Matt and Christine have both requested to hear BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY'S version of I Wan'na Be Like You.
This version of I Wan'na Be Like You was recorded for the Swingers movie soundtrack which gives the song a whole new meaning! It also appears on the band's 1999 album THIS BEAUTIFUL LIFE.
If you listen carefully, you will hear a lot of elements borrowed from the Los Lobos version of this song from the STAY AWAKE cover album. But that certainly doesn't make this cover unoriginal! Big Bad Voodoo Daddy puts their own twist on the song and makes it a big band hit!
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.
As always with Japanese Disney cover albums, we get some of the industry's top talent contributing their work to these excellent tributes. Nowhere is that more true than DISNEY AGE @ D_100 CAFÉ.
Since this is Remix Week, I have chosen a track off this album by YUKIHIRO FUKUTOMI, a DJ and Remixer who has been blessing clubs in Japan with his beats since 1990. Since then he has become a well recognized DJ, programmer, arranger, composer and producer. Fukutomi has taken I Wan'na Be Like You and has added his own touch. You'll hear the main vocals and many samples from the song, but the beat and much of the music has been added.
What really interests me with this style of music is the editing. I've taken a few courses in this and I find it quite hard. Fukutomi, who uses Pro Tools for his work, has sped up the tempo a bit, therefore having to edit every line of the song to fit this new tempo. Looping Baloo's scatting and the monkey's whistling is brilliant and my favourite part is when the classic song builds with the big brass fanfare behind it at the end and melds so well with the beats laid down by Fukutomi.
Born in London, SUSHEELA RAMAN moved to Australia when she was four but her parents, who were from Tamil Nadu, wanted to keep their Tamil culture alive. They taught their daughter South Indian classical music which started Shusheela's love for music of many origins.
As a teenager she formed a rock band which later started to adopt some funk, blues and jazz. But it wasn't until she traveled to India to rediscover her roots that her music started to form what it is today.
In 1997, when she returned from India, she started working with guitarist/producer Sam Mills on music that would feature musicians from all over the world. Featured on Trust In Me off of her first album, SALT RAIN, is the Egyptian percussion virtuoso Hosam Ramzi.
Sam Mills had this to say about the making of the Jungle Book cover:
Hosam is known worldwide as the ‘King of Belly Dance’ and also played to great effect on our version of Trust in Me which is a kind of oriental cha-cha-cha. Trust in Me is of course taken from the Jungle Book. Like millions of others, we grew with these songs, but after Susheela and I met we both discovered that we had been thinking about covering this particular tune. Getting the right tone was quite tricky. The snake Kaa, who sings it in the film, is an evil seducer, so Susheela had to get into character for it. I think she’s still recovering.
All in all, this is a great cover and a real example or 'world music'.
Brian Ibbott visiting again from Coverville. Kurtis was nice enough to invite me to guest post during Villains Week (heyyyyy, wait a minute...), and even before I knew the theme for the week, I had my song picked out.
Today's song originally comes from the 1967 animated adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book. Speaking personally, it's hard to think of any of the villains of Jungle Book as villains. You look at Cruella De Vil? She chose to be evil. How about Jafar? Again, voluntarily wicked. But the antagonists in Jungle Book were really just being their animal-instinct selves. Shere Khan is a tiger, for pete's sake. What's he going to do? Suddenly become a vegetarian? King Louie is just satisfying the curiosity of his baboon-like obsession with fire. And then there's Kaa. Kaa the boa constrictor, who captures Mowgli and hypnotizes him to the strains of Trust In Me, a slithery slink of a song, with the hopes of dining on him. Snakelike behavior? Okay, maybe not the hypnotism, but you get the picture.
Siouxie and the Banshees' version of Trust In Me may be more well known, but the cover by BELLY should not be discounted. On my cover song-based podcast, Coverville, I featured the lineage of the band Belly in episode 352. Stepsisters Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donnelly formed Throwing Muses in the early 1980's. In 1990, Donnelly started working with the Pixies' Kim Deal in a band called The Breeders, and shortly afterwards, left the Muses. And as if she weren't busy enough, Donnelly formed a new band, Belly, that same year. Belly's biggest hit came in 1991, a confusing track called Feed The Tree. And staying together (through a couple lineup changes) through 1996, Tree remained their biggest hit.
Appearing on the Japanese exclusive BABY SILVERTOOTH in 1993 and their 2002 BEST OF compilation, Belly's take on Trust In Me is less sinister without Siouxie's vocals, but Tanya's octave-higher performance makes the song more hypnotic. In fact, listening to it now, I...
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 hear 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.
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.
I have had a few requests for this special version of I Wan'na Be Like You by Los Lobos on my request page and elsewhere so I've have decided to pull it out for this month's Request Friday. Fdtate and cindy, this one is for you!
It is a happy coinsidence that today is also Louis Prima's birthday! If he were still alive today he would be 97! Prima, as you all should know, voiced King Louie in the Jungle Book.
LOS LOBOS is a band with a huge cult following that didn't have the commercial success of a pop band in the US. They released many singles but one in particular put them on the map. It was their cover of Ritchie Valens' La Bamba in 1987. The song went straight to number one and can still be heard on many Adult Contemporary radio stations.
This made them prime candidates for the STAY AWAKE tribute album in 1988. It is one of the most popular tracks on the record.
