Nightlight Daylight Reviews

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Industry Awards

  1. IAMA, INTERNATIONAL ACOUSTIC MUSIC AWARDS: Baker’s Dozen wins first place in the Instrumental category
  2. GLOBAL MUSIC AWARD GOLD: ALBUM, ARTWORK, CONCEPT
  3. NAPPA AWARD
  4. GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE_  One of the Noteworthy Guitar Albums of the Past 50 Years
  5. PARENTS’ CHOICE, GOLD AWARD “Every detail, from the packaging to the performances, is accomplished with skill and grace.”
  6. TILLYWIG MEDIA AWARDS: BRAINCHILD “We can’t say enough good things about this unique double album.”
  7. MOMS’ CHOICE, GOLD AWARD “Flawlessly produced with world class musicians. ..intellectually stimulating experience for child and parent alike.”
  8. ACADEMICS CHOICE “This is a top notch work of art. Two big thumbs up!”
  9. CD OF THE YEAR AWARD (Creative Child) ‘Mozart Effect taken to a new level.”
  10. KIDS FIRST! ENDORSEMENT “After I finished pushing the moon for about half an hour I delved into the treasures within. The quality is amazing across the board. I cannot express how much the performances and production quality resonates.”
  11. KIDSFIRST! Endorsement Nightlight Daylight is an exceptional package from first look and apparently you can tell a book, uh, CD by its cover. Its lovely, interactive fiber optic cover is off the charts – push the moon and the stars and fireflies light up. Impressive! It just gets better. After I finished pushing the moon for about half an hour I delved into the treasures within: an ambitious 30-song two-CD set. Hence the title. The artist, Muriel Anderson, is a force of nature and a brilliant guitarist. The first CD, Nightlight, is perfect for winding down and drifting into dreamland with soft and soothing guitars and vocals with support from some major talent. The Daylight CD, although equally talented, is more suited for an adult audience. The music is absolutely stunning and so well played. Primarily acoustic guitar supported occasionally with other unobtrusive instruments. Half the album (lullaby) is directed to children while the second disc is more suitable for adults which is not necessarily a bad thing. I recommend this to anyone – there is so much to like – great for lullabies and meditation. Very soothing. This double album flows along seamlessly from night to day. The classical-based guitar work is exemplary. However this is not totally a children’s album. . ..a youth audience on the first CD but not on the second. The quality is amazing across the board. I cannot express how much the performances and production quality resonates. I look forward to Muriel Anderson’s next release!” Reviewed by John Wood
  12. ACADEMICS’ SMART CHOICE MEDIA AWARD

This is a top notch work of art. Just looking at the players alone when I first opened the CD spelled out the level of skill, craftsmanship and production value for what I was about to hear. What an all star team to be working with! The CD starts out with some gentle fingerpicking to help sooth a young one into a dreamy sleep. This opener is mellow but not slow and boring. It is tinged with sweet steel string swells and softly sung melodies. Lullaby for Leo caught my ear with its sweet opening and mood. The strings gently support the wandering melody line of the nylon string guitar. I enoyed hearing Wooten take the front seat about half way through the song on bass. I’m not sure there’s any thing that man can’t do on the bass. The Hawaiian Lullaby also caught my ear. It had a nice swing to the rhythm and the vocals were soft and sweet. This first CD has an overall sweet and gentle vibe that any little one would fall asleep to.

The second CD, Daylight, begins with a classic tune, Here Comes the Sun. I skipped to the 3rd song with Stanley Jordan. This song features Stanley, Wooten, and vocalist Murial Anderson. I just loved the groove and swelling vocal lines. A little time was left in the middle for Stanley to do his thing and he kept tasty, not to cluttered, but just touched with a few sweet runs and a few notes a bit outside, just enough to catch the ear. Needless to say, brilliant. Tracy’s Tune was quite memorable as well. Lots of well placed percussion. The mix on both CD’s is top notch! Overall, I recommend this CD to anyone who is looking for a children’s music CD that values mood, sensitivity, thoughtfulness and precision. Two big thumbs up!

