Green Gorilla, Monster & Me

Ralph's World

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 9, 2005)
• Original Release Date: August 9, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Minty Fresh
• ASIN: B000A2H8BC
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #125,159 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Dance Around

2. Hideaway

3. Red Banana

4. Gitarzan

5. Me & My Invisible Friend

6. Old Red #7

7. River Flow

8. Liesl Echo

9. Monster

10. Tim the Boy

11. I Don't Wanna

12. Tower of Blocks

13. Yum! Yuk!

14. Swingset

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

We should be sick of Ralph Covert--the lone inhabitant of Ralph's World--by now. In only five years, he's put out six discs' worth of mostly the same hoot-worthy, hand-clappy, good-time, anytime, play-it-loud stuff. But here's the thing: Ralph never gets it wrong. As kids' musicians go, he's as close to the Beatles as they get, both in terms of sound and sheer brilliance. Which makes it almost tedious to report that Green Gorilla, Monster & Me is, within its genre, a minor masterpiece. "Monster," a monster of a party song about an adopted mutt who's both "the softest snuggler on the couch" and "the wettest kisser on the mouth," manages to sketch out Ralph's mojo in the span of three minutes; "I Don't Wanna" reinforces it by way of a whip-smart lesson in Punk 101; and "Old Red Number 7" brings it home with a classic, thoughtfully sung slice of nostalgia. As redundant as it is to spread the word that Ralph rules, then, he leaves us little choice--parents of preschoolers from Shreveport to Saskatchewan will never be so eager to welcome a green gorilla into their play basements. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Once again Ralph Rocks, September 20, 2005

By	J. Ursitti (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We have every one of the Ralph's World CD's, and they never fail to disappoint. We have already worn this CD just about out. My children, ages 5 and 3, both absolutely love this CD.

My only question is why isn't Ralph even more popular? He definitely puts out the best quality children's music. I love his use of different musical styles and witty lyrics. The Ray Stephens/Roger Miller covers are fun too. Ralph truly rocks!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Fun -- This CD Rocks!, December 30, 2005

By	B. Rubin "Librarianista" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm picky about what my 1 1/2 year old and my 5 year old listen to, music-wise. Especially when I have to be trapped in the car with them listening to the same music over and over again. I really enjoyed 'Green Gorilla, Monster & Me' and I suggest you buy this CD if you have kids from ages 0 to 10. The lyrics are funny and smart, and the music is excellent! I'm not a music expert, but I enjoy listening to this CD over and over again and I appreciate the fun rhythms and vocals. (Try out the Tarzan song sample-- it's hysterical!) Buy this CD!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Git It, Git It, Git It ...WOW!, August 9, 2005

By	wi_suz - See all my reviews

Ralph Covert continues to fine tune his family friendly music on his sixth Mini Fresh release, "Green Gorilla, Monster & Me". The latest trip through Ralph's World is full of lighthearted fantasy, heightened by clever lyrics and driven home by exceptional musicianship. As we've come to expect, Ralph changes genres like changing clothes for the seasons; each has it's comfortable fit. "River Flow" provides a subtle geography lesson couched in the folksy sound of banjo & dobro. "Tower of Blocks" envelopes us in the calm of a dreamy afternoon. Subject matter reaches beyond preschool themes to gentle life lessons that are never too early or too late to learn. (Try new things, don't judge by appearances, take care of yourself, actions have consequences) This is not at all like the in-your-face "mature" themes in those CD's of current popular music sung with kids. As a 40-ish SAHM, who finds it increasingly difficult to shield my children from adult content, I appreciate the effort to make it cool but keep it clean.

Dance Around is an energetic intro, getting us physically involved from the start.
Hideaway sets the ageless tone with it's upbeat "feel-good" harmonies. The Bad Examples could play this one, and no one would think "kid song".
Gitarzan is a HOOT! This convincingly "live" mix does the Ray Stevens classic proud. Ralph handles the 3 distinct vocals, a crazy apeman-cowboy yodel, Jane's hot scat and that spunky monkey. How `bout THAT? WoW!
Old Red #7 is a pretty cool story of boyhood friendship. This is one of those Covert gems that takes you there. You can smell the early morning air and feel the knot in your stomach as downhill Mario Andrettis meet to compete. My li'l guy likes the buh buh bup bah bahs.
That is a reason this all works so well; it can be enjoyed on several levels. First there's the childlike, gut level, primal energy; I hear it, I like it. I dance, I cry, etc. Add musical complexity (which is somewhat beyond my realm) and intelligent writing that is often ignored by "kid's music", and grown-ups feel good about listening to it .

Liesl Echo is a beautiful fairy tale that strikes a Lennon/McCartney chord, with its bittersweet storytelling in minor key harmonies.
Who's the dog with her very own theme song? It's Monster, a terrier who made it from the pound into a loving family. OK, it's pretty much just cute, but not annoying.
Tim the Boy and I Don't Wanna are both about the choices we make, but with very different vehicles. I was really feelin' the punk rockin' I Don't Wanna, and I think I embarrassed my children. :rolleyes: Not to worry, parents, turns out we might wanna after all.
The Kids in Ralph's World are completely endearing. I don't know if it's just because they're "real", regular kids (if some musicians' kids), or also because they aren't on every song. Their natural quality makes me smile and want to sing out like a kid again.
Go see Ralph and the band live if you can. In the meantime, buy this CD! There's not one track on it I'd skip.