Go the Distance - Doping Panda

Japan's indie rock scene has grown a great deal since the turn of the century. DOPING PANDA is one of the many bands that have found success in a culture flooded with JPOP. Since 2001 they have released four albums with another coming out in March.

They contributed this Hercules song for the Japanese Disney tribute album DIVE INTO DISNEY in 2002. Their rock version of Go the Distance is really great. I love what they did to the verses and the Japanese accents is very cute. I love this version far more than hearing Michael Bolton sing it. Michael Bolton = Good writer/Bad singer

There are very few Hercules covers out there but Chris requested one so I deliver! You'll hear another in a few weeks.

Have a great weekend and join me next week for Villains Week!

Can You Feel the Love Tonight - Jilien

I've had this album for a while but have not really wanted to post any of the track because they are not that great. The album is MOUSE HOUSE: DISNEY'S DANCE MIXES and features dance versions of Disney songs. The tracks are not actually remixes of the original songs but covers in a techno style. I'm not a big techno fan but I know many of you are so here is a track just for you!

And maybe you can help me out. I have no idea who Jilien is and a quick Google search has come up with nothing. If any of you techno fans are reading this, please pass on some info and some links about Jilien! Thanks!

Can You Feel the Love Tonight Jilien 1996

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo - Louis Armstrong

Here is another track from the LOUIS ARMSTRONG Disney album from 1968. In this track, Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo from Cinderella, Louis takes this bouncy, happy tune and gives it a laid back jazz swing.

I'm a few days behind on this blog so I'm just giving you something quick to catch you up! If you want more info on this album, click here

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo Louis Armstrong 1968

Someday - Lee Roy Parnell

Today celebrates the birth of VICTOR HUGO in 1802. Hugo is best known for writing Notre-Dame de Paris, also known as Hunchback of Notre Dame. The novel has been adapted to theatre many times since it was written and can still be seen to this day! Many film adaptations have been made dating back to the beginning of the medium, the earliest version dating back to 1911!

Of course you know that Disney made an animated version of the film in 1996 that was met with much criticism to fans of the original work. But I like this film as one of my favourite Disney films. It has very beautiful, rich animation, the score and songs are fantastic and the darker themes make this Disney movie stand out. A little bit of trivia: The names of two of the gargoyles are Victor and Hugo, named after the author of the novel.

The song that I have picked for you today is one that is only heard during the credits of the movie. Someday was supposed to be sung by Esmeralda but was dropped when God Help the Outcasts came along. However, a pop version by All-4-One was already recorded so they stuck it at the end of the film and on the soundtrack.

This version was recorded by country artist LEE ROY PARNELL for THE BEST OF COUNTRY SING THE BEST OF DISNEY album in 1996, just after the movie came out. Chris, this song is for you because you wanted to hear something from Hunchback. And look forward to a Hercules cover coming later this week!

The Ballad of Davy Crockett - Tim Curry

TIM CURRY'S most notable roles are Pennywise the Clown in It and, of course, the transvestite mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show.

But did you know that Curry has had a long career with the Walt Disney Company? He has lent his voice to a number of animated projects including Darkwing Duck, Gargoyles, Mighty Ducks: the Animated Series, Beauty and the Beast: the Enchanted Christmas, Eloise: the Animated Series and Phineas and Ferb!

But did you also know that Tim Curry had a brief career as a rock star from 1978-1981? He did! And he released three albums and a Greatest Hits compilation in that time. While most of the songs were cover song, he did write his own originals, but none of them made it as popular singles.

In 1996, Curry returned to the studio to record The Ballad of Davy Crockett for the MUSIC FROM THE PARK album that featured many pop stars singing songs from Disneyland. This song represents Frontierland and is sung in a style that is similar to the way he portrayed Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The Ballad of Davy Crockett Tim Curry 1996

A Cowboy Needs a Horse - Larry Groce

This month's Obscure Disney Song is the title track from the 1956 short A Cowboy Needs a Horse. The film is about a boy who dreams about being a cowboy. He fights off indians, saves a train from a collapsed bridge and rescues a damsel in distress.

The flat look to this film is the modern look that many cartoons had in the 50s. This style was popularized by studios that didn't have a very big budget and were forced to limit the amount of animation in their films. Studios like UPA and Hanna-Barbera are good examples of this style. Disney certainly didn't have a small budget but they still wanted to stay hip to current styles and trends so they started creating films in this modern style. The result is a very charming cartoon.

This cover of A Cowboy Needs a Horse is taken from PARDERS - 14 GREAT COWBOY SONGS, a record that Disney produced in 1980. Larry Groce sings with the Disneyland Children's Sing-Along Chorus as well as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy.

Larry Groce recorded many albums for Disneyland Records in the 70s and 80s, including the DISNEY CHILDREN'S FAVOURITES series and the DISNEY CHRISTMAS FAVOURITES albums and many of the storybook records.

