Be Prepared - Chris Blakey & Supervillain feat. Keterol

Kevin, Mr. Munkeepants and nullgnu, have all requested to hear a cover of Be Prepared, the villainous song sung by Scar in The Lion King. Well, Be Prepared covers are very rare, but I have one that would work for this month's installment of Terrible Track Friday.

This version is by New York indie artist CHRIS BLAKEY who teamed up with a buddy called Supervillain to record this song for a contest. According to his website, the contest had its contestants cover a Disney song in the style of another artist. Chris chose to cover Be Prepared in the style of alternative metal rockers TOOL.

I love Tool and I would have never imagined Be Prepared in their style but Chris actually pulls it off well. Unfortunately, the original is pretty much lost except for the lyrics. It really isn't the same song any more.

What makes this song fit into the Terrible Track Friday category is the vocals. Sorry Supervillain, the singing is just too monotonous. And same with the speaking part in the middle. It just sounds like the singer and speakers are bored, which makes the song quite boring by the end of it.

Be Prepared Chris Blakey & Supervillain 2007

This is a second version from their website with rerecorded vocals by Keterol. While the singing is slightly better and sounds a lot more like Tool singer Maynard James Keenan, it is quite pitchy and not all that pleasant to listen to. Invest in a pitch corrector! It'll help a bit, but ultimately singing lessons are the way to go to get a better handle on vocal control. But don't try to ever get as good as Maynard, it just won't happen.

Keep trying, Chris and company! These covers have tons of potential!

Be Prepared Chris Blakey & Supervillain feat. Keterol 2007

Hakuna Matata - Baha Men

Six years ago, Disney Records released their first volume of DISNEYMANIA. This compilation album featured many stars interpreting their favourite Disney songs as they like to hear them.

Unfortunately, the subsequent volumes have manly been a showcase of Disney Channel stars rather than big name singers like Usher, N*SYNC, Christina Aguilera, Hillary Duff, Jessica Simpson and Smash Mouth.

Here is a track of that first DISNEYMANIA album. It is Hakuna Matata by the BAHA MEN. This cover is actually a cover of the Jimmy Cliff/Lebo M. version of the popular Lion King song. This version includes a verse that sounds like it's supposed to be Timon's reflection on life, a companion to Pumbaa's verse from the movie version.

Hakuna Matata Baha Men 2002

Can You Feel the Love Tonight - Michelle Nicastro

One of the better tracks off of MICHELLE NICASTRO'S TOONFUL TOO album from 1995 is this cover of Can You Feel the Love Tonight. The rock ballad stays true to Elton John's original compassion yet gives way to allow Nicastro to bring in her own charm (and cheese).

Most covers of this song are quite bland, not straying too far from the Elton John original. However, this song, with its fake-out ending in the middle of the song and the use of a gospel choir, prevents Nicastro's version from being just another cheesy wannabe Can You Feel the Love Tonight cover song.

Can You Feel the Love Tonight Michelle Nicastro 1995

Can You Feel the Love Tongiht - Jim Brickman

I don't have time for a full post today so I am just posting another track from JIM BRICKMAN'S THE DISNEY SONGBOOK.

This one is Can You Feel the Love Tonight played beautifully on the piano. For more information about Brickman, click here.

Can You Feel the Love Tonight Jim Brickman 2005

Circle of Life/Can You Feel the Love Tonight - Richard Page

Here is a short Lion King medley (or is it an Elton John medley?) of the two most popular tracks from the movie, Circle of Life and Can You Feel the Love Tonight. This medley is sung by RICHARD PAGE, lead sing of the 80s pop band MR. MISTER.

Mr. Mister had a successful run in the late 80s after releasing their second album WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD in 1985. The album hit #1 in 1986 as did their hit singles Broken Wings and Kyrie. After the band broke up in 1989, Page started writing music for other pop artists, including Kenny Loggins, Josh Groban, Meatloaf, Michael Jackson and Celine Dion, just to name a few.

If you grew up in the 80s there is no doubt that you know Mr. Mister, but did you know that before Richard Page became the lead singer of the group he turned down offers to be lead singer for Chicago and Toto? With both of those bands still going strong today I wonder if Page is regretting his decision to go with Mr. Mister.

For a medley, this one is pretty weak. I love medleys and really appreciate the transitions that tie one song to the next. But this song almost comes to a stop before jumping into Can You Feel. I would have liked to hear a little bit more creativity from this hit songwriter.

Circle of Life/Can You Feel the Love Tonight Richard Page 1996

Hakuna Matata - Bunny Wailer

Rasta Records has a whole line of reggae cds aimed at getting kids enthusiastic about the reggae genre. The albums are all well thought out and well produced with top reggae talent performing childrens music. In 2001 they released REGGAE FOR KIDS: MOVIE CLASSICS, a whole album of Disney covers done reggae!

The first track on the album is the Lion King's Hakuna Matata. What an appropriate song for this album. Timon and Pumbaa's motto of "no worries" reflects the reggae lifestyle and is perfect in a laid back reggae beat.

