5 comments about Classic Disney, Vol. 3.

1. This CD is a wonderful collection of some 25(!) of the most beloved Disney hits. Indeed, the songs on this CD are all songs from the great Disney movies that you remember from your childhood. There's "You've Got A Friend In Me" from Toy Story, "Oo-De-Lally" from Robin Hood, and "I Wan'na Be Like You" from The Jungle Book (I love that Louis Prima!).What's also wonderful is that the hits are from the great Disney movies right up to the present, with such songs as "Jack's Lament" from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
   
   My whole family loves these songs, and often sings along with them. My personal favorite is The Silly Song from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - I love that scene!
   
   Buy this CD you won't regret it!



2. This third CD of Disney music is a good mixture of the old with the new. Track 1: "Colors of the Wind" from POCAHONTAS is one of the best songs composed to date for a motion picture. Track 18: "Bella Notte" from LADY AND THE TRAMP brings back many memories as does Track 21: "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" from television show and movies. Going back even further is Track 24: "Little April Shower" from BAMBI, which is an interesting composition representing nature's beauty, fury and return to tranquility. Track 6: "Les Poissons" is a great number from THE LITTLE MERMAID that is well composed musically but also is used to advance the story of the film. This is yet another great CD in this series.



3. Disney has once again put some of its most liked songs into a single album. The songs on this CD are some of my favorite songs and I'd recomend the CD for anyone that has kids or just likes the songs.



4. Burton movies are great. Burton movies with Elfman's music... well, they're out of this world. Nightmare before Christmas is my favorite movie of all times, and someone who hasn't seen it, doesn't have to make those comments. It's a movie full of great feelings; plus the music is great. Someone who hasn't seen the movie wouldn't understand "Jack's Lament"... I invite Caroline to see it and THEN critize it. BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIMES.



5. These Disney CD's are so great. People of all ages can enjoy them. My favorite is volume 2. My 3 year old LOVES it but so does my 22 year old friend!

2 comments about Punch the Monkey! 2.

1. If you're a fan of the Japanese anime series Lupin the 3rd, then this compiliation of covers and remixes of the series theme is for you. My favorite is the version by The Ventures, since 1960 the #1 instrumental rock group in the world and still going strong in their 5th decade.



2. Punch the Monkey 2 is one of my all-time favorite Japanese CD's. You can't go wrong with this one. There's a lot of cool mixes with some of the original sounds dubbed in. If you're a Lupin the 3rd fan, this is a must buy!

5 comments about Carl Stalling Project, Vol. 2: More Music from Warner Bros. Cartoons 1929-1957.

1. Are the names Mel Blanc, I. Freleng or Chuck Jones familiar to you? Then you will get a charge out of these albums as they remind you of Warner Brothers cartoons you saw. I even used these albums instead of "spooky music" for the trick-or-treaters at Halloween, and got appreciative comments from the parents who recognized the music. Definitely worth the price of admission.



2. As well as Stalling Project Part I, These recordings are more modern fidelity, less classic and more musical techniques. The improvisations appreciate me more than Part I. I like all tracks especially one from "Zoom and Bored" Salute Maestro!!!!
   jlipipun



3. More music from Warner Brother Cartoons 1936 to 1958.
   Carl Stalling was one of the foremost composers of music for cartoons and wrote virtually all of the scores for Warner Brothers cartoons from 1936 to 1958. This is a compilation of some complete soundtracks and other snippets. In my opinion, this disk is not quite as well done as "The Carl Stalling Project Volume I."



4. I really did like the slice-and-dice format of the first disc : I think it helped keep that cartoon zaniness without the visuals. I would recommend both volumes - I listen to them alot while I'm programming!



5. Carl Stalling. We all know who he is, but we don't know that we know. Who is he? The guy who did cartoon background music for Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies for more than 20 years, that's who. Maybe you're thinking, "Oh, come on! Cartoon background music??! How good could something so trivial be?!" The answer to that question is.. VERY. Very entertaining. I just love Carl Stalling's great "scores". When you take away the context of it's being CARTOON music and just sit and listen to the damn thing, it's WONDERFUL music in and of itself! He goes from violins and a piano playing "agitato" simultaneously to a single oboe note and back again in five seconds. Not only that. He does that and, as random as it may sound, he mannages to segue it together beautifully. Now, every time I watch cartoons, the thing I pay most attention to is what aural miracles Mr. Stalling sneaked in. Maybe, after listening to this, you will too. If anything will change after you listen to this, it would be that you'll never think of cartoon music as trivial again........That's a GOOD thing.

No comments about Goobers: A Collection of Kid's Songs.

1 comments about Cruella's Favorite Villain Songs.

