Family : ‘Bananaphone’ Set Welcomes Return of Superstar Raffi

A few years ago, when he stopped touring and recording for children, it looked as if Raffi, children’s music’s first bona fide superstar, might be leaving behind his preschooler-pleasing roots altogether in search of crossover adult appeal and a wider forum for his ecological, global message songs.

Watching his playful antics and comfortable give-and-take during his packed family concert at Universal Amphitheatre on Saturday, however, it’s clear that these days, at age 46, the velvet-voiced, mild-mannered Canadian is happily reconciled to his loyal young fan base--and their appreciative adult companions.

Although “Bananaphone,” Raffi’s first children’s music studio recording in seven years, was nominated for this year’s best children’s musical Grammy (it lost to “The Lion King” soundtrack), only a few selections from the album made it into the show on Saturday.

But, while some adults were overheard regretting the omission of Raffi’s new John Candy tribute, “The Shmenge Polka,” and his catchy “C-A-N-A-D-A” celebration, this concert was plainly intended to be familiar and accessible to children who are still growing up with Raffi albums recorded in the ‘70s and ‘80s.

And accessible it was. Roars of recognition and approval greeted one Raffi trademark song after another--”Down by the Bay,” “Des Colores,” “Tingalayo” and “Rise and Shine” among them. The response to the most beloved Raffi song of all, “Baby Beluga,” about a “little white whale on the go,” was downright deafening.

The audience was never still as children and adults sang along, acted out lyrics, created an auditory rainstorm with snapping fingers and hand-clapping, danced in the aisles or bounced in their seats.

Guitar in hand, Raffi was notably relaxed as he exhibited a new, playful physicality, dancing and mugging his way through a generous number of well-sung and well-harmonized songs, and exchanging mild banter with accomplished band and vocal backup members Connie Lebeau (accordion and bass guitar) and Michael Creber (keyboards and synthesizer).

And, the singer who has been frequently described as “sad-eyed” looked anything but, as he basked in the crowd’s warm response. Welcome back, Raffi.