dang dong.

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Melanie (remember ‘Brand new Key’?) takes us to her dreamworld in her “Christmas Lullaby.” Sardonic pop that asks What price love?

The Gingerbread Boys bribe you to sleep with smoldering voices and slow pop in their “Christmas Lullaby.” They simply cannot wait….

Trade Martin tries to stay awake, but his (Burt Bacharach inspired) “Christmas Lullaby” is just too smooth. Oh, and he’s in love with YOU.

Mary Smith channels THE Mary with “A Christmas Lullaby.” Folk/easy listening that knows harpstrings are heartstrings. Pluck away!