Customer Reviews

Bananaphone

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

While teaching kindergarten 10 years ago, I was introduced to Raffi. I immediately bought 2 albums, and have played them for myself and my own children ever since. BANANAPHONE is our most recent addition, and hasn't let us down. It showcases the many moods and talents of Raffi, from "The Changing Garden of Mr. Bell" (melodically haunting, thoughtful and sweet), to "C-A-N-A-D-A" (a rolicking trip through the land of our northern neighbors), to "Slow Day" (guaranteed to lower your blood pressure several points by the end of the song!). Any CD that can hold the attention of my 3-year-old, my 10-year-old AND myself is a rare jewel! BANANAPHONE makes us all smile!

Trying to find a childrens tape that appeals to adults ears can be hard. This one is a clear winner! Very upbeat, easy to learn words, and appeals to all ages. Even Dads will enjoy it and won't mind listening to it over and over and over again!

I strongly disagree with the folks who've given this album a bad review. It's certainly more mature and complex than his earlier albums and it's probably not the best choice for anyone in diapers - BUT I must say that my kids (currently 5 and 7) ask for this one more than any other in our collection.
Raffi's songwriting and playfulness are in full strength and, speaking as an amateur musician, the musicianship is extraordinary. Bananaphone has the distinction of being the only one of our (6 at last count) Raffi recordings that I've listened to on my own. How can anyone have given this a one-star rating?
N.B.: I'm not a slavering environmentalist but another reviewer complained about the overt environmentalism that appears in a song on this record. At least Raffi puts his money where his mouth is: he went to extraordinary lengths to have his autobiography printed on chlorine-free, recycled paper and lowered his royalty so as not to pass the extra cost onto consumers.

We bought this CD to listen in the car while going on a vacation. It entertained my 1 year old the entire time. We found that Raffi is tolerable for adults as well. My husband and I were not completely tired of the CD by the end of the trip. It always settles my son down while riding in the car. It helps make car rides alittle easier!

The whole CD is easy to listen to for kids and adults. There are nice cuddle songs and great toe-tapping songs. The lyrics have a good message too, about preserving the envirnoment and appreciating the world. But our favorite is BANANAPHONE, it's a good silly song!!

Whoa, Bananaphone pwns my face! I can't think of any other song that makes me laugh, cry, angry, smile, frown, AND suicidal in less than 4 minutes! What an honor it is to listen to this song! Raffi is a triple threat! He can sing, he likes bananas and he's Canadian! Wow! I can't do that! Can you? Doubt it! In the words of Raffi, "Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring." That says it all!(...)

Ordered on the strength of Baby Beluga (our favorite) and Singable Songs for Young Children (our second favorite) and the Raffi concert for young children video.

Listenable, but not his best. Get Baby Beluga or Singable Songs instead of this one, unless you're a real fan and bent on having them all.

Features lots of Raffi-written stuff -- I'm discovering my toddler prefers a mix of new stuff and old standards.

Love Raffi, though. My 2 1/2 year old son dances around with his miniguitar and sings all the songs (gets the words right too, and corrects Mom and Dad when they go astray).

I bought "Bananaphone" for my baby daughter and have decided that I like it as well as she does if not more. The songs are listenable and enjoyable, which is not very often the case in children's musical choices. We play the cd for ourselves and guests, that's how pleasant it is. The lead song, "Bananaphone" is catchy, "Mr. Bell" is touching and sad, "C-A-N-A-D-A" is a fun sing-along, but "The Gorilla Song" is my favorite because it is fun to sing to my baby. It is deeper than the title indicates. This cd may not be appropriate for adults without kids in the house, but for parents and even the non-parental set who just like to be silly, this is a worthwhile and valuable musical collection.

My son loves this CD. Someone gave it to us when he was first born. He has loved it since he was tiny and still does. He hasn't been terribly impressed with some of the other Raffi CDs I have bought for him, but this one continues to be a favorite.

Not having a baby in the family for 37 years, I just discovered Raffi. My Grand Daughter and I dance around the kitchen to Bananaphone. We have a good time with this CD. I am now looking for additional Raffi CD to share with her.