-
Winnie the Pooh 2:470:00/2:47
-
0:00/2:15
-
Dois Destinos 3:020:00/3:02
-
Moon River 2:400:00/2:40
-
0:00/3:09
-
Jesus Loves Me 1:450:00/1:45
-
0:00/2:23
Good Night, Julia
Night-Night songs
These are the "night-night" songs I played for my boys as they went to bed in their younger years. With the exception of the two Brazilian tunes, all are original solo guitar arrangements – now to be shared with all their young cousins who are of good age for “night-night” music. The lullaby tunes here are made extra-special as they were all played on their Great, Great, Grandma Julia's guitar.
Good Night, Julia - Letter to the Listener
These are the stories and thoughts behind the songs...
1. Winnie the Pooh: Pooh was Haakon’s favorite cartoon character as a little boy. This is still true! I came up with this arrangement especially for his enjoyment. When Haakon was four-ish, there was a period of several months where - as he completed the last of his bedtime rituals, he’d say to me “Don’t forget to play Pooh Bear.”
2. When You Wish Upon a Star:This arrangement was inspired by the intro segment to all the Disney movies we’ve watched as a family… You know - with the river, the castle, the fireworks and Tinkerbell.
3. Dois Destinos (Two Destinies): I started learning this one (literally) as soon as Haakon was born. I brought my little travel guitar to the hospital along with this sheet music as we rushed out the door to get the hospital with Vanessa in labor. I liked the song title for the birth of our next baby - imagining it a melody for the two destinies of Thorin and his new little brother.
This song “Two Destinies” conjures two distinct memories for me – one of snow and one of blazing tropical sun. Following Haakon’s birth, we were stuck at the hospital for two days because of the foot’n’a-half of snow outside. We had a huge window looking out over the winter wonderland watching as even more snow fell. The orange street lights reflected off the bright snow of the vacant street two floors below - it was strikingly beautiful. However, the peaceful scene was interrupted at 2AM when the bars let out and a massive snowball fight ensued – hilarious to watch!
The other vision that happens when I play this tune – opposite from the picture painted above – is when I took the same travel guitar on vacation to Akumal, Mexico (Caribbean side). I had forgotten how to play this tune over the years since Haakon’s birth and I resolved to relearn it while on vacation. It was two weeks of tropical bliss out on the deck overlooking a bright blue Caribbean bay while strumming this back to memory.
4. Moon River: This one is meant to sound like a little “crank style” music box. I came up with this arrangement for my band Zizzy Zi Zixxy years ago. The first time we played it for an audience, we were playing at a winery/farm just outside Chelan overlooking the Columbia river. The gig went into the night. A full moon provided the light for the last few songs of the show with the river shining in the near distance just below us. “Moon River” was our last tune of the night with my friend’s harmonica carrying the melody over the guitar part here. I can still picture the scene… Magic! This became a night-night staple for the boys as time went on. The lyrics to this tune are simple but great. Friendship and adventure – something I wish for both my boys.
5. Uma Valsa e Dois Amores (A Waltz for Two Lovers): Erik and Michaela this waltz is for you as the newliest of weds! A beautiful, beautiful tune - also a night-night staple over the years.
6. Jesus Loves Me: Grandma Egerdahl and all her kids formed a family band that would play and sing for Denny Park Lutheran Church’s services and gospel radio show. This guitar arrangement is just a month or so old. I wanted to give a nod to that gospel tradition in this set of songs and have it fit the “night-night” theme. As a young guitarist, I was told by my Aunt Hulda (twice) these exact words “Play gospel music.” Here’s another one for you, Hulda!
7. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star: This arrangement was inspired by Lyn who told me the story of a phone conversation she had with my dad years ago. In the conversation, he told her of one of his favorite childhood memories from the old Egerdal home in Hamarøy, Norway. He would’ve been nine years old or younger on a dark, arctic night in the old Egerdal house. The sky was pitch black and free of clouds. The stars were thick in the sky. The starlight - from the top of the sky down to the horizon reflected off the fresh snow all around as well as the shimmering water of the inlet below. Starlight all around, coming from every direction. It sounded like a wonderful experience.
Good night all!
December 2019
A note on the title: When I described the idea of recording these tunes for family - I asked Haakon what I should call the collection. The first words out of his mouth were "Good Night, Julia." It was the perfect title - no further discussion necessary! Thanks, Haakon!