Motivational Songs

Motivational Songs. Performed by Raffi. CD. Approx. 88 min. Label: Rounder Records. 2019. CD: $14; Digital: $11.50.

Gr 4 up

At 70, kindie sensation Raffi is still going strong. Here he performs 20 songs, which he has written over a span of nearly 20 years, in pop, rock, jazz, folk, blues, Middle Eastern folk, country, and techno pop musical styles. These songs depart from the early childhood songs for which he is so well-known; they are aimed at older children and adults. According to Raffi, these songs advance his “Child Honouring” philosophy—his vision for creating a humane and sustainable world by addressing the universal needs of children. No credits are given for the excellent backup musicians, but listeners can detect guitars, strings, drums, percussion, wolf howls and bird chirps. The songs include themes of peace, diversity, social justice, indigenous cultures, civic engagement, climate change, and sustainability. “Resisto Dancing” will set listeners’ feet to moving. We all matter so “Tweet Me Right.” Remembering the Berlin wall and the Iron Curtain, which President Reagan helped to bring down, listeners are assured that there is “No Wall Too Tall.” In “Salaam Shalom,” Raffi wishes to bring Israeli children and Palestinian children together (if only those pesky Palestinians would quit trying to bomb Israel!) Other song titles include “Wave of Democracy,” “Count with Me,” “Letter to a Nation,” “Sustainability,” “Communion,” “Counting on You,” “Human Child,” “It Takes a Village,” “Green Dream,” “Tomorrow’s Children,” “First Peoples,” “Evergreen Everblue,” “Where We All Belong,” “Ray of Hope,”  and “Turn This World Around.” “Cool It,” is another misguided song about climate change that does not take into consideration that cold weather kills more people than warm weather. Warmer weather and more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere means more plants, and more plants mean more food for animals and people. If Raffi really wants sustainability, he should want a warmer planet. Although I do not agree with all of Raffi’s politics, his songs are lively, the tunes are catchy, and the album will be welcomed by Raffi’s older fans. 
Website: http://www.raffinews.com/