1. This soundtrack is yet another great one from the makers of Disney. But instead of putting all the "feel good" tracks on it, they decided to go the evil route. Personally, the best tracks on here are:

   2. Gaston
   5. The Siamese Cat Song
   8. Be Prepared &
   10. Cruella De Vil

   but those are only my choices. For you avid Disney fans (kids, parents, & adults), you'll probably end up liking most, if not all, of these songs.

2 comments about Film Works VII: Cynical Hysterie Hour.

1. In late 1988 and 1989, John Zorn recorded music to serve as a soundtrack for four seven minute cartoons ("Cynical Hysterie Hour") by Kiriko Kubo. Released for a moment by CBS then lapsed out of print, the album stayed that way until Zorn was able to successfully negotiate a deal with them to secure its re-release on Tzadik.
   
   Featuring performances by any number of luminaries in the downtown scene (guitarists Bill Frisell, Robert Quine, Marc Ribot, and Arto Lindsay, keyboardist Wayne Horvitz, turntable pioneer Christian Marclay, percussionist Cyro Baptista, drummer Bobby Previte, and the enigmatic electronic musician Ikue Mori, credited here with drum machines), the music is Zorn's most overt tribute to the work of Carl Stalling, although there is a heavy surf influence on the pieces as well. Everything is composed in blocks, with brief, quirky moments full of personality ruling each section. It's quite interesting, and there's some great moments in both composition and performance throughout, although it feels a bit incomplete. This could be because Zorn doesn't do much in terms of self-referentialism on the piece-- typically his soundtrack performances reprise themes, this one doesn't and feels a bit less cohesive for it. Or it could be that this recording is only 25 minutes long.
   
   Like all the filmworks series, the liner notes contain an essay from Zorn about the film it was attached to and about the music itself. This one also adds the amusing anecdote about how Zorn got the rights to release this.
   
   In all, a fine, if brief recording, but Zorn's done better, both in soundtracks and outside.



2. The fine people at Tzadik were kind enough to inform me that Sony still technically own the rights to this album, and have generously licensed it BACK to Tzadik so they could distribute it. The original pressing of this disc was Zorn's first major label release, made way back in 1989, and achieved some notoriety as such, which I'll explain presently... The disc is comprised of several goofy, cool bits of manic weirdness that have been grouped roughly together into four cuts, assumedly to match four separate episodes of series it was the soundtrack for -- a Japanese TV anime show called, as you may have guessed, THE CYNICAL HYSTERIE HOUR. Kiriko Kubo, the cartoonist/creator, even sings on some of the cuts, and writes some minimal lyrics (nothing intrusive or out-of-place, I assure you; stuff like the assertion, made against the diverse, cheerful, and bizarre background of the music, that she likes icecream -- said, of course, in Japanese). Sony somehow didn't NOTICE what a wonderful CD they had. Despite the presence of Zorn and other regular collaborators of considerable repute (Marc Ribot, Arto Lindsay, Wayne Horvitz, Bill Frisell, Robert Quine, Cyro Baptista, etc., etc.), they ISSUED THE ORIGINAL WITHOUT ANYONE'S NAME ON THE OUTER PACKAGING SAVE KUBO'S, and treated it "merely" as an anime soundtrack, of interest only to Japanese TV viewers. They didn't even market it outside Japan, and let it go out of print almost immediately. It then became, as Tzadik have dubbed it, "the Holy Grail for Zornithologists" until such a time as Zorn got the Tzadik label off the ground and acquired the rights to distribute it himself (for the time being). Really, it's too bad Sony didn't do more with this. The CD is some of the most accessible, listener-friendly, and flat out FUN stuff Zorn and co. have ever recorded, even more listener-friendly than the self-titled NAKED CITY CD or THE BIG GUNDOWN (which both seem pretty accessible to me too, for the record -- if they don't to you, you might want to bear that in mind). The disc's weaknesses, if it has any, lie in it almost being TOO playful for my ears -- I occasionally want to hear Yamantanka Eye shrieking and gibbering psychotically, in the midst of all the fun, or hear oblique references to S and M or death metal or torture or so forth, just to maintain a strong sense of the Zorniness of it all. But Eye isn't on it, and instead of occasional bursts of speedmetal hysteria -- on this album, you get jangly, delirous banjo parts courtesy of Bill Frisell. But really, borderline cute as it sometimes gets, it's all good fun, and well worth having. Anyone who simply loves cartoon music -- any Carl Stalling fans out there -- would doubtlessly grok it, too. Oh, yeah, I suppose I should note that it IS kind of short -- the whole disc runs less than half an hour -- but it's such a jam packed half hour that you won't mind, I promise.

No comments about TV Tunes for Kids.

5 comments about The Music of Raymond Scott: Reckless Nights & Turkish Twilights.

