Parents with more than a passing interest in classical music and those who make a point of keeping up with sleep studies are apt to be drawn to Guitar Lullaby, which presents 17 tranquil, snooze-inducing songs in two pleasing programs. A lot of research went into this album: the soothing speech patterns parents instinctively switch on when calming children were put under the microscope, as were the soporific effects of traditional "Hush-a-Bye, Baby"-type lullabies and the musical structures restless young ears respond to best. In the liner notes, producer Keith Pearcy explains that children's music mustn't be complicated. To that end, Guitar Lullaby's bag of technical tricks includes short phrases and quicker-than-average resolution to musical structures. The first nine tracks are intended for older children (say, ages 5 and up), while the last eight are for the very young. Each of the two programs starts with an energetic though hardly rollicking number then winds down gradually to slow, gentle strumming. Throughout, Ricardo Cobo, formerly of the Bogotá Philharmonic, displays his gift for getting a guitar to give off emotions--in this case, pure, uncluttered, peaceful ones. And that makes it sort of a shame to tuck this recording into the narrow lullaby category. Although its sleep-promoting potential will serve an important purpose for many, its calming qualities are best enjoyed when the whole family's wide-awake. --Tammy La Gorce

GUITAR LULLABY by Ricardo Cobo

Parents around the world seem to know instinctively just how to speak and sing to their children at bedtime to help ease them to sleep. We use universal patterns of rhythm and timbre, melody and harmony.

Imagine having one of the world’s finest classical musicians sitting at the foot of your child’s bed playing guitar using those very same patterns to coax your child into irresistible sleep.

Ricardo Cobo does just that. With loving attention to every detail of composition and performance, Ricardo has handcrafted what is probably the most effective lullaby recording ever made. In fact, it has been clinically tested and shown to be 40% more effective than traditional lullabies.

GUITAR LULLABY has received awards from the American Library Association and the Parent’s Choice Foundation. It was chosen as a “Pick” by Gramophone magazine for being one of the finest new classical recordings. It includes instrumental repertoire from Spain, France, America, Cuba, and South America.