A few weeks or so back I received a copy of Zee Avi’s Nightlight album in the mail. Having never heard of Zee Avi before I figured this would go into the line up of albums I already had waiting for a listen. This was a mistake. HUGE mistake. There are two weeks that I can never get back where I missed out on this awesome kids album that’s for kids but it’s not…
Okay, let me explain the “for kids but it’s not” comment. You see, Zee Avi’s Nightlight may be the first foray into the family music genre from this surprising Malaysian artist, but it is far from amateur. Here’s what I like to call her “mini-resume” and it truly is impressive ::
Zee was the winner of the International Youth Icon Award in 2011 in her birth home Sarawak, Malaysia, and has been recognized as one of the top 10 Malaysians by MSN, which has led to inspirational speaking engagements with young people around the world. Zee has played at several prestigious festivals including Borneo’s Rain Forest World Music Festival, Australia’s Byron Bay Festival, San Francisco’s Noise Pop, Austin’s South by Southwest, Mountain Jam in New York, Lilith Fair, Bonnaroo and Street Scene in San Diego. Zee now resides in New York and Los Angeles.
Award winning, top 10 list included, inspirational speaker, and successful musician. Then she goes and makes her first family music album and well, not surprisingly, it’s amazing!
Nightlight is a compilation of Zee Avi’s personal twist on covers for classic songs such as Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” and “Dream A Little Dream” by Louis Armstrong. Every time I hear her version of “The Circle Game” by Joni Mitchell, I remember being a kid at summer camp. *sigh* What great memories!
The album wraps with a “Nightlight Medley,” which is Malaysian lullaby medley that will calm and soothe your little ones to slumber. Now, my girls won’t fall asleep listening to music, but there are many times while we are driving around where I need soothing tunes to calm them (and myself) and this song really works.
Honestly, the whole album is beyond awesome for a calming and catchy listen. I am excited to have Zee Avi’s Nightlight added into our summer trips and adventures soundtrack.
Nightlight :: $13.98 suggested retail price; currently $10.00 for a physical CD on her website or $10.99 on iTunes
connect with Zee Avi ::
Like them on Facebook
Follow them on Twitter
A SIMPLE GIVEAWAY!!
One very lucky theSIMPLEmoms reader will win a copy of Zee Avi’s Nightlight of their very own! Here is how to enter:
Buddy Garrett
May 14, 2014 at 11:26 pmI remember listening to Don’t Worry, Be Happy when I was growing up. It always picked me up.
Laurie Emerson
May 14, 2014 at 10:22 pmMy favorite song is Rainbow Connection. My daughter loves it and we sing it together even though neither of us can carry a tune.
Melinda Stephens
May 14, 2014 at 7:31 pmI really like Rainbow Connection. Not for any special reason, I just think it’s a sweet song.
angie
May 14, 2014 at 7:04 pmso many great songs that I shared with my kids and now can with my grandkids
Stephanie Galbraith
May 14, 2014 at 4:59 pmI like the Don’t Worry, Be Happy song. It reminds me of good times.
susan smoaks
May 14, 2014 at 2:23 pmI love the nightlight medley.
LeeAnn Boggs
May 14, 2014 at 10:05 amRainbow Connection is my favorite. My mom taped every Muppet’s episode when she was in college and I grew up watching that tape and I love this song, reminds me of my childhood.
Diana Hatch
May 14, 2014 at 9:25 amI listened to Don’t WOrry be Happy!
Taryn T.
May 14, 2014 at 6:26 amOH, I love this version of the Rainbow Connection. Listening to Kermit sing it on the Muppets was a great childhood memory! I would love my children to have this memory as well.
Rachel C
May 13, 2014 at 9:23 pmI have listened to Dont Worry Be Happy many times. I really like it.
Diane Cooper
May 12, 2014 at 4:30 pmMy favorite song is Don’t Worry, Be Happy. My husband always sang that song to my daughter when she was little. It always worked to cheer her up.
shae
May 12, 2014 at 3:15 amRainbow Connection
xty cruz
May 11, 2014 at 9:24 pmI love all of the songs but my favorite would be the Rainbow Connection
Gaby
May 10, 2014 at 5:28 pmGreat song!!! Really want to get the album!
Lindsay
May 10, 2014 at 10:47 amI love all of Zee Avi’s stuff… she just has such an awesome voice. Thanks for this review, I think I’m gonna have to get it… unless I win it 🙂 I really love the Circle Game too and I love Dream a Little Dream of me… both make me smile.
Anne N
May 7, 2014 at 11:48 pmI like the song, Who Loves the Sun because I love being outdoors. This is a great album!
Nannypanpan
May 2, 2014 at 9:05 pmI like the song mockingbird which is something I sing to my son
Emi
May 2, 2014 at 8:12 pmThe Rainbow Connection song is so cute.
Misha Estrada
May 1, 2014 at 3:37 pmI like Dream a Little Dream of Me. Great song.
Bethany Kreiter
April 30, 2014 at 11:47 pmDefinitely Rainbow Connection! I love the Muppets so much!
Heather B
April 30, 2014 at 10:30 pmColors of the Wind is my favorite. I have always like that song!
Laura
April 30, 2014 at 9:39 pmDon’t Worry, Be Happy – my Dad used to sing it to me when I was little and upset about something. It always worked.
Miranda Welle
April 30, 2014 at 6:06 pmColors of the Wind is my favorite! I loved Pocahontis and that was one of my favorite songs on it.
Liza Vladyka
April 30, 2014 at 11:22 amColors of the Wind
Patricia
April 30, 2014 at 8:51 amI like Don’t Worry Be Happy. It just a happy feel good song.