Dog on the Floor

Dog on the Floor. Performed by Raffi. CD. Approx.34 min. Produced by Raffi. 2018. CD: $11.50; Download: $9.49.

Pre-S - Gr 4--

            Order of Canada recipient Raffi has been sharing his excellent brand of children’s music for over 40 years, and here performs 15 songs on his 25^th album. This album continues the high standards of all of his other numerous gold and platinum albums. Raffi wrote 10 of the songs; there are two covers, one traditional song, one adapted song, and one instrumental piece (“Fiddle Dance”). The guest musicians give excellent performances on guitar, ukulele, violin, mandolin, fiddle, piano, Dobro, and clarinet in primarily folk, jazz and pop musical styles. An enthusiastic children’s chorus joins in on several of the songs. This album emphasizes play, affirmation and the nurturing roles of family and community. “That’s The Way It Goes,” celebrates the cycles of nature. “Luna’s Song” is a love song about Raffi’s dog. In “Play, Play, Play” a child wants to play, sing, and dance all day. “Listen to the Horses” clipping and clopping. While Dad thinks about “Walkin’ My Dog,” the dog thinks about going on a walk. “On Market Day” celebrates the fun of a farmer’s market. Flying low and high is the “Dragonfly.” “Love Grows Love” and brains and hears and other things. “Dog on the Floor” is an adaptation of Bill Russell’s “Spider on the Floor.” While working on the railroad, the singer is also looking for a “Rainbow.” When one is not doing fine, one should “Take a Breath” to change how one feels. “It Takes a Village” to raise a child. Raffi also does a wonderful cover of “Here Comes the Sun,” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb” includes “baa-ing” sounds. This is a masterful addition to an already winning line-up of albums.