Bedtime Prayers: Lullabies and Peaceful Worship is the fourteenth studio and children's music album by Christian singer-songwriter Twila Paris, released on March 27, 2001 by Sparrow Records.[1][2] Bedtime Prayers consists of original lullabies written by Paris, with the exception of the William O. Cushing hymn "Jewels."[3] The album was perfectly timed because Paris and her husband Jack Wright were expecting their first child. A month after the album's release, Paris gave birth to their first born son named Jack Paris Wright. It was a name Paris had picked out for 15 years.[4] The album is produced by John Hartley of the U.K. Christian music duo Phil and John, with additional production by Derald Daugherty, lead singer of the alternative Christian rock group The Choir. Paris won a Dove Award for Children's Music Album of the Year for Bedtime Prayers at the 33rd GMA Dove Awards in 2002.[5] The album reached number one on the Billboard Top Kid Albums chart.
| Bedtime Prayers: Lullabies and Peaceful Worship | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 27, 2001 | |||
| Genre | CCM, Children's music, inspirational | |||
| Length | 43:53 | |||
| Label | Sparrow/EMI | |||
| Producer | John Hartley, Derald Daugherty | |||
| Twila Paris chronology | ||||
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Track listing edit
All songs written by Twila Paris, except where noted.
- "God Is All Around Us" - 3:51
- "Jewels" (William O. Cushing) - 3:09
- "My Delight" - 3:02
- "Perfect Peace" - 3:22
- "My Best Friend" - 3:14
- "Your Whole Life Long" - 4:31
- "His Beloved" - 2:52
- "More Than I Can Say" - 4:28
- "There Is Only One" - 4:12
- "Bedtime Prayer" - 3:38
- "See You Tomorrow" - 3:25
- "Blessing" - 3:57
Critical reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [6] |
| Cross Rhythms |   [7] |
Ashleigh Kittle of AllMusic said of Bedtime Prayers that "Paris has specifically geared the album toward new mothers and young children. Her aim being to assist parents in teaching their children Biblically based foundational truths that can be carried with them the rest of their lives. The album is beautifully orchestrated, featuring Paris' trademark piano melodies paired with moderate tempos and the vocal vulnerability present on all she sings. Musically, it best reflects a blending of inspirational praise and worship with the gentle, soothing style associated with lullabies."
Tony Cummings of Cross Rhythms recommended Bedtime Prayers saying "If you're looking for a perfect gift for a new mum (sorry, mom) here's a delicate worshipful music that features excellent musicianship and prayers to the Father as it woos the little darling asleep."
Personnel edit
- Twila Paris - lead vocals
- Tom Howard - keyboards, orchestral arrangements
- Adam DePasquale - keyboards, programming, tenor recorder
- Jamie Kenney - keyboards, programming
- Phil Keaggy - guitars
- Chris Rodriguez - guitars, backing vocals
- Gary Burnette - guitars
- Jared DePasquale - guitars
- Chris Donohue - bass guitar
- Danny O'Lannerghty - bass guitar
- Al Perkins - pedal steel guitar
- Phil Madeira - B-3 organ
- John Mark Painter - brass, accordion, penny whistle
- John Mock - penny whistle, low whistle, harmonium
- Ken Lewis - percussion
- Eric Darken - percussion
- Carl Gorodetzky - violin
- Pam Sixfin - violin
- Kristin Wilkinson - viola
- Bob Mason - cello
- Chris Eaton - backing vocals
- Felicia Sorenson - backing vocals
- Molly Felder - backing vocals
Production edit
- John Hartley - producer
- Derald Daugherty - additional producer, recording
- Lynn Nichols - executive producer
- Jim Dineen - recording
- Jordan Richter - recording
- David Streit - assistant recording
- Brian Boyd - assistant recording
- Brian Tankersley - mixing at GTB Studio, Franklin, Tennessee
- Sam Hewitt - assistant mixing
- Hank Williams - mastering at MasterMix, Nashville, Tennessee
- Neverland Studios, Nashville, Tennessee - recording location
- Bennett House, Franklin, Tennessee - recording location
- Dark House Recording, Franklin, Tennessee - recording location
- DePasquale Studio, Nashville, Tennessee - recording location
- Kegworth Studio, Nashville, Tennessee - recording location
- The Mission, Nashville, Tennessee - recording location
- Jan Cook - art director
- Wayne Brezinka - art director
- Christiév Carothers - creative director
- Katherine Stratton - design
- Russ Harrington - photographer
Companion book edit
Paris has also released a companion book called Bedtime Prayers and Lullabies published by Harvest House Publishers.[8] Accompanied with illustration paintings by Kathryn Andrews Fincher, the book gives new parents simple prayers and soothing lullabies to newborn babies and toddlers.
Charts edit
| Chart (2001) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Top Kid Albums (Billboard)[9] | 1 |
Accolades edit
| Year | Winner | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Bedtime Prayers: Lullabies and Peaceful Worship | Children's Music Album of the Year |
References edit
- ^ Twila Paris : Bedtime Prayers: Lullabies and Peaceful Worship. Sparrow Records. 2001.
- ^ Alfonso, Barry (2002). The Billboard Guide to Contemporary Christian Music. Billboard Books. p. 216-17. ISBN 0-8230-7718-7.
- ^ "When He Cometh". Hymnary.
- ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (2001-04-21). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
{{cite book}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Dove Awards Past Winners". Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ Kittle, Ashleigh. Twila Paris – Bedtime Prayers: Lullabies and Peaceful Worship: Review at AllMusic
- ^ Cummings, Tony. "Review: Bedtime Prayers: Lullabies and Peaceful Worship - Twila Paris". Cross Rhythms.
- ^ Paris, Twila (2002). Bedtime Prayers and Lullabies. Harvest House Publishers. ISBN 978-0736907460.
- ^ "Top Kid LPs". Billboard. May 26, 2001.