Customer Reviews

Radio Raffi

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

 

 

My kids always loved Raffi when they were younger, and now my little one enjoys listening to Raffi, but Raffi Radio was a clear disappointment to us. This is not as enjoyable to listen to because of all of the interuptions. What 4-5 year-old likes listening to the weather? Not my kids, that's for sure. Especially when what Raffi was saying doesn't even apply. Not a great way to entertain young children.

Raffi Radio takes a different approach - but if your children like Raffi, give it a try. It is both educational and enjoyable. It follows the format of a radio show for kids, with familiar elements such as: Music, host dialog, news and interviews. It's not the typical CD/tape format of just one song after another.

"Sleido Jazz Dog" is the co-host, and it is Sleido's barks, which punctuate dialog between some songs, that first appeal to toddlers and pre-school children. Before long, they like more and more of it.

It did surprise me a bit that the radio format has become our kids' most-listened to Raffi. But, so much the better. Because, it introduces them to a variety of musical genres's - some that I wouldn't have guessed they would like, but do.

Its variety is a plus for parents' listening too. The "Berry Nice News of the Day" teaches childeren about the 4 Seasons while Vivaldi's Four Seasons plays in the background. Compare that with other children's music on the 100th listening - this one stands the test of time.

Raffi Radio mixes in some fun, clever and educational radio "news" between songs too - such as the news about bananas as a new monetary unit. Also, the short interview with Julia, a 4 1/2 year old, is really charming.

To sum up, if your children are in the toddler to pre-school age range, this could go over suprisingly well - for you and them.

This is a really refreshing CD for kids and parents. Most of the music is more sophisticated than Raffi's other music, and maybe that's why I like it so much. It's a pleasant change from all the hyper, bouncy songs that us parents get tired of. My four-year-old really enjoys this CD.

I thouroughly enjoyed the recording, especially when I introduced it to my five year old. We both laughed at the jokes. The music is catchy. I really enjoyed the concept of a radio program complete with weather report and interviews.

This album is a bit more sophisticated than your standard Raffi fare. It's for Mom and Dad as much as for the kids. It combines inventive spoken word pieces mixed in with Raffi's always wonderful songs. The word things are probably over the head of many children, but Mom and Dad love them. The Panel of Silly Experts makes us laugh every time, even though we know the jokes. And the Jazz Dog keeps things spicy with her yips and growls. We keep this one in regular rotation in the car, and to our 20 month old daughter it's as good as every other Raffi record. It's kept us moving down the highway on many a road trip.

While this isn't the usual Raffi format, my son loves it. He is 8 and slightly autistic. He recently discovered Raffi music from an old CD that we had from when our teenagers were little, and has absolutely fallen in love with all things Raffi. We checked out 3 CD's from the library including this one, and this is now his favorite. I think it appeals to him on several levels--the songs are very well-done, the banter inbetween appeals to his funny little sense of humor, and the whole CD is like listening to a radio station, except it's silly and "his" radio station. I recommend this for older pre-schoolers who are old enough to understand the humor of the talking bits.

We love Raffi at our house -- my daughter always saves a seat for him at the dinner table. We didn't click with this album, though. It annoyed me, actually. Maybe we've "pigeon-holed" poor Raffi.

Briefly, the songs are wonderful, but the banter between songs is almost unlistenable. When we listen to this album we constantly have to skip the talking tracks. I would give the songs 4 or 5 stars (they are more developed than in other Raffi albums), but the witty banter gets a zero. Maybe I will feel differently when my son is five, but at age 1 we need more music. Despite my mediocre review, we still keep in the player and we still sing along.

To me, Raffi is the 'child whisperer' of childrens' music. My favorite albums by far are Baby Beluga and Quiet Time (great sleep CD). Raffi Radio is our my third favorite and my daughter and I both love the tunes 'Raffi Radio' and 'Coconut'. 'Every Child' is also a great song that sends a positive message. A lot of Raffi's music has warm and encouraging lyrics which make kids feel welcome in this world. If your kids like to listen to CD recordings of books, they'll probably like this one. There are skits with a funny dog co-host named Sleido Jazz Dog and others, so this one is a little like a music CD/mini show.

On this album:
1 Opening
2 Raffi Radio
3 Kitchen Sing Sing
4 Berry Nice News- Seasons
5 Sunflower
6 Roving Reporter
7 Sleido's Song
8 Silly Panel - Audio
9 Coconut
10 Weather Report
11 Skip to My Lou
12 Berry Nice News - Bananas
13 Julia
14 Ripple of love
15 Silly Panel - Time
16 Six Little Ducks
17 Sax Interview
18 Wishing Well
19 Whatever You Choose
20 Every Child

My daughter is disabled and the only thing she enjoys is her music! This is one of her favorites. I even find myself humming these songs...