Peggy's Pie Parlor

1	The Mighty Worm
2	Banana Seat Bike
3	Peggy's Pie Parlor Polka
4	Covered in Glue
5	Go Go Pogo
6	I Never See Maggie Alone
7	Tango Dancing Bear
8	All I Wanna Do Is Play
9	Cavemen!
10	Yon Yonson
11	Puppy Dog
12	Family Day
13	I'm My Own Grandpaw
14	67 cents of Heaven

Barnes & Noble

Parents, call off the search. This is the album for a family party, a long car ride, or just dancing around the living room. Ralph Covert, the gifted musician behind Ralph's World, pulls out all the stops on his sweet journey to Peggy's Pie Parlor. Returning to his rock roots, Covert captures kids' interest with his engaging songs and passionate performances. The album opens with an animal song of a different stripe, "The Mighty Worm," which celebrates individuality with a bit of '60s lounge pop. Trumpeting the unique qualities of each creature, Covert sings, "Birds can fly / and whales keep warm / but no one digs / like the mighty worm." "Banana Seat Bike," his rockin' ode to the ultimate sweet ride -- one with "glitter on the seat and a mean green racing stripe" -- is sure to get kids moving. On the title track, an authentic, fast-paced polka bursting with accordions, Covert speaks to his fans' sweet tooth, boasting, "If you want pie of any kind / polka down to Peggy's Pie Parlor." The slower-paced "Tango Dancing Bear" has a sentimental, dreamy quality, thanks to Covert's soothing voice and vivid lyrics, which will lull little listeners into daydream land. The disc's standout, however, is the electric guitar-driven "All I Wanna Do Is Play," a summer anthem about playing with friends and eating ice cream. Any kid stuck in school on a warm, sunny day will appreciate the sentiment! And do you think your family's wacky? The hilarious "I'm My Own Grandpaw" is a grand celebration of the zaniest family tree ever. Just try to follow the story -- but be prepared to laugh along the way. If ever there was an album to make you dance, smile, and believe in yourself, Peggy's Pie Parlor is it. Amy Barkat

All Music Guide

Chicago singer/songwriter Ralph Covert is the Jonathan Richman of the new millennium, recreating the childlike whimsy of Richman's classic late '70s albums with an even more obviously toddler-centric worldview. Like Richman, Covert's not afraid to spice his playground ditties with a little rock and roll ? "Banana Seat Bike" has the loosey-goosey groove of a classic NRBQ rocker, and "Peggy's Pie Parlor Polka" would sound natural coming from either Texas eccentrics Brave Combo or an early They Might Be Giants b-side. He also appreciates his forebears in the children's music genre, covering the elementary school music class favorite "Yon Yonson" alongside the bluegrass novelty hit "I'm My Own Grandpaw" and even a song from Walt Kelly's 1952 album of songs inspired by his Pogo comic strip, the deliriously tongue-twisting "Go Go Pogo." The production, by indie-rock mainstay Brad Wood and featuring a who's who of the Chicago rock scene, isn't twee in the least, and Covert never talks down to his young audience, making Peggy's Pie Parlor that rarity, a children's music album that appeals to adults who don't even have kids. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide