Music Review: Rockabye Baby - More Lullaby Renditions of The Beatles

Parents who enjoy rock and want to pass that love onto their little ones will enjoy Rockabye Baby's latest in its rock lullaby series, More Lullaby Renditions of The Beatles. Using bells, mellotron, glockenspiel, harps, and other "gentle sounds," as the liner notes state, performer Mike Baiardi soothes babies with his mellow renditions of Beatles classics.

Obvious choices include "Golden Slumbers," as well as kid-friendly tunes such as "Octopus's Garden" and "Yellow Submarine." But Baiardi also offers cheerful versions of "All You Need Is Love" and "Good Day Sunshine." The mellotron-enhanced "I Want to Hold Your Hand" will make adults smile, and the lovely melody of "In My Life" shines through in its lullaby incarnation. The gentle notes manage to enhance "Penny Lane's" jaunty quality. Other lullabies include "All My Loving," which features ticking clock-like percussion. "Hello Goodbye" also fares well, even without the bass-driven beat of the original.

Perhaps the most unusual inclusion is "Dear Prudence," a track off the White Album. Written while in India, John Lennon penned it for Mia Farrow's sister, Prudence, who along with The Beatles was studying under the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Baiardi successfully transforms it from a heavy rocker to a lovely, soothing ballad.

The charming CD packaging includes space to write down your little rocker's statistics, such as birthday and favorite foods. Want an accompanying mobile for the crib? Simply cut out the figures provided in the CD booklet. In addition, the cover art—teddy bears reenacting some of the Beatles best-known album covers—enchants adults and children.

Rockabye Baby has already earned a reputation for translating well-known rock songs into infant-friendly tunes. Past CDs have featured artists such as The Beach Boys, Eagles, Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, U2, Green Day, Ramones, Metallica, Radiohead, Coldplay, No Doubt, Bjork, Tool, Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins, AC/DC, the Cure, and the Pixies. The label previously released another collection of Beatles lullabies in 2007, and this sequel is just as satisfying.

Rock enthusiasts who wish to pass on their love of music to their children should add More Lullaby Renditions of The Beatles to their libraries. It ultimately soothes babies and their tired parents with gentle, beautiful sounds and timeless songs.

For more information, visit Rockabye Baby's website and humorous blog.

Article Author: Kit O'Toole

Kit O'Toole is a lifelong music enthusiast who maintains a music blog, Listen to the Band. In addition, she is the internet columnist and a contributing editor for Beatlefan magazine. She also holds an Ed.D. in Instructional Technology.

Visit Kit O'Toole's author page — Kit O'Toole's Blog