This song is sung by BUNNY WAILER one of the two surviving members of the Wailers. Bunny, Bob Marley and Peter Tosh banded together in 1963 and went through a few name changes before settling on the Wailers in 1966.

The Wailers broke up in 1976 and the three founding members went on to pursue solo careers. Peter Tosh used his music as a vehicle for his campaign to legalize marijuana and Bob Marley found international fame as Bob Marley and the Wailers. But Bunny Wailer, always the most laid back of the trio, decided to stay true to his Rastafari roots and stay in Jamaica recording album after album of reggae hits. He won three Grammy Awards in the 90s for Best Reggae Album.

Hakuna Matata Bunny Wailer 2001

I just Can't Wait To Be King - Broadway Kids

The BROADWAY KIDS are a singing group made of up of children who have been in a major Broadway production. They practice singing Broadway showtunes and have a big performance twice a year as well as special events and CD recordings.

Broadway Kids has been a starting point for some notable child actors. Lacey Chabert (Party of Five), Andrea Bowen (Desperate Housewives), Ashley Tisdale (High School Musical), Chris Trousdale (Dreamstreet), and Christy Carlson Romano (Kim Possible) have all credited Broadway Kids as having helped them get to where they are now.

In 1998 Broadway Kids recorded their third album which included two Disney songs. I Just Can't Wait To Be King was one of them. Some may find it cheesy, some may find it cute, but I find it quite amazing that I'm listening to a bunch of kids who have been on Broadway. I'm leaning more toward the cute side, especially with the kid who is pretending to be Zazu.

I Just Can't Wait To Be King Broadway Kids 1998

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

Circle of Life - William Hung

Would American Idol Week be complete without a sampling of some of the bad that has come out of the competition? Of course not! That is why I am posting a track from everyone's favourite loser, WILLIAM HUNG!

William Hung gain popularity when he auditioned for the third season of American Idol in 2004. His lack of pitch and rhythm when he attempted to sing Ricky Martin's She Bangs was a hit on the internet after its airing and he has since gained a cult following. Kosh Records saw this an jumped on it, offering him a $25,000 advance to record an album. It was released six months later! That faster than any Idol winner released their debut album!

This version of Circle of Life comes from his debut album INSPIRATIONS which also includes two other Disney hits, Can You Feel the Love Tonight and Tarzan's Two Worlds. If you really want to check out this disc you will also be treated to such hits as She Bangs, I Believe I Can Fly, Hotel California, Rocket Man, and YMCA.

Recently, I've been introduced to Arrested Development and absolutely love the show. In an episode in the third season the family is airing out their problems on court TV and William makes a cameo as William Hung and the Hung Jury playing the court TV's theme song!

Circle of Life William Hung 2004

Circle of Life - Jennifer Hudson

Today we carry on to Season Three of American Idol and hear a cover of Circle of Life that JENNIFER HUDSON sang for the judges. Her singing in this song won her more votes than any of her other songs during the competition.

Even though she didn't win this season (that honour went to Fantasia Barrino) Hudson has had a good couple of years to follow. Her single And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going reached #14 (#1 in the club scene) and she scored a role in the hit movie Dreamgirls as Effie White. Her role won her many awards for Best Supporting Actress, including a Golden Globe and an Academy Award!

This cover of Circle of Life is the only one that I know of with a key change. Usually I don't like key changes but this one is treated tastefully and is only used as a tag at the end of the song. I'd like to hear a studio recording of this one. With a better mix and a little pitch correction I think Hudson would have a cover that Elton John would be proud of.

Cirlce of Life Jennifer Hudson 2004

Circle of Life (Christmas Version) - Disney Channel Circle of Stars

A Christmas version of Circle of Life? I'm a Disney fan and I think a lot of their ideas are great ones. This is not one of them. THE DISNEY CHANNEL CIRCLE OF STARS first recorded Circle of Life as a music video for the Platinum Edition DVD and the track appeared on the special edition soundtrack in 2003.

The following year, Disney took the same vocal track and remixed the music to sound more Christmasy. This basically meant sticking a snippet of O Come All Ye Faithful at the beginning and adding really bad electronic sounding jingle bells throughout the song. Then it was stuck on an album of other Christmas songs by Radio Disney artists, RADIO DISNEY JINGLE JAMS.

Making a song sound like Christmas doesn't make it a Christmas song! The lyrics don't make any sense! Circle of Life doesn't have anything to do with any part of Christmas! Why would Disney do this? They have lots of other songs, even Christmas songs, that they could have given a Christmas treatment.

If you haven't heard the original Circle of Stars version, don't expect much. It's your standard Disney pop remix, but this time it features eight lead singers! That's a nightmare waiting to happen! Disney decided to highlight all their Disney Channel stars at the same time so they all take turns singing a line. Some are much better singers than the others making listening to the different voices very disjointed. It's quite a sloppy thing for Disney to do, but they did it again a few years later with A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes which features TWELVE lead singers! And yes, there's a Christmas version of that one too!

