RENEE AND JEREMY: it's a big world

renee and jeremy

it's a big world

© 2007 one melody records (635961084624)

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Renee Stahl and Jeremy Toback (Brad) have created a treasure chest of luminous harmonies and sophisticated lullabies for parents who appreciate the likes of Jack Johnson, Nick Drake, and Aimee Mann.

tracks

1 Miracle
2 Free
3 It's a Big World
4 We Are One
5 Powder Blue Solo
6 Welcome to This World
7 Night Mantra
8 Three Little Birds
9 Falling Star Lullaby
10 Powder Blue Reprise
11 Sleep My Love
12 Shoorahlaywho

notes

It all started with a simple idea, really: to make a CD of kids’ music that adults could enjoy, not just tolerate—a collection of original songs for parents who appreciate the likes of Jack Johnson, Nick Drake, and Aimee Mann. The result is a treasure chest of luminous harmonies and sophisticated lullabies that are unlike any children’s music you’ve ever heard. It’s A Big World is a thoughtful, nuanced, and long-overdue departure from the Wheels-On-The-Bus rut that children’s music generally veers into. These are songs by two gifted musicians (and parents) who understand the difference between sweet and saccharine—and who know their audience does, too. Most importantly, though, they are songs with heart.

Everything from the writing to the recording was an earnest and intimate venture. The title track came to Jeremy Toback (guitar, vocals) on a walk with his 1-year-old son, Ezra—after wondering what life would be like through his eyes. And Renee Stahl (vocals) crafted her haunting and minimalist lullaby, Powder Blue, out of her own meditations on motherhood before becoming one herself. Committed to keeping the production as raw and personal as possible, Renee and Jeremy recorded the entire album in what would in a matter of weeks become the nursery for Renee’s first daughter, Amelia. The duo vowed not to be afraid to let the odd minor key shade a little dark into the album’s sunny canvas, and to have fun with their lyrics without straying from the underlying positive message. Through and through, Renee and Jeremy’s genuine musical chemistry and uplifting energy is almost palpable.

The album’s most miraculous accomplishment is one that you will have to discover yourself: in the morning on your way to the office, or late at night, long after they’ve gone to bed, you will find yourself slipping the CD into your stereo, alone this time, and you will sing along—and your eyes may get a bit teary, but they will never, ever be rolling.

Jeremy Toback has released two critically acclaimed CDs on RCA, 1997’s Perfect Flux Thing and 1999’s Another True Fiction which yielded the radio hit, You Make Me Feel, before parting with the label in 2001. He is an original member of the band Brad along with Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam, and later went on to found his own record label for yoga music.

Tracks from Renee Stahl’s first CD, Melancholy Pop, have been featured on television series such as Roswell, Wonderfalls, and Party of Five. Her latest release, Hopeful Romantic, will be distributed nationally by Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

reviews

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  • The full spectrum
    author: tara wilson-pickering

    I remember hearing this disc on Myspace originally while I was pregnant. I would sing it to my growing baby and after finally getting around to making the purchase I find that not only does it calm my new son, my adolescent daughter claims she can't sleep without it. When I tire of "twinkle twinkle" I move on to these songs..Thanks for providing one of the most played cds in our house!

  • mellow & romantic
    author: Clare A.

    dare to hope

  • Love this CD!
    author: Katherine O'Neil

    Like most parents, I'm sure, I'm always on the lookout for great music that both my son and I can enjoy. It's a Big World is fantastic - beautiful melodies and lyrics that we can listen to for hours. I bought additional copies to give as gifts and I'm sure my friends and their little ones are going to become die-hard fans as well. You can't go wrong with this album - I just hope there will be a follow-up!

  • Gorgeous music!
    author: Rachel Pargeter

    I love the CD, and my kids like it too! I'll be getting additional copies as gifts-I guarantee it! Great to have something calming we can all listen to in the car! Thanks!

  • It;s a Big World
    author: David Morris

    Excellent. Atlong last a kids CD has been created that you can pla in the car without having that embarrassed feeling when you stop at traffic lights. Have to confess, I probably listen to it more than my daughter.

  • Magical
    author: Candace

    I love this, it's very relaxing and magical, with haunting melodies.

  • It's A Big World
    author: Shauna V.

    I absolutely love the sweet and soft lyrics on this cd. It is perfect for bedtime and it always makes me smile to tuck in my son and tune into these fantastic lyrics.

  • So sweet
    author: Coralie

    I adore this album. The songs are so sweet. Just as the writers/singers say, the songs are perfect for kids or adults. I found myself singing along to it even on the first listen. This doesn't mean that the songs are so simple that they're boring, though. Not in the least. I could listen to it over & over. I fully recommend this CD. It's gorgeous. :-)

  • Fantastic!
    author: Ellen Mann

    The lyrics of these songs are fabulous, and so are the melodies. Plus, it's such a nice break from the awful high-pitched voices of other children's CDs. We listen to it every night.

