Raffi’s album, Love Bug, releases on July 15th. I was sent an advance copy to review. All opinions are my own.
I grew up listening to Raffi’s music. The cassette player in my mother’s Buick had two tapes that were just for me, Raffi and Peter, Paul, and Mary. The soundtrack of my preschool days was Puff The Magic Dragon, Down By The Bay, and Baby Beluga.
Decades later, I’m still in love with Raffi. It felt really special to share another piece of my childhood with Malone (age 5) as we listened to Love Bug together.
Malone’s Take
Malone loved This Land Is Your Land and Pete’s Banjo (a nod to Pete Seeger). This CD currently lives in his CD player in his room and he’s been playing it while he plays in his own words he said, “his music makes me feel calm and relaxed.”
My Take
Raffi’s new album doesn’t disappoint. In the age of an online world where anyone can make a bit of noise, put it on You Tube, and call it music, Raff’s Love Bug is a breath of fresh air. The intention and heart behind Raffi’s voice on this album is slow and easy like the good ole days before social media and over scheduled lives. You cannot listen to this album without feeling relaxed and unstressed by the last song. The songs and their lyrics are the perfect mix of fun, character lessons, and history.
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Character Lesson Songs
- Love Bug (love)
- Seeing The Heart (love)
- In The Real World (nature)
- Blue White Planet (nature)
- Mama Loves It (helping with chores)
- On Hockey Days (team work)
- Magic Wand (social responsibility)
Songs With History Lessons
- Pete’s Banjo (Pete Seeger)
- Turn This World Around (Nelson Mandela)
- This Land Is Your Land (Woody Guthrie)
My favorite song on the entire album is Free To Play which provides a steady reminder not to over schedule my kids with these lyrics.
“Free to play, happy in my world, where I can be what I can be. Free to play, free to sing, my dreaming song of everything. Free to dance the day along. In my playing daydreaming song.”
Love Bug releases tomorrow. You will LOVE it and so will your tiny humans.
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So fun! I love Raffi! I listen to him even if the kids aren’t around!
Rabia @TheLiebers recently posted..Snowballing Your Debt: It Really Makes Cents
I believe you! I’ve found myself listening to Love Bug a bit after the kids go to bed. The album is so chill that after a long day it is a great way to unwind.
Omg haven’t thought of Raffi in years, but you are right he totally had great music for kids and am so going to have to check this out for my little ones now, too!! 🙂
Janine Huldie recently posted..Swallow for The Perfect Anniversary Celebration
This is his first album in 12 years, so he’s been off the radar a bit, Janine. The album is great. It’s like a walk down memory lane!
I grew up on raffi! I can’t wait to buy this!
Aprille @beautifulinhistime.com recently posted..On #whitespace, staying home, and tomato suckers
You will love this album, Aprille! It has a really nice pace to it and you can tell he thought a ton about the order of the songs before he released the album!
Oh I used to love Raffi! I’m so happy to hear he has a new album out 🙂
Bev recently posted..An interview with wedding photographer Kristin Griffin
Yay! He does, and we are really digging it!
If I still had tiny humans, I would buy this in a heartbeat! My kids and I listened to Raffi all the time – his rendition of Baby Beluga was our favorite. He hasn’t aged a bit – glad he’s still going strong!
Dana recently posted..Summertime and the reading is easy
Love Bug is his first album in 12 years! I’m going to be so sad when the day comes that my tiny humans are too old for Raffi. I know that day is going to come someday and then I’ll have to wait a LONG time before I hopefully can listen to him again with my grandchildren!