Here are the singers featured in this incarnation of the Circle of Stars:

Raven-Symoné (That's So Raven)
Anneliese van der Pol (That's So Raven)
Orlando Brown (That's So Raven)
Hilary Duff (Lizzie McGuire)
Tahj Mowry (Kim Possible)
Kyla Pratt (Proud Family)
A.J. Trauth (Even Stevens)
Christy Carlson Romano (Even Stevens)

Circle of Life (Christmas Version) Disney Channel Circle of Stars 2004

Hakuna Matata - The Chipmunks

It's Terrible Track Friday and today I'm posting a track that is not only terrible, but also has a movie coming out today that looks equally as bad. That's right, it's the Chipmunks.

THE CHIPMUNKS were created in 1958 by Ross Bagdasarian when he wrote The Witch Doctor and sang it under the name David Seville. He used cutting edge technology to speed up the recording of the Witch Doctor's vocal track which gave it a 'chipmunk-sound'. The song was a suprising hit, peaking at #1 in the US for two weeks! It went on to win a Grammy Award for engineering!

Realizing the money making potential he had created, Bagdasarian began recording album after album, starting with the hit song The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late).

To date, the Chipmunks have released over 40 albums! Including WHEN YOU WISH UPON A CHIPMUNK in 1995 which features ten songs from Disney movies done in their trademark squeaky voices. The album has novelty value (as any cover album does), but this one gets boring after the first minute of the opening track, Hakuna Matata. And while some of the songs get new musical arrangements, this one sound exactly the same as the original except with vocals in a higher octave. Boring!

Take a listen and see for your self. It sounds just as bad as the trailer for the new movie looks.

Hakuna Matata The Chipmunks 1995

Circle of Life - Collin Raye

Yesterday I posted a bluegrass song as part of Country Music Week and today I continue with another bluegrass tune, this time one that is more on the country side of things.

As I said yesterday, traditional bluegrass has its roots in blues, jazz and folk and uses acoustic instruments like guitars, upright bass, banjo and the fiddle. In the late 60s and in the 70s there was a movement that introduced electric instruments into the genre. Electric bass is the most commonly used electric instrument but it is not unusual to hear piano and a full drum kit in some modern bluegrass tunes.

Songs from other genres, rock 'n' roll in particular, also started popping up in bluegrass sets. The musicians took the popular songs and put a new twist on them. More unusual chord progressions and 'jamming' sections in the songs also became part of this movement. This new style is called progressive bluegrass, also known as newgrass.

However, the focus of the music is still on the acoustic instruments, especially the fiddle and acoustic guitar. In the 90s, it became a popular thing for country artists to record a bluegrass album now that the genres seemed to be getting closer together.

The song that I have posted is the Circle of Life from the Lion King by country music artist COLIN RAYE. Colin's version of this song is a good example of a newgrass piece. Especially nice is the inclusion of the bluegrass standard Will the Circle Be Unbroken which fits both musically and lyrically.

According to producer Fred Mollin, Colin recorded this track in one take!

Circle of Life Colin Raye 2001

Can You Feel the Love Tonight - William Hung

Every second Friday of the month I will post a cover that is just plain awful. I call this feature Terrible Track Friday. This is the very first week and I can't think of a better person to post than WILLIAM HUNG!

I'm sure everybody knows this American Idol reject. He couldn't make it past the auditions. But due to his sweet personality and his passion to do his best (and uber popularity on youtube singing Ricky Martin's She Bangs) Kosh Records gave him a contract to record a full album.

Since then he has appeared on countless talk shows, commercials, sporting events and other guest appearances. Not bad for a novelty act. His agent sure milked him for all he's worth! Since the release of INSPIRATION in 2004, Hung has also recorded a Chirstmas album and a third album! Will this never end?!

Hung's version of Elton John's Can You Feel the Love Tonight is just awful. He is just a plain bad singer. No ifs ands or buts. And if this isn't bad enough, Circle of Life and Tarzan's Two Worlds are also on this CD! Ahh!

Can You Feel the Love Tonight William Hung 2004

Hakuna Matata - Lebo M & Jimmy Cliff

It means 'No worries for the rest of your days'. Everyone now knows the meaning to the Swahili phrase 'hakuna matata' thanks to the Lion King. The song, written by Elton John and Tim Rice, and originally recorded by Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella, was one of the main plot points and one of the catchier tunes in the film. Timon and Pumbaa explains to Simba how they live their life.

While I love this song, it always sort of bothered me that this song gained so much popularity because it is teaching Simba a lesson that he later finds out is holding him back from achieving his goal. Not really the lesson to teach kids.

This version of Hakuna Matata can be found on the 1995 release RHYTHM OF THE PRIDE LANDS, a follow-up soundtrack to the popular LION KING soundtrack. The album features LEBO M, a South African composer who did a lot of work on the Lion King movies and Broadway musicals. Joining him on this track is JIMMY CLIFF who you probably as the guy who sings I Can See Clearly Now. You'll notice that this version not only expands on the origin of Pumbaa but it also goes into Timon's past.

Hakuna Matata Lebo M & Jimmy Cliff 1995