Golden Slumbers: A Father's Lullaby

1	Blackbird / Dave Koz 3:33
2	Isn't She Lovely / John Stoddart 2:49
3	Charlotte's Song (Adapted from Dvorak) / Peter White 3:43
4	Brahms' Lullaby / Brian Culbertson 3:07
5	You'll Be in My Heart (Kala's Lullaby) / Brad Cole 4:25
6	Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star / Dave Koz 4:06
7	When You Wish Upon a Star / David Benoit 3:22
8	Hush Little Baby / Bruce Watson 2:47
9	Over the Rainbow / Rick Braun 3:00
10	Lullaby for Isabella / Dave Koz 2:49
11	Afro Cuban Lullaby / Bruce Watson 4:06
12	All the Pretty Horses/Scarborough Fair / Brad Cole 3:05
13	You Can Close Your Eyes / Norman Brown 4:25
14	Golden Slumbers / Dave Koz 4:08

Barnes & Noble

Inspired by the birth of his sleep-challenged niece, jazz saxophonist and radio personality Dave Koz launches a new record label with Golden Slumbers: A Father's Lullaby, a charming collection of light jazz songs designed to lull little ones -- and perhaps some not-so-little ones -- into dreamland. The selections include some well-known lullabies, such as "Hush Little Baby," featuring Bruce Watson on keyboards, guitar, and percussion, and "Brahms' Lullaby," which weaves Brian Culbertson's keyboard playing with Hyman Katz's flute lines. Also included are relaxing renditions of timeless classics, such as Rick Braun's flugelhorn-and-keyboard rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," and the dreamy "When You Wish Upon a Star," which teams pianist David Benoit with Koz and his brother Jeff on keyboards and guitar. And what's an album called Golden Slumbers without a Beatles song or two -- in this case the Kozes' sweet renditions of the title song and "Blackbird." The brothers team up with guitarist Norman Brown and vocalist Tim Davis on a tranquil version of James Taylor's "You Can Close Your Eyes," while flutist Steve Kujala, guitarist Grant Geissman, and keyboardist Brad Cole perform a lovingly lilting version of Phil Collins's "You'll Be in My Heart." Fleshing out the disc are a few original songs, including Peter White's sweet "Charlotte's Song" and the Koz brothers' "Lullaby for Isabelle." Most of the songs here are dedicated to and inspired by the performers' children (some of whom make brief vocal appearances), making this dreamy collection both a calming sleep inducer and a unique celebration of the special bond between fathers and their children.

All Music Guide

Take that, snobby straight-ahead jazz purists! Finally, the elite of smooth jazz have put together a project where it would be a compliment to hear that it put you to sleep -- or rather, your children. The mastermind of saxman Dave Koz and his brother, Jeff Koz, and the first release from Koz's Rendezvous Entertainment, this beautifully conceived and crafted recording has two modes: slow and slower. But that's intentional, as many of the genre's new dads (Peter White, Rick Braun, David Benoit) find quietly eloquent ways to lull their babes to sleep via their primary instruments. Some, like Benoit ("When You Wish Upon a Star") and Braun ("Somewhere Over the Rainbow"), pick the tried and true, while others, like White, write their own classic (the graceful, mystical "Charlotte's Song"). The Koz boys also contribute a new piece and bookend the project with soft-hearted soprano sax-driven takes on Beatles classics, including the title track. Perhaps the most unexpected treat is the fairy dusty take on Phil Collins' "You'll Be in My Heart" by flutist Steve Kujala and acoustic guitarist Grant Geissman. Others participating in the brigade of happy dads (and those who play music for and like dads) are Norman Brown, Brian Culbertson, Bruce Watson, and Brad Cole. Parents will be dreaming sweet long after the child is off to slumberland. Jonathan Widran