The measure of a good CD is whether you can listen to it over and over again and still discover more nuances in the music and lyrics.
Every time I listen to Jane Roman Pitt’s Midnight Lullaby I hear something new. I understand why she calls herself “Lady Lullaby.” Her luscious “bedtime songs” will lull the fussiest babies off to dreamland but watch out moms and grandmas, you may find yourselves drifting off to sleep too.
Of the 11 lullabies, two beautiful originals are written by Jane and the others are adaptations of Wilco, Dixie Chicks, Sade, Josh Ritter, Bob Dylan, and Lennon-McCartney. One of my favorites is Dreaming Sweet Dreams by Hugh Prestwood, which has a cascading melody that completely melts my heart every time I listen to it. My other favorite is Welcome Home to Love, an original that Jane wrote for her granddaughter Annalise Sarai. She remembered the sweetness of seeing her own baby girl for the first time and feeling like they’d known each other forever. You can listen to a sample of each song on her website along with Jane’s description of why she chose the songs for her album.
I was so intrigued by these soulful lullabies, I wanted to know more about the woman with the gorgeous voice who sings them. Here is our interview:
Tell us a little about your musical journey and how you got started.
I grew up hearing music because my parents were both musicians. They had their friends come over to play chamber music in the house, and they were always playing records from every kind. Now I realize that this had a big influence on my appreciation for music, so I try to encourage parents—and grandparents—to play all kinds of music for their children.
How has music affected your life?
I can’t imagine life without music. We’re all so connected to music on every level, from our bodies (think of the heartbeat as the rhythm that we live by!) to the sounds of nature (the birds in the morning, the wind in the trees) to the different emotions that arise when music starts playing. For me personally it lets me express myself in ways that words alone just can’t do.
Why is music important in children’s lives?
Music is good for all of us, but is especially important for babies and children, because it’s been proven to help in the development of the brain. Music is the only activity that engages so many areas of the brain at once, and once those connections between neurons are formed, scientists have found that any kind of learning comes more easily.
What inspired you to create a CD of lullabies?
I like all kinds of music, but lullabies are special because they express pure love. Becoming a grandmother for the first time was such an incredibly loving experience, and I wanted to express that. I realized I could sing how I felt about this miracle. (I would have recorded lullabies when I had my own babies, but I was too tired!)
How has becoming a grandma influenced your music?
Becoming a grandmother has made a bigger difference in my life and my music than I thought it would. In my life, witnessing the arrival of this new generation has let me accept aging more gracefully. Musically, over the years I had worked with many kinds of music—jazz, country, classical—and while I incorporate them all, it was with lullabies that I could be myself at this point in life. I didn’t have to pretend to be younger or tougher than I am, or more sophisticated, or more intelligent. It’s just love that has to come through, and as grandparents we know how to do that! [You can read Jane’s touching description of her new grandson’s arrival and watch a YouTube video of Welcome Home to Love on her blog.]
I notice that a portion of the proceeds from your CD will be donated to the Mary Benson House shelter for pregnant women and their babies. Can you tell me about that connection?
My daughter-in-law is a counselor at the Mary Benson House in Asheville, North Carolina. I was very impressed by the work they do to help pregnant women and new mothers with substance abuse problems. They provide a safe place and support for the birthing, advice about their babies, and counseling and career guidance to make a fresh start. So I decided to help support this worthwhile organization by donating a portion of the profits from Midnight Lullaby.