They are still together and releasing albums to this day. Their music is consistantly better with every album and it is my hope to hear them take on another Disney song one of these days.
If you are a regular reader of this blog, you're probably asking why I am posting another Jungle Book cover so soon after Jungle Book week. Right? Well, there are two reasons why I am posting this song.
1) Even though we celebrated the 50th anniversary and the DVD release two weeks ago, today is the actual 50th anniversary of the Jungle Book. So I want to celebrate with a song.
2) According to my web stats, someone (or someones) is desperately trying to find a punk version of I Wan'na Be Like You. They have tried multiple different keyword searches on Google and keep coming back to this site. Whoever you are, this song if for you!
It's the punkiest version of I Wan'na Be Like You that I have by a group called VOODOO GLOW SKULLS. This track can be found on the Japanese exclusive album DIVE INTO DISNEY. The Voodoo Glow Skulls' style isn't actually punk. It's called third-wave ska which uses traditional ska and combines it with punk and metal to give the sound a more upbeat, frantic feel.
Thanks for putting up with another Jungle Book cover. I promise I'll give them a break until November, at least.
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.
Hi folks! Jamie here again from Fong Songs with a Jungle Book cover for you.
This past summer, I took the ol' Edmonton-to-Calgary Greyhound to check out the Calgary Folk Festival for the first time. While there were several notable artists including Hawksley Workman, Neko Case, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, and Don Maclean, the big draw for me was the recently reunited Squirrel Nut Zippers. Now on a fine Saturday morning they shared a sidestage playing "Tin Pan Alley" tunes with fellow artists Eleni Mandell, Mary Flower, and... THE POLYJESTERS. Similar to the Squirrel Nut Zippers, The Polyjesters are a mish-mash of old styles including folk, swing jazz, country, and bluegrass. In fact, they describe their musical stylings as ka-chunk, which is also the name of their last album. They impressed me with their dynamic stage presence, impeccable musicianship, and good humour, which led me to catch their solo concert the next day. The core of The Polyjesters are brothers Sheldon and Jason Valleau, two good ol' Alberta boys, with a supporting cast that varies from album to album.
I picked up their latest CD at the festival and ordered another two from CDBaby.com. When I got their 2001 album Fiddlestix!, I was unexpectedly delighted to discover a Disney cover of I Wan'na Be Like You, which was masquerading under the title King of the Swingers. I was even more surprised when I started writing this post and found out they actually did a stint as the Fiddlestix, representing Canada on the Canadian stage at Disney World's EPCOT Center and this album is a result of that! I also beamed with Alberta pride when I read that Fiddlestix! was recorded entirely in a church in Olds, Alberta, a small town which I've passed through many a time en route to the mountains for skiing.
Earlier this month Disney finally updated O Canada!, a 360 degree film attraction at EPCOT, which had been peppered with dated Canadian stereotypes for over 25 years. Apparently it's now hosted by Martin Short and the theme Canada, You're a Lifetime Journey was re-recorded by Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila. Now there's a Disney cover for Kurtis to track down!
Check out this Jungle Book cover of Trust In Me by glam-post-punk rock band SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES.
I have never heard of this band before but upon doing some research, it looks like they has a very successful career in the UK and recorded eleven albums! The album you can find Trust In Me is a cover album released in 1987 called THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. You can find covers of everyone from Billy Holiday, Iggy Pop, the Doors, Sparks and Kraftwerk!
So far I have only heard this one track but their style seems to really work! It has a great feel and very creative uses of the harp! I think it would be more likely for me to by hypnotized by the singing in this version rather than the Sterling Holloway original.
Siouxsie & the Banshees were active from 1976-1996 but the lead singer, Siouxsie Sioux, is still releasing albums! In fact one came out last month!
The Jungle Book arrives on DVD today and to celebrate I have turned this week into a Jungle Book week! And to celebrate I have chosen a song that you find on the DVD as music video bonus feature.
THE JONAS BROTHERS are one of those 'Disney Channel' bands, having done music for various different Disney Channel shows and Disney movies. And they are not strangers to covering Disney songs. Their covers have already been on a few DISNEYMANIA cds and Special Edition DVDs.
I really like their treatments. They blend their pop/punk style with the tunes so well that I would imagine they actually wrote the song. Whether or not you are a fan of this genre, you have to admit that they do a good job. If the Jungle Book was made today I bet King Louie would be into punk rock like this rather than jazz.
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.
Although born in Peurto Rico, GABRIEL RIOS started off his music career in Belgium when he decided to be a professional singer/songwriter instead of a painter at a local art school.
After a playing in a few bands he decided to go on his own and in 2004 he recorded his first album, GHOSTBOY. Then in 2005 Rios recorded EN VIVO, a live album that included a version of the Jungle Book's monkey song, I Wan'na Be Like You.
His take on the song is an interesting one. Acoustic guitar and vocals only. No flashy swing music or back up singers. His arrangement is fun and his guitar work is really good. I like how he interacts with the guitar solo by singing and playing together.
Over the years, many musical artists have paid tribute to the music of Disney. This blog pays tribute to those artists.
You won't find any original Disney songs here, these are all covers, interpretations and variations on the tunes we all love.
Covering the Mouse is not associated with Disney or any major record label. If you wish to have a song removed from my site, please email me and I will be happy to comply.
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