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Although both albums specialize in the gentle art of ethereal, ambient, electronic music, in this writer’s humble opinion, the Sleep album took on a more therapeutic, realistic sounding approach to providing relief from stress and restlessness and other brain anomalies that at times prevent the human mind from finding its daily nocturnal tranquility. In a kind of 90 degree sound variance from the Sleep album, Liquid Mind’s Lullaby album is clearly written and recorded to be of aid to help hyper-active kids learn to relax through the gentle art of sound meditation and in that regard, the album takes a less concentrated sound outlook, while at times offering a more lighthearted approach. The lush sounding melodies on Lullaby are also less minimized compared to the Sleep album,and if anything Lullaby takes more of a reflective synth-wave approach that, while not focusing in on the evolving aspects of Sleep, brings out a more observant musical direction. The six tracks on Lullaby range in times from the longest track, “We Hold Peace In Our Hands”, at just under thirteen minutes, to seven minutes for the CD-closing “Mountain Lullaby”. Liquid Mind IX: Lullaby is wonderfully recorded and the all-white design of the CD packaging seems to fit the album’s positive, synth-scape moments that Liquid Mind is well-known for. With song titles including “Into The Light”, “My Quiet Spirit” and “Whisper To Me”, the nearly 60-minute album just seems to float on a heavenly life-force that effortlessly connects the listener to their higher vibration through the magic of music. Liquid Mind IX: Lullaby is a fitting tribute to the gentle art of the lullaby while also standing out as one of the most expressive electronic music albums of 2009.
Chuck Wild remembers Liquid Mind IX: Lullaby
Chuck Wild: Actually, there was a somewhat deeper meaning for me. In 2001, my Mom passed on, and in 2008, my Dad passed on, and the album is dedicated to them, and to the idea of celebrating the continuity of life. Surviving loss, especially of our parents, is an important part of the human journey, and lullabies are a wonderful way for one generation to nurture the next. You can read more here in the digital booklet. So, yes, the music is more complex, and perhaps emotionally deeper due to the circumstances of my life at the time. For 10 years I commuted to their home in the Midwest to participate in their care, and though it was a difficult time, it was also a time of growth, and taking on more responsibility in my family. mwe3: Was Liquid Mind IX: Lullaby designed with the idea of helping children calm down as well as adults and perhaps adults trying to help their own children find a calming place in their lives? Do you still believe that meditation and sound healing therapies can be taught to children? Chuck Wild: Several folks have told me over the years that they play Liquid Mind for their children every night, and the kids look forward to it. I wouldn't say that "sound healing therapies", per se, should be 'taught' to kids. More, I think they can experience them, and in many cases receive the benefits of it. mwe3: Most people, either for themselves or for children don’t realize the power that music can have on their well being. There's also a rich history of the lullaby in classical music. It seems like it’s intrinsic music for the purposes you discuss that have been handed down through the ages. Chuck Wild: In my own experience, I listened to classical music often as early as I can remember. My grandfather would sometimes sit at our piano and play quiet classical pieces at night, and yes there is a long tradition of using classics to accompany every aspect of our lives, from celebration to grieving to meditation to creative exploration, the list is endless of the functions of music, both old and new.
Chuck Wild: I'm not an expert, but remember loving "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", of course Brahms' "Cradle Song", and of course "Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven. That was probably my favorite. My sister would play that at the piano some evenings. All were inspiriting to me, though as time went on I gravitated, as kids do, to spritelier tunes by Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Bach and Bartok. mwe3: You dedicate Liquid Mind IX: Lullaby to your mother and father, with your Dad passing away just before you released the Lullaby album. How did your father’s passing affect you during that period? It’s very impressive that your father lived almost to 99. That’s a feat in itself. Tell us about the album closer “Mountain Lullaby” that you dedicate to your parents. Those trips to the Colorado Rockies that your parents took you and your sister on must have been very memorable. Did you parents encourage your musical background and musical studies? Chuck Wild: Mom and Dad and my sister and I went to Estes Park Colorado, a gem of a town in the Rocky Mountains, every year, staying at a cabin that was part of a 100-year old hotel called Elkhorn Lodge. Every single day Mom and Dad would take us riding horseback through the most amazing mountain vistas you can imagine. It was truly awe-inspiring. Regardless of our location, my life was filled with music, especially starting at age 4 when I was diagnosed with a congenital problem with my right hip. The treatment for my condition was to remain off my legs for two years - age 4 and age 5 - and gratefully it worked completely, and I was able to walk normally after that. During that time, to keep me busy, I was taught how to play piano by our wonderful housekeeper, Edna Amos. She would set me by the piano and teach simple pieces like "Heart and Soul" and "Chopsticks". I loved playing, and as soon as I could walk, I joined a church choir, and continue to sing and eventually play organ in a church, in my teen years. It was there that I learned to play slow meditational music. I started formal piano lessons at age 5 while still in a leg brace and continued my music study through college and eventually studying composition at UCLA. My music activities were always quite social which added to the fun and learning, and reminds me that choral musical performances can be a way to bring happiness and fun to our communities.
In the liner notes I wrote this about Dream: "Whether you choose to use Dream: A Liquid Mind Experience for napping, pre-sleep, meditation, healthcare activities, to relax your pets, and yourselves, for creative work, or simply as a musical background to your life, I hope you'll find my music enjoyable and useful." mwe3: You had said that you might be recording a new Liquid Mind album in 2024. That would be great news. Can you reveal any information on what musical directions Liquid Mind might be taking next? Chuck Wild: Yes, my co-producer Jonathan Marozik and I are about 40 percent of the way through a new studio album. As usual, the process is slow because I like to get perspective on the sound and quality, and don't want to rush it, since so many people use Liquid Mind as part of their healthcare routine.
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As the follow-up release to the 2006 release of Liquid Mind VIII: Sleep album, Liquid Mind IX: Lullaby is a remarkable sounding instrumental music album in its own right and is surely well worth giving a listen to 15 years after its 2009 CD release on the legendary Real Music label. 
