When I See an Elephant Fly - Jim Brickman feat. Josh Gracin

I've posted a few songs already from JIM BRICKMAN'S Disney tribute, THE DISNEY SONGBOOK. Most of the album features Brickman's instrumental piano playing, but Brickman brought along a few friends to help him out with some of the tunes. This time it's JOSH GRACIN who lends his vocals to this cover of Dumbo's When I See an Elephant Fly.

Gracin got his start in music when he appeared on the second season of American Idol in 2003. Although he didn't win the competition, fourth place was enough for record labels to sit up and notice the potential. In 2004 he was signed to Lyric Street Records and released a self-titled album which spawned three singles that each made Billboard's Hot Country Top 5!

With two albums under his belt (one of which is Gold), Gracin is preparing to release a third album soon. He also has a potential movie deal.

When I See an Elephant Fly Jim Brickman feat. Josh Gracin 2005

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Here is another fun selection by THE MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR.

In 1990, under the direction of JEROLD OTTLEY, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir recorded a Walt Disney tribute album called WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR. The choir is backed by Columbia Records very own Columbia Symphony Orchestra and together they create a beautiful journey through the history of Disney music classics.

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo Mormon Tabernacle Choir 1990

Gummi Bears - Suburban Legends

In 1998 a band called BOMB SQUAD released a five-song self-titled EP that included a cover of the theme to The Adventures of the Gummi Bears. A year later, Bomb Squad changed their name to SUBURBAN LEGENDS and went on to world wide fame with their unique style of third-wave ska.

The Suburban Legends is a big fan of Disney, often playing in Downtown Disney in Disneyland. They often cover Disney songs in their set but none of them have been recorded for an album except this one.

Gummi Bears is one of Disney's first animated television shows and it debuted in 1985. It was a big hit and an even bigger hit when it joined the Disney Afternoon programming block in 1990. It aired for six seasons before falling into syndication. The show has a loyal fan base, but not enough for Buena Vista to release a second volume of DVDs, puzzling many fans who bought volume one.

Gummi Bears Bomb Squad 1998

The Ballad of Davy Crockett - Kentucky Headhunters

THE KENTUCKY HEADHUNETERS is the name of the second era of music for Greg Martin. Martin formed the band ITCHY BROTHER (a character from the cartoon King Leonardo and his Short Subjects) in 1968 with a few family members and had reasonable success for the next 14 years.

Martin tried to recreate the group in 1985 but when a few of the members refused to be a part of it he decided to create a new group. Thus, the Kentucky Headhunters were born. In 1991, the Headhunters released their second album ELECTRIC BARNYARD which included this cover of The Ballad of Davy Crockett. The record was a hit in the Country Music world and has since gone Gold.

The Ballad of Davy Crockett Kentucky Headhunters 1991

DuckTales - Jeff Pescetto

Disney entered the area of television animation rather late in the game. Pioneering the world of live action television since the 50s, it wasn't until the 80s when Disney started producing animated series.

Disney decided to invest a lot of money into the production of these new animated shows, something unheard of at the time. Consider He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, one of the most popular shows of the 80s. This was the caliber of television animation until Disney came along and turned everything upside down.

Shows like Wuzzles and Gummi Bears were popular, but it wasn't until DuckTales debuted in 1987 that Disney found a real hit. Based on the Uncle Scrooge comic books by Carl Barks, DuckTales paved the way for many more of Disney's classic characters to reach a new generation, including Chip n' Dale, Baloo the Bear and Goofy.

The song I am sharing with you is not really a cover, but an extended studio version of the famous theme song, complete with a second verse. I consider it Covering the Mouse material because it is not a common version of the song.

This track, sung by JEFF PESCETTO who also sang the original theme for the series, was released on the THE DISNEY AFTERNOON ALBUM soundtrack in 1990, just after the formation of the programming block of the same name.

The Second Star to the Right - Jesse McCartney

Today's cover is The Second Star to the Right by Disney star JESSE MCCARTNEY, who started his career in 1999 in the boy band Dreamstreet. He was twelve. He left the group at fifteen to focus on his solo career and now, at 21 years old, he has released three albums and has been a part of many television shows and movies. Jesse recorded this Peter Pan classic for DISNEYMANIA 2 in 2004, right around the time of his first solo release.

And speaking of Peter Pan, I saw a commercial on TV that said the DVD will be pulled from the shelves and locked in the vault soon, so if you haven't picked it up yet you'd better do it soon!

I Wanna Be Like You - Phish

One of the best unknown bands of the 90s is the Vermont based PHISH. The group, known for their progressive rock/jazz fusion style, had a remarkable twenty year career before a hiatus in 2004. Phish was known for their extensive improvisation solos and extended grooves which sometimes caused songs to run almost twenty minutes long!

After forming in 1988, the band quickly gained a cult following and by 1991 they were signed by Elektra and touring across the country. They were also one of the first bands to have a Usenet newsgroup on the internet which helped them spread their music across the world. Along with their thirteen studio albums, they have an extensive twenty-one volume series of live albums as well as dozens of their shows that can be downloaded off their website.

Not only was their music innovative, but they were constantly trying to find new ways to interact with their audience. During their fall tour in 1995, Phish challenged their fans to a game of chess. The band would make a move at the beginning of the show and the fans could vote on the next move during intermission and the move would be made at the end of the show. Then they would take the game to the next show on the tour and repeat the process. The audience lost a few month later, but would win the second game which ended on New Year's Eve, 1995.

This cover of the Jungle Book's I Wanna Be Like You is a great example of the fun they had during their shows. The song is sung by drummer John Fishman who didn't sing lead vocals very often, except on choice cover songs.

I Wanna Be Like You Phish ???

Hakuna Matata - Rude Bones

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday! I know I did.

To start off this new year, I would like to share with you a cover of Hakuna Matata by Japanese third-wave ska band RUDE BONES from the Japanese exclusive album, DIVE INTO DISNEY.

Rude Bones has been around for the past 15 years and has recently released a Greatest Hits compilation. Sadly, Hakuna Matata didn't make the cut. Maybe this is due to the fact that the horn section didn't make it onto this track.

If you own Dive into Disney, you can hear an alternate version of this song as a hidden track at the end of the album. You can also find a live version of the song on the DVD CAPDOWN AND RUDEBONES - LIVE IN BRIGHTON 2003 which was released in the UK.