Melita Doostan’s soothing songs help children wake up to the wonder of the natural world
BERKELEY, CA – Common to every culture, lullabies are sung to put children to sleep, but on her new CD Earth Dream Lullabies: Soothing Songs for an Awakening
Generation, Melita Doostan uses the time-honored musical tradition to wake kids up to the wonder of the natural world and the importance of growing up green.
“‘Earth Dream Lullabies is perfect for parents who want their children to grow up green,” shares Melita. “The wonder of the natural world is all too often forgotten in our fast-paced Western way of life. I created ‘Earth Dream Lullabies’ to inspire in children of all ages a sense of the sacred in nature and evoke a feeling of awe for the mystery of the Universe and our place in it.”
Blending harmonic vocals that can best be described as heavenly with ancient acoustic instruments including the bamboo flute, African xylophone, tablas, mandolin, and classical guitar, Melita’s melodic voice is a gentle reminder of the dreamlike reality of childhood.
“Earth Dream Lullabies” features the little-known full length version of the perennial children’s classic “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” an adaptation of Peter, Paul and Mary’s folk song “Bamboo,” a Yiddish lullaby, a Hebrew blessing, and a soothing set of original songs that celebrate the earth, ocean, moon, sun and universal cycles that unite all life.
In an original song simply titled “Animals,” Melita refers to endangered owls and polar bears with lyrics that lovingly remind children to consider other creatures as their planetary partners. In another titled “Ocean,” she sings about the elemental truth that all life emerged from that watery world. “Air, Flame, Soil & Sea” is a musical meditation on what Melita says is “the simple fact that we are all made of the same stuff.”
Artists on “Earth Dream Lullabies” include Shimshai on vocals and Peruvian flute, world music chart topper Eliyahu Sills on flute and bass, Kugelplex’s David Rosenfeld on violin and mandolin, Aharon Bolsta on tablas, Men’s Story Project-founder Josie Lehrer on back-up vocals, Melita’s husband David Doostan on vocal harmonies, and their 4-year-old daughter Leilah on a surprising and sweet a capella vocal. The album was produced, mixed and mastered by Ben Krames of Jungleshack Studies.
“Earth Dream Lullabies” is available online through iTunes, CD Baby, MelitaMusic.com, and environmentally-conscious children’s boutiques such as A Toy Garden and The Ark Toy Company.
Hear song samples
» Click here to hear song samples in your web browser.
Request review copy
To request a review copy, please email earthdream@gnosismedia.org with “EARTH DREAM CD” in the subject field.
Download CD art
