La Bella Stella - The Celebrate Earth Children's Music Series from Recess Music

Product Description

La Bella Stella is the fifth release in the critically-acclaimed Celebrate Earth series from Recess Music. This album of children's music features many contrasting styles and teaches kids about galaxies, solar systems, and other wonders of our universe. These songs were chosen for La Bella Stella because they engage, educate, entertain, and encourage children to think about the natural setting of their lives to balance the 'virtual' world they live in. Just like the other discs in the Celebrate Earth series, La Bella Stella features engaging, fun tunes enjoyable for kids and parents alike!

Review

Deep within the recesses of my car, a plethora of children's CDs make their home. When my son Ryan was a toddler, he requested a steady diet of Wiggles and Music Together CDs during every car ride. These days, with Ryan in preschool, my almost two-year-old daughter Alexa is my constant car companion. We prefer to listen to 80's music on Satellite Radio (I learned not to take requests with the second child) and the surprisingly tolerable Kidz Bop CDs. But when I was tasked with reviewing La Bella Stella, the fifth in Recess Music's 'Celebrate Earth' music series, I was grateful for the opportunity to switch up our rotation for the day.

The fifteen unique tracks that make up La Bella Stella feature contributions by a sampling of today's most gifted kids' musicians including Rocknoceros, Charity and the JAMband and AudraRox. The first song 'Nature's Lullaby' provides a folksy, energetic introduction that immediately got my fingers tapping on the steering wheel. The lyrics are educational and the message fun without being preachy. A variety of subjects ranging from stars and gravity to the planets are showcased through a wide range of vocal styles that keeps the material fresh.

Song highlights include 'Shooting Stars' a twinkling trip through the sky with a catchy chorus, 'Gravity' injecting Country Rock into the mix, 'Galaxy Song' a high-energy, fast-moving guitar anthem, 'Nocturnal', a jazzy piece in celebration of vocal harmony, 'Man in the Moon' a sha-na-na ode and 'Shadow' which had me swaying along to the harmonic vocals. 'So Long to the Day' closes out the collection, an a cappella harmony that took us on a calm, steady ride through the day's end.

The music relaxed me, and although I can't speak for Alexa, she was obviously enjoying herself, humming along and clapping. I enjoyed the evolving beats and unique vocal stylings that at times reminded me of Simon and Garfunkel the hauntingly beautiful tracks mixed guitar, percussion and harmonies to round out a winning CD that will have me grabbing for it again and again. --Long Island Parent Source, March 7, 2012

Parent's Choice Gold Award: La Bella Stella, Recess Music's latest nature-themed collection, looks to the stars for songs about the night sky and beyond. The pleasant, informative tunes explore shooting stars, gravity, nocturnal goings-on of various creatures and the demotion of Pluto from its position as a full-fledged planet. Wayne from Maine sings of a dream-like 'Man in the Moon.' Andy Z's 'Galaxy Song' offers a colorful explanation of how day becomes night with the Earth's rotation: 'we just turn and look the other way.' Partial proceeds from album sales are earmarked for
the New Hampshire-based McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center. --Parent's Choice