A Cowboy Needs a Horse Larry Groce 1980

Two Worlds - Corbin Bleu

The star of High School Musical and Jump In! turns 19 today! CORBIN BLEU, the Disney Channel star, is a year older. Aside from staring in the mega popular High School Musical and other various Disney Channel TV movies and guest appearances on various Disney Channel TV shows, Corbin has also released one album of Disney pop (which I like to call D-pop). It was a huge success with tweens everywhere.

For DISNEYMANIA 5, Corbin took a shot at singing Two Worlds, the other Phil Collins single from Tarzan. It's not bad. I kinda like the funk groove that is used in the chorus, but then the chorus doesn't really fit in when it reverts back to that Phil Collins style. Oh well, a least it doesn't suck.

Part of Your World - Jessica Simpson

The first song I ever posted here at Covering the Mouse was a cover of Part of Your World by a Japanese pop band and several months and over a hundred songs have past and I haven't posted another! Well, it's time for that to change! Joshua wants to hear JESSICA SIMPSON'S version of Part of Your World, so here it is!

In 2002, Disney produced an album of their biggest songs reworked by the some of the biggest names in pop of the time. This was before Disney decided to use these albums as a vehicle to promote their own artists. You won't see the Jonas Brothers, Ashley Tisdale or Miley Cyrus on this first volume. Instead, DISNEYMANIA will treat you to Usher, NSYNC, Smash Mouth, Ashanti, S Club and Jessica Simpson! If you enjoy this genre then DISNEYMANIA is worth the money you pay (or don't pay).

This was also back in the day when Jessica Simpson was a respectable singer instead of a bad actor and a blonde who is constantly getting different sorts of plastic surgery. Simpson actually does a fine version of Part of Your World, mostly because I feel that Jessica really identifies with Ariel and means the lyrics she sings. She longs to explore new horizons apart from her over-protective father/manager. Unfortunately she obtained this 'freedom' and went on to star in Employee of the Month. Good job Jessica.

Winnie Puh - Tatiana

TATIANA is a very prominent figure in the world of Disney. However, you may not have heard of hear unless you are from Mexico. Tatiana is a children's entertainer who longed to perform from a young age and now, thirty years later, has recorded over two dozen albums, 24 of which went gold, 8 platinum and 4 diamond! Wow! Not bad for a children's entertainer!

If you watch any Disney DVDs with the Spanish audio track there is a good chance that you are hearing Tatiana as the lead female. She has a contract with the studio and is the go-to girl for Spanish female dubs.

In 2002, Tatiana released LOS MEJORES TEMAS DE LAS PELICULAS DE WALT DISNEY, an album of Disney music reworked into her pop/dance style. I have posted a sample of her work from this album, a song called Winnie Puh, the Spanish way of saying Winnie the Pooh. A year later she released a second album of Disney tunes.

I know this album is for kids and that means potential for major cheese, but this one is the cheese whiziest. The beats and sounds take me back to the eighties. When I first heard this song I almost couldn't tell what song it was supposed to be. It wasn't until I heard the chorus the second time that I knew for sure, and then in the verse when she says 'Christopher Robin' in a very American accent.

Winnie Puh Tatiana 2002

Bella Notte - Demis Roussos

Here's a song that I can't believe I haven't covered yet. Bella Notte, the love ballad from Lady and the Tramp. This song has become very popular for Italian singers to cover, but today's cover is not one of those.

DEMIS ROUSSOS is from Egypt but he started his career in Greece when he was 17. After playing in a number of folk cover bands he met up with Aphrodite's Child and joined the group as a lead singer in 1968. His operatic style put the band on the map and after their break up in 1971 Pandolfi had a sucessful solo career. Many of his EPs and single have reached number one in the UK but Roussos remains under the radar in North America.

You'll hear a good sample of his vocal ability in his cover of Bella Notte which he recorded for his 1996 album SERENADE.

Bella Notte Demis Roussos 1996

When You Wish Upon a Star - Emile Pandolfi

EMILE PANDOLFI is one of my favourite pop performers but he is virually unknown! Pandolfi grew up in South Carolina and studied to be a piano performer and set out to be a concert pianist. But he soon found that his strength was arranging beautiful versions of pop songs and showtunes. He has over two dozen albums that feature Pandolfi playing classical music, showtunes, pop songs and Christmas music.

In 1993 he released ONCE UPON A ROMANCE... which features songs from Disney movies. I have only heard some snippets of this album online but I will be picking it up soon because it sounds wonderful! Just listen to this verison of When You Wish Upon a Star and you will see for yourself.

When You Wish Upon a Star Emile Pandolfi 1993

I Wan'na Be Like You - Smash Mouth

Today is the last day of Sequel Week and I am finishing it up with a song that was covered for the Jungle Book 2 by a group that only seems to be famous these days when they record covers.

