About Ralph Covert

• Biography
• Interview

About Ralph's World

• Interview

Editorial Reviews

What do you get when you mix a mighty worm, some happy lemons, and a polka? Welcome to Ralph's World, an introduction to the music of this indie-label sensation. Fittingly, it's the first release from the new Disney Sound label -- Disney fans may have already made Ralph's acquaintance via his videos on Playhouse Disney. This charming set collects 15 songs from Ralph's catalog, plus six all-new animated videos and one previously unreleased track, "With a Friend (The Pooh Song)." The latter, which commemorates Winnie the Pooh's 80th birthday, joins a bouncy beat with jaunty strums and horns for a surprisingly fresh sound -- and he's singing about an 80-year-old bear! Elsewhere, Ralph spins growing-up tales like no one else on bittersweet songs such as "Dinosaur Rumble" and "Riding with No Hands," which could trump any pop ballad on the radio. But the performer's real talent comes on hook-friendly tunes that explore different genres while introducing kids to a variety of instruments -- canned Kidz Bop confection this is not! Ralph's love of music of all stripes resonates throughout songs like the polka-infused "Peggy's Pie Party Polka," the Beach Boys-inspired harmonies of "Surfin' in My Imagination," and the rock-'n'-roll guitar licks driving "All I Want to Do Is Play," which boasts a message irresistible to kids of all ages. The videos here find Ralph staying true to his roots with joyous live action and animation, a formula that's worked wonders for other left-of-center kids' performers such as Laurie Berkner and Dan Zanes. Illustrator Jim Paillot captures the mood with whimsical, candy-colored graphics, while Ralph takes us on a world tour from Fiji to Paris to India. It's rewarding to see Ralph graduate from a kids' cult classic to a musical hero -- and we can't wait to see what comes next. Amy Barkat, Barnes & Noble

Customer Reviews

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