Cady Finlayson is a NYC-based Irish fidller who enjoys stretching the boundaries and exposing her music to wider audiences. When she met French guitarist Vita Tanga, she saw an opportunity to do just that. They began experimenting with some different sounds…including electric guitar with various pedal enhancements. The result was exciting enough that they decided it was time to push the record button! We’re very pleased to be able to share with your two songs from their collaborative effort Electric Green: Foggy Dew and Itchy Fingers

Sokoband is a jazz fusion trio from the Charlottesville, VA area with nearly 20 years of history under their belts. Tight musical performances and a strong melodic hook infuse their song Coast to Coast with a fun, sweet energy. It’s from their new self-titled album.

Luke Parkin blends various musical genres into his compositions…and he refers to the results as “classitronic” music. From his latest album, EST. MMIX, we’re presenting The Gathering Storm, with a moody groove that sounds like it could fit comfortably into the soundtrack of a modern movie Western.

All these tracks are available right now for free, legal download from GreatInstrumentalDownloads.com!

But first, we just wanted to point out that we now have our own Facebook page. So you can get our latest updates that way as well. Just “Like” our page, which can be found right here!

Sometimes, singer/songwriters slip into highly-derivative ruts. They might have great lyrics, but they sort of slough-off when it comes to creating music to support the words. In that regard, Zach Maxwell was a really nice surprise. He brings a lot of soul and passion to his music, and he doesn’t sound like anyone else we’ve heard lately. From his collection Silent Beat – EP, you’ll want to check out I Wanna Meet and When I Rise.

There’s “weird for the sake of being weird”…and there’s “weird because you’re just too damn creative to keep it all inside”. For us, British songwriter Chapman falls into the latter camp. Now…you have to admit that it’s kinda weird to take the same 11 songs and release them on 3 different albums with 3 different musical approaches to each, right? But the songs themselves are surprisingly accessible and indisputably beautiful. You’ll hear all kinds of wonderful, familiar influences in the music…yet the songs never lose their own musical identity. The two tracks we’re showcasing are from one of the aforementioned albums…The Amplification of Mr Ballad: Raffi’s Song (The Answer Is Love) and Things Are Changing.

How many 17-year-old musical powerhouses have you encountered in your life? Well, Larzz Principato isn’t like most kids his age. And he’s clearly out to prove that with his band Show Me The Skyline. They may not be the deepest, most original songwriters you’ve ever heard…but what they ARE delivering is a top-notch, highly-polished sound that’s scratching the itch of their target demographic. And that makes Larzz and the boys worth keeping an eye on. You’ll be seriously impressed with the song May from the album Rumor Has It.

When you think of punchy indie rock, you think Portugal…right? Well, you just might after you’ve heard The Doups. They’ve been garnering notice in band competitions and showcases since their formation 3 years ago, and have been writing and recording as well. Take a listen to their track Now I’m Going.

One of the main goals of good songwriting is to create a sound that people can relate to…but that they still find surprising enough to be interesting. Michael Behm has been hammering out a career as a songwriter and performer for many years. He’s continually making new connections with his music and finding new fans who appreciate his finely-honed, melodic songwriting. From his self-titled album, enjoy Where I Belong.

Jensen Keets grew up loving great songs from strong songwriters like Elton John and Billy Joel, and struggled to decide which of her two passions to pursue professionally: music or fashion design. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology and recording her first (self-titled) album, she’s still determined to make a go of both! So, keep an eye out for her own fashion line someday…but in the meantime, we think you’ll appreciate her song Me World.

Chad Hollister‘s sweet, smooth and jazzy song Change (from his recent self-titled album) cries out…in the gentlest way possible…for folks to break out of their ruts and let fly with a fresh new take on things. Go ahead…take the first step…by grabbing the tune!

All these songs are available RIGHT NOW for free, legal download from GreatSongsFree.com!

JamToast is not new to our site, but they DO have some new music to share with us! Michael McKinnon and his young sons, Owen and Drew, serve up more energetic punk music for kids on the new album Rock ‘n Roll Playground. You’ll have a hard time sitting still while listening to: Lucas Like Firetrucks, Rain Rain Go Away and Shoelace Soup.

The Cornell Hurd Band brings an old-style country feel to a simple, funny song about more-desirable behavior with their song Don’t Wipe Your Face On Your Shirt. It’s from the Bloodshot Records various artists collection, The Bottle Let Me Down.

The Flutterbys are Jill Carole and Paul Robinson, and they’re sharing two songs from their new album Jungle Jam. The songs are Flynn the Blynn and The Cow Who Likes To Whistle (which also features guest performances by Oscar-nominated actress Piper Laurie and Al “Year of the Cat” Stewart). Of note, a portion of the proceeds from the album will be donated to Generation Rescue (an autism advocacy program).

