Album Notes

These songs vary in style/genre from track to track.

Songs with great classroom themes for children of all ages include "Friends", "The Thank You Song", "This Old Man", "Mama", "Hubba Bubba", and "Pumpkin King". Children's songs with hard rocking guitars include "This Old Man" (go girl sing a long mix) and the hit song "Firefighter" with truly blazing guitars.

In the World Music genre of community drum circle check out "Hundelela De He Oh" and "Rain Song". These songs feature guest musician John Yost of Dahui and Rhythm Revolution (www.drummingcircle.com). "Rain Song" features an actual rain soundtrack from rain storms of the Pantanel, located in Brazil.

The album also has two songs live from Martyrs in Chicago Il. "Hubba Bubba" and "Color of Love" are live performances from an appearance of the Special Music by Special People group.

Special Music by Special People began in 1989 as a music program for people with developmental disabilities (such as Down syndrome). The program expanded to include artists of all abilities which aid in the creation of collaborative songs between these artists.

Our releases feature compositions and performances by the Special Musicians with help from Program Director Joe Yost. The sale of our CDs and CD-ROM are the primary means of support for the non-profit agency Special Music by Special People, Inc. Special Music by Special People allows children and adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to record, compose, and perform their own music. Through this process skills such as verbal, mnemonic, musical, and social are nurtured in an atmosphere emphasizing self-esteem, teamwork, accomplishment, and fun.

And beyond wonderful fun, our projects instrinsically include lessons in inclusion and diversity, helping us better understand and appreciate others who are disabled.

A special thanks to Michael Dolan, John Yost, Bill LaTour, Vic Banks and the volunteer musicians who recorded and toured with the Special Musicians. Please support local Chicago Music!