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This extraordinary collaborative work by women from around the world brings a new sense to the Bushian phrase by making a statement of hope and peace in an age of chaos. The album contains 14 lullabies from Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan and Cuba, sung by women from these countries including Rim Banna, Mahsha Vahdat, Sun Ju Lee, Jawahar Shofani, in duets with 'western' artists including Nina Hagen (Germany), Eddi Reader (Scotland), Sarah Jane Morris (England), Lila Downs (USA/Mexico) and Mimi (USA), all within compositions by Knut Reiersrud and a group of musicians from Norway and the world. Thus the record forms 14 small musical bridges between east and west, north and south. A complete track, sound samples and artist listing follows below.

See also:
Women CARE (Unni Wilhelmsen, Anneli Drecker, Simone and Lynni Treekrem from Norway meet Chiwoniso from Zimbabwe, Marie Daulne (lead singer of Zap Mama), Tigist Bekele from Ethiopia, and Talike from Madagascar
Knut Reiersrud
Skruk and Rim Banna
Rim Banna Mirrors of my Soul Sevara Nazarkhan

The way things are today, this is a daring and poignant recording. Daring, because the songs featured all come from countries that are in the headlines these days, usually in a negative way, all of them associated with pain and suffering. Poignant, because this is not about making a righteous stand: this is, first and foremost, a record of haunting music and a fusion of East and West of the utmost caliber. So, forget about rights and wrongs, dividing lines, preconceptions, enemies and friends, haves and have-nots. This is not a record about divisions or "I am holier than thou" attitudes. This is a record that uses music to do what music does best: express pure emotions, unite and make us feel and think. Although the pace is leisurely and the spirit melancholic, this is not a tortured record, but a soothing experience that uplifts and calms. - Nondas Kitsos, RootsWorld

You should also listen to Krybberom by Rim Banna (Palestine) and Skruk (Norway)

Tracks and artists (highlighted tracks are MP3 samples) "Sad sol"– You're my destiny Mahsa Vahdat, Iran Sarah Jane Morris, England "Dilelol" – Sleep, my child Amel Kthyer and Halla Bassam, Iraq Eva Dahlgren, Sweden "Lalolalo" - Don't you worry, my child Kulsoom Syed Ghulam, Afghanistan Lila Downs, Mexico/USA "Ya Lel Ma Atwalak" – This never ending night Rim Banna, Palestine Kari Bremnes, Norway "Luna, Luna" - Luna, Luna little doll Mayada Killisly Baghdadi, Syria Mimi, USA "Peace song" Halla Bassam, Iraq Sevara Nazarkhan, Uzbekistan "Aruru" – Lullaby, sweet baby Martha Lorenzo, Cuba Nina Hagen, Germany "Stars are rising" Sun Ju Lee, North Korea Eddi Reader, Scotland "Nami" - Angel Viva Killisly Chachati, Syria Katia Cardenal, Nicaragua "Lalalala Gohle Laleh" Mahsa and Marjan Vahdat, Iran "Nami ya la'aubi" – Sleep, my doll Rim Banna, Palestine Annisette, Denmark "Gohlelale" - My tulip, my pearl Pari Zanganeh, Iran The Washington National Cathedral Girls Choristers, USA Elana Fremerman, USA "Nami" - Lament Jawaher Shofani, Palestine "Mazar" – Some day, my boy Fanzya and Razya Khan Ali, Afghanistan Elana Fremerman, USA "Watch Over Me" Halla Bassam, Iraq Ricki Lee Jones, USA

A letter from the producer: Having been involved in 300 record-productions, most of them as a producer, I would like to give you the following message: I have very seldom taken part in projects of which I truly can say that they changed me as a person. It might have happened four or five times before. Now it has happened again. I am speaking about the CD Lullabies from the Axis of Evil. The album contains 14 lullabies from Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan and Cuba. Every lullaby is presented in its original form sung by women from these countries, and then a western version with interpretations in English sung by singers like Nina Hagen (Germany), Eddi Reader (Scotland – Fairground Attraction), Sarah Jane Morris (England), Lila Downs (USA/Mexico) and Mimi (USA) is attached to it, within a musical landscape composed by Knut Reiersrud. Thus the record forms 14 small musical bridges between east and west. In the world of today, there is a need of the power of lullabies. They are more reliable than most of the hits we find on the charts these days. They will remain when most of the digital dust from the porous music business has fallen to the ground. They are the point where the cultures and civilisations of the earth meet each other, or rather the common starting-point from which they grow into diversity. In the world of today the lullabies are more sustain than the weapons of Bush and Al-Qaida. But it is not a given fact that all people hear them. It is not a given fact that the mothers' voices are heard at all. Most of what the media brings us is the language of power, generally spoken by men. Good music has a great value! It has the ability of changing people's attitudes and minds. This is a work of peace. I will as strong as possible ask you to give the project "Lullabies from the Axis of Evil" some attention! - Erik Hillestad, Producer

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