Customer Reviews

Family Time (Deluxe Edition)

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Family Time" by Ziggy Marley is being promoted as an album primarily for children, but let me tell you, this is terrific music for adults as well. First off, the CD packaging is really cool. There is a folded page to color, fun artwork on the cardboard casing, and a booklet with lyrics and more artwork. It is overall a fun package. There is also an online bonus area when placing the CD into a PC. The bonus area has a coloring page, video downloads, among other things.

The music itself is awesome. The album is incredibly upbeat and happy. Ziggy's solo material has explored genres other than his trademark reggae, but "Family Time" sees Ziggy putting out mainly playful reggae tracks. The final two tracks are not songs, but narrations by Jamie Lee Curtis. They both have a very nice message.

There is some definite star power on the album. Toots Hibbert, Paul Simon, Rita Marley (Ziggy's mom), Cedella Marley, Jack Johnson, Paula Fuga, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Laura Berkner all make appearances. The guest appearances are cool, but they are generally brief, as Ziggy is the main voice in the songs.

As mentioned previously, the songs are upbeat and happy. They all have an uplifting and positive message, perfect for kids in a world of so much uncertainty and turmoil. The overall theme is about love, family, and unity. What else would you expect from Ziggy? I think "Family Time" is best summed up in some of the lyrics from the song "Ziggy Says":

Ziggy says lift up your hands
Ziggy says lift up your feet
Ziggy says smile
Ziggy says make the sign of peace
Ziggy says wiggle your waist
Ziggy says wiggle your nose
Ziggy says wiggle your toes
Ziggy says hug who you know

I doubt if anyone can listen to this album and not smile and feel good about the positive side of humanity. As the name of the album suggests, "Family Time" can truly be enjoyed by the whole family.

What a great CD for the family! Although our kids (11, 6 and 4) sing along and enjoy listening to it, it's not a "kiddie" CD like Raffi, Sesame St. or similar. The music is more in the mode of Jack Johnson's Curious George soundtrack with plenty of tracks that would have been fine on a more "adult" mainstream release. Hence, we parents like to put it on as well. The kids really like "Ziggy Says" which is a riff on "Simon Says". I like "Cry Cry Cry" (with Jack Johnson) and "Walk Tall" (with Paul Simon). All in all, a creative work that will make your 2009 summer far more pleasant.

I was in my local book and music store a couple of days ago shopping for some books when I heard several songs from this album, although it wasn't until "This Train" and "Wings of an Eagle" that I stopped and really took notice. Could also be that I was actually waiting in line to pay for my book. I asked the title of the album and was directed to the music department where I asked again and was shown the album, under a sign that read, "Children's Music." "ABC" had just begun playing, but I could not believe that this was simply a children's album. I mentioned that to the clerk, who said, "You must be a child at heart." As the previous reviewer noted, this album is upbeat (much needed, I should add, during these troubling times) and does have a colorful and really cool cover. The inside is as interesting as the outside, and the music lives up to the hype of the cover and the coloring activities. This is an album I've listened to several times during the past few days, primarily while I'm working on some papers for my graduate English classes. Also, like the previous reviewer noted, several singers/actors/storytellers appear as guests on the album. Two pieces, "My Helping Hands" and "Is There Really a Human Race" are narrated (by Jamie Lee Curtis), didactic stories that are definitely written for children. There is no music on these two tracks, and they are my least favorite. My favorite song is perhaps "This Train" because it blends a bit of gospel, reggae, and features both Marley's voice (for most of the song) and Willie Nelson's voice (during the middle part), and it just pushes along like a train on tracks. I like the introduction of Nelson's rough voice in the midst of the song because it makes me stop and take notice. The pace slows a bit there, too. There are bonus sing along songs - just the music - included, and "A portion of proceeds to benefit Chepstowe Basic School in Port Antonio, Jamaica," so buying this album also benefits others. Nice music for a relaxing afternoon or evening and fun to share with "children" of all ages.

Bought this CD so my neice(6) and I would have something to listen to on the way to the beach. I didn't expect her to like it because she is disney and hannah montana obsessed but she absolutely LOVED it. She couldn't get enough of "Hold him Joe" and even liked the poems at the end. We had to listen the CD 3 times in a row! I enjoyed it too, and I even caught my boyfriend singing a few lines and tapping his fingers along with the music :) It's so nice to have wholesome music the whole family can enjoy.

This album is exactly as the titles suggest, Family Time. It's contains narrations, reggae music, and non reggae music. Depending of what you are looking for, you may find this album quite satisfying and enjoyable, but if you are a hard core reggae root fan, you may not think the same. The first two songs are my favorites, but the second one is the best song in my opinion. In this song, I love to see Ziggy singing along with his mother and sister, and it carries a great message. You may wonder why I'm giving 3 stars, well, it's because I'm a hard core reggae root fan, but still found a place for this album.

My bet: Ziggy Marley gets a Grammy for this one next year. At minimum, a Grammy nomination.

My daughter is almost 2 and LOVES this cd. It's also my favorite of all her kids' cds. It sounds like the music was written for adults and it just happens to be something kids love to which is impressive. I don't mind it when I catch myself humming the melodies off this album even when my daughter isn't around. Now that's saying a lot.

We love this CD. My one-year-olds bounce along. My four-year-old sings along and dances. We play it during family dinner time, and it lifts everyones spirits no matter how worn out they were by the end of the day. We love "Future Man, Future Lady."

My son got this for Christmas and is already asking for it by name to be played. It's upbeat, fun and great to hear when you're snowed in here in New England! My son is 3.5 yrs old and loves Dan Zanes, Laurie Berkner and Jack's Big Music Show not only for the music but because he can watch their DVD's and play along with his instruments. He doesn't seem to mind that this is a CD only, dancing away through the whole thing. My daughter has already learned the words to her favorite songs too. I really enjoy the music and won't mind that this new favorite will be played over and over!
I also recommend this cd for kids with sensory needs who benefit from listening to music with a strong beat and kid friendly sound.

If you like reggae and want to share it with your kids this is a great choice. Great music and great guest apperances. Ziggy never disappoints.