Product Description

Raffi returns with his first album in more than six years. It's a fun collection of original and traditional tunes, including \Yellow Submarine

Track Listing

1. Let's Play
2. Swing
3. Yellow Submarine
4. Eensy Weensy Spider
5. What A Wonderful World
6. Raining Like Magic
7. Up On Fernhill
8. Jane Jane
9. If You're Happy And You Know It
10. Arbutus Baby
11. Jiggledy Jill
12. Roots And Shoots Everywhere
13. Tsetang Gangla (On The Playground)
14. It Takes A Village
15. Blessed Be
16. May There Always Be Sunshine

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14286 in Music
• Brand: RAFFI
• Released on: 2002-03-12
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Features

• Generates smooth and accurate sound.
• good
• Special outlet purchase.

Amazon.com
Anybody who's spent time in the company of 2-year-olds knows that Raffi is the original kid-whisperer. Without so much as an outstretched sugar cube or its vocal equivalent, he lures them into a torrent of happy-go-lucky tunes, and then lulls them along with a feather-light delivery that fuels visions of favorite uncles. Since 1996's Everything Grows though, Baby Beluga's beloved pappy has left us high and dry--all the more reason to celebrate Let's Play. That the master troubadour hasn't lost his touch is clear from "Eensy Weensy Spider" and "If You're Happy and You Know It," both standards that Raffi enlivens with color and verve. Other covers here, including "Yellow Submarine" and "What a Wonderful World," sound newly kid-specific. But it's the originals among these 16 tracks that stick with you. "Jane Jane," a tribute to Dr. Jane Goodall, will open many a meaningful chimp chat, and "Roots and Shoots Everywhere" uplifts by way of boldly examining the power of little people. Raffi signatures such as intermingling languages ("Tsetang Gangla," "May There Always Be Sunshine") and inviting every genre under the sun to come on down (listen closely and you'll pick up everything from klezmer to country) sew up an exceptional, accessible CD. Let's Play demonstrates anew that when Raffi dreams up a batch of new ditties, he doesn't play around. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews

Lively tribute to children's inborn way of living & learning
"Mama, do you know why I like Raffi songs? Because you get to make believe." My five-year-old's spontaneous response to "Let's Play" speaks volumes. Children are not merely entertained by music: they ought to be fully engaged by it. Raffi and collaborators do not underestimate the intelligence, musical sensibilities, and imaginative capacities of their young audience. "Let's Play" is a joyful and soulful celebration of life in all its forms. The music on this album sparkles. The instrumentation is both textured and clear: individual instruments (...and noises.... and animal calls...and sound effects...) are readily identifiable. The music is not over-orchestrated; children seem to like this translucence (I do too). The lyrics are bright, straightforward, sometimes profound in their simplicity and sometimes just plain fun. The Raffi and Raffi/Michael Creber originals are favorites in my household so far -- Jane Jane, Arbutus Baby, Roots and Shoots, Raining like Magic, and Blessed Be have been frequent requests. Parents needn't fear losing brain cells nor going nuts from repeated second-hand listening. This music is far more than tolerable from an adult perspective: It is good. "Lets Play" is fun, ardent, exuberant, and bursting with life. The album lives up to its title: It respects and celebrates children's natural way of engaging with music and with the rest of life -- through Play.

A great addition to our collection
My kids fell in love with this upbeat collection of songs. We are real Raffi fans, and this latest CD has quickly become a favorite. Even my 2 year old can't get enough of the catchy tunes. Mom's favorite is "Yellow Submarine". The best thing about Raffi is that it's kids' music that anyone can enjoy. The songs are meaningful yet fun. Thanks, Raffi!

Jane Jane is a GREAT Song about Jane Goodall!
This is a really good CD. I love the chimpanzee song "Jane Jane" because it is a good song and tells you a story about Jane Goodall and the interesting chimpanzees she studied. It is my favorite song. I think other kids would really like it too. I am really looking forward to seeing the omnimax movie of Jane Goodall. Let's Play also has some funny songs and it has a song that's like a play rolled into a song. You can imagine the story. It's called "Up On Fern Hill." I don't like some of the songs on this CD. My other favorites are "Raining Like Magic" and "Yellow Submarine." This is a great CD for kids in early elementary school.

Raffi's other CD's are really great. Corner Grocery store used to be my favorite, and I sill like Raffi's Box of Sunshine. My younger sister loves his CD's so much.