  • A hit with all ages!
    author: Rich McGervey

    I've been a big fan of Renee Stahl's music, and a few months ago picked up "It's a big world..." and we have not been disappointed. My wife runs a daycare, and uses it with the kids, who love it, but I have to admit, I'm 40, and I bought the CD because I liked it FIRST! Ok, getting a little childish there... But that's what this CD is all about. They wrote it for us parents who want music that the parents can actually stand to listen to with the children. So toss out one or two of those kids CDs you hate and buy this disc! You absolutely will not be disappointed. It's a MUST HAVE!

  • It's a big World
    author: Jarin

    My wife and I love the CD and so does our baby. We play it for her almost everynight. The soft acoustic sound and lullaby like lyrics are great for families with little ones.

  • Wonderful
    author: Jessica

    My daughter loves this CD and loves dancing to it every single day... And I can handle it. :) It's a wonderful meshing of nice acoustic music, simple, fun melodies, and just a perfect CD for kids that moms and dads can enjoy as well! HIGHLY recommend!

  • Great music
    author: Ashley

    We love this cd. My son dances to it and we as parents can relate to it.

  • Part of our daily routine
    author: Lisa T

    This CD was recommended to me from a mom's group and we love it! The words are so fitting to how we feel about our child but often forget to say. Thank you for giving us music to cherish together!

  • This c.d. is truly WONDERFUL very calm and great for nap,calm playtime can liste
    author: tina c

    I LOVE Renee & Jeremy... this c.d. is a classic for every child's nursery. It is soft, gentle loving kind music that reminds you how special your child is every time you tuck them into bed, whisper to them, sing a lullaby and remember how important each moment is! We love it and my elder daughter who is 3 listens as her quiet rest time music!

  • just perfect
    author: Rochester

    My wife arrived home from the hospital with our little girl, two days later she got her first cd. It was just perfect. Addressed to my little girl but opened by her mother. The tears were almost present before the first beautiful sound hit our ears. We've had it for a week and my wife still can't get by the first two songs without the waterworks but as the tears fall on my baby girls face I think Just Perfect

  • Absolutely wonderful feel good in your heart music!
    author: Rebecca

    I LOVE this CD, I heard it first on NPR, actually teared up a little while it was playing. Such sweet and soulful lullabies.

  • No children...love the CD
    author: Amanda

    I heard the CD on NPR and kept humming the song nibblets...had to purchase. Wonderful music...great after a long stressful day...beautiful voices. No kiddos but the dog seems to enjoy...it calms a year old Rotti...serenity!

  • Fantastic baby CD that I can sing along with
    author: Olivia

    i don't feel like such a dweeb singing along to this cd. Thanks for making it, and for selling it.

  • We really LOVE this CD!
    author: Shawn

    I heard about this CD on NPR. When I got home I went online and ordered it right away. It came just in time for my son's first birthday. We listen to it every night before bed......We really do love it.

  • author: Russell

    A very solid CD, fantastic tunes, nice melody, vocals quite good. I recommend it!

  • Beautifully Joyful and soulful!
    author: Christan

    Great for relaxation of baby and momma. So wonderful! Worth every penny!

  • i would pay a million for this CD
    author: owl

    This CD has given us some amazing moments with our daughter. From the first time we played it for her she has sung or hummed along. She is 20 months old and learning new words everyday but to hear her SING some of her new words has been such an amazing and lovely unforgettable experience for us. We will be giving this CD to all of our friends (with or without kids) as presents (birthday, xmas, what ever) from now until always because as adults we love the songs too!! and who'dve thunk a kids CD could have no songs with hand actions and still be so loved!

  • Beautiful CD!!
    author: Maureen

    This CD is absolutley beautiful. My son and I love the songs. The lyrics are wonderful and hopefully what every parent would want to sing to their children.

  • Awesome
    author: Erica and Madelyn

    Awesome! Let me know when the next CD is out - my daughter loves your current CD! We need more!

  • author: Bobbi Emerson (Aarilyn's Mommy)

    This CD is absolutely wonderful! I love every single song. My daughter is not yet old enough to tell me whether or not she likes it, but when I sing it to her, she loves it. This CD is a must have for ALL parents.

  • Fabulous music for both parents and kids
    author: Linda

    Happily, Renee and Jeremy found me on MySpace. Bought the CD and fell in love. My daughter and I are mesmerized by the beauty in these songs. Just wonderful. Many thanks for sharing it with us!

  • A family favorite!
    author: Alisha

    A family favorite! We bought it for Cooper but I play it in my truck even when he's not with me.

  • Enchanting!
    author: Zan and Caden Quest

    Renee and Jeremy are enchanting. The sweet, simple, melodious music and lyrics are a soothing balm on the soul.

  • Love it.....very relaxing
    author: LeeAnn

    Absolutely love this CD. The music and lyrics are so soothing and relaxing. I plan on giving this CD to everyone I know that has babies or young children.

