Customer Reviews

Reggae for Kids

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

 

 

Whenever we get in the car the first thing that I hear is a request to hear "Puff The Magic Dragon". My 3 year old son loves this CD, I was really amazed at how quickly kids pick up the words even though there is a reggae accent.

I haven't heard past the 6th track because my son always wants to go back to track 1, "Puff the Magic Dragon".

They songs may not be exactly like the ones you remember from your childhood. For instance Yellowman has changed all of the words to This Old Man. For instance the lyrics are now "Yellowman he played one, he played ....", and "Yellowman he played two...". I was thinking how humorous it will be when if a teacher trys to teach the "This Old Man" song to my kids, and they will already know the Reggae version. I prefer this version over the original.

I liked this one so much that I have also ordered "More Reggae For Kids" which if it is anything like this CD will be outstanding.

If you have young kids this is a great CD to get for them to listen to in the car.

We thoroughly enjoy this CD and Choo Choo Boogaloo by Buckwheat Zydeco on road trips to see our son Ford's grandparents in New York and in Boston. My sister teased us when Ford was a baby that we listened to these two CDs 24-7 (and weren't we sick of them already?) Well, six months later, she gave birth to our godson, Matthew, and she, too, was hooked. These two CDs calm Ford right down and impart a mellow note of home no matter where our travels take us. Trust me, we've tried everything from Raffi to Ella Jenkins and nothing makes the grade quite like this CD. Laurette Klier, M.Ed.

I bought this disk on the strength of the reviews here at Amazon. What a major disappointment this disk is. Embarrasingly amateur, with keyboard loop drums and keyboard basses, it is difficult to believe that these are well-known professional reggae singers as well. Another case of "dumbing-down" music for children, something definitely not required to fully engage kids with music (the outstanding Putamayo series for example is presented no frills, no dumbing-down). Good "children's music" inspires both parents and kids, and kids react positively to that in their parents. A shame to pay $... for this disk.

I procured this CD with great expectations & excitement (I mean, it has "Puff the
Magic Dragon" for God's sake!). To my horror, this album was produced by people
with no love, & no respect for Reggae (or musical performance in general). This
music will disappoint (or even offend) people who truly know and/or love Reggae
music...

In "Reggae for Kids" the Reggae rhythms are [just] rock beats (none of
the polyrhythms inherent in Reggae/No One-Drop), and the (all identical sounding)
backing tracks are programmed... , and out-of place
smooth-jazz-esque sax solos?!?!? The vocalists are talented enough, but on this
recording, their contributions sound forced, uninspired, & unconvincing.

The ONLY Reggae-like characteristic of this recording is the (light) Jamaican accents of the vocalists. Yellowman's version of "This Old Man" ("Ye-llow-man") is the most compelling of these ... tracks .... The rest are monotonous & cheesy.

If you want to expose your kids to Reggae, do them (& yourself) a favor- start with the authentic(but approachable) classics: Black Uhuru (Ultimate Collection) or Bob Marley compilation (Natural Mystic/Legend)! For African music try Youssou N'Dour ("Immigres", "Set", or "Guide") or Salif Keita ("Best of: Golden Voice" or Soro).

If you want to lull your child to sleep, get Raffi, if you want to see your toddler and young school age kids have a blast, get this album. My 3- 1/2 year old loves it now because she knows the songs and can sing along. When we first played it for her at 10 months, she "cruised around the room" bopping to the beat before she could even walk. Parents will love it ... a welcome change of pace from the purple dinosaur.

After reading the reviews, I anticipated a rollicking good time but was left sorely disappointed. Now I'm not a reggaephile, college being 15 yrs ago, but the arrangements here are thin, lifeless, and sound as if they were mixed with a 1985 Casio Mix-Master. If you're thinking "Great, Legend for Kids", think again.

Here's my advice: Leave this fellow to the side and go with Garcia/Grisman Not For Kids Only, Doc Watson's Songs for Little Pickers, Gemini (Anything) or any of the Woody Guthrie children's CDs.

My other piece of advice to establish my bona fides with other parents: Aquaphor.

We keep this CD in the car and I look in the rear view mirror to see my 19 month old bouncing back and forth in his car seat to the beat! His favorite is This Old Man by Yellowman! These classics get you movin'! Makes a great gift, too!

I play this CD for my students.The songs have easy lyrics to remember and the reggae beats gives them "happy feet".

I am deeply disappointed with this collection. The tracks chosen are neither the best for children, nor for reggae as a whole. You get many songs not sung in English--sung in Jamaican creole, and many with a some sound. I think you're FAR better off looking at almost ANY reggae from the 1960s (and some from the 1970s too).

Let me list a few: Desmond Dekker, Toots and the Maytals, and of course Jimmy Cliff. Look at buying instead This Is Reggae Music--the first two cds are great for kids! If you're on a budget try "Reggae Up! 40 Classic Reggae Cuts." Despite the nice packaging a promise of children's reggae, this album is poorly executed and a waste of your money.

This is great! I also purchased More Reggae for Kids and liked that even better. Sound track is excellent, far exceeded my expectations! (After all, it is a children's cd). Artists from my era that children from my daughters' era can enjoy. Extremely positive, upbeat messages brings a refreshing change to the songs they are usually singing from the radio! We all sing a long in the car and find ourselves singing them throughout the day too! I purchased both Reggae for Kids and More Reggae for Kids and love them both. They make great gifts.