Customer Reviews

Peter, Paul And Mommy

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been singing for children since I was a teenager in the late 1960s, when I began entertaining my nieces and nephews at family gatherings. Many of the songs on this album became a standard part of my repertoire, not only with the family, but as I eventually became a music teacher and also in my involvement in many camps, and now as a school librarian. At the drop of a hat you can still get me to pull out my guitar and sing "The Marvleous Toy," "Goin' to the Zoo," "The Boa Constrictor" and my favorite, "Puff, the Magic Dragon." (Incidentally, most people don't know that "Puff," was inspired by "Custard the Dragon," a silly poem for kids written by Ogden Nash. It was written years before Peter Yarrow knew what marijuana was. I often introduce the poem before singing the song in my library.)

This album captures the intimacy and simplicity of folk music at its best. It sounds as good today as the day it was recorded. Some recordings are timeless, and this is one of them.

Let's pass these great songs on to yet another generation. My nieces and nephews already have!

It seems unusual but fitting that Peter, Paul & Mary, whose songs commented on and often inspired the 60s' social changes, picked that decade's last, violent year to release this gentle, witty children's folk LP. "Peter, Paul,& Mommy" must have been refreshing balm to those raising young children during those tumultuous years. The set's gently strummed, intricately sung tunes recall how special childhood is not just to children, but to those caring for them and even wishing to resing a few songs on their own childhood stage.

"Mommy" is, in many respects, a concept album celebrating not only children's firsts and minor thrills (trip to the zoo, new toy, Christmas) but their inevitable transitions (the somber "Day Is Done," "Puff the Magic Dragon"). Peter, Paul, & Mary's unpretentious approach, especially on the long (for kids and for the 60s) "I Have A Song To Sing-O," melds with unobtrusive production by Milton Okun and a young Phil Ramone.

The result is that songs seemingly part of children's DNA (Mary Travers' turn on Shel Silverstein's "Boa Constrictor," "Mockingbird," a singalong cover of "Puff," "It's Raining") are interpreted fresh, sweet, and warm in their traditional way as new-baked bread. Despite several attempts, sincere and otherwise (including several by Peter, Paul & Mary themselves) to recapture the informal feeling caught here, the original "Peter, Paul & Mommy" ranks among the finest works any popular musician or group has done for or about children. Full of love and respect, and highly recommended.

My parents played a tape in the hospital less than an hour after I was born. On the beginning of that tape was this album. When I was older, I found the tape and played it over and over until it got lost. I was devastated, because I didn't even know where most of the songs had come from. A couple years later, my parents bought this CD, and to my great pleasure, these were the songs that began my "baby tape".

I am now older, but still greatly enjoy listening to this album. The music is simple but intricate and supurb. The harmonies are wonderful, and the playfulness is great. These are children's songs that aren't the sugary-sweet junk that many children's albums consist of. In these songs, there is a lot of goofiness, like in "Boa Constrictor" or "Going to the Zoo", but there is sadness, like in "Puff, the Magic Dragon", and also seriousness, like in "Christmas Dinner".

"Mockingbird" (Hush, little baby, don't say a word...) and "Puff, the Magic Dragon" are the songs that are instantly recognizable, but the rest of the album is a real treat as well. After all these years, I enjoy listening to it every time.

My parents had this record (yes,the vinyl type) when I was a kid. I loved it then and love it now. I know all the songs by heart. Now that I have a son of my own, I was ecstatic to learn that this album has been released on CD. My son laughs, giggles, and claps when we sing along to this great album.

I had this record when I was a kid. Listening to it with my kids brings back memories of listening to the record with my mom. I throughtly enjoy the CD, especically the lullaby,"All Through the Night." We still sing the zoo song when we visit our local zoo. I think if you're looking for a great CD to listen to with your kids, this is the one!

Our children grew up listening to the close harmonies of Peter, Paul and Mary. This album has our favorites: The Marvelous Toy, and Puff (The Magic Dragon) My husband recently died and our children asked for The Marvelous Toy at his funeral; fortunately we have an old songbook, and my husband's guitar, so our nephew and his friend were able to sing this song for our kids. I realized, watching my son's tears, that the songs of Peter, Paul and Mary have worked their magic for us.

This is everything that a children's album should be. It has songs with obvious appeal to children, but sung in the normal style of the singers, so adults can also enjoy it.

Recorded as a result of their success with Puff the magic dragon, the last track here, it also includes another of their classic songs, Day is done, as well as covers of two great Tom Paxton songs, The marvellous toy and Going to the zoo.

Boa constrictor is a silly song that only Shel Silverstein could have written. I first heard it on Johnny Cash's less than serious album, Everybody loves a nut. Mockingbird has been well covered down the years and is ideal for this album. I didn't recognise It's raining from the title but as soon as I heard it's pouring, the old man is snoring, I remembered it.

Fans of Peter Paul and Mary's other music need have no fears about this album. If you enjoy Puff the magic dragon, you will enjoy the rest of this album.

I grew up listening to this record. When I was dating my future husband, I played our old record for him, and he enjoyed it so much he bought me the CD for my birthday. We still listen to it, and I can't wait to play it for my own children someday. I've started giving it to every expecting couple I know. The songs are intelligent and insightful (sometimes even sad), instead of nonsensical and silly. They respect the minds of children, and I never get tired of listening to them.

Seriously, I grew up with this album on vinyl and played it throughout my life until now, I am passing it on to my toddler who adores it. Because PP&M are so talented, it's easy for adults to listen to. Because PP&M sing such droll songs, it's easy for kids to listen to (actually, addictive; I'd be fine if I never heard "'oh gee,' Mommy, put 'oh gee' on again!!" from my toddler). This album is a classic that everyone should know.

I have gone through 3 copies of the "Peter, Paul, & Mommy" recordings. It is that good! Some of my family's, students', and my favorites? "Puff, the Magic Dragon", "Boa Constrictor", "Going to the Zoo", "It's Raining", and "Day is Done".