Customer Reviews

Happy Lemons

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

"Happy Lemons" provides another rollicking good time. The Ralph's World trademarks are all here: infectious fun for kids and adults, Ralph Covert's ability to sing really fast and play a mean guitar, a talented band, and a tour through musical genres. A little reggae, a little scatting, a lot of rock. (And those bouncy lyrics to "Happy Lemons" will stick with you and put some spring in your step.)

My 2 1/2-year-old son loves Ralph's World and will dance to it by spinning in circles until he falls down. My guitar-playing husband admires the music and wordplay and says of Ralph Covert: "He's got some chops." Me, I'm just glad to have some music for the car that my kid and I both enjoy. This stuff's so good, you might forget to turn off the tape when your kid falls asleep in the carseat.

I must say I was a bit disappointed by Ralph Covert's second album ("At The Bottom of the Sea") -- I thought he was doing too much for the adult listeners and not as much for the kids. But I am THRILLED to announce his return to delightful children's music with "Happy Lemons" -- the songs are easily singable, the children's voices are back in chorus, and there is nothing that makes my 2 year old daughter laugh more than "Do the Bellybutton." Buy this today, or give it to a friend -- it's a treasure.

I recently heard this album -- over and over and over! -- while visiting my twin toddler nephews. Even after the songs were permently embedded in my brain, I still love this album. It's musically rich, it's witty, it's sweet and catchy. I highly recommend it!

Having greedily devoured Ralph's first two kids CDs (you DO have them already, right??), I was a little worried about the reviews I'd read here talking about a drop in quality.

Don't even think about it. This is another first-class blast of breezy pop tunes, that if anything touch on more styles of music than before. The pop-smarts are still first rate, and you and your kids will soon have a new crop of melodies rattling around in your heads all day long. Watch out for the last cut though, the beautifully winsome "Riding With No Hands" actually had me in tears.

Great stuff, and again, not to be missed.

Ralph continues to "WOW" our family with his latest CD, Happy Lemons. The music is upbeat and lively with wonderful lyrics.

Our boys, who are 4 and 18 months old LOVE listening to Ralph. The 4 year old is an expert Surfer Dude, and his little brother loves to do the "Belly Button." Mom & Dad also join in on the dancing and singing.

What a wonderful way to spend time together as a family. We also had the pleasure of seeing Ralph in person twice. For information on where he will be playing, visit his website.One last word of advice...Don't play Ralph World's CDs during dinner if you want the kids to eat.

Ralph Covert once again balances the sensibilities of child and adult in his new cd "Happy Lemons". Kids and grownups will bop and bounce along to the wordplay and top-notch musicianship.

The Ralph's World releases fit quite nicely in the Spongebob or Bullwinkle category, albeit it's a relatively gentle world filled with animals and toys and neighborhood dinosaurs in lieu of hip cultural references. (Hip cultural references, especially musical puns, are alive and well in Ralph's World, don't worry.)

{I was tickled that recording whiz Brad Wood was recruited to record "additional children's voices" on I believe the "Happy Lemons" tune, which Covert co-wrote with his young daughter Fiona.}

It's smart entertainment ostentatiously meant for kids but enough sense of play and imagination that appeal to adults. No dumbing down. The intelligence of the child (or adult) is never once insulted.

Ralph's playful exploration of music styles continues with two of the best reggae and jazz songs I've heard in quite a while, mon.

Too many highlights to mention.

My son received this CD for his 1st birthday. He loves it so much I bought two more Ralph's World CD's! When he gets upset in the car I turn on his CD and he is happy and dancing. My 11 year old even has her favorites.