We have a Dream Machine. It is a Sony AM/FM/CD player. Sony made several different “Dream Machine” models. Maybe Sony calls all of their clock radios dream machines. Just check on line and you will find multiple models with the same name but all looking quite different from each other.
Our Dream Machine has a specific feature that I believe most (if not all) the others lack. When you set it for sleep mode, say to shut off in 30 minutes, it will step down the volume before shutting down. This is neat because you don’t get that SUDDEN drop of all the sound all at once. That sudden drop will often wake you up if you have just gotten to sleep or are on the edge of sleep. I liked this feature so much that recently I paid $40 to have this unit repaired after the CD-player started malfunctioning.
Ignore the previous two paragraphs. They have nothing to do with this article.
We like to play soothing music to go to sleep by. We have our Dream Machine set to play the CD tracks in random order (if you can call ‘random’ order, order). We put in some soothing music like easy listening, symphonies, lull-a-byes, or rap. Scratch that last one. Also, we do sometimes play nature sounds like water flowing and crickets chirping and rainstorms with thunder. Don’t ask me how thunder is soothing, but sometimes it works – although if lightening is included that keeps me awake.
Sometime ago one of us purchased a CD that was designed to help people get to sleep. Most of the music was nice to listen to. The longest song on the CD is called “Hidden Beauty.” “Hidden Beauty” sounds like a nice song to doze off to, doesn’t it?
Forget it! This song sounds like the orchestra is tuning up. For the entire 16+ minutes it sounds like that. This is the last song on the CD. Since we play our songs in random order, we never know when we will be tortured by this piece.
Credit must be given where credit is due. The song was well named. The beauty in “Hidden Beauty” is so well hidden that we have never yet found it!
Margaret and I don’t remember which one of us bought this CD. Actually, neither is willing to admit having bought it. We agree, however, that giving it away is the best thing we could do. Not necessarily best for the recipient, but best for us.
Finally (if you’re still reading this), now that you know what a lousy CD we are offering, I will get to the details of the title of this article. The first person to leave a comment in which they state the correct title of this CD will win it. (Only one title to a comment, please.) They will win it if they are brave enough to provide a U.S. mailing address. Please don’t put your street address or email address in the comment. I will email you for your street address. You don’t have to provide your real name in the comment, either. Nor would I blame you.