Part of Your World - Miley Cyrus

I saw Bolt over the weekend and was quite happy with what I saw. While I enjoyed Chicken Little, I really didn't like Meet the Robinsons and both movies are not nearly as good as even the worst Pixar films.

Bolt is the third animated feature from Disney Animation since they made the switch from traditional 2D animation to 3D CGI. And it is certainly their best effort to date. The animation is really good with much improvement over facial animation and the movements of the animals. The backgrounds have this beautiful pseudo-realism to them using a stylized painted look that takes us back to the olden days of painted background.

The story, however cliché it may be, was still fun and engaging. The characters are lovable and a welcome addition to Disney's cast of characters, especially the scene-stealing Rhino the Hamster!

The voice work of the film's top billing actors is also really good. John Travolta delivers a great performance as Bolt, altering his voice just enough so that the viewer isn't saying "I can't believe Travolta's voice is coming out of this dog". Cyrus doesn't do much to change her voice so it is the same raspy sounding teen squeak that you may be used to if you are a fan of Hanna Montana. But it fits the character and I guess that's all you can really ask for. Her acting was pretty good especially since it was the animation that did most of the acting for her.

And it is MILEY CYRUS that ties in our cover song today. Here she sings Ariel's ballad Part of Your World, but reworks it into a rock ballad for DISNEYMANIA 5.

Baby Mine - Paige Morehead

This gentle version of Baby Mine comes from DISNEY BABIES LULLABY, the perfect album to lull your newborn to sleep. The disc is composed of gentle versions of Disney songs plus a few original tracks.

Paige Morehead is on of the artists on this album, however I can't find any information about her online. I think she may be a studio musician but I am not sure. Can anyone help me out with this?

Chim Chim Cher-ee - Mrs. Miller

To end your week of on a sour note, this month's Terrible Track is an oldie by none other than MRS. MILLER.

Mrs. Miller is notorious for her off-key renditions of rock, pop and showtune classics. She began her career in 1966 when Capital Records signed her based on her unique sense of style. Her debut album MRS. MILLER'S GREATEST HITS was a huge success. The album sold over 250,000 in three weeks and her Petula Clark cover of Downtown even made it to the Billboard charts! Everyone wanted to hear this new farce.

Or was it farce? By reading interviews with Mrs. Miller, it is evident that she might not have thought of herself as a bad singer. Was she in on the whole thing or was she totally oblivious to her joke of a career?

While she may have caught on to the joke by the time her second and third albums were out, she didn't clue into the fact that the label was getting her to record songs for her fourth album, MRS. MILLER DOES HER THING, that were all alluding to drugs. Songs like Mary Jane, Green Thumb, Renaissance of Smut, and Granny Bopper were all featured on the album as was a cover image of Mrs. Miller holding a plate of brownies!

This infuriated Mrs. Miller when she later discovered the meanings of the symbolism. But it was too late to stop the album as it was already in stores. She broke her contract with Capital and set out to form her own label where she could make her own 'serious' albums. She soon faded into obscurity.

Chim Chim Cher-ee Mrs. Miller 1966

Exit Music - On the Record Cast

Today track is the Exit Music from the short lived Broadway production On the Record from 2005. This medley features a variety of songs:

Mickey Mouse March (Mickey Mouse Club)
Colonel Hathi's March (Jungle Book)
Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians)
A Spoonful of Sugar (Mary Poppins)
Winnie the Pooh (Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree)
I've Got No Strings (Pinocchio)

Like most of the music in this production, the arrangements in this track is what makes it so special. The songs just seem to flow into each other as if they were all written by the same person.

I know there is not much the Colonel Hathi's March part of this medley, but it's the only cover of that song I've got.

Exit Music On the Record Ensemble 2005

Reflection - Mannheim Steamroller

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER delights us today with another track off their album of Disney cover tunes, MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER MEETS THE MOUSE.

This time the song is Reflection from Mulan and in my opinion, this is one of the better tracks on the album. I find that Chip Davis, the man behind the Steamroller, is much better at adapting contemporary pop songs than the classic Disney tunes. The Asian sounds he puts in this cover are a nice touch too.