What the Press Says:

“An uplifting album that will appeal to the whole family. …School Library Journal

The Most Impressive Gift for holiday giving …Swing Whistle Zing

Inspired as a gift for a friend’s first baby, Nightlight Daylight by Muriel Anderson is a beautiful children’s double album. Parents will also find the lilting, wonder-filled songs perfect for calming the body and mind right before bedtime (first CD) or rousing one’s senses first thing in the morning (second CD). A diversity of fellow artists have contributed to Nightlight Daylight including Mark Kibble, Victor Wooten, Phil Keaggy, Danny Gottlieb, Howard Levy, and more. Even the fantastic, photogenic cover captures the imagination – press on the picture of the moon, and starry bright lights flicker before one’s eyes! Nightlight Daylight is an excellent gift for parents, little children, or baby showers, highly recommended. …Midwest Book Review

Muriel Anderson has taken her artistry as composer and collaborator to a new level. Each track shines like the stars and fireflies on the cover. The unique album design, embraces a wondrous world inside to captivate the listener. I was so taken with this work, I ordered copies for myself and close friends as presents. Everything about Nightlight Daylight deserves a standing ovation. Thank you Muriel for such pleasure. …Carla Van Dyk, music host, WDVR FM & WPNJ FM NJ/PA

First class music for anyone that needs something with some blood to it to ping their soul back to life… This collection is an utter classic that’ll find its spot playing the cosmos long after we’re all gone. A new high water mark by an unbeatable pro. …Midwest Record

This is a beautiful, bold, and brilliant offering from a master musician. In her double CD, Nightlight/Daylight, guitarist Muriel Anderson has surrounded herself with the likes of Victor Wooten, Stanly Jordan, Danny Gottleib, Earl Klugh, and Tommy Emmanuel and painted a striking aural portrait of the delight and splendor found in single rotation of the earth on its axis. …Fretboard Journal

What the Musicians on the CD Say:

Muriel has the unique ability to capture the essence of beauty, melody and friendship all within the tracks of this project. In a time when there is much chaos and distraction in our world, she brings her gifted friends together along side to bring light and joy to the world through song… beauty can help save our world, nourish our souls and bring the best out of us all. Her efforts in doing so shows that we all long to be one in humanity-which is being loving, caring and giving through the gifts we are given. …Phil Keaggy

Her artistry is groundbreaking, breathtaking, and it touches the soul. …Victor Wooten

…this is some seriously powerful, deeply emotional music that will stay in your head and your heart forever..Muriel plays all styles with such ease and command that it’s easy to forget how good she really is! I love these recordings and I am honored to be asked to be a part of such a stellar project! Now let me run and play! …Tommy Emmanuel, cgp

Muriel Anderson – the fearless phenom of frets! Prepare to be transported thru a journey of the joys of night and day …incredible! …Mark Kibble (Take 6)

Muriel is an incredible musician, wonderful friend, and a beautiful person. This awesome new CD for morning and evening allows us to use our percussion to full dynamic potential. We are thrilled to be included in this amazing project! …Danny Gottlieb and Beth Gottlieb

As parents Tracy and I are trying to raise our kids in an inspiring environment with different choices. The CDs both of my children received from Muriel as their individual welcoming presents right after they were born were the early prototypes for “Nightlight Daylight” Muriel’s music has always been a part of our ideal and music we enjoy as well. At the age of nearly 2 years Louise was able to sing the melody of nearly 70 different songs with perfect intonation, and at the age of 10 months Leon crawled in front of the stereo system while making dance movements to tell us that it was time to put his Muriel “Good Morning” CD on. …Leo Henrichs, Tierra Negra

I love the breadth of the musical choices, as well as the depth of the music on this project. it’s easy to get lost in it.  It’s virtuosic without being cold or detached and it’s soulful without being pretentious. I find surprises at every corner. I think it’s an awesome recording and I’m honored to be a small part of it…Jeff Coffin (soprano sax with Dave Matthews Band, Flecktones)

Muriel has put together a stunningly beautiful and unique collection of music comprised of some real world class musicians, and I am grateful to be a part of it all! …Tom Shinness

I was pulled like a strong current into the center of this exquisite instrumental that was written by Muriel Anderson.  We were both at Oceanway studio having strings added to different songs…but her “Prayer Without Ceasing” captivated me with it’s stunning string arrangement by Carl Marsh and the deep power of Muriel’s guitar.   I went home possessed and spent 12 hours birthing these lyrics and alternate melody into the middle of her composition.  I’ve never co-written a song in this way. I was so in love with this piece of music.  What a thrill it was to me that she loved it!   “Pray” is one of those songs that I feel can heal people who are unable to reach and release sadness within themselves.  This song is like a spiritual can opener for the sealed up heart. …Beth Nielsen Chapman

