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"Colors of the Wind" starts things off. It's a very earthy arrangement, full of whistling sounds to open, taking you right back to the forest with Pocahontas. The violin/Jenny takes on the melody in a graceful way, not only singing the words, but the journey of the song as they run through. Sorry if this description's a little much, but this has always been a song that I think allows much more reach internally than a lot of other music. It's definitely not solely stuck to that box of a showtune.
"Beauty and the Beast" is, by far, one of my absolute favorite Disney songs, and that's saying a lot, considering I was actually afraid of the Beast from the movie until I was about 13 (and Ursula from The Little Mermaid. I was a scaredy cat, ok?). I'm being a snob here and saying, though, that I don't enjoy this version nearly as much. A voice is needed to sing those words, or a piano in a light fashion. The violin doesn't do it quite as well.
Carpet ride time. "A Whole New World" is one of those love songs to come from a movie that lasted. I still hear it and smile, because what girl doesn't want to - literally - be swept off her feet on an enchanted ride? She makes it take on this interesting Spanish beat throughout, giving an interesting take on an otherwise very Americanized song. I can't help thinking how funny it is to cross so many cultures all at once here.
In a more-than-classic song from Disney's vaults, we get a gorgeous rendition of "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes." This, again, is a slightly forgotten about Disney song, but when you hear it, there's a whole other happiness to experience. I think it's a song like this that does make us keep dreaming all the more, even the dreams from being a child that stick with us forever in some way.
"Mary Poppins Fantasia" is this awesome little mix of "A Spoonful of Sugar," "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "Step In Time, Feed the Birds," "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," and "Let's Go Fly A Kite." I think every track is handled pretty beautifully, ranging in moods just as the film does (even if we only want to remember the happy skip-a-long moments with crazy Mary. It's great to hear the song go from one to the next, and yet have the one instrument maintain the same voice.
Ah, my other non-favorite film growing up (hush - I love them both now). "Part of Your World" is such a sweet song, even if you may get annoyed with Ariel for her whining. The deeper message is in growing up and making your own choices (I had to sing this for a recital, hence knowing way too much). I mean, to really go out there and enjoy things and see all there is to see - who doesn't, at some point, want that? God, I love classic Disney.
"Once Upon A Dream" is actually one of my least favorite songs from old-school Disney tracks. It just never hit right with me. It's sweet, sure, and quite romantic in some way, but it's not beautiful to my ears and doesn't make me swoon for finding Prince Charming. Also, in this particular arrangement, the violin skips along a lot, not really bringing much in the way of grace to what is at least supposed to be a lovely track, however this performance does a nice job in helping prove otherwise.
We end with "Baby Mine," a song I remain unfamiliar with. The only reference I can find to it is an old 1920's film and lost recordings, but no association with Disney. Nonetheless, it remains a lovely violin piece to end out an otherwise beautiful album.
Added to My Playlist:
- "Colors of the Wind"
- "God Help the Outcasts"
- "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"
- "Mary Poppins Fantasia"
- "Part of Your World"
- "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?"