Bananaphone is a children's album[2][3] released by Raffi and Michael Creber[4] in 1994. The album is best known for its title track, which uses puns such as "It's a phone with appeal!" (a peel) and nonce words like "bananular" and "interactive-odular" as Raffi extols the virtues of his unique telephone.

Bananaphone
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 27, 1994
RecordedMarch–June 1994
GenreChildren's, traditional pop, jazz
Length49:24
LabelMCA Records Rounder
Raffi chronology
Evergreen Everblue
(1990)
Bananaphone
(1994)
Raffi Radio
(1995)
Singles from Bananaphone
  1. "Bananaphone"
    Released: 1994
  2. "Shake a Toe"
    Released: 1994
  3. "The World We Love"
    Released: 1994
  4. "Slow Day"
    Released: 1994
  5. "Naturally"
    Released: 1994
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

The song "C-A-N-A-D-A" was originally recorded by Stompin' Tom Connors under the title "Cross Canada".

The album was certified Gold by the CRIA in March 2002.[5]

Track listing

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  1. "Bananaphone" (Creber, Raffi) 3:12
  2. "Shake a Toe" (Creber, Raffi) 2:20
  3. "The World We Love" (Creber, Raffi) 3:23
  4. "Slow Day" (Creber, Raffi) 3:25
  5. "The Changing Garden of Mr. Bell" (Hubbard, Silversher) 4:07
  6. "Naturally" (Creber, Raffi) 3:04
  7. "Spring Flowers" [instrumental] (Raffi) 2:40
  8. "C-A-N-A-D-A" (Connors) 2:50
  9. "Michael Row the Boat Ashore" (Traditional) 3:25
  10. "First Peoples" (Creber, Raffi) 4:37
  11. "Dee Myth" [instrumental] (Raffi) 2:21
  12. "Cowlit Night" (Raffi) 3:21
  13. "The Gorilla Song" (Knowles, Knowles) 2:10
  14. "Simple Gifts" (Traditional) 2:15
  15. "Down by the Riverside" (Traditional) 3:13
  16. "The Shmenge Polka" [instrumental] (A Tribute to the late John Candy) (Raffi) 2:07 [6]

Cover versions

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The album's title track has been covered in several different musical genres. Examples include a barbershop version,[7] several heavy metal versions,[8][9] a dubstep version[10][11] and a bluegrass/country version by Rhonda Vincent released on the album Sing Along with Putumayo released by Putumayo World Music.[12][13][14]

The Chilean children's show Cachureos released a cover of Bananaphone called "Teléfono" on its 1996 album, "La Mosca".[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Allmusic review". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
  2. ^ Lynch, Sheri (2007). Be Happy or I'll Scream!. New York: St. Martin's Griffin. ISBN 978-0-312-34234-0.
  3. ^ Briggs, Diane (2007). Preschool Favorites. Chicago: American Library Association. ISBN 978-0-8389-0938-6.
  4. ^ "About US - Creber Music Corporation". Creber Music Corporation. April 2003. Archived from the original on 2012-06-16. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
  5. ^ "Gold & Platinum Certification – March 2002". Canadian Recording Industry Association. March 2002. Archived from the original on 2012-02-05. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  6. ^ "Rounder Records". Rounder.com. Archived from the original on 2010-01-05. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  7. ^ "The Newfangled Four - Bananaphone". YouTube. Barbershop Harmony Society. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  8. ^ "Bananaphone(Hard Rock)". Poetv.com. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  9. ^ "Bananaphone | Primal Fear Song - Yahoo! Music". music.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  10. ^ "Bananaphone | BUILDER". Builderbeats.bandcamp.com. 2010-05-09. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  11. ^ "Banana Phone Dubstep Remix by Builder - First Drop Ever!!". YouTube. 2010-08-19. Retrieved 2012-01-15.[dead YouTube link]
  12. ^ "Sing Along with Putumayo". Putumayo.com. Archived from the original on 2012-01-06. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  13. ^ "Rhonda Vincent - Bananaphone". YouTube. 2010-12-15. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  14. ^ "Bananaphone | Rhonda Vincent Song - Yahoo! Music". music.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Cachureos 96 - ¡Ring,Ring,Telefono!". YouTube. 2009-01-08. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2012-01-15.