Goodnight Moon

Few recordings capture the warmth and intimacy of acoustic music quite like Goodnight Moon, the latest collection from husband-and-wife duo Acoustic Eidolon. Drawing on their many years of making music together, Joe Scott and Hannah Alkire bring together original compositions alongside three memorable covers: “Fields of Gold,” “Vincent,” and “Ashokan Farewell.” All three are given lovely instrumental treatments, with the familiar melodies taking on a new character through Scott’s guitars and Alkire’s expressive cello. The music is quiet and reflective without ever feeling slight, inviting the listener to slow down and appreciate the beauty of a well-played melody. Joe Scott brings a distinctive range of sounds to the album, playing guitar, ukulele, gitjo, and synth guitar, while Hannah Alkire’s cello provides a warm, lyrical counterpoint. The two have an easy musical understanding, developed over an extensive career together, and their performances feel natural and unforced. Scott’s playing ranges from delicate, fingerpicked passages to fuller, more layered textures, while Alkire’s cello adds depth and a human voice to the music. There is plenty of space in these arrangements, allowing the character of each instrument to come through without unnecessary embellishment. Goodnight Moon is also an exceptional recording for anyone interested in hearing what acoustic instruments can sound like in DSD. Captured in DSD256, the album presents the guitars with remarkable clarity, revealing the subtle details of each plucked string and the natural resonance of the instruments. The cello is equally impressive, full-bodied and lifelike, with a convincing sense of wood, air, and sustain. The recording never feels exaggerated; its appeal lies in the natural sound of the instruments and the care taken to capture them. A lovely album in its own right, Goodnight Moon is also a superb reference for demonstrating the realism and resolution of DSD playback. This incredible recording is available on SACD and as a high-resolution download, exclusively at Octave Records.