This came out in 2001 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Not being a parent, I have managed to remain blissfully uninformed about the world of children’s music, most of which seems bland at best and excruciating at worst. At least, it did until recently.
After hearing two new roots albums that pay tribute to the kid-friendly fare of Raffi and Woody Guthrie, I’m rethinking my stance. Country Goes Raffi won me over with its unadulterated joy and silliness, as C&W stalwarts like Asleep At The Wheel, Alison Krauss, Marty Stuart and even The Mavericks’ Raul Malo twang and strum a set of sweetly innocent (if overly syrupy) Raffi standards like Baby Beluga, Bananaphone and This Little Light of Mine. Even more appealing, though, is Daddy-O Daddy!, which digs up Guthrie’s zippy, offbeat kids’ songs and turns them over to the likes of Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore (Want to See Me Grow?), Fabulous Thunderbirds’ Kim Wilson (New Baby Train) and Taj Mahal (Little Sack of Sugar). It’s worth the price just to hear Woody devotee Billy Bragg deliver Dry Bed, an inspirational little ditty about bed-wetting. Fun for kids of all ages.
