Disney soundtracks in TV & Movie Soundtracks

"Jungle Book [Disney 1997] [Bonus Tracks] [Remaster]" (01/30/2001) Soundtracks Original Soundtrack, Walt Disney`The Jungle Book' was the last animated feature personally produced by Walt Disney. Initially released in 1967, the film received an Oscar nomination for the song, "The Bare Necessities". This CD contains, for the first time, the entire original soundtrack plus an interview with Academy-award winning songwriters, Robert and Richard Sherman. The interview segment features demo material and 2 rare songs; "Baloo's Blues" and "It's A Kick". Original score composed by George Bruns. Original songs composed by Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman and Terry Gilkyson. Reissue producers: Randy Thornton, Ted Kryczko. Originally recorded between February 1964 and June 1967. Includes liner notes by Randy Thornton and Ted Kryczko. Digitally remastered by Bruce Botnick (Digital Magnetics, Hollywood, California) and John Polito (Audio Mechanics, Los Angeles, California). This is part of Disney's Classic Soundtrack Series. `The Jungle Book' was the last animated feature personally produced by Walt Disney. Initially released in 1967, the film received an Oscar nomination for the song, "The Bare Necessities". This CD contains, for the first time, the entire original soundtrack plus an interview with Academy-award winning songwriters, Robert and Richard Sherman. The interview segment features demo material and 2 rare songs; "Baloo's Blues" and "It's A Kick". Original score composed by George Bruns. Original songs composed by Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman and Terry Gilkyson. Reissue producers: Randy Thornton, Ted Kryczko. Originally recorded between February 1964 and June 1967. Includes liner notes by Randy Thornton and Ted Kryczko. Digitally remastered by Bruce Botnick (Digital Magnetics, Hollywood, California); John Polito (Audio Mechanics, Los Angeles, California). This is part of Disney's Classic Soundtrack Series. Composers: George Bruns; Robert B. Sherman; Terry Gilkyson. Personnel: Darleen Carr, Digby Wolfe, J. Pat OMalley, Louis Prima, Phil Harris , Sebastian Cabot, Sterling Holloway, Thurl Ravenscroft, Bruce Reitherman (vocals). Liner Note Authors: Randy Thornton; Ted Kryczko . Recording information: 02/1964-06/1967. The best-loved songs from this album have become part of our collective memory, especially the classic "The Bare Necessities." But what has in large part been forgotten is that the rest of the soundtrack is just as enjoyable. Even the instrumental intro to "The Bare Necessities" is moving. The zesty Louis Prima-led "I Wanna Be Like You" is also not to be missed, and the disc also includes an interview with the Sherman Brothers, who wrote the music for this jungle farce version of the Kipling classic. It also includes two songs originally composed for the movie by Terry Gilkyson before Walt Disney had the story rewritten as a light comedy. ~ Ross Boissoneau

"Lilo & Stitch" (06/11/2002) Soundtracks Original Soundtrack, Walt DisneyOriginal score composed by Alan Silvestri. The soundtrack to Disney's Lilo & Stitch features songs by Elvis Presley, Wynonna, and Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu & the Kamehameha Schools' Children's Chorus, as well as excerpts of Alan Silvestri's score. While Wynonna's version of "Burning Love" doesn't compare to Presley's original, it does fit the lighthearted, energetic feel of both the film and the rest of the album, and is considerably more faithful than the A-Teens' shiny, teen pop rendition of "Can't Help Falling in Love." Ho'omalu & the Children's Chorus' "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" and "He Mele No Lilo" add some authentic Polynesian flair to the music, which is contrasted by Presley's "Stuck on You" and "Suspicious Minds," and also by lively score excerpts such as "Stitch to the Rescue." While it's a somewhat scattered album, Lilo & Stitch does present all of the film's sides, making it a worthwhile musical souvenir. ~ Heather Phares Disney's tale of a lovable alien named Stitch and his Hawaiian hijinks with a lad named Lilo will worm its way into the heart of any self-respecting grade-schooler, but the film's soundtrack seems (cleverly) geared toward the kids' parents. Besides a couple of Hawaiian tunes for local color and the obligatory orchestral pieces by ubiquitous film composer Alan Silvestri, this disc is given over to the catalogue of the King of Rock & Roll himself. While a number of tunes are original recordings by Elvis himself, from his rebel days "Hound Dog" to his Vegas phase ("Suspicious Minds"), other artists also take on his tunes. The A*Teens' teen-pop version won't make anyone forget that of (anyone remember) Lick the Tins from the soundtrack to 1987's SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL, much less the original. However, Wynonna puts in a characteristically cutting, soulful performance on "Burning Love." And it's important to remember that one can never hear "Heartbreak Hotel" too many times.