1. Honestly, I purchased this CD after someone played "Powerhouse" and I recognized the song from many of the classic Warner Brothers' cartoons of the 40's and 50's. I had heard this piece many times but never appreciated how fantastic it was without animation accompanying it. I purchased this CD and it just blows my mind that so few people know anything about Raymond Scott. All the pieces are interesting but the amazing feel of his music comes from how well he paints a picture through sound. "Tobacco Auctioneer" and "At an Arabian House Party" both floored me with the musical moods that he arranged.
   
   Scott also stands out as a great example of closely arranged and innovative jazz. While he allowed some of the musicians to improvise during the sessions, he set the arrangement in stone once he had it "perfected", so some people may even disagree with classifying his music as jazz. Jazz or not, this music is more than a soundtrack to some great cartoons, it stands on its own as an unappreciated direction that instrucmental music took during the early 20th century.



2. No, the name of this review isn't a misquote of a Chicago song title. It's simply a sneakily veiled way of saying that any man who writes music using 32nd and 64th notes can't be all bad. Raymond Scott was clearly in a class by himself. He was the very best at what he did: composing complex, varied music that sounds modern even 70 years later--and that's hard to do, folks!
   
   A new version of track one, "Powerhouse" (Scott's most famous work), was used in a 2007 TV commercial for a debit card-- perhaps you saw the machine-like lunchroom that hums until a man DARES to pay for his meal with, of all things, CASH. Yep, that music is the very same "Powerhouse." (Scott's original was recorded in early 1937.) Besides that signature piece and the equally famous "Toy Trumpet," be sure to give a listen to "The Penguin." You may have heard it before. But ALL these songs are wonderful, and there's lots to like on RECKLESS NIGHTS AND TURKISH TWILIGHTS.
   
   Often, Raymond Scott's compositions sound like an early form of be-bop. Not always easily approachable, yet it's still definitely worth the effort to get to know the man's music. Analog to digital transfers are of the highest quality, while content and performance are unparalleled. Album includes a nicely detailed 20 page booklet. Very highest recommendation.
   
   TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 61:32



3. THIS IS THE OLD VERSION -- DON'T ORDER FROM THIS PAGE! BE SURE YOU ORDER THE REMASTERED (ALSO AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON.COM) INSTEAD!! The new, remastered version from SONY sounds better, the booklet has been updated, PLUS: it's cheaper!



4. Raymond Scott cannot really be categorized. Constant references to the use of his music in cartoons are unfair. Scott approaches each of his pieces as a total composition, which is why they usually sound so good in even the most trite cover versions. Scott's curiosity about music & musical instruments was insatiable. The compositions on this CD are the core of Scott's art, & the starting point.
   
   Irwin Chusid, this CD's producer, pulled Raymond Scott's music out of obscurity & firmly established him as more than a composer of novelties. See review below for more information on the mastering of this CD.
   
   Bob Rixon



5. If you need music to wash your car, clean the house, bake a cake or juggle to, this is the stuff. These songs were in cartoons and conjur up wacky images in the mind of madcap chases and retarted farm animals with firearms. Holy crap! this is a good cd! Sure, it's a little silly but not in a Puff Daddy way, in a good way! Perfect background music for everyday activities. Excellent driving music. It makes you want to swerve into other cars and run over fire hydrants.

1 comments about Hey, It's Franklin.

1. As of December 2005, "Hey, It's Franklin!" is the only soundtrack release in a series that deserves so much more.
   
   "Hey, It's Franklin!" is a wonderful mix of songs from the stage show "Franklin's Big Adventure" and songs from the movie "Franklin and the Green Knight." These songs feature all sorts of styles and most are vocal, but there's one nice instrumental piece.
   
   This soundtrack has plenty of excellent tunes. It begins with "Hey, It's Franklin!" the main show title theme, remixed from "Franklin's Big Adventure." If you're at all familiar with Franklin the turtle, you'll probably be familiar with this catchy theme --- "Growin' a little, every day / Here he comes with all his friends..."
   
   There are many other great tracks, so I'll touch on my absolute favorites from "Franklin's Big Adventure," before analyzing the tracks from "Franklin and the Green Knight," which I all absolutely love.
   
   "What I Do in the Morning" is a fun, upbeat song about, well --- the things Franklin does in the morning. Possibly the cutest line is this --- "The next thing the morning / I really love to do / Is kiss and hug my Mommy --- I think Daddy likes it too!" The cheerful, repetitive refrain of "2 4 6 8 / Sunny skies all day!" carries the song.
   
   Then there's "Friends," a sweet duet with Franklin and Snail. "Dum-da-diddle, dum-diddle-i... Eat ice cream from the corner store / Go on back if you want some more!" A sweet theme about friendship.
   
