Customer Reviews

Raffi in Concert

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are a Raffi fan, then this DVD is a must have--and a fantastic bargain, to boot. It contains 3 concerts, previously only available on separate videos:

*A Young Children's Concert with Raffi* - Raffi solo; filmed in 1984.

*Raffi in Concert with the Rise & Shine Band* - Raffi accompanied by a four-piece band; filmed in 1988.

*Raffi on Broadway* - Raffi accompanied by a keyboardist and a bass player; filmed in 1993.

Of the three concerts, my 2 year-old son's (and my own) favorite is probably the first one, *A Young Children's Concert*, since it features Raffi performing solo on a simple stage, in the smallest venue of the three shows.

The first two concerts feature many of Raffi's beloved and signature songs, such as "Baby Beluga," "The More We Get Together," and "Shake My Sillies Out." The last concert (filmed at the Gershwin Theatre in NYC) showcases several of Raffi's environmentally conscious works, and has a bit of a theatrical flavor to it.

In all three shows, Raffi sounds almost exactly as he does on his albums. His love and respect for children shine through in his lyrics; his interaction with and attitude toward his young audience; and the sheer joy that infuses his performances.

The sound and image quality of all three concerts are great, considering their age. The concert footage is nicely shot and edited. The DVD menu interface is simple and straightforward: you can access each concert, and either play the show in its entirety or select individual songs from that performance. There are no annoying ads or previews at the start of the DVD.

One bonus feature I would like to have seen is a "sing-along" option, but even without that feature, the DVD is fabulous. For me, it was worth buying (and giving five stars) just for the first 2 concerts.

Since the Amazon listing doesn't include the set lists for each concert, I've included them below (as listed on the DVD insert).

PROGRAM 1: A Young Children's Concert with Raffi [45 min.]

(1) The More We Get Together (2) You Gotta' Sing (3) Six Little Ducks (4) Bumpin' Up and Down (5) Baa Baa Black Sheep (6) Workin' on the Railroad (7) Peanut Butter Sandwich (8) Brush Your Teeth (9) Y A Un Rat (10) Mr. Sun (11) Wheels on the Bus (12) Corner Grocery Store (13) Something in My Shoe (14) Thanks a Lot (15) Baby Beluga (16) Shake My Sillies Out (17) Down by the Bay (18) He's Got the Whole World

PROGRAM 2: Raffi in Concert with the Rise & Shine Band [50 min.]

(1) Time to Sing (2) Tingalayo (3) Rise and Shine (4) Five Little Ducks (5) Bathtime (6) Apples and Bananas (7) De Colores (8) Day O (9) Fais Dodo (10) Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (11) Knees Up Mother Brown (12) Like Me and You (13) Baby Beluga (14) Shake My Sillies Out (15) All I Really Need (16) He's Got the Whole World (17) One Light, One Sun (18) This Little Light of Mine (19) The More We Get Together (20) Everything Grows

PROGRAM 3: Raffi on Broadway [60 min.]

(1) Overture (2) All I Really Need (3) Rise and Shine (4) Rainstorm (5) Big Beautiful Planet/Clean Rain (6) The Bowling Song (7) Like Me and You (8) Day O (9) De Colores (10) Will I Ever Grow Up (11) Everything Grows (12) Baby Beluga (13) Evergreen Everblue (14) One Light, One Sun (15) This Little Light of Mine (16) Brush Your Teeth [rap] (17) Down by the Bay (18) All I Really Need [reprise] (19) Hara Ga Kita (20) May There Always Be Sunshine

[NOTE: The concert ends at "All I Really Need"; tracks 19 and 20 appear after the credits!]

All my children just love this DVD! What an amazing songwriter and performer. We like the first concert the most, the Young Children's Concert. All the songs are excellent and so fun for children to listen to. The children clap and sing, and the songs are so happy and singable that they stay with you and you find yourself singing with your children.

The second concert is great. Every song is great. There are so many masterpiece songs. His message is wonderful for children. I read that the first two videos are Quintuple Platinum eight times between them. The third concert has a very good message too.

This family is happy to have found out about Raffi! I highly recommend this!

But this video or DVD! Your children will love it more than any other.

Both of my kids love Raffi. We have a DVD player in the car and often times I will put this in and we will just listen to it. If my 2 year old is ever having fits about getting in his seat I ask if he wants Raffi--he always squeals "yes" and gets in his seat. He has learned many new words and sings almost all the songs just from listening to this DVD. He loves to clap with the kids after each song too. My 5 year old daughter would watch this on repeat for hours if I let her. She loves Raffi and knows every song by heart. Excellent purchase that won't wear the parents out. I even like the songs.

Our six children were raised with Raffi and I was so delighted that three of their most favorite concerts were combined onto one wonderful DVD. Thank you! Now our grandchildren have the opportunity to be raised with and enjoy the great music of one of the most outstanding children's music performers.

We had a hand-me-down copy of Raffi's first video on VHS and wore it out within a few months. I bought the DVD of all three concerts and my son has been watching it almost daily ever since. He loves it. He knows all the songs and we sing them together when we go for walks. Now he wakes me up in the morning and asks me to take out my guitar and sing and play the songs with him. Raffi has given us a way to introduce our son to music as well as providing another thing to enjoy together, even if we aren't actually watching the concert.

This is our second copy of this great collection. We wore out the first one!

This video is nothing but Rafi sitting on stage singing his songs. Very simple--no visual or sound effects added---But younder children (2-5 years) who know his songs seem captivated by it. It's a wholesome way to entertain a child for a short period while parents get a little work done. My granddaughter is multiply handicapped, and she loves the video, so it's a blessing for us!

We love the Raffi concerts. Our children have worn out the vhs tapes. Thank goodness for the new dvd's. My only change for this dvd would be to play all three concerts, one after the other, without having to re-start my dvd player for the next concert.

Raffi was the first performer I ever listened to when I grew up. I was born in 1985 and my siblings and I were addicted to Raffi. We had all his music and this video! Raffi is definitely worth listening to, and is a worldwide children's music sensation. I love ya, man! Thanks for the wonderful memories dancing and singing to your music with headphones on.

Seriously, no child should grow up without having some quiet time with this DVD. It makes them better people every time they watch it.