The Bare Necessities - Bowling for Soup

Although BOWLING FOR SOUP formed in 1994 in Wichita City, Texas, it wasn't until 1998 when the band sold 10,000 copies of their indie release TELL ME WHEN TO WOAH!!! that the major labels sat up and listened to the punk rockers.

Bowling for Soup has gone on to release many great albums, including a couple of cover albums. In 2004, the band released A HANGOVER YOU DON'T DESERVE which made it to the top 40 largely due to the hit single 1985. When Disney was looking for artists to be on DISNEYMANIA 3, Bowling for Soup would have been an obvious choice.

This cover of Bare Necessities isn't Bowling for Soup's only connection to Disney. They also wrote and performed the theme song to Phineas and Ferb.

Today is TERRY GILKYSON'S birthday and, if he were still alive, he would be 92. Terry, a guitarist for the bands X and Austin, is most known for being the composer of The Bare Necessities.

The Bare Necessities Bowling for Soup 2005

The Bare Necessities - Harry Connick, Jr.

We're almost at the end of Big Band Week and today is the last good post of the week because tomorrow is Terrible Track Friday.

Today I'm posting a song from a modern jazz artist who often uses the big band sound in his work. HARRY CONNICK, JR. Disney was keeping an eye on this young talent from the start. In 1991 Harry was asked by Disney to record The Bare Necessities for SIMPLY MAD ABOUT THE MOUSE, a compilation album of famous pop musicians. This was only a year after Harry found success recording the soundtrack for When Harry Met Sally.

I'm surprised that more people haven't used this song in this fashion. The mood seems to fit so well as a jazz piece but it gets over shadowed by the jazzier I Wan'na Be Like You. Harry's version is really nice but he cuts out the "When you look under the rocks and plants" part of the song and it throws me off when I hear it.

The Bare Necessities Harry Connick, Jr. 1991

Somente O Necessario - Quarteto em Cy

This is the first week of Request Week and I am happy to tie it in with this week's Jungle Book theme. Angry Anim wants to hear somthing from the Disney bossa nova album from a few year back, so here you go!

There are actually mulitple Disney bossa nova albums kicking around each with a different collection of songs. This version of The Bare Necessities is off the the Japanese-exclusive album called BOSSA DISNEY NOVA. Each album features top Brazilian musicians. I don't know much about the bossa nova genre but I do like what I hear. These discs are unique, well done and fun to listen to.

QUARTETO EM CY is four sisters, Cybele, Cylene, Cynara, and Cyva, who have been making music since the early sixties. The thing about sibling groups is that their voices usually work very well together and this is true with Quarteto em Cy. This song is a bit more upbeat than the other tracks on the album but it still has a cool sound.

Somente O Necessario Quarteto em Cy 2004

Bare Necessities - Louis Armstrong

This week is an important one for Jungle Book fans as the classic film is being released on DVD tomorrow! I have decided to declare this week a Jungle Book week here at Covering the Mouse. Everyday this week will feature a Jungle Book cover song! Today's track is The Bare Necessities covered by one of the most famous jazz performers in history: Louis Armstrong!

In 1968, LOUIS ARMSTRONG recorded an album of Disney music. This would end up being his last full album that he would record before his death in 1971. Louis took a serious approach to the songs, wanting to add his charm and style but stay true to the original treatments.

His version of Bare Necessities fits so well with his style and seeing that one of his nicknames is 'Pops' it seems fitting that he sings this 'Poppa Bear' classic. Actually this song wasn't classic when he recorded it. The Jungle Book came out in 1967 so the song was brand new when he stuck it on this album! The Bare Necessities was nominated for an Academy Award in 1968 and Louis played his version live at the Awards Ceremony.

The Bare Necessities Louis Armstrong 1968