Lively tribute to children's inborn way of living & learning
Dr. Kristen M. Kemple, Mother (and | Gainesville, Florida United States | 03/25/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
""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
Dr. Kristen M. Kemple, Mother (and | 10/30/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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!"
Great for kids of all ages and parents too!
Staci B. | PA | 01/25/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the first Raffi cd I've gotten for my 17 month old daughter and she absolutely loves it! If I play it in the car, her carseat can barely contain her, she gets so excited. I love it too because it's not at all annoying (like some children's music can be). I actually find myself listening to it even if she's not in the car. My daughter's favorite is the title track "Let's Play". I think I like "May There Always Be Sunshine" the most. It was a poem written by a Russian child in the 1950's, with a timeless, universal message: May there always be sunshine
May there always be blue skies
May there always be mama
May there always be me Raffi put it to music and translated it into several languages, and it makes an exceptional lullaby."
Three Cheers for Raffi the Great
Staci B. | 11/20/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have difficulty believing the negative responses this CD has gotten here. It seems that you either love it or you don't, which I suspect is the way with most things. -- Having said that, and having heard nearly all the other (equally excellent) Raffi recordings, I think this recording is fabulous. If it could possibly offend you that a man who has dedicated his life's work to respecting childhood and providing wholesome entertainment for children would then honor and support other likeminded individuals and want to share the broader world with his child audience, then just maybe you are provincial enough to believe that all young children can righfully aspire to is being silly and ignorant of the world around them. To his credit, Raffi does not pigeon hole his listeners in this way. The musical stylings contained in this recording are sophisticated and subtle, playful and sublime, classic and cutting edge. Every last one is delightful to listen to. My three year old son has an extensive music collection consisting of many genres (including many other Raffi recordings) and this CD above all others is what he requests to listen to every single day. He loves it so much that he spontaneously asked for a tape recorder for his birthday so that he could send a copy to one of his out of state friends. He suggested it as the holiday gift of choice for his nursery school teachers this year. If that isn't a strong endorsement straight from a kid, I don't know what is."
Music for the whole family
Dejah Mcconn | Benton City, WA United States | 01/31/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is the first time I can sit through the music my kids want to hear. All the songs are enjoyable. Everyone can sing along, from the 2 year old to the parents, and even grandparents."