  • Beautiful music, straight from the soul.
    author: genny79

    The lyrics are obviously straight from the heart. My baby girl absolutely loves the beat. The soothing harmonies and beautiful ideas depicted in the songs are just what I want Gracie to remember listening to with her Mommy. Thank you!!

  • renee & jeremy: it's a big world, is as much a learning tool as music itself.
    author: Josalyn from Texas

    Music is the purest most meaningful way inwhich we connect and communicate. The value of what we can learn from each other, what we can say or hear through music starts at first existence and is with us our whole lives. It's A Big World is simply the music we all have in our hearts, the words we all want our children to know, and that we hope to remember ourselves. Thank You, Renee & Jeremy

  • Love!
    author: Tammany

    The description above is totally true. Even my husband loves this CD... The words Renee and Jeremy have written make me think they must love their kids almost as much as I love my daughter! ;) It is so nice to have beautiful music and lyrics that reflect the depth of that special love parents have for their kids. I think my favourite is "Miracle." I choose this CD over most in my collection - even when I'm alone.

  • LOVE THIS CD!!!
    author: barnali in chicago

    This CD is perfect for everyone in the family. Our ten week old really is a miracle, and the first time I heard the song miracle I had tears in my eyes. We listen and sing along to the songs everyday.. there's a perfect one for every time of day. I'll be giving this one as gift to all my friends who have kids.

  • Toback sings mellow for kids and their parents
    author: Carl Cunningham

    The mystical-meditating funky bass guru known as Jeremy Toback is back from semi-retirement with a stark but beautiful departure from his rock band roots. In the 12 tracks of It's A Big World!, the bassist from legendary supergroup Brad has teamed up with singer/songwriter Renee Stahl to craft what they call "kids' music that adults could enjoy." If you're a parent like me, you can commiserate in the misery that is kid's music: Purple prancing dinosaurs, irritating Wiggle-tunes and endless weird chants by purse-carrying day-glo creatures called Teletubbies that may or may not be sexually ambiguous British bears. Music for kids has never been made for or enjoyable by parents, until now. As Jeremy says, it is "properly down tempo yet optimistic; sunny yet dark." It's A Big World! is those things and more. It's simultaneously uplifting and melancholy. Every quiet and joyful, organic moment is designed to lull kids into peaceful slumber while touching their parent's hearts. I've wished for ages now that Jeremy would spend less time on a yoga mat and more time in a music studio, but this one sweet record makes my frustrating wait for new Toback music all worth it. The lyrics perfectly fuse with the soft, minor chord aura with lines like "we are one and that's wonderful." Put on "Night Mantra" on Big World, and then imagine Jeremy singing it to his son, Ezra, at bedtime. If you prefer Barney's insipid "I love you, you love me" to Toback's "I will be your guide, I will be your friend... Always by your side... I will be your home," then you've fried your brain on too much Elmo and friends.

  • LOVE IT!!! My kid's love it too.
    author: Michele

    We will give this CD to every mom and dad we know no matter the age of their children. It really does capture the magic of being a parent. My kids already know all the words and have each chosen their favorites. I love them all. Thank you.

  • sweet, sweet, sweet!
    author: deb in sf

    We love "it's a big world"! Such beautiful voices, such sweet songs. My kids are 3 and 6 and they really like listening during our chill-out times. This is going on our list of baby and birthday gifts!

  • author: Brad at CD Baby

    Refreshingly original and sincere, this album is a welcome diversion from what most would consider a typical approach to songwriting for kids. Giving the young ones some credit, this album is full of carefully crafted acoustic songs that are thematically earnest and challenging, open for interpretation, and bound to spark some wonderful conversations between parent and child. Wisely, the tunes are both simple and ambitious, showcasing easily memorable melodies that accompany the layered harmonies and poetic lyricism. It's this multi-faceted approach that makes this album widely accessible for both parents and children. Parents will appreciate the underlying maturity of the songwriting, which doesn't shy away from minor chords and embraces a stripped down sound that will appeal to the discerning listener. The simple song structures and empathetic lyrics ensure that the songs will resonate with the little ones as well, without making them feel that they are being talked down to.

  • author: Oden and Priscilla T (Bend, OR)

    This is a wonderful collection of lovingly crafted lullabies. My little guy loves to listen in his bed, in the car and while we are having quiet time. Daddy and I like it because it's different and we like to sing along with Renee and Jeremy as they croon to the little babe. It's gentle and sweet, just like my little guy. Buy it!!!

  • My kids ask for it, plus I like it
    author: Tigertail87

    A great collection of songs for breakfast, the car, or just hanging out coloring. My 4 year old asks for it by name. And my 16 month old winds down listening to "Night Mantra." So do I. Music I want to share with my kids is rare -- and this is a definite addition to any parents' or children's play list.

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