A new favorite children’s book in our house is one of Barefoot Books’ more recent titles If You’re Happy And You Know It! by Anna McQuinn with sing-a-long CD, sung by Susan Reed. This lively book puts a fresh and multicultural spin on the traditional preschool tune. Illustrations by Sophie Fatus depict children from all over the world as you sing and dance through the movements (great for an early lesson on following instructions). This book also includes two full page spreads: one showing the children saying “hello” in 36 different languages (the CD will help you with pronunciation), the second naming all the children in the book and giving their country of origin. My kids have had a lot of fun flipping around the book and playing matching games; for example, they discovered that Mehmet from Turkey says “Merhaba” and is on the “Touch Your Nose” page! Illustrations also show many villages full of plants and animals. I really couldn’t ask for a better introduction to global cultures!

Now for a limited time, Barefoot Books is offering a Free Download of the song. Enjoy!

Here are some full songs from some of the latest albums. (via Shlager)

Shlomie Taussig – Modim Anachnu

Modim Anachnu

Matisyahu – One Day

Udi Davidi – Ruchot Tovot

Itzak Orlav – Na Na

Tooth & Nail Records’ Thousand Foot Krutch is breathing new life to their fans with the freshly posted single “Bring Me To Life” as part of the Taco Bell’s Feed The Beat music program.  TFK partnered with familiar face, Aaron Sprinkle, to co-produce the single, and Randy Staub, to mix the single, which is available for a free download to fans previewing the Fall 2009 release.  Fans can hear the single at the Feed the Beat site or go to the new studio album’s site to receive a free download link. TFK is currently placing the finishing touches on their fifth studio album, “Welcome to the Masquerade.” The full album is also co-produced by Sprinkle and Trevor McNevan along with Staub mixing.  More details to follow soon on the forthcoming project.–Courtesy of Lori at Overtune Media

Under Construction

This has been my favorite song of late. “The Rake’s Song” starts off with a beautifully punk-tinged vocal and then the music evolves into a driving heavy force of classic indie rock. It reminded me of the first time I head Arcade Fire’s Funeral… the intensity!

I never gave The Decemberists a chance before. Getting word of this free song, a few weeks ago, I went to their site to check it out. And, for this, I will be picking up their new release, The Hazards of Love, in March. So, hey, giving away free material does work. However, is there a precedent for a song being too good for a band to be giving away free? If so, this might be the perfect example. The Decemberists quickly closed the window on the giveaway, as it is now available on iTunes for 99 cents.

Click here for FREE Downhere Song

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Welcome to Behind the Songs with Downhere

Here, you will be able to hear the song, watch the band discuss some of the songs, and read the heart behind the songs from the bands new record, ending is beginning, that released on 9/23/08.

We invite you to read the devotional, listen to the song, and post a comment.

Thanks for dropping by, and please… enjoy your visit.

Sorry, but “Rescue” is no longer available to download for free. But, you can still buy the single or the whole album. You know you want to…

For one week and one week only (until midnight on July 1), you have the exciting opportunity to download “Rescue” the first single from new artist Seabird courtesy of our friends at EMI! Of course, I know you’re going to love “Rescue” so much you’re gonna want to buy the whole album, which you can purcahse from iTunes, Amazon.com, or even at Seabird’s website. While you’re immersing yourself in all things Seabird, read BSW’s review of the band’s debut album, ‘Til We See the Shore and give the band’s MySpace a visit if you want to learn more about the band or hear a few more songs from the album. A feature article on Seabird is coming soon!

Don’t forget to leave a comment to let me know what you think of “Rescue” after you’ve given the song a good listen! Incidentally, it’s my favorite song on the album, closely followed by “Apparitions,” “Til We See the Shore” and “Maggie Mahoney”.

On a random note: There’s a folk/country band of older guys out there called THE Seabird. You can check ‘em out here because apparently we accidentally linked to them in this informative announcement. I’m sort of digging them. Maybe Seabird and The Seabird could tour together. Thanks to Tracy for pointing out this error.

It’s crazy to think that this song started out drowning. Written in 2004, it barely made it through its first week of life. Let’s just say that not everyone was on board with it’s falsetto. In fact, it was the first song I’d ever really attempted to mold melody up in the falsetto range of my voice. I think it works…

The reactions on iTunes are amazing. There’s one dude who makes a comment about how I sound like a man-child. O, to have the heart of a child… and just have a care-free life. (Pretty sure that’s not what he meant, but it seems like everything ever written down is open to interpretation, so I’m taking some creative license here.) Wanna get the song for free?

Get it here: