This World

Mr. Cooper has done it again. He's recorded a brand new CD called This World and it's available now. Filled with good-time acoustic folk music, these 19 original songs are geared towards slightly older children and their grown-ups. Just like his debut CD, Mister Cooper, the new tunes feature guitars, accordions, kazoos, a tuba, and some of Sutterville School's finest kid singers. Some songs even have drums! Wow. Please check the website (mistercooper.com) for all the lyrics and be sure to sing along... Here are some notes about the new songs: This World - Written for Earth Day 2008. This world is the most beautiful world in the world. Wouldn't you agree? Honeybees - Bees are dying and no one knows why. It's called Colony Collapse Disorder and, so far, there are still no answers. Tiny Tim - This traditional classic is updated with new lyrics to complete the story. Don't Go Together - One of my dad's favorite sayings was you're as funny as a screen door on a submarine and this song grew from there. Use Less Gasoline - A song about conservation and what can be done. Bugs - Everything you need to know about insects all in one song. Friend Of Mine - I was asked to sing a song about an alligator. I didn't know any. I had to make one up on the spot. This is the result and the last song to be added to the CD. Popcorn Popping - Another traditional song that was passed down to me. I'm still not sure how the melody really goes. Close enough. Vegetables - Another song I can sing at the Farmers Market. Farmers Market - This is one for the parents. Especially the line beat that heart attack to the punch. Train From Memphis - Kids laugh when I do my terrible impersonation of Elvis Presley. The music from Sun Records still sounds great today. Big Bad Bob - This is the main character of a tall tale that hasn't been written yet. Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, and now, Big Bad Bob. Stinky Moon - Young Olivia and her mom, Deena, wrote the lyrics to this song on a long car ride through California. I asked them if I could write some music to go along with it and I'm so happy they said yes. Second Grade Suite - These songs directly link to the six units in the Open Court Reading Anthology for 2nd graders. Here they are in order: Sharing Stories - There are lots of ways to share stories - reading books at the library, remembering good times, or having fun in the present moment. Cool To Be Kind - If it goes around, it comes around. Camouflage - Some animals play hide and seek in nature everyday. Fossils - Kids are fascinated by dinosaurs and fossils. Me too. Listen To Your Spirit - If you can be as silent as the moon and really listen, who knows what you'll hear. Try it. Statue Of Liberty - The poem on the base of the Statue Of Liberty is put to music. My friend, Richie Lawrence, plays the piano beautifully.