Category Archives: Reviews

Grenadilla, "Can't Wait"

CD Review: Grenadilla, “Can’t Wait”

Grenadilla, "Can't Wait"

Like any good parent, I’ve taken thousands of snapshots of my kids, but there’s one particular picture of my daughter that always makes me smile. It captures her mid-swing on the playground, head tilted back toward the sun, with a look of absolute, unbridled, carefree joy on her face. For me, that look represents the perfect grace of the childlike spirit: the ability to uncouple from whatever worries are weighing us down and simply be happy. It’s also the best way I know how to describe Grenadilla’s music — I mean, these songs just sound like giddy motion, warm sunlight, and laughter.

Of course, when your band makes liberal use of the pennywhistle — and has been gifted with a frontwoman whose voice is as carefree-sounding as Debbie Lan’s — you’re going to make happy-sounding songs even if you’re trying to be emo. But that doesn’t take away from the addictive pleasure of Grenadilla’s music, including its newly released second album, Can’t Wait.

Produced by Dog on Fleas member (and longtime Dadnabbit hero) Dean Jones, Can’t Wait fleshes out the Grenadilla sound without tinkering with anything too much — the album adds a few new colors to the band’s sonic palette, but they’re relatively subtle; a horn section here, handclaps there. That sort of thing. The most crucial ingredients — the band’s lovely harmonies and the Capetown flavors in Lan’s arrangements — remain front and center.

Can’t Wait also delivers another solid, sprightly set of songs — 14 tracks, weighing in at a breezy 30 minutes and change, with titles like “Exactly Where I Want to Be,” “Oh Sing a Song to the Sun,” “Smiling,” and “Sunday Afternoon.” Doesn’t just reading those make you a little happier? Listening to them will finish the job.

Can’t Wait is available now from your favorite digital retailer. Listen to samples at Amazon and order your copy today.

CD Review: Áine Minogue – Close Your Eyes, Love – Lullabies Of The Celtic Lands

It must be ‘Anti-Rockabye Baby’ week here at Dadnabbit. I suggested not listening to their CDs in this lullaby album review and Jeff took them to task in another post. So we follow that up with a review of another lullaby cd not named Rockabye Baby.

Áine Minogue is a Irish harpist and singer who just released a new album Close Your Eyes, Love – Lullabies Of The Celtic Lands. While some might believe that all harp music is lullaby music, this is her first album made specifically with children in mind. Since I’m a sucker for all things Irish, and tomorrow is St.

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Patrick’s Day, this was an easy album to review.

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The album consists of mainly traditional Irish Lullabies with a couple original lullabies written by Áine included.

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The album also features numerous guests, including Seamus Egan, who is featured on the Instrumental Dreamland album.

Although the album is 47 minutes long, you might struggle reaching the end of the CD. Not because it’s not good, but you’ll be asleep before the album is over. But, that’s the point of a successful lullaby CD, right?

If you’re a fan of Irish music and have a little one in the house, Close Your Eyes, Love – Lullabies Of The Celtic Lands will be a fine addition to your collection.

For more information and liner notes on all the songs, visit Áine’s website here.

Tracklist
1. Take Time To Thrive
2. William’s Lullaby
3.  Slumber My Darling
4.  Close Your Eyes, Love
5.  Dún Do Shúil  (Close Your Eyes)
6.  Mary’s Lullaby
7.  Gartan Mother’s Lullaby
8.  The Ashgrove
9.  Suo Gan  (Welsh Lullaby) Theme from “Emperor Of the Sun”
10.  I Am Asleep

CD Review: Putumayo Kids Presents – Instrumental Dreamland

After numerous years of releasing quality musical for children, you pretty much know what you’re getting with each Putumayo Kids album release. The latest from Putumayo Kids: Instrumental Dreamland, is no exception. This is the sixth album from the Dreamland series and first that is all instrumentals.

As with most Putumayo records, the album features music from all over the world. From Ireland (“The Lark,” Seamus Egan), to Japan (“Lullaby,” Masahiro Nitta), to Brazil (“O Filho Que Eu Quero Ter,” Reginaldo Frazatto, Jr.),  Mali (“Kouyate,” Balla Tounkara), as well as several others from the United States.

So take a break from those Rockabye Baby albums and give this one a spin as the day is coming to a close. It’s a great opportunity to unwind with your child as you prepare for bed time.

Listen to the Damien Erwin version of ‘What A Wonderful World’