Kids Imagine Nation is Aaron, Beatz and Rachel (all 3 are preschool music teachers), and they bring their energetic live performances to preschools and kids fairs. Their new self-titled album features the song Mama, and they’ve brought it to us to share with you.

Lemonsquare is the music of Alan Schlaifer, and he’s offering up a time-telling tale called Tic Toc. It’s from the album Music for Fun.

And finally…from the Chicagoland area, Wee Hairy Beasties‘ first concert was at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. The band was under the mistaken impression they would be playing to the animals…so all the songs they brought were about animals. But…children showed up as well…so the band decided to record an album called Animal Crackers! Enjoy the song: Wee Hairy Beasties

All this great music for kids is available for free legal download right now at FreeKidsMusic.com

Eric Persing is mostly known as a developer of music software (he’s the founder of Spectrasonics), though you’ll love his piano arrrangement of this song.

Linda McCrary was a member of the legendary group The McCrary’s…but she has an even more fascinating story than that…which you can find out more about on the info-link beside her name on the song download page. They’re sharing with us a gorgeous, soulful rendition of O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

You’ll find this song available right now for free download at FeelsLikeChristmas.com, and you may want to check out the video as well.

We’d also like to note that a couple of our sites have been singled out in the past couple weeks by one of our favorite blogs (MakeUseOf.com) as great resources for downloading free, legal MP3s:

(FeelsLikeChristmas.com)

• http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-sites-to-download-free-legal-online-christmas-music/

(FreeKidsMusic.com)

• http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/top-10-websites-for-free-legal-mp3-music-downloads/

There are a number of reasons why MakeUseOf.com has over 140,000 subscribers. And, clearly, one of those reasons is their keen sense of discernment!

And in case we don’t talk to you again before then, have a wonderful holiday season!

The music of Maree McRae fills the ears and the heart alike. Her warm, mature vocals bring to life a solid collection of songs on her two albums. We’re pleased to be able to share two songs with you…one from each album: Let Go from her new album Urgency, and I Won’t Settle For Less, the title cut from her first album.

Adam Stokes has just released his second album as well. It’s called October Sky, and you can download the song Night From Day.

Jeff Krantz has travelled an unusual path these last 2-3 years. Feeling trapped in a 9-5 desk job, he dreamed of making his living doing something with his music…at that time, little more than a hobby. It wasn’t long before he was being mentioned by Billboard and Newsweek…not to mention receiving a letter of encouragement from the legendary Cat Stevens, who had heard some of his early demos. He built an audience of 10,000+ on Second Life under the pseudonym Hep Shepard, streaming 200 performances from his New York loft. Coming up? A “virtual” tour…10 countries in 6 weeks, with a zero carbon footprint! You’ll enjoy Landmine, from his new album The Last One To Know.

Corey Smith specializes in tight, incisive lyrics delivered with an energetic musical hook. From his latest album, Keeping Up With The Joneses, you a good example (“love is a compass, it’ll turn you around…a hundred-eighty degrees, the arc of a rainbow”) with Arc Of A Rainbow.

These songs are available now at GreatSongsFree.com

And, here’s some great new stuff for kids as well:

The Speks are 6 guys from Ireland (all of whom wear glasses) who sing a delightful brand of Irish folk music for kids. It’s warm and gentle and easy on the ears…and it’s extra nice since it’s all delivered with that wonderful Irish brogue. From the album Sing-Along Songs from Glasses Island – Volume 1, we’re presenting four great songs: Homeward Bound, Old King Cole, Skippin’ Song (see the video) and The Spider. You’ll find even more free stuff from the album at their web site, too!

Sarah Lee Guthrie has a proud musical pedigree in the folk music genre (daughter of Arlo, granddaughter of Woody), so it only makes sense that she’d be making her mark there as well, and doing so as a family affair (accompanied by her husband, her two daughters, her dad Arlo and Pete Seeger). From her album Go Waggaloo, she’s sharing the song Cuz We’re Cousins.

Super Stolie is the alter ego of Rebecca Stoelinga, a singer/songwriter based in the Chicago area. She sort of slid sideways into children’s music, after a friend told her she had a dream about it. Her new album is called When I Grow Up, and she’s brought us a couple songs: Busy Bumblebee and Kitties and Dogs.

New York-based artist Ms. Janis is determined to get kids moving with her music. In fact, it only makes sense…after 8 years of teaching creative movement, music, yoga and gymnastics to children! From her album Music 4 Me! Volume #1, Moving Bodies, and Inspiring Hearts, you’ll find yourself tapping along with Around The Circle.

Einstein’s Monkey is three guys from Virginia (Jeff Hofmann, B Bagby and David McDonald) who’ve discovered a mutual interest in children’s music. They’ve recently released their album, Banana Yellow, and brought us a couple songs to share with you: Pet Dinosaur and Party In The Playground.