Reflection Mannheim Steamroller 1999

Good Company - Cubismo Grafico Five

Today is the 20th anniversary of Disney's 27th animated feature, Olvier and Company. For some reason, the music in this movie hasn't reached the same status as their other movies, even though it ushered in the return of the musical in Disney animated movies. Sure, there were songs in Great Mouse Detective, Fox and the Hound and Robin Hood, but none of those movies are remembered as musicals. Oliver and Company is a musical and it made it easier for Disney to decided whether or not it should go back to its musical roots. The Little Mermaid came out the following year.

Having said all that, since the songs from Oliver and Company aren't at the forefront of people's minds when thinking about Disney music, there are very few Oliver and Company covers out there. I only have two and I am posting one of them today.

Good Company is covered and performed by CUBISMO GRAFICO FIVE, a Japanese ska band that has been recording since the early 00s. Originally known as Cubismo Grafico, the band leader and lead singer Gakuji Matsuda expanded his solo DJ/remixing gig to include four other band members and a completely new sound. Thus, the name of the group was changed to Cubismo Grafico Five.

This track was recorded around the time of their first release, CINQ (FOUR+ONE), in 2004 and can be found on the Japanese exclusive MOSH PIT ON DISNEY.

Good Company Cubismo Grafico Five 2004

Beauty and the Beast (Beats and the Beast Remix) - Lump Eye

Today is the 17th anniversary of the release of Disney's 30th animated feature film, Beauty and the Beast. To celebrate I am posting this interesting remix of the titular song.

Beauty and the Beast (Beats and the Beast Remix) can be found on the Japanese exclusive BREAKS & BEATS: DISNEY, an album of electronic remixes of popular Disney songs. This isn't your typical 'Dance Remix' album, this is an all-out electronic funfest that features some of the top talent in their element.

This track features a sample of the main flute line that is looped throughout the four minutes. This may seem a bit monotonous by the end but it is actually kind of relaxing. There is a Japanese rapper that also adds to the relaxing mood of the remix. Can anyone tell me what he is rapping about?

The credits for this song go to LUMP EYE but I can't find any info on this person/group at all. Can anyone give me some info?

Never Smile At a Crocodile - Mary Louise

Today's cover tune is taken from an episode of the first season of the Muppet Show from 1976. Never Smile at a Crocodile is the musical number sung by MARY LOUISE as she rides a crocodile through a swamp. The froggy chorus that backs her up is unaware of the fact that the crocodile is eating them one by one.

I love the Muppets and I especially love the Muppet Show so it is always a delight to hear a Disney song pop up on the show. This song is taken from Peter Pan which can be heard in the film without lyrics as the crocodile's theme. The lyrics were added for later recordings.

Mary Louise is a Muppet that never made it quite as big as Gonzo or Fozzie or even Pepe. Her acts always seemed to include frogs in some way or another. Look out Miss Piggy, you've got competition!

Never Smile at a Crocodile Mary Louise 1976

Kiss the Girl - The Chipmunks

In 1995, THE CHIPMUNKS released an album of Disney covers. Some of you may say "Neat! I love the Chipmunks!" But please hold off until you hear some of these tracks. Most of them are nothing but high pitched versions of the originals with little or no extra creativity.

However, there are a few tracks that stand out. The Chipmunk banter in Kiss the Girl turns this song from a romantic introduction of kindred spirits to a jovial bout of mockery by two younger brothers.

Kiss the Girl The Chipmunks 1995

Heigh-Ho (The Dwarf's Marching Song) - Dave Brubeck Quartet

Here is another track from one of my favourite Disney cover albums, DAVE DIGS DISNEY. It is Snow White's Heigh-Ho jazzed up by the wonderful DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET.

The recording, which features Paul Desmond on the alto sax, Joe Morello on the drums and Eugene Wright playing the double bass, is one that the Quartet had in their repertoire for a while before the idea of this album came about. Here is an excerpt from the liner notes:

"Heigh-Ho" has been developing of late as a closing number for a night-club set, being on of those free-wheeling tunes with an orthodox structure, which lends itself to creating a climactic feeling of excitement.

