Instrumental albums from Walt Disney's mega-empire are a rarity. But judging from the excellence of Disney's Lullaby Album--from the superb arrangements to the surprise song choices--you'll probably be hearing more of them. Producer and arranger Fred Mollin exhibits not only good taste and restraint in his approach, but his song choices sweetly complement one another. Treading the fine line between Muzak and genuinely soothing music, Mollin lands softly and sentimentally on such Disney movie song classics as "Baby Mine," "When You Wish upon a Star," and "Stay Awake/Feed the Birds," as well as on other chestnuts such as "Brahms Lullaby" and Kenny Loggins's "House at Pooh Corner." The real delights, though, are the Beatles' "I Will" (rendered beautifully on piano and strings), Louis Armstrong's timeless "What A Wonderful World," the classic "Beautiful Dreamer," the old doo-wop favorite "Good Night My Love (Pleasant Dreams)," and an inspired reprise of "Brahms Lullaby" joined with Gershwin's "Someone to Watch over Me." Complete with sleeping tips from psychology professor Jodi Mindell, Disney's Lullaby Album almost guarantees that you'll fall asleep before the baby does--for all the right reasons. --Martin Keller
