The Second Star to the Right - Jonantha Brooke

The Disney sequel that I will talk about today is another that I would put in the 'sequels I like' catagory. The story of Return to Neverland is one of those lame 'offspring does opposite of what the main character did in the original' plots. Usually I don't like those at all but for some reason this movie really hooked me (Captain Hook! Get it?!).

The story follows Jane, the daughter of Wendy, who, because she has grown up during war times, is very jaded and cynical. She doesn't believe in Neverland or Peter Pan and refuses to stay a child. I really liked Jane's character and the way she deals with both kid and adult situations. The animation is very good for a sequel and the music is really great too.

I had never heard of JONATHA BROOKE before I saw this film. She is a folk singer who has been releasing albums on her own record label since the early 90s. She was asked to provide some music for this Peter Pan sequel and she recorded I'll Try, one of my favourite modern Disney songs, as well as a cover of the Second Star to the Right. The song sets the mood for the film by creating a melon collie version that foreshadows the dramatic situations that are about to happen.

Only a snippet can be heard in the film so please listen to the whole thing here or buy the soundtrack.

The Second Star to the Right Jonatha Brooke 2002

Second Star to the Right - Sun Ra and his Intergalaxtic Arkestra

SUN RA is of the Angel Race from Saturn who came to Earth to teach earthlings through his music. Sounds like an interesting guy, doesn't he? Even more interesting is his music. Sun Ra has been an influential musician since the 40s, developing his skills in free jazz and improvisation. He formed his group, which he calls his Intergalaxtic Arkestra, and they recorded many albums and played many gigs up until Sun Ra's death in the early 90s. The Arkestra continues today.

In 1988, Sun Ra was part of the Disney tribute album STAY AWAKE, contributing his version of Pink Elephants On Parade. Sun Ra liked the project so much it inspired him to incorporate other Disney songs into his roster. A year later he recorded a live performance of Disney covers in Austria and packaged it under the name SECOND STAR TO THE RIGHT (SALUTE TO WALT DISNEY). This version of Second Star to the Right is from that album.

Second Star to the Right Sun Ra and his Intergalaxtic Arkestra 1989