Lullabies from the Axis of Evil

Lullabies from the Axis of Evil (2004) is an album collecting traditional lullabies sung by women from Iraq, Iran, and North Korea ("the axis of evil"), as well as Syria, Libya, and Cuba ("beyond the axis of evil"), plus Afghanistan and Palestine, mixed with Western performers singing translated versions of the songs.

Lullabies from the Axis of Evil
Compilation album by
Various
Released2004
Recorded2002-2003
GenreLullabies
LabelKirkelig Kulturverksted (Norway),
Valley Entertainment[1] (U.S.)
ProducerErik Hillestad

It was conceived by Norwegian music producer Erik Hillestad in reaction to the "axis of evil" term[2] first used by U.S. President George W. Bush in his 2002 State of the Union address.

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[3]

Reviewers generally acclaimed the idea of the album, while reviews of the final product were mixed.

  • Washington Post: "The most thought-provoking musical statement made this election year just might be a CD of heartbreakingly beautiful songs for babies."[2]
  • Allmusic: "The idea is excellent - giving a human face to those countries labeled by George W. Bush as "the axis of evil" in his 2002 speech. [...] But it's the music that lets the project down."[4]

Controversy
  • The producer claimed that several artists had not wanted to participate in the project, because they were afraid of boycott from the music industry and media.[5]
  • According to a statement from the album's U.S. distributor Valley Entertainment,[6][7] their company was blacklisted in 2007 by the George W. Bush administration because of its release. A press release (March 2, 2007) from the album's original Norwegian record company Kirkelig Kulturverksted (Norway's largest independent record label) also claimed that their U.S. distributor had been blacklisted by the Bush administration.[8]

Track listing
  1. "Sad Sol (You, My Destiny)" (Iran) - Mahsa Vahdat, Sarah Jane Morris
  2. "Dilelol (Sleep, My Child)" (Iraq) - Amel Kthyer, Halla Balsam, Eva Dahlgren
  3. "Lalolalo (Don't You Worry My Child)" (Afghanistan) - Kulsoom Syed Ghulam, Lila Downs
  4. "Ya Layl Ma Atwalak (This Never Ending Night)" (Palestine) - Rim Banna, Kari Bremnes
  5. "Luna, Luna (Luna, Luna Little Doll)" (Syria) - Mayada Killsly Baghdadi, Mimi
  6. "Peace Song" (Iraq) - Halla Balsam, Sevara Nazarkhan
  7. "Aruru (Lullaby, Sweet Baby)" (Cuba) - Martha Lorenzo e Nina Hagen
  8. "Stars Are Rising" (North Korea) - Sun Ju Lee, Eddi Reader
  9. "Nami (Angel)" (Syria) - Viva Killisly Chachati, Katia Cardenal
  10. "Lalalala Gohle Leleh" (Iran) - Mahsa Vahdat, Marjan Vahdat
  11. "Garibe (Watching Over Me)" - Halla Balsam, Rickie Lee Jones
  12. "Nami Ya La'aubi (Sleep My Doll)" (Palestine) - Rim Banna, Annisette Hansen
  13. "Gohlelale (My Tulip, My Pearl)" (Iran) - Pari Zanganeh, Washington Cathedral Girls Choristers
  14. "Nami (Lament)" (Palestine) - Jawaher Shofani
  15. "Mazar (Some Day, My Boy)" (Afghanistan) - Fanzya Ali, Razya Khan Ali, Elana Fremerman
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See also

References
  1. "Lullabies from the Axis of Evil". Valley Entertainment. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  2. Joe Heim, "'Axis of Evil' Lullabies: A Nod to Peace", Washington Post, October 26, 2004
  3. Allmusic review
  4. Chris Nickson, "Review of Lullabies from the Axis of Evil", Allmusic
  5. Arne Kristian Garmo, Interview with Erik Hillestad nrk.no April 24, 2004
  6. Original report by NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation), "Norsk CD fikk Bush til å se rødt", via Archive.org.
  7. Covered in English by WFMU, "Lullabies Blacklisted by the Bush Administration", via Archive.org.
  8. Press Release March 2, 2007
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