Thursday , March 28 2024
Rockabye Baby!'s Lullaby Renditions of The White Stripes is a weird, yet strangely enjoyable instrumental CD for little ones.

Music Review: Rockabye Baby! – Lullaby Renditions of The White Stripes

If you are a parent of a baby or toddler and you love rock music, you may sometimes want a break from traditional lullabies. That’s where Rockabye Baby! comes in. It’s definitely not rock. but they do take songs from popular rock groups and turn them into highly improbable lullabies. The latest is Lullaby Renditions of The White Stripes.

These are not just alternate, softer versions of the songs for children, thank goodness. They are real authentic lullabies on instruments loved by little ones.

You may be having difficulty imagining White Stripes songs as lullabies. Please believe the reality is weirder and yet more strangely enjoyable than whatever you are thinking.

First of all, you may be relieved to know that there are no vocals—it’s an all-instrumental release. Innocent ears are not being regaled with stories of fighting or dysfunctional families or Jolene taking someone’s man. No, the guitars and drums have been replaced with xylophones and bells. The tempo is slow and soothing. The volume is meant to be turned way down. So your baby is only going to hear charming, sweet-sounding music.

You, on the other hand, are probably a White Stripes fan if you are thinking of getting this CD. So you will know the (unsung) lyrics and yes, it is creepy to hear “Hardest Button to Button” and “Seven Nation Army” in this format. And singing along to your toddler might seem a little odd, particularly on “Hardest Button to Button” with its interesting use of rag dolls and pins to handle a crying baby.

But if you have a quirky sense of humor and a taste for novelty, you may love this for your child and even find yourself sharing it with your friends if they have a weird streak, too. This reviewer and her 15-month-old granddaughter really enjoyed it.

The insert in the CD has some simple games for little kids and a delicious-sounding recipe for a fruit snack.

So if you are a White Stripes fan in the market for some decidedly different lullaby music, consider this CD. If you like it, Rockabye Baby! also covers Primus, U2, and many other groups!

About Rhetta Akamatsu

I am an author of non-fiction books and an online journalist. My books include Haunted Marietta, The Irish Slaves, T'ain't Nobody's Business If I Do: Blues Women Past and Present, Southern Crossroads: Georgia Bluesand Sex Sells: Women in Photography and Film.

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