   "Come See the World" is the absolute standout of the "Franklin's Big Adventure" tracks. This song is #10 on the soundtrack, but I imagine probably plays at the very beginning of the stage show (which I've never had the fortune of seeing.) This is magical song that invites listeners to --- "Open your eyes and prepare to be dazzled / We'll have you asking for more! / We'll take you on the wildest adventures / Come see the world like you've never before."
   
   Finally, of the "Franklin's Big Adventure" tunes, there's the "Rainforest Song," which is interestingly titled because the lyrics within refer to "goin' to the jungle." This is wild tune that encourages the listeners to hoot like monkeys and hiss like snakes.
   
   
   Then, there's the music from "Franklin and the Green Knight." It starts out with "I Wonder." This is another Franklin and Snail song, but it's a sort-of slow, contemplative piece in which Franklin and Snail struggle with the issues they're facing now that Franklin is about to become a big brother. "Brothers and Sisters" is a much more upbeat number in which Franklin and his friends Bear, Beaver and Goose consider what it would be like for Franklin to have a little brother or sister. Beaver is rather down on the idea, but Franklin comes to the conclusion that he would love his new baby brother or sister no matter what. Finally, the two-part "Wake Up Spring" features Franklin and his friends in search of Spring, in the hope that it will bring Franklin's new sibling. These both start out as cheerful numbers with singing in chorus and even music made by tapping on Franklin's shell, but when they can't find signs of Spring, the mood turns a bit sad.
   
   
   The other tunes are new takes on classic children's themes --- "The Wheels on the Bus," "Head and Shoulders" and "The Hokey Pokey." These are actually all fairly nice edits and "The Wheels on the Bus" in particular is downright fun, with some great lines from the spunky Beaver.
   
   
   It's worth noting that on the "Big Adventure" tracks, some of the voices sound a lot different because they do, of course, feature the cast from the stage show rather than the television series. Most listeners should pick up fairly quickly though on whose who. This is essential listening for all "Franklin" fans and a great CD for car-trips or any other such occasion you can think of.

5 comments about Songs in the Key of Springfield.

1. What a disappointment! This was the first Simpson CD I've ever purchased and it is terrible. I watch the Simpsons all the time and I know there are many many great songs on the show. But did they pick any of those great songs? No! It had way too much talking on it, and a couple different Simpson theme song paradies. The songs were short, I guess I was hoping they would elaborate on the songs a bit more. There were only two songs on it that were fun to sing along with. I based my CD choice on the reviews of this product and I don't know where those people were coming from, but this CD is not the one with all the good songs on it, so pick another one or build your own off itunes.



2. In one episode of the Simpson, they had the stone masons singing a song.
   "We do." Love the song and this CD has that song on it in full.



3. Every other reviewer here has said it all: in a nutshell, this is a really fun recording and a must-have for any Simpsons fan. I just wanted to comment that every time I listen to this album I am always amazed at the incredibly lavish production value. The orchestra is as sweet as a film score, which lends a lot of weight to the characters and their various story lines. The music really draws you in and makes you care about the characters. As a musical enthusiast and amateur musician, it makes my soul happy.



4. This has got to be one of my faveroite Simpsons CDs I own.
   Packed with Simpsons goodness on every single track. You'll find yourself singing along to these catchy, yet hilarious tunes from the show. Being a Simpsons fan for almost my whole life, I know every tune and melody. If you're a Simpsons superfan, this CD is for you.
   =)



5. Until I heard this CD, I never fully appreciated how much music was in "The Simpsons." Sure, I knew the theme songs, and was aware of guest appearances by The Who, The Red Hot Chile Peppers, and many other bands, and I know that Danny Elfmann and ALf Clausen are exceptional composers who excel in many other venues. Over the years, however, the show has produced a number of memorable songs, many of them satirizing some of the most popular (and often unctious) chestnuts of recent American music.
   
   Krusty's "Send in the Clowns" is a prime example of the importance and the sheer quality of the songs in the show. Like the best musicals, they advance the plot, jive with with the show's themes and characters, and are musically memorable and lyrically hilarious. Some of the songs are played semi-straight (Lurleen's country songs) while others extend the subversive, on-target humor of one of TV's most brilliant shows. (As the co-owner of the creature who actually won the "animal who most resembles a Simpson contest," receiving a Matt Groening autographed poster as a prize, I am one of millions of experts on the show and a longtime fan.)
   
   I agree with the reviewer who said there were a just a few too many reworkings of the Simpson theme songs on the CD (although many of these are of unquestionable worth), the CD, replete with both music and samplings of dialogue is a tribute to the show, a true bargain box set, and a must for any Simpsons or musical comedy fan. Springfield, you RAWK!