Album Notes

When I was a child, my mother often comforted me by whispering a soft melody close to my ear as she rocked me in her arms. She would make up the tender tune and words as she went along and soon, I would either snooze or be reenergized and continue playing. The beauty of her simple song transformed my little world. I was peaceful and happy again. So simple was her gift, so small and yet so important. I considered dozens of lullabies, which possessed beauty, sweetness and simplicity, and all of which brought me back to those tender moments with my mother. The choices were difficult as I found each of them, with their lovely melodies and words, expressed the mystery of a child's pure and innocent spirit as seen through the eyes and heart of a loving parent. My search led me to a vast repertoire of traditional lullabies, ballads and chants, and I soon realized that anything could be sung as a lullaby if the intention is to quiet and console. What mattered most with my mother's tiny songs was not the musical form, the lyrics or the tune, but the purpose: to bring her child back to her carefree, tranquil and completely trusting nature." A soloist and choir member of St. John's Catholic Church in Worcester, Monica also performs frequently at Massachusetts jazz venues including Harry's Too - Westboro, Café Amore - Worcester, and Bullfinch's - Sudbury.