These songs can be downloaded right now at FreeKidsMusic.com

En-Joy!

All those songs are available right now at FeelsLikeChristmas.com

Also, some fine solo piano music for you:

Craig Burdette hails from the San Francisco bay area, and counts amongst his musical influences George Winston, Jim Brickman, Burt Bacharach and Stephen Sondheim. So you’d expect strong melodies and musical accessibility, and that’s precisely what he delivers! He’s brought us two songs to share with you from his Recollections album: Chorale and Kevin & Alisha.

From another part of the world, UK-based artist Rich Batsford offers up two pieces as well, from his new album, Valentine Court. His diverse musical influences include choral vocal music, jazz and classical, plus his background as lead singer and songwriter in a couple of guitar-based rock bands. From his new album, Valentine Court, enjoy Gudonya and Namaste.

And these great piano music downloads are available right now at FreeSoloPiano.com

• Several new additions from Inner Splendor Media: First up, two lovely, haunting renditions of traditional Christmas favorites, delivered with a Celtic twist: Silent Night and O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Then, an instrumental version of the same O Come, O Come Emmanuel from the same album (In The Spirit Of Peace) and a solo piano version of The Twelve Days Of Christmas performed by Dizzy Reed (keyboardist from Guns N’ Roses), from the album The Magic & Wonder of Christmas.
• James Madison Thomas returns with another tune from the Eighties, also sung by Joe Fish. It’s called One Little Child.

The songs mentioned above are now available for free download at FeelsLikeChristmas.com

Two more tunes from the aforementioned Inner Splendor are also now available on another Christmas music site created by a friend of ours: ChristmasMPFree.com

And now for some fine (non-Christmasy) instrumental music downloads:

• When I hear music described as minimalist or ambient, I usually run the other way. Too often, this music consists of weak musical ideas repeated ad infinitum. So I didn’t expect much when I switched on Ludovico Einaudi‘s music. But I was more than pleasantly surprised! Minimalist it may be, but the basic musical ideas are just lovely, and the creative arrangements really bring it to life. Enjoy three songs from his Nightbook album: Indaco, Lady Labyrinth and Reverie.
• I loved the description of Michael Bellar and the AS-IS Ensemble as “a highly excitable, improvisationally eclectic, alt-jazz group”. That really does give you a clue of what you’re in for. As with most jazz entities, the musicianship is top-notch, but the arrangements are tighter, more energetic and more accessible than most of the jazz I run across these days…almost as if they are on a mission, and are determined to take you along. From their album Turned On Turned Up, they’re sharing two pieces: All Things Rabbit and Fur Turban.
• The Jason Parker Quartet calls their music “modern traditional jazz” and they are offering up this fresh take the jazz sound with the song Bashert from their album No More, No Less.
• Saxophonist Charley Langer brings a sweet touch on the song Gray Skies, from his album Never The Same. And don’t miss the very tasty guitar solo starting @3:50.
• Speaking of guitar, Larry Kinder of Larken Productions has a new album of his acoustic guitar creations called Castaway. He’s brought us the title cut to share with you.
• Ann Sweeten creates some beautiful piano music…something in the space between new age and romantic piano. From her album Just This Side Of Spring, you can lose yourself in the Light From A Narrow Window.
• And finally, Ray Jozwiak has a creative, eclectic piano style he refers to as “gonzo piano”. From the album For The Ride, he’s sharing two songs: Meteors and Mother Chi.

All these instrumental pieces are available right now on GreatInstrumentalDownloads.com

More to come in other musical genres in the near future. En-Joy!

All this great free Christmas music can be downloaded right now from one GREAT site: FeelsLikeChristmas.com

All those songs are available right now for free download at FeelsLikeChristmas.com

And don’t forget another fine Christmas site featuring music, stories, MIDI, music scores and more: ChristmasMPFree.com

Bob Bennett – This thoughtful and articulate singer/songwriter has made a powerful impact on Christian music fans with his inspiring and challenging music for the past 30 years, and he’s offering up a beautiful piece called Brightest and Best, from his new album Christmastide.

Ken Medema – Functionally blind since birth, Ken has nonetheless demonstrated lifelong vision both in his embrace of the power of the unseen Lord and in his heart for the disenfranchised of this world. He’s been pounding out great tunes at the piano for many decades (and we’ve been fans personally since the mid-Seventies!). He’s sharing Here Is The One, from his album Watching The Sky.

The Sonflowerz – A Colorado-based “sister act”, these two lovely young ladies (Elissa and Becca Leander) have brought us their smooth-as-silk version of O Come All Ye Faithful, from their album Beautiful Miracle.

All three of these songs are available now for free download from FeelsLikeChristmas.com

Please remember to support the artists who especially touch you by visiting their web sites, purchasing CDs or track downloads, singing up for their mailing lists and catching them in concert! En-Joy!