Bananaphone - Raffi

We catch a glimpse of Raffi's award-winning talent here.

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Music details

Artist(s): Raffi
Genre: Children's Music
Label: Rounder / Pgd
Parental Advisory: No
Edited Version: No
Release Date: 10/15/1996

Parents need to know

Raffi bundles educational elements into a very enjoyable package. In "C-a-n-a-d-a" he introduces children to the unique elements of his homeland. "First Peoples" covers many First Nations by name and highlights key cultural values. The ecological theme that runs through "The Changing Garden..." and "Naturally" is especially thought-provoking.

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Violence
Sex
Language

Message

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Violence

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Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Cedric M. Speyer & Ruth Saphir Schwarcz

We catch a glimpse of Raffi's award-winning talent on BANANAPHONE. The title track and "The Gorilla Song" are musically infectious and lyrically ingenious while remaining simple enough for all to appreciate. "The World We Love" and "The Changing Garden of Mr. Bell" are sweet and gentle, and both inspire respect for the world in which we live. At certain points, though, the album loses a bit of its sparkle. Two instrumental cuts, "Spring Flowers" and "Dee Myth," seem out of place, and adaptations of such folk tunes as "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore" and "Down by the Riverside" are somewhat sluggish.

Raffi's gift for soothing children was in evidence when one very active four-year-old listener hit the brakes and decided it was time for a spontaneous rest. Raffi's warm, gentle tone is prevalent throughout BANANAPHONE