Go To Sleep opens with its title track, which begins with some gentle, pretty guitar work by Steve Brickman. "Go to sleep/Close your eyes/Try to dream." And then she hums, and that humming actually does help relax us, perhaps even more than the lyrics. "Starting with your toes, just breathe/Then the wave of sleepiness just rolls up to your knees/Now relax your shoulders and your heavy head." Yes, this work as a sort of guided mediation. So, yes, I think she is aware that this is for adults as much as it is for children. Steve Brickman also plays keyboard on this track, and Ian Hall is on bass. "Go To Sleep" is followed by "Slumberland." This one also begins with some nice work on acoustic guitar, this time played by Debi Derryberry herself. And her sweet voice is delightful. "Somewhere out beyond the stars/There's a big white door made of clouds/Knock three times if you want to go in/But don't knock very loud/And before you knock, make a big, big yawn." This track also features some beautiful work on cello, an instrument that I am always happy to hear. That's Amy Simon-Weiner on cello. And Michael Starr is on viola. This is a really nice song, and the strings give it another wonderful layer.. Slumberland is a place we all probably prefer to be these days, assuming the world doesn't intrude upon our dreams.
"World Of Wonder" has a different sound, a different vibe at the start. Rather than acoustic guitar, this one begins with some electronic sounds and percussion. "Snail moves slowly, slowly forward/Inching farther down the path." Perhaps this is the right time to mention that Debi Derryberry has a series of videos for these songs on her YouTube page. It's a song that teaches that a lot of things are happening in the world, largely outside of one's notice. It's an incredible place, this planet, isn't it? That's followed by "What Does A Good Night Feel Like." When I first glanced at the track list on the CD case, this is the title that stood out for me and got me to thinking that a lot of adults might be wondering what a good night feels like these days. Here Debi sings, "What does a good night feel like?/My favorite plushy,my mushy pillow/Fresh sheets and a warm blanket/That's what a good night feels like/Good night feels so soft/And good night feels so safe/Good night feels like such a peaceful place." Yes, that's what we're seeking. A little later in the song, she uses sound effects of rain and a squeaking gate when those things are mentioned in the lyrics. Steve Brickman is on both keyboard and guitar, and Geri Lisanti-Levy is on violin.
"Sit down beside me and turn out the light/Make sure the windows are bolted down tight/Pull the down duvet on up to my chin/Just high enough to keep all the heat in," Debi sings at the beginning of "Nose." I love this, the song being from the point of view of a child who is addressing a guardian. "Please stay here with me as I try to sleep/Tell me a tale so my day is complete." We all have little routines that prepare us for sleep, children and adults. A bedtime story is a great tradition. We do that as adults too, don't we? Usually it means reading a good book, rather than having someone tell us a story vocally. But isn't it touching how some things from childhood persist into adulthood? But the song is about a cold nose, and it is completely adorable, with a sweet humor. What makes this track even more special is the group of musicians playing on it. She has some fantastic players backing her, including Phil Parlapiano on piano, Doug Pettibone on guitar, Ed Maxwell on bass, Michael Starr on mandolin, and Van Dyke Parks on accordion. Holy moly!
"Sail Away" features the sounds of sea birds at the beginning, giving us a sense of place even before Debi Derryberry begins to describe the scene: "There is a boat/And there's a sail/There is some wind/And there's a whale." But these are the lines that especially speak to me: "Take me on a voyage/Let's go on a trip/Then we can sail away/Just for the fun of it." Oh yes, that sounds so appealing. Not to harp on the current state of the country, but the idea of getting away has never been more appealing. And Debi's voice makes it all the more enticing. From a trip by water, she takes us on a trip by air, with "I Wish You Could Fly With Me." "See just how high we can go/Have you ever wished you had wings/Just like a bird." This one is like a sweet, gentle waltz, with strings (Michael Starr plays both violin and viola). And the piano has a magical feel, like a fairy tale. That's Phil Parlapiano again. And what a beautiful vocal performance. This track is such a total delight, and gets more and more endearing and wonderful as it goes on. I love that moment toward the end when the backing vocals join her on that "Doe-doe dee-doe doe-dee-doe" part. This is my personal favorite track on the disc.
"In The Arms Of My Rocking Chair" is another highlight. "In the arms of my rocking chair/I can do my best pretending there/I'm a ship at sea/Waves are tossing me/With a force/But of course/I'm not really there/I'm safe and warm here in my chair." That is a good choice of spots for the imagination. Where do you do your best pretending? Debi Derryberry then concludes Go To Sleep with its sole cover, the classic "Hush Little Baby," for I suppose no lullaby album would be complete without it. It's a nice way of wrapping things up, delivering one that most children already likely know.
CD Track List
- Go To Sleep
- Slumberland
- World Of Wonder
- What Does A Good Night Feel Like
- Nose
- Sail Away
- I Wish You Could Fly With Me
- In The Arms Of My Rocking Chair
- Hush Little Baby
Go To Sleep: Lullaby Album is scheduled to be released on September 26, 2025.
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