Liz Beebe is best known as the female
powerhouse of the critically acclaimed band Dustbowl Revival. With an
international touring schedule that spans over continents, and months on the
road, Beebe found herself becoming an aunt in the midst of the madness. A
desire to be present and contribute to the lives of her family and loved ones
became what is her first lullaby album, Hush Now, Lullabies for Sleepy People.
The idea of a children’s album focused on lullabies was
something that had been brewing for a year or so before Liz started creating
the demos. Inspiration came from her friends and family who sent her lists of
songs they loved and sang to their own children. From there, she put her own
unique twist on each song. Liz recalls, “I wanted to challenge myself and make
something of my own. I work with seven talented musicians who, mostly, came up
in the industry knowing that working and touring would be part of their career.
As someone who fell in sideways, unexpectedly, I have been known to treat
myself, with more doubt and skepticism. Making this album was an exercise in
creativity and joy.”
While on the road with Dustbowl Revival, Liz could be found
in her makeshift recording booth, a hotel closet stuffed full of winter
sweaters, jackets, pillows, comforters- anything she could find to create
soundproofing material. Back at home and demos in hand, Liz set out to lay down
the album - with the same ingenuity she learned from the road, turning her home
closet into a booth. Her bandmate, Connor Vance, lent her a hand in tracking
the album’s gorgeous natural guitar, violin and viola. Daniel Gordon (Phoenix
Asteroid, Sun Domingo) and Brahm Bourque (Echoes De Luxe, and Liz’s husband)
produced the album and brought the playfulness and dreamy sweetness of the
tracks to life.
From Liz, “I took care of children from the age of 11 until
about a year after moving to Los Angeles as an adult. I used to sing those
children to sleep for every nap and bedtime. I hope this album is a way of
continuing that tradition, with songs people know and love.”
The standout tracks include a cover of James Taylor’s “Sweet
Baby James”, Liz’s favorite “I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon” a song she first
heard when sung by Shawn Colvin on “Elmopalooza” when her baby brother was
born. Alongside classics like “Baby Beluga”, “Blackbird”, “Twinkle Twinkle
Little Star” and “ You are My Sunshine”. Hush Now: Lullabies for Sleepy People
proves itself a soundtrack for all ages and generations and their loved ones.
The album out now on Mensch House Records and available everywhere.
Track List
1. "Baby Beluga"
2. "You Are My Sunshine"
3. "I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon"
4. "Edelweiss"
5. "Baby Mine"
6. "Blackbird"
7. "Sweet Baby James"
8. "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"
9. "Stay Awake"
10. "Dream of Powder Blue"
No comments:
Post a Comment