While the Eagle Sleeps

These lovely Native American- and Latino-inspired lullabies and night songs are as gentle as the smell of Pinon blossoms and mesquite. On While the Eagle Sleeps, composer Alice Gomez plays acoustic guitar, synthesizers, percussion, and chanting; Madalyn Blanchett plays recorders and the friendly clay ocarina; and Marilyn Rife plays percussion, keyboard bass, and synthesizer. Opening up the musical palette to colorful Latino instruments and cadences allows one a full experience of the Southwest. Though gentle in its lullaby mode, the melodies are lyrical and harmonious—more feminine than, say, the music of R. Carlos Nakai and the limited notes of the Native American flute. On "Dream Flight," the strong pulse of the Spanish guitar and its hesitating rhythms reminds one of flamenco dancing across the heavens, while the gentle waltz of the title track would lull anyone to a sweet's night sleep. No lyrics to this lullaby album. Lovely album.