Happy Lemons

Ralph's World, Ralph Covert | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 10, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Minty Fresh
• ASIN: B00006IZOV
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #150,133 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Happy Lemons

2. Belly Button

3. Sammy The Dog

4. Things That I Like

5. Pony Boy

6. Say Hi To The Animals

7. Clean Up

8. Dinsosaur Rumble

9. The Muffin Man

10. What's New Pussycat?

11. Barnyard Blues

12. Betty Botter

13. Boy Who Cried Wolf Sheepishly

14. Puddle Of Mud

15. Riding With No Hands

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's always refreshing to find a kids' album that doesn't seem uniquely designed to drive adults crazy. As you pop in this CD and putter, you might not even notice that its bouncy, folksy, Squeeze-meets-John Prine-meets-Lovin' Spoonful music is for kids, until you hear phrases like "belly button," "dinosaur," "mud puddle"--and the familiar strains of "The Muffin Man." Happy Lemons is Chicago-based artist Ralph Covert's third children's music release, after the popular Ralph's World and At the Bottom of the Sea. As ever, Covert writes (and sings) most of the songs on Happy Lemons, from "Sammy the Dog" to "Dinosaur Rumble," though familiar songs like "Pony Boy" (arranged by Bruce Springsteen) and Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "What's New, Pussycat?" also make appearances. This effervescent CD manages to offer up blues, folk, pop, and jazz elements without a hiccup. A particular favorite is the silly but harmonious "Betty Botter," which tinkers with the traditional tongue-twister about making bitter batter better to great effect. Special guests on the album include blues artist Corky Siegel, rock drummer Matt Walker, and an exuberant chorus of kids. Children's book illustrator Giselle Potter (Gabriella's Song, Kate and the Beanstalk) designed the whimsical cover for this CD, giving form to the trombone-playing dog Sammy, Pony Boy, and many, many happy lemons. Whoever thinks that "fun for the whole family" isn't possible hasn't explored Ralph's World. --Karin Snelson

Product Description

Just in time for the holiday season comes 'Happy Lemons', the third stellar release by proven seller and critically acclaimed Ralph's World. Minty Fresh. 2002.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ralph scores a hit--again!!!, October 14, 2002

By 

D. Lowery (San Ramon, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Happy Lemons (Audio CD)

Another incredible release from Ralph Covert--aka Ralph's World. Kids and parents alike will appreciate his fine turn of phrase ("Sammy the Dog," "Barnyard Blues," "Puddle of Mud"), his impeccable melodies and riffs ("Happy Lemons" and the fantastic "Betty Botter"), his ability to choose unusual cover tunes that are just right ("What's New Pussycat," "Pony Boy"), and his natural exuberance for his songs ("Dinosaur Rumble" and again, "Happy Lemons").

Something I've noticed over his three CDs is his ability to create a musical world for all ages to appreciate, and his voice carries a level of joy and warmth that wraps around the listener. My 21-month-old loves it, and his father and I do too. All three of his CDs are worth getting--just listen to the samples above. They will make it clear why Ralph's World continues to be the best music for kids and adults around.

Keep them coming, Ralph!

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not his best, February 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Happy Lemons (Audio CD)

Ralph Covert has made three albums specifically for kids. His first (the self-titled Ralph's World) was a wonderful CD with charming songs my kids loved. His second (At the Bottom of the Sea) was by far the best collection of kids' songs I've ever heard. Sure, even though my kids don't know what roman numerals are, they still thought "Eighteen Wheels" was hilarious when the adults were laughing so hard we were wiping our eyes. My 3 and 6 year olds loved every song on the second album just like I did.

This CD, however, recycles many of the things that made his past CDs so successful, and because of that, it feels like a cheap imitation. The first song, for instance, "Happy lemons for happy people," is the EXACT SAME MELODY as the "Coffee Song" from At the Bottom of the Sea. It was a good melody the first time, but old and tired the second.

Having heard his other two kid CDs, I wish I could give this CD only 3 stars. But you must understand that ANY Ralph's World CD is better than most other childrens' artist on the market, hence 4 stars. If you love Ralph and have the first two CDs, you'll buy this no matter what my review, and you'll find a few nice songs on it. But if you're looking for fantastic CDs and have never heard of this artist, please purchase either Ralph's World or At the Bottom of the Sea. You'll have one of the two best childrens' music CDs ever made, and a great set of music for your whole family.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kid music that's not annoying to parents!, July 30, 2003

By 

cmp (Merrimack, NH USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Happy Lemons (Audio CD)

We got this CD when our twins were about 9 months old. They now are 15 months old, and they will point to the stereo and ask for this CD. So, we all hear it at least 4 times a day, and I don't even mind!

The lyrics are SO much fun to hear - like so many good animated movies, the adults might get the humor on a different level, which is part of why I'll willingly put this on whenever the boys ask for it.

This was a gift from some family friends near Chicago, and I mistakenly thought that Ralph was a local artist that we wouldn't be able to find here in NH. I can't tell you how pleased I am to hear that I was wrong - we will be purchasing the other CD's very soon.