I haven't seen Jungle Book 2 nor do I want to. Unlike Return to Neverland which was released a year earlier, Jungle Book 2 doesn't have that stellar looking animation nor does it appear to have a captivating story. However, I have heard the I Wan'na Be Like You cover by SMASH MOUTH and it is great! Smash Mouth has taken this track and reworked it into their distinct surf-rock style that has made them so popular for movie soundtracks. The song was first released on DISNEYMANIA but can also be found on the movie soundtrack as well as MOSH PIT ON DISNEY.

Here is an interesting note about Jungle Book 2: King Louie was not in the movie at all because voice actor Jim Cummings provided a perfect imitation of Louis Prima's voice for Talespin in 1992. Prima's widow, Gia Prima, sued Disney for the unauthorized use of his distinctive voice. King Louie was never heard from again.

The Second Star to the Right - Jonantha Brooke

The Disney sequel that I will talk about today is another that I would put in the 'sequels I like' catagory. The story of Return to Neverland is one of those lame 'offspring does opposite of what the main character did in the original' plots. Usually I don't like those at all but for some reason this movie really hooked me (Captain Hook! Get it?!).

The story follows Jane, the daughter of Wendy, who, because she has grown up during war times, is very jaded and cynical. She doesn't believe in Neverland or Peter Pan and refuses to stay a child. I really liked Jane's character and the way she deals with both kid and adult situations. The animation is very good for a sequel and the music is really great too.

I had never heard of JONATHA BROOKE before I saw this film. She is a folk singer who has been releasing albums on her own record label since the early 90s. She was asked to provide some music for this Peter Pan sequel and she recorded I'll Try, one of my favourite modern Disney songs, as well as a cover of the Second Star to the Right. The song sets the mood for the film by creating a melon collie version that foreshadows the dramatic situations that are about to happen.

Only a snippet can be heard in the film so please listen to the whole thing here or buy the soundtrack.

The Second Star to the Right Jonatha Brooke 2002

You've Got a Friend In Me - Robert Goulet

There are not many sequels out there that I like better than the original. The Empire Strikes Back, Spider-Man 2 and X2: X-Men United are a few of them. Toy Story 2 also has to be on this list because when I walked out of the theatre I couldn't believe how good it was. This week is Sequel Week and I'm posting a song from Toy Story that was covered for Toy Story 2.

The elements were all right to make this a good movie. The characters were strong, the animation was way better, the new characters were there for a reason and it featured When She Loved Me, one of my favourite modern Disney songs.

But I think the biggest reason this movie was so good was the story. Most Disney sequels are just a re-hash of the first film. For example, The Little Mermaid told the tale of a mermaid who longed to have legs and live on land. The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea was about Ariel's daughter who longed for fins and to live under the sea. Toy Story 2 was not like this at all. Instead, they took a look at the other side of the toy world, the collector. It was smart, funny, dramatic and adventureous.

The end of the movie featured a squeeze toy named Wheezy who just had his squeaker returned which meant he could sing. So he sang a big band version of You've Got a Friend In Me! Wheezy was voiced by ROBERT GOULET who just died last October. The movie only contains a short clip of the song but you can find the whole version in two places: The Toy Story 2 soundtrack and here at Covering the Mouse!

Toy Story 2 isn't the first time Goulet has provided a voice for animation. You can also hear him in Gay Purr-ee and Recess: School's Out.

You've Got a Friend In Me Robert Goulet 1999

Winnie the Pooh - Carly Simon

This week at Covering the Mouse I'm focusing on Disney songs that have been remade by a pop artist to be featured the sequel. Today I present a version of Winnie the Pooh that CARLY SIMON wrote for the Winnie the Pooh sequel Piglet's Big Movie in 2003.

Carly wrote all of the songs Piglet's Big Movie and Pooh's Heffalump Movie which also featured her version of the theme song. Carley was the perfect person to write and perform the songs for these films. The acoustic-folky style that she has settled into these past few years works really well for the world of Winnie the Pooh.

I love the original Winnie the Pooh shorts from the 60s but I began to really despise what Disney was doing to the franchise in the 90s. Making Pooh and his friends cater to preschoolers along with the onslaught of merchandise caused me to turn my back on these characters.

However, I like this movie. It has fun, adventure, charm and it doesn't make me feel like I'm stupid because I don't know how to share. Best of all, they 'flashback' to scenes from the original shorts but change them so that it makes Piglet look like the hero.

Piglet's Big Movie was just a little gem in the sea of bad Pooh poop. This film contains the last appearance of Owl and one of the last major appearances of Christopher Robin. These days most of the characters have become minor secondary characters only making cameos here and there. Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Roo get the spotlight and new characters like Lumpy the Heffalump, Kessie the bluebird, and the six year old girl named Darby steal the spotlight.

I long for another good interpretation of the classic stories but I doubt that will happen. At least we'll always have The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh on DVD.

Winnie the Pooh Carly Simon 2003