It’s been awhile since we’ve posted new stuff. But now that the holidays are over, we’ve been able to make some time to get some great new stuff online. And there’s more on the way soon. But here are today’s updates:
SOLO PIANO MUSIC
I first met Richard Douglas Trowbridge Souther in 1975, when he was part of A Band Called David…who toured the country as the backup band for Christian rockers Barry McGuire and The Second Chaper of Acts (often accompanied by legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy). He was an in-demand session musician as well, and a pioneer in new age instrumental music (both solo piano and synth-driven). He performed and recorded under two different names…Richard Souther and Douglas Trowbridge…in order to connect with two different markets, recording for the Meadowlark/Sparrow and MCA/Narada labels. Now he’s reintegrated his split musical personalties to some degree, and uses his complete given name…and he’s sharing with us two beautiful solo piano compositions from his Memories of Twilight album: She’s Like The Circle and Mississippi Tears.
Those songs are available for download now at FreeSoloPiano.com
CHILDREN’S MUSIC
Meet…the Boogers (yeah, I didn’t pick the name, either!). These Chicago-based rockers are big fan of The Ramones…so they bring an energetic punkish sensibility to their music. Their energy is undeniable, and they’ve brought us two songs from their album Real Rock and Roll for Kids: I Don’t Need to Be Worried and This Song’s About Transportation.
Dave Taylor got started early, putting on musical/theatrical shows with his older brother Rick, utilizing Legos and household items as props. At 8, he started guitar lessons, but eventually drifted away from playing music until high school. Then, Dave and Rick reunited musically to collaborate once again. They formed a heavy metal outfit consisting of friends from school. In college, he played bass guitar in his brother’s Christian death metal band…but focused mainly on writing comedic songs. In his late 20s, he realized how much he loved playing music for kids…his nephews and nieces in particular. This was also when Dave realized that in a way, he had been writing and performing kids’ music all along. His new album is called Big Kids Up Front, and he’s sharing his song Big Brown Package with us.
Mr Chris and The Gassy Bubbles are a children’s/family rock & roll group from Toronto, Canada. Over the years, Mr Chris began to realize that more and more parents weren’t relating to the music their children were listening to. Many parents began complaining that their children’s music was ‘too cheesy’ to listen to on a regular basis…so he, as a children’s educator, decided that something had to be done. Along with the Gassy Bubbles, Mr Chris decided to create a different kind of children’s album…one that both parents and children could equally enjoy. The album is called Dance, Shake, Rattle & Roll, and they’re sharing Spider Song with us.
Mr. Willy (aka Willy Welch) is a children’s entertainer, picture book author and recording artist who brings his songs and stories (and sometimes puppets) to schools, churches, child care centers, preschools, hospitals, arts festivals, birthday parties, bookstores and store openings. He has written over 35 songs for Barney and Friends to sing, and is a songwriter for the new “Boz the Green Bear Next Door” DVD series. A graduate of the Boston University School for the Arts, Willy is probably best known for penning “Playing Right Field,” the heart-warming tale of an inept little-leaguer, which has been recorded and performed by over a dozen recording artists, most notably Peter, Paul & Mary…who recorded it for the third time in 1998. Willy’s new CD is called My Backyard, and he’s brought us his song It Comes Naturally.
The Musical Zoo hails from Chicago, and offers interactive music & dance classes for boys and girls aged 18 months to 7 years. They also celebrate birthdays and produce music and apparel for children. So, for today’s “show and tell” time in class…they’ve brought us the delightful Musical Zoo Theme from their Musical Zoo EP.
Last, but certainly not least…children’s singer/songwriter Shad Weathersby and children’s book author/illustrator Mike Artell have created a wonderful new album of music based around the rich traditions of Mardi Gras. They started writing songs for this project a couple years back, but then a lady named Katrina came to New Orleans and knocked things off track for a bit. Finally, last summer, they made it back to the studio to finish it up. The album is called Calling All Children to the Mardi Gras, and they’re sharing with us the title song and King Cake.
All these great kids songs are now available on FreeKidsMusic.com. Enjoy!