The la-la-bye CD was created by me, Ruth Schoenheimer, and my friend Neil Kelly. The idea was inspired by another friend, Lina - a childbirth educator and birth attendant - who suggested that I hold workshops to teach lullabies to expecting and new parents. So I wrote "Hush Now", and began researching lullabies from other cultures.
Click here to read Ruth's description of the process used to create these beautiful songs.
THE ARTWORK
The picture on the front cover is an etching made by my son Pascal when he was thirteen. He described it as a picture of "the magic of night-time", and to me it is a perfect visual representation of this CD, evoking both the elemental and ethereal qualities of the songs.
Our good friend Andy Wapling used Pascal's beautiful etching to create the design that is the cover and booklet.
The wonderful website was designed and made by our great and special friend Anna Nicholson. Like counting sheep, if you watch the dancing fish while listening to the lullabies you will find yourself entering somewhat of a hypnotic trance - be warned, it is extremely relaxing!
THE PEOPLE : RUTH SCHOENHEIMER
Ruth has worked for many years in theatre and music, including working with community groups from many diverse cultures. Most recently she composed and conducted songs for a show performed by a 100 voice muti-cultural choir of residents from the Atherton Gardens Commission Flats in Fitzroy.
She has one son, Pascal Babare, now 18, who is also a musician and artist. Together they have a small and affectionate dog named Lady, and a slightly cantankerous cat called Minnie. The la-la-bye CD was rigourously tested, for safety and effectiveness, on both animals, with the following results: when the CD was played, Minnie remained unmoved and inscrutable, as cats do, so nothing useful there. Lady, however, responded by obligingly falling deeply asleep, although it is possible that she was already asleep, as she mostly is at any given time, and simply didn't bother to wake up. In any case, definitely no adverse effects, scientifically proven!
THE PEOPLE : NEIL KELLY
Neil Kelly is a composer and performer with many years experience in both teaching and making music. He taught composition and theory at Latrobe University, plays guitar and bass, composes music for voice and instruments and is currently composer/musical director of the internationally acclaimed group, Slave Pianos.
His recording work includes albums and CDs with many of Australia's finest musicians and artists.
I, (Ruth) can add that Neil owns about 12 different guitars and bass guitars, all of which he plays exquisitely, and, with his wife Helen, he also has one of the cutest babies ever made (except, of course, yours and mine) whose name is Kolya Kelly. Kolya plays a very small guitar and sings a truly mind-stopping interpretation of Hey-di-ho the Elephant, which should definitely one day be available to the public. Neil is a generous and inspiring producer and collaborator, although as yet he has completely refused to sing for me. He does, however, sing along privately with the la-la-bye CD to put Kolya to bed, and reports excellent results.
Neil and Ruth are currently working on ideas for a CD of songs for very small children, with an emphasis on really good music really well played, and melodies and lyrics that communicate uplifting and positive ideas without being condescending or patronising.
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