Customer Reviews

Raffi on Broadway [VHS]

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

 

 

We bought our first Raffi video (In concert with the rise and shine band) on a whim, and my 2 yr old sons were hooked. After listening to it at least twice a day for weeks, we checked out his other two videos at the library. I let the boys pick which one they want to watch, and it is evenly split between our two "new" ones.

While this video is more subdued and offers a message that is not found with the others, that's what makes it perfect for quiet time. I usually encourage this one after their nap while I'm getting dinner ready. The boys love it when the other children come out to sing. And they love the planets in the background. I think their favorite part is the "rap" song (and the sunglasses involved) that Raffi does. He also offers lots of old favorites like Baby Beluga, Day-O, and Down By the Bay.

Personally, I find this one a little more interesting because of the message, the "timeliness" of it, and the sense of humor with the band members. The only part that is annoying is the long encore after the credits. Ordinarily, I would start rewinding at the credits, but my husband told me about the music afterwards. I'm sure many people miss out on the extra songs until they just happen to let the video go to the end.

My husband and I thought this was Raffi's BEST video! Not to mention how our 8 month-old daughter is still mezmerized by his music and his spoken word. (He's the only musician she would listen to and watch starting at 2 months!)

We appreciated the important messages Raffi includes about peace and the environment. And how he invites and empowers already active children to be a part of his show. We hope our daughter continues to enjoy watching as she grows so the messages he shares in this video can really take hold.

Our daughter led us to Raffi and we are so glad she did! She (and we) also very much enjoy his other two videos.

I am really surprised by the crummy reviews this video has received. Especially when people are comparing this video to the one with his "Rise and Shine Band".

Granted, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but when I first saw this video, I was genuinely surprised by how fun it was to watch with my son. So, since this video has the worst rating of his other videos, I went ahead and rented the one with his "Rise and Shine Band". Well, I can tell you this much: if you like Lawrence Welk, you will like the Rise and Shine video. If you like something that is more modern and less dated, than watch this one instead.

A lot of the songs are the same, but there are some wonderful new additions. People seem to complain about Raffi's message of recycling and clean air. What is the problem with that? I certainly did not feel that it was pushed down my throat. I'm guessing that the people who complain about this have no clue about what kind of gift this singer is to our son's and daugher's, and how you can never learn too early how important it is to help save the earth (ok, so I'm NOT a right-wing conservative).

The two songs at the end (after the credits) are really wonderful tunes. They have a melody that just sticks with you (in a good way).

Don't give up on this by listening to all the bad reviews. Just watch it, and then decide for yourself.

We are HUGE Raffi fans -- well, our 15 month old daughter is, and we like him too, for his gentleness, humor and sweet catchy melodies. We like his environmental and peace message too, but on this video it's a bit heavy handed. He seems stiff and akward compared to his charming, light performance on "Raffi in Concert," and there is much less audience participation because it's a big broadway theater. Personally I found his rap version of "Brush Your Teeth" excruciating and embarrassing. I will say that my daughter seemed to enjoy it just fine and that's what counts. Although if she comes to like it as much as our other Raffi video we'll have to sit through it endless times, so it would be nice it was as good.

Our family loves Raffi, and we want to share him with you. His songs are just right for little people; nothing else can compare. Our kids love his music so much! I am so grateful we discovered his music.

However, this lone video is the exception. It stinks! A lame synthesizer dominates. There is no drummer to keep the beat - just the phony synthesizer. You'll also hear the worst version of Baby Beluga ever. UGH!

Then he forcefully pushes an environmental message over and over. He does not give us a good argument for his views - which are valid - just push, push, push. He even brings in a third-rate chorus of children from some environment activist group. I was stunned!

Do not let this deter you from his other wonderful music for young children. His songs are really silly, great to sing along with, and never seem to get old - even for us adults. We have all his tapes in our car, and the children ask for him every time we are out.

Singable Songs for the Very Young (with a Peanut Butter Sandwich), Raffi in Concert (a must-have video), and Raffi in Concert with the Rise and Shine band are our favorites among many favorites. There are a dozen other great CD's from Raffi to choose from, too, and any of them will do nicely with a peanut butter sandwich.

Our family loves Raffi, and we want to share him with you - just not this video. It's his only real disappointment. Try one of his other great classics instead.

His band here has no drummer - a cheesy synthesizer carries the beat. They sound bad. He uses a second rate choir from a children for the environment group. The whole concert lacks the magic of his other CD's and videos.

Instead, try the outstanding video, "Young Children's Concert with Raffi," which captures Raffi at his best with children. Or try one of his many wonderful CD's, like "Singable Songs for the Very Young; Great with a Peanut Butter Sandwich" and "Raffi in Concert with the Rise and Shine Band."

Our family loves Raffi, and so will you. His music is silly, fun to sing along with, and just right for little people. You'll enjoy any of his other CD's or videos, with a peanut butter sandwich.

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...

We own both of Raffi's other enormously popular videos and love them both. Raffi has been great for our children.

In his first concert video, "A young Childrens Concert With Raffi," he is alone with just his guitar and puts on an amazing show for young children. He sounds fantastic. This is the best children's video of all time, in my humble opinion. Your kids (age 2 through 6) will love this video.

In his second concert video,"In Concert with the Rise and Shine Band," Raffi is joined by an excellent complete band. The sound quality is amazing and the production is first rate. It shows Raffi at the peak of his artistic success. The CD (audio) of the show is also outstanding. Highly recommended for kids age 3 through 8.

But then Raffi stages a somewhat disappointing production on Broadway with a weak band (this concert) His band has just a (dominant) synthesizer player and bass player, with no drummer. (The Rise and Shine band had a guitarist and a drummer.) The concert just doesn't have the magic of the earlier, amazing concerts. Then Raffi introduces children from an environment advocate group and they just cannot sing very well. The whole production is not nearly as professional as his earlier concerts, and he lacks that truly amazing magic with children.

This video does have a couple good songs that you will not hear on Raffi's best CD's, but I suggest his other two amazing videos first.

My kid watches this over and over and sings along with it. Wish Raffi had made something more recently

when i first watched this DVD i was so amazed it made me cry. I'm a home health aide and took care of two gentlemen
that has Autism and both none verbal and when days were a little trying all i would have to do is pop Raffi and then it was all smiles and some screaming but that's because they were happy and we'd watch Raffi the rest of our day inbetween what the parent's was us to do.. So grab the popcorn and bring some family over and i promise no one will leave without a tissue. and make sure when you go home go to Amazon


Darlene Sheen