Heigh-Ho (The Dwarf's Marching Song) Dave Brubeck Quartet 1957

Cruella De Vil - Selena Gomez

Probably best known for her role as Alex Russo on the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place, SELENA GOMEZ has been acting since was seven, along with Demi Lovato, on Barney and Friends.

Since then, Gomez has been under the care of Disney who is turning her into a big star. Not only does she have her own series, but she voiced all 96 of the Mayor's daughters in Horton Hear's a Who and has a few movies in the works. She is only 16 but that isn't stopping her from forming her own production company that will produce movies staring her.

Although she hasn't released an album, Gomez's music can be heard accompanying anything that she is a part of. This version of Cruella De Vil was recorded for the Platinum Edition of 101 Dalmatians and was later released as part of DISNEYMANIA 6. Thanks to the anonymous reader who requested this song!

Some Day My Prince Will Come - Herbie Hancock & Chick Corea

Two jazz greats come together for this wonderful version of Some Day My Prince Will Come. Taken from the 1979 live album AN EVENING WITH HERBIE HANCOCK & CHICK COREA: IN CONCERT, the song features Hancock and Corea on two grand pianos playing a duet. The result is quite remarkable.

HERBIE HANCOCK, whose jazz piano greatly influenced the definition of 'rhythm section', started his career as a concert pianist by quickly found his love for jazz. He joined the Miles Davis quintet and recorded some of the most influential jazz albums of the sixties. In later years he composed the soundtrack to Bill Cosby's Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids and later moved into funk, bebop and rock.

CHICK COREA is a jazz pianist and drummer who has recorded dozens of albums and won over a dozen Grammy Awards for his influential music. Taking Hancock's place as Miles Davis' pianist in 1968, Corea help define and develop jazz fusion, the amalgamation of jazz with other genres of music, such as rock, funk, folk, classical and even hip-hop and metal.

Listen to this song and wonder at the amazing talent of these two people.

This is just the first five minutes of the twelve and a half minute track. Follow the links below to hear the rest.

Some Day My Prince Will Come Herbie Hancock & Chick Corea 1978

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah - Patti Austin

It is with great gusto that legendary R&B and jazz singer PATTI AUSTIN sings Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah. Austin has been singing since she was four in 1954, and when this song was recorded in 1996 it is clear that she has had a lifetime of experience.

This version of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah strips away all the cheese and jaunty tunes and delivers a powerful piece of funk/pop in it's place. It is one of the most serious covers of this song I have ever heard.

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Patti Austin 1996

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes - Linda Ronstadt

Starting out her career in the 60s as the lead singer for the folk rock band The Stone Poneys, LINDA RONSTADT made a solid career for herself in the 70s, topping the charts and becoming known as the Queen of Rock.

As the 80s hit, Ronstadt branched out from the world of rock 'n' roll to Broadway where she won a Tony award for her role in Pirates of Penzance. She continued to record hit records through the 80s, and when the 90s rolled around she was recording albums in many different styles, including pop, rock, latin, jazz, country and adult contemporary.

In 1995, Linda Ronstadt recorded A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes in both English and Spanish for THE MUSIC OF CINDERELLA. The album features the classic songs from the film reworked by the days top pop stars and has a newly recorded score. Ronstadt's version of the song has become one of the well-known and best-loved covers of this song.

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes Linda Ronstadt 1995

It's Not Easy - Reel Big Fish

From the sunny shores of Huntington Beach, California, REEL BIG FISH has been entertaining crowds with their punk/ska sound since 1997. After their single Sell Out started getting mainstream radio play the band realized their dream of being rock stars. Since then, they have been on the road touring and recording new material.

Last Reel Big Fish released MONKEYS FOR NOTHIN' AND THE CHIMPS FOR FREE which hit #40 on the UK charts and coming up in January the band will release their seventh studio album, FAME, FORTUNE AND FORNICATION, which will be made completely up of cover songs.

In 2004, Reel Big Fish recorded a cover of It's Not Easy for the Japanese Disney cover album MOSH PIT ON DISNEY, and it's today, the 31st anniversary of Pete's Dragon, that I am sharing it with you.

It's Not Easy Reel Big Fish 2004