​Dena Taylor

02/03/15: NeuFutur Magazine, James McQuiston:

 

The CD, Lullabies, began as a way of answering the many requests that jazz vocalist Dena Taylor received asking that she turn her voice toward a CD of lullabies. It was during the recording sessions of the CD that it became the basic support system for a charity Dena created following the abuse and subsequent death of a 3 year old toddler. That charity is The Lullaby Project dedicated to getting the comforting and loving sounds of lullabies into the ears of children who have been traumatized by abuse, illness or family crisis.

The music itself is touching, with Taylor’s unparalleled vocals breathing new life into classic songs. The tracks are further bolstered through a production and overall instrumentation that allows for a calm and cozy feeling to issue forth, without too much in the way of startling or otherwise jarring noises.

There are a number of classic lullabies that have been laid down by Taylor; the list includes Lullaby (Goodnight My Angel), You Are My Sunshine, and Brahms’ Lullaby. Other tracks delve deeper into the corpus of sedate, child-focused music; All the Pretty Little Ponies, Make You Feel My Love, and Dormi Dormi Dormi work well in tandem with the more noticeable tracks. We at NeuFutur loved An Irish Lullaby (Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra); there is a complexity to the instrumental arrangements that is provided additional depth when Taylor’s vocals pull double duty as lyrics-bearer and as another melody weaved into the overall fabric of the composition.

To listen to or purchase Lullabies, visit: www.denataylor.info/musicstore A dedicated portion of each sale, both digital and Limited Edition CD, through Taylor’s website will go into The Lullaby Project.

To learn more about The Lullaby Project, visit: www.denataylor.info/lullabies Not only will you learn all about it but you’ll have the opportunity to help support the charity through a link to the project’s GoFundMe account. What funds aren’t used to purchase the MP3 players that will be given to the children for whom the charity was created will be donated to a 501.c.3 organization focused on child abuse. The first donation recipient will be Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

Top Tracks: An Irish Lullaby (Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra), My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean

 

 

Pre-release Review (01/03/15) - Bree Noble, Women of Substance Radio

 

"Lullabies is an Americana/Folk project that incorporates lullabies from different cultures, traditions and eras. The songs take listeners on a journey around the world with selections like "The Irish Lullaby (Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra)" and "Dormi Dormi Dormi." Then there are those songs that conjure up memories of childhood bedtime rituals like "Jesus Loves Me" and "Brahms' Lullaby."

 

Dena clearly had a specific vision for the sound and "feel" of the project which she realized through the use of simple and immaculate instrumentation. Her choices were meticulous, from the elegant addition of cello and flute on some tracks to the cultured mandolin on "Dormi, Dormi, Dormi."

 

Listening to the sweet and comforting tones of Dena's vocals creates a sense of calm and relaxation that reminds me of swinging on my front porch with my baby in my arms. This lullabies album leaves no stone unturned including Americana classics like "All The Pretty Little Ponies" and more modern classics like Billy Joel's "Lullaby (Goodnight My Angel)." Dena makes an additionally brilliant choice by including Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love" which is traditionally considered a love song but works beautifully as a lullaby. This collection is a wonderfully soothing experience for children and adults alike."