"Piglet's Big Movie" (03/18/2003) Soundtracks Original Soundtrack, Walt DisneyOriginal score composed by Carl Johnson. Composer: Glen Lajeski. Personnel: Ren?e Fleming (vocals); David Spinozza, Michael Benjamin (guitar); Park Stickney, Gayle Levant (harp); Charles Pillow (clarinet); Shawn Pelton (percussion). Recording information: Eastwood Scoring Stage At Warner Bros; Parr Audio, M.V; Right Track Studios, NY; sony Studios, NY; Todd AO Studios. Arrangers: Carl Johnson ; Michael Skloff; Michael Kosarin; Carly Simon; Douglas Besterman. The soundtrack for Piglet's Big Movie features a brace of songs by Carly Simon, excerpts of Carl Johnson's score, and some of Simon's demos of the soundtrack's songs. Simon's songs are pretty and laid-back, mixing her signature, folk-based sound with playful lyrics and orchestral flourishes on songs like "The More I Look Inside" and "Comforting to Know." "Mother's Intuition" is one of the best tracks, explaining the need for mothers to look and clean up after their children to a lively beat; "With a Few Good Friends" emphasizes the importance and power of friendship with cheerful harmonies. Simon also captures Piglet's winsome nature on "If I Wasn't So Small (The Piglet Song)"; Winnie the Pooh and Piglet join her on "Sing Ho for the Life of a Bear (Exposition March)" and also sing "The More It Snows (Tiddley-Pom)." Johnson's score is similarly sweet and quirky, particularly on tracks like "Scrapbook Pages" and "Roo Joins the Quest," although "River Roo" hints at the movie's sense of adventure. Simon's demos are pleasant, especially the stripped-down versions of "If I Wasn't So Small" and "The More It Snows (Tiddley-Pom)." Overall, Piglet's Big Movie has an appropriately small but sweet soundtrack that should delight Piglet and Winnie the Pooh fans. ~ Heather Phares

"Lilo & Stitch 2: Island Favorites" (08/30/2005) Soundtracks Original Soundtrack, Walt DisneyLilo & Stitch 2: Island Favorites, the soundtrack to Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (which is the direct-to-video sequel to the Disney hit Lilo & Stitch), delivers the familiar mix of Hawaiian music and Elvis songs that provided the musical backdrop to the first movie and TV series. In fact, this collection should seem very familiar indeed to Lilo & Stitch fans, since it's basically a slightly altered and repackaged version of the 2002 collection Lilo & Stitch: Island Favorites. Several of the standout tracks on this album -- including Lisa Loeb's "My Little Grass Shack," Annette Funicello's "Pineapple Princess," and Tia Carrere's "Aloha 'Oe" -- appeared on the first version of Island Favorites. Elvis' "A Little Less Conversation [Junkie XL Remix]" and "Rubberneckin'" provide the required Presley tunes, while songs like Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu and the Kamehameha Schools Children's Choir's "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" and Dennis & David Kamakahi's "Always" nod to Lilo & Stitch's Hawaiian setting. Even though Lilo & Stitch 2: Island Favorites follows the musical formula of past Lilo & Stitch albums a little too closely, it's still an entertaining album, and downright creative compared to some other current Disney soundtracks. ~ Heather Phares For the follow-up to the LILO & STITCH film soundtrack, Disney continued with the Elvis Presley and Hawaii themes that graced the original animated movie. This time the King is represented by the energetic Junkie XL remix of "A Little Less Conversation" and a soul-tinged take of "Rubberneckin'." Other highlights include Disney teen mainstays Jump5 running through a highly caffeinated rendition of "Hawaii Roller Coaster Ride" and a breezy Lisa Loeb version of "My Little Grass Shack."

