A Mother's Gift: Lullabies from the Heart

Performer: Carnie Wilson
Artist: Brian Wilson; Jim Brickman
Engineer: Jim "Pinky" Beeman
Producer: Jack Kugell; Bill Edwards; Jim "Pinky" Beeman; Jason Pennock; Jack Kugell
Distributor: EMI Music Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Carnie Wilson (vocals, background vocals); Carnie Wilson; Joshua Jones, Zoey Kugell, Noah Kugell, Justin Jones (vocals); Robert Bonfiglio (guitar, acoustic guitar, Wurlitzer organ); Guy Walker (acoustic guitar); Monty Neuble (electric piano); Jack Kugell, Dennis Gallo, Jason Pennock (keyboards, programming); Matt Wilson, Ginger Schackne, Diane Rovell (background vocals); Wendy Wilson, Brian Wilson (vocals, background vocals); Michael Thompson (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Jim Brickman (piano). Audio Mixer: Jason Pennock. Recording information: Big3 Studio, St. Petersburg, FL; Lola's Place, Tarzana, CA; The Heavyweights Studio, Burbank, CA; The Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA. Photographer: Terri Sharp. Arrangers: Jack Kugell; Carnie Wilson; Jim Beeman; Robert Bonfiglio; Jason Pennock. On her 2006 solo debut, Carnie Wilson presents a set of gentle lullabies dedicated to motherhood, and, specifically, to her baby daughter, Lola Sofia. Like her '04 outing with Wilson Phillips, this album primarily consists of mellow cover tunes, including a delicate version of "Over the Rainbow" and a beautifully spare take on "Love Me Tender." In addition to featuring background vocals by Carnie's sister, Wendy Wilson, A MOTHER'S GIFT also includes appearances by her father, Brian Wilson (on a poignant rendition of "You Are So Beautiful"), and New Age pianist Jim Brickman (on the chiming "A Mother's Prayer"). With its pleasantly laid-back atmosphere, this disc is ideal for relaxing infants, small children, and even weary parents. Like her or not, Carnie Wilson has had one heck of a ride during her two-decade career in the spotlight. Whether it's as a member of hippie-offspring adult contemporary group Wilson Phillips, talk-show host, or being one of the first celebrities to publicly admit to having dangerous, stomach-shrinking surgery, Wilson has had more than her fair share of scrutiny under the spotlight. So this change in pace, while unsurprising, is refreshingly free of any tabloid-friendly controversy. A Mother's Gift: Lullabies from the Heart is a 12-song session of gentle lullabies for children. Wilson sings many American pop standards such as "Over the Rainbow," "Love Me Tender," and "What a Wonderful World." There's also pleasant surprises with Wilson sharing the microphone with her legendary father Brian on "You Are So Beautiful," and singing what is arguably her Uncle Dennis Wilson's finest composition "Forever." And while the original meaning of "Forever" is co-opted by Wilson in a different context, it's still a quite enjoyable performance. Her original compositions dwindle in comparison to the covers, but it's still a pleasant disc that will lull your little ones to golden slumbers. ~ Rob Theakston

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