Full Article Reviews

School Library Journal Starred Review, February 2015

Swing Whistle Zing Review, November 2014

The Geek Mom Review, October 2014

Midwest Record Review, January 2014

MURIEL ANDERSON/Nightlight Daylight: You thought Anderson’s “Wildcat” album was a bag breaker? Put this on and hold on to your hat. A double cd containing her biggest and boldest statements yet, the award winning guitarist brings on a guest list of jazzbos and acoustic music all stars, all of which finds her not kidding when she bills them as “and friends”. The lady has quite the Rolodex! She also hasn’t heard that nobody is buying cds anymore. That must explain why the discs come in glassine sleeves so they don’t get scratched coming in and out of the digipak. It also explains the utterly cool cover that has stars and fire flies lighting up when you press the moon. The music? Let’s just say in all these years Anderson has yet to play a false note and she isn’t starting on any now. With a different vibe but loaded with the spirit that launched adult music like Windham Hill in the face of hair bands and a tough economy, this is first class adult music for anyone that needs something with some blood to it to ping their soul back to life. Divided into a night disc and a day disc, she covered all the bases and has got your moods and wants covered as well. From Beatles to Monty Python with a load of stops in between that’ll have you lingering there as well, this collection is an utter classic that’ll find its spot playing the cosmos long after we’re all gone. A new high water mark in adult music by an unbeatable pro.

Fretboard Journal, January 2014

This is a beautiful, bold, and brilliant offering from a master musician. In her double CD, Nightlight/Daylight, guitarist Muriel Anderson has surrounded herself with the likes of Victor Wooten, Stanly Jordan, Danny Gottleib, Earl Klugh, and Tommy Emmanuel and painted a striking aural portrait of the delight and splendor found in single rotation of the earth on its axis.

Anderson wrote and recorded the project for a newborn child and the child’s parents. This is not an edgy collection.  Anderson has smoothed all the edges over and cushioned the arrangements with wordless background vocals and strings, rendering it, as intended, a quiet and positive reflection on life. If you’re looking for edgy, pick up a copy of her collaboration with Tierra Negra, New World Flamenco.  If you want buoyant, listen to her live recording, Hometown Live. But, if you want beautiful and soothing, look no farther than this collection of gorgeously envisioned and performed songs. The imaginative packaging which alights with stars and fireflies upon pressing the image of the moon is also sure to please children and tired parents alike.

Nightlight opens with a beautiful, simple, and rhythmically hypnotic composition,Ferryboat crossing. The song features Anderson’s, lovely touch, playing a repeating figure on classical guitar, subtle backing vocals, and tasteful electric guitar flourishes courtesy of Phil Keaggy. Daylight closes the project twenty four hours later with Pray, a contemplative and reflective song with lyrics and harmony vocals by Beth Chapman. Highlights from sunrise to sunrise include jazzy take on Faint of Heart, a Vince Gill/Al Anderson composition that features Anderson trading solos with Stanley Jordan and Earl Klugh, and Here Comes the Sun, which rightly represents the dawn of the Daylight CD.

And, to be sure, there are some up-tempo offerings appearing, appropriately, in the evening hours of Daylight.  A Bakers Dozen is a knuckle-busting virtuoso performance with Anderson on harp guitar and Danny Gottlieb on drums. Anderson pairs again with Gottlieb on the tasty shredfest of Bluegrass Medley in which on solo guitar she mimics clawhammer banjo, five-string banjo, mandolin, bass and fiddle. Superstition with Gottlieb on drums, Victor Wooten on bass, and Mark Kibble doing a fair copy of Stevie Wonder’s vocals, is funky and rollicking.

Although Anderson’s fine guitar work is front and center in the arrangements, fans who found her through her solo work may be disappointed to learn of the lush production. Fear not: the set is sprinkled with solo gems. Dandelions and Winter Shores are simple and elegant solo pieces for six string guitar while Anderson renders Beethoven’s Prelude to Joy a tour de force tremolo performance. Sweet Child is a smooth and lilting medication on harp guitar.

There is certainly a range of texture, tempo, and emotion in this collection… But, make no mistake, this is music intended to make you feel secure and happy. In that it succeeds, well, quite happily.
Highly recommended.