How can Raffi compete with his relaxed, warm singing voice and minimal instrumental accompaniment? Most offerings include a simple guitar/mandolin backup; some tracks only a piano. Four tracks include a fuller complement of instruments. I was surprised to find a cover of “Octopus’s Garden” originally recorded for Raffi’s One Light One Sun. “Hey, isn’t this a Beattles tune?” I asked my husband. “Nah, Raffi wouldn’t record a Beattles song!” he exclaimed. Well, you can't be right all the time. “Octopus’s Garden” is a spiffy children’s rendition with a stronger rhythm line than most Raffi songs, and bubbly blurps from a synthesizer providing that underwater atmosphere with jazzy accents from trombone, clarinet, and trumpet.
Raffi really breaks it out with “Baby Beluga” ocean waves, whale squeaks, drums, clarinet, trumpet, and background singers take this flagship song up a level. Still, the resulting sound isn’t boring – it’s rather reassuring, mellow, comforting and nostalgic. My only complaint is that somehow “Robin in the Rain” my personal, all time #1 Raffi song wasn’t included in this compilation.
I’m afraid it’s inevitable, if you grew up on these songs chances are good that you’ll eventually break. You’ll head to Amazon, frenetically click and then, sigh – the Raffi goodness. Animal Songs will arrive simply – in a digipack of chlorine free paper, printed with soy inks. Note liners aren’t included but can be found as .pdf downloads on Raffinews.com.
Raffi continues to enable teachers to hook innocent children on his addictive children’s classics. Lyrics and arrangements for teachers, choir directors, and parents are available for free on his website.
Track Listing:
1. Six Little Ducks
2. Down by the Bay
3. Goin' to the Zoo
4. Here Sits A Monkey
5. Five Little Ducks
6. Eensy Weensy Spider
7. Over in the Meadow
8. Who Built the Ark?
9. Tingalayo
10. Baby Beluga
11. Octopus's Garden
12. Anansi
13. Baa Baa Black Sheep
14. Goodnight, Irene
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