I have to start this month by admitting that jazz is not my forte, so to speak. While I enjoy structured styles like swing or New Orleans jazz, with a beat and harmonies that make sense to me, I don’t understand all the technical elements of avant-garde or even be-bop jazz, and therefore the artistry is largely lost on me

For these reasons, I was hesitant to pick up Baby Loves Jazz, Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 & 2. Plus, I was unenthused about hearing yet another interpretation of “Skip to my Lou” or “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”

But it didn’t take long to realize the funkified versions of “Wheels on the Bus” and “Hey Diddle Diddle” are original and catchy. My kids truly enjoyed jazzy flavor of the songs. And I have a feeling the “improvised” instrumental interstitials such as “Bass Skate” and “Trumpet Skate” will appeal to jazz purists.

I consistently skipped a couple of songs, including “I Use Potty” (I don’t like songs about bodily functions) and “Band on the Drum”(which has children screaming the lyrics—quite irritating). With 46 tracks, there are bound to be a few songs that won’t appeal to everyone, but the yodel/scat combo on “Old McDonald Had a Farm” alone is worth getting the collection.

There are many poignant songs as well. I found this version of “Amazing Grace” to be exceptionally inspiring, and “Nursery Jam” was relaxing enough to leave me feeling like I had the best children in the world, even after my kids had a world-class whining contest. 

It’s December, and that usually means ubiquitous nostalgic (some might say cheesy) Christmas music, including covers of Band Aid and John Lennon. If you are looking for something more substantial, you might try Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Christmas Rock Classics.

Using only bell percussion instruments, such as the glockenspiel and vibraphone, this album covers not only the aforementioned artists, but also currently popular bands such as Death Cab for Cutie and No Doubt. However, you would probably never know it since the arrangements are so subtle.

True, there is only so much glockenspiel you can listen to before it feels like you are living in a church bell tower, but this CD does soothe and calm children—and the bells actually sound festive.

Of course, I think Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite is the best way to get into a festive mood and my best friend Cathy claims Gene Autry’s Christmas Album is the only way to properly celebrate the season. But for something a little more unusual, you might enjoy Rockabye Baby!

Baby Loves Jazz Greatest Hits Volumes 1 & 2 babylovesmusic.com    

Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Christmas Rock Classics rockabyebabymusic.com

Whitney Lou’s daughter, Sophie, enjoys singing into her hairbrush and dancing in Abercrombie and Fitch stores. They live in the West End. 

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