"Lilo & Stitch 2: Island Favorites [Blister]" (08/30/2005) Soundtracks Original Soundtrack, Walt DisneyLilo & Stitch 2: Island Favorites, the soundtrack to Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (which is the direct-to-video sequel to the Disney hit Lilo & Stitch), delivers the familiar mix of Hawaiian music and Elvis songs that provided the musical backdrop to the first movie and TV series. In fact, this collection should seem very familiar indeed to Lilo & Stitch fans, since it's basically a slightly altered and repackaged version of the 2002 collection Lilo & Stitch: Island Favorites. Several of the standout tracks on this album -- including Lisa Loeb's "My Little Grass Shack," Annette Funicello's "Pineapple Princess," and Tia Carrere's "Aloha 'Oe" -- appeared on the first version of Island Favorites. Elvis' "A Little Less Conversation [Junkie XL Remix]" and "Rubberneckin'" provide the required Presley tunes, while songs like Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu and the Kamehameha Schools Children's Choir's "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" and Dennis & David Kamakahi's "Always" nod to Lilo & Stitch's Hawaiian setting. Even though Lilo & Stitch 2: Island Favorites follows the musical formula of past Lilo & Stitch albums a little too closely, it's still an entertaining album, and downright creative compared to some other current Disney soundtracks. ~ Heather Phares For the follow-up to the LILO & STITCH film soundtrack, Disney continued with the Elvis Presley and Hawaii themes that graced the original animated movie. This time the King is represented by the energetic Junkie XL remix of "A Little Less Conversation" and a soul-tinged take of "Rubberneckin'." Other highlights include Disney teen mainstays Jump5 running through a highly caffeinated rendition of "Hawaii Roller Coaster Ride" and a breezy Lisa Loeb version of "My Little Grass Shack."

"Disney: Winnie the Pooh: Best" (08/02/2000) Soundtracks Original Soundtrack, Avex Trax (Japan)

"Tarzan" (05/18/1999) Soundtracks Original Soundtrack, Walt DisneyAll songs written by Phil Collins. Original score composed by Mark Mancina. Producers: Phil Collins, Mark Mancina, Rob Cavallo. TARZAN won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Soundtrack Album. "You'll Be In My Heart" was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Song Written For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media. "You'll Be In My Heart" won the 1999 Academy Award For Best Song. Personnel includes: Phil Collins. All songs written by Phil Collins. Instrumental score composed by Mark Mancina. This is an enhanced CD which contains regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. Personnel includes: Phil Collins. All songs written by Phil Collins. Instrumental score composed by Mark Mancina. Undoubtedly inspired by Elton John and Hans Zimmer's soundtrack for The Lion King, the soundtrack for Tarzan, Disney's summer 1999 blockbuster, has little of the freshness that makes the film a visual treat. It follows the same formula that's informed every Disney soundtrack since The Lion King -- take two sweeping ballads and one uptempo dance number, and surround them with reprises and re-recordings for radio, as well as excerpts of the score. It's an exercise in recycling, essentially. As recently as Aladdin, Disney's animated films had rich soundtracks filled with robust songs and surging, dramatic scores. Tarzan is symptomatic of this decline. The core elements, however reminiscent of The Lion King they may be, aren't bad in and of themselves (apart from "Trashin' the Camp," a jive, lyric-less doo wop parody). The excerpts from Mark Mancina's score may push the melodrama buttons a little hard, but they are effective blends of African and movie music. Meanwhile, Phil Collins' songs are surprisingly strong, much more melodic and appealing than anything he's done since But Seriously. The main theme, "Two Worlds," is a particular standout, eerily echoing his former colleague Peter Gabriel's worldbeat explorations at times, but all of the songs (exception: "Trashin' the Camp") are quite strong. The only problem is, they're repeated and repeated and repeated. "Two Worlds" is included no less than four times, "You'll Be in My Heart" comprises two tracks and "Trashin' the Camp" is here twice, once as a duet between Collins and *N Sync. All the different versions are designed to appeal to different markets, but it makes listening to the album a chore -- especially since there is no marked difference between the film version of the song and the radio version, apart from Collins' vocals. Of course, this is hardly a new situation for Disney; it's just that the repetition and recycling have never been so blatant or tiresome. It would have been better to include a main version of each song, then surround it with more of Mancina's score -- it probably would have resulted in a stronger listen -- but as it stands, Tarzan is a soundtrack with potential, yet is undone by its formula. [Ever conscious of appealing to a mass market, Disney made sure to issue the soundtrack for their summer 1999 blockbuster Tarzan in a Spanish version. Musically, it's no different, it simply has vocals in Spanish. It's a smart move, but the album remains severely flawed.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine Undoubtedly inspired by Elton John and Hans Zimmer's soundtrack for The Lion King, the soundtrack for Tarzan, Disney's summer 1999 blockbuster, has little of the freshness that makes the film a visual treat. It follows the same formula that's informed every Disney soundtrack since The Lion King -- take two sweeping ballads and one up-tempo dance number, and surround them with reprises and re-recordings for radio, as well as excerpts of the score. It's an exercise in recycling, essentially. As recently as Aladdin, Disney's animated films had rich soundtracks filled with robust songs and surging, dramatic scores. Tarzan is symptomatic of this decline. The core elements, however reminiscent of The Lion King they may be, aren't bad in and of themselves (apart from "Trashin' the Camp," a jive lyric-less doo wop parody). The excerpts from Mark Mancina's score may push