Search - Ziggy Marley :: Family Time

Wonderful for Kids and Adults!

To Be Simple | 05/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Family Time" by Ziggy Marley is being promoted as an album primarily for children, but let me tell you, this is terrific music for adults as well. First off, the CD packaging is really cool. There is a folded page to color, fun artwork on the cardboard casing, and a booklet with lyrics and more artwork. It is overall a fun package. There is also an online bonus area when placing the CD into a PC. The bonus area has a coloring page, video downloads, among other things.



The music itself is awesome. The album is incredibly upbeat and happy. Ziggy's solo material has explored genres other than his trademark reggae, but "Family Time" sees Ziggy putting out mainly playful reggae tracks. The final two tracks are not songs, but narrations by Jamie Lee Curtis. They both have a very nice message.



There is some definite star power on the album. Toots Hibbert, Paul Simon, Rita Marley (Ziggy's mom), Cedella Marley, Jack Johnson, Paula Fuga, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Laura Berkner all make appearances. The guest appearances are cool, but they are generally brief, as Ziggy is the main voice in the songs.



As mentioned previously, the songs are upbeat and happy. They all have an uplifting and positive message, perfect for kids in a world of so much uncertainty and turmoil. The overall theme is about love, family, and unity. What else would you expect from Ziggy? I think "Family Time" is best summed up in some of the lyrics from the song "Ziggy Says":



Ziggy says lift up your hands

Ziggy says lift up your feet

Ziggy says smile

Ziggy says make the sign of peace

Ziggy says wiggle your waist

Ziggy says wiggle your nose

Ziggy says wiggle your toes

Ziggy says hug who you know



I doubt if anyone can listen to this album and not smile and feel good about the positive side of humanity. As the name of the album suggests, "Family Time" can truly be enjoyed by the whole family."

Fun for All Ages

Trina L. Drotar | Sacramento, CA United States | 05/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was in my local book and music store a couple of days ago shopping for some books when I heard several songs from this album, although it wasn't until "This Train" and "Wings of an Eagle" that I stopped and really took notice. Could also be that I was actually waiting in line to pay for my book. I asked the title of the album and was directed to the music department where I asked again and was shown the album, under a sign that read, "Children's Music." "ABC" had just begun playing, but I could not believe that this was simply a children's album. I mentioned that to the clerk, who said, "You must be a child at heart." As the previous reviewer noted, this album is upbeat (much needed, I should add, during these troubling times) and does have a colorful and really cool cover. The inside is as interesting as the outside, and the music lives up to the hype of the cover and the coloring activities. This is an album I've listened to several times during the past few days, primarily while I'm working on some papers for my graduate English classes. Also, like the previous reviewer noted, several singers/actors/storytellers appear as guests on the album. Two pieces, "My Helping Hands" and "Is There Really a Human Race" are narrated (by Jamie Lee Curtis), didactic stories that are definitely written for children. There is no music on these two tracks, and they are my least favorite. My favorite song is perhaps "This Train" because it blends a bit of gospel, reggae, and features both Marley's voice (for most of the song) and Willie Nelson's voice (during the middle part), and it just pushes along like a train on tracks. I like the introduction of Nelson's rough voice in the midst of the song because it makes me stop and take notice. The pace slows a bit there, too. There are bonus sing along songs - just the music - included, and "A portion of proceeds to benefit Chepstowe Basic School in Port Antonio, Jamaica," so buying this album also benefits others. Nice music for a relaxing afternoon or evening and fun to share with "children" of all ages."

Our family loves it!

K. O'Neill | Silicon Valley, CA USA | 05/31/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What a great CD for the family! Although our kids (11, 6 and 4) sing along and enjoy listening to it, it's not a "kiddie" CD like Raffi, Sesame St. or similar. The music is more in the mode of Jack Johnson's Curious George soundtrack with plenty of tracks that would have been fine on a more "adult" mainstream release. Hence, we parents like to put it on as well. The kids really like "Ziggy Says" which is a riff on "Simon Says". I like "Cry Cry Cry" (with Jack Johnson) and "Walk Tall" (with Paul Simon). All in all, a creative work that will make your 2009 summer far more pleasant."