Raffi “Love Bug” (CD, All Ages)

Love Bug, Raffi’s first album of children’s songs in twelve years, marks a welcome return for the artist. Out July, 15, 2014!

This may be a little hard to believe but I grew up very isolated in a SE Ohio village of less than 2,000 people. We didn’t have cable and I grew up listening to old Folk music and the hippie music of the 50s and 60s from my mom and some classic 70s rock from my dad. I learned a ton of children’s old Folk songs, but nothing of any NEW children’s music…..until

We moved to a ‘big’ city of 14,000 when I was nine in Washington County, Ohio around my summer birthday

I felt like a fish out of water and even in a small city that size, I felt very closed in without all my mountains and caves I’d explore. Luckily, we were also on the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers and I learned about networks like MTV, Nickelodeon and many music shows for kids (Raffi, Sharon Lois and Bram, etc.) I had a little sister, so she was REALLY into that music and since my mom plays guitar and sings she would learn ALL the songs to play for her. We played a lot of new music that summer since there wasn’t a lot of opportunities to make friends before school started – and it stuck with me!

While I was still drawn to ‘oldies’ Folk, I got into it since my little sister was a huge music fan and Raffi was right up her alley. His gentle and peace-loving songs reminded me of the peace, love and harmony that the 60s tried to convey. I dug it.

Then it seemed Raffi dropped off the face of the earth. Until now!

Yes, Raffi has a brand new album called ‘Love Bug’ and it is a perfect wind-down gentle music with words like ‘Seeing the Heart’ and a nod to the old Woodie Guthrie song, “This Land is your Land.” Pretty cool. My youngest loves to hear it in the background for its soothing qualities but it also contains lyrics of peace, love and PLAY. Classic Raffi.