ALBUM: Hugo Winter - Tiki Room!
This is not the soundtrack to a certain famous Disney attraction. It does, however, contain a terrific, jazzy rendition of "Hawaiian War Chant," which is used in the Enchanted Tiki Room's finale. A bit of a stretch, but I love this album cover. Now I have a craving for pineapple...and Orange Crush...
Next, we have two very different takes on the Gummi Bears theme...
ALBUM: Nicholis Louw - Ek Is Daar Vir Jou
Of all the tracks I've run across while looking for Strange Things, this one's the most gloriously goofball -- in a greatly entertaining, ridiculously fun and silly way. South African pop singer Louw starts it off sounding like an average cover of a Disney TV theme...but then a hair-metal backing band kicks in and it morphs into a loopy Van Halen tribute with a Phil Spector-ish Wall of Sound mix and...it's absolutely awesome. Wait'll you hear the guitar solo.
Of course, it's not as awesome as Alicia Keys's performance of the song on Jimmy Fallon's show last month...
...but that's not on iTunes, sadly. I'm now an Alicia Keys fan for life.
Moving on, this next pick features one of the most tasteful album covers I've ever encountered. Oh, wait...no...I got my notes mixed up...
ALBUM: Banaroo - Uh Mamma
Holy crud. What is going on here? Well, Banaroo was a European pop group who had successful single releases in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. They're, of course, on this list because they recorded a fun techno dance interpretation of the Kim Possible Theme. They sound a bit like ABBA...if ABBA was doing pop versions of TV themes....
Time to get serious, for a moment. As serious as an...ostrich race!
ALBUM: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra - The Film Music of William Alwyn (Volume 3)
William Alwyn's full score for the classic Disney film Swiss Family Robinson has not been released to CD or iTunes, but at least this album features a three-part suite from the film. Naturally, I chose the fun and light-hearted ostrich race. My first choice, of course, would be "Swisskapolka", but it's not included in the suite.
Know what I like? Lions and Marching Bands...
ALBUM: University of Washington Husky Marching Band - Husky Fever
Ever since seeing Disneyland's spectacular 90's Lion King Celebration, I've always longed to hear a good marching band try their hand at this Elton John masterpiece. I'm happy to report that the University of Washington's Husky Marching Band does a superb job. Be aware of the short running time (1:27). I usually just loop the track three or four times. Or ten or twenty...
In fact, I love that song so much, I can't help recommending another great rendition. This time in Big Band style...from Norway!
ALBUM: Sandnes Storband - Live from Sandnes Brygge
We're ending on a real high note here; if you're looking for a great big-band instrumental of Simba's song, full of energy and joy, this fills the bill perfectly. Despite the somber-looking album cover, this piece can lift your spirits and brighten up any gathering. Highly, highly recommended.
I hope you enjoyed this week's installment of Strange Things! We'll have another batch next week -- there are many more great offbeat Disney tracks out there!
Eek! I love the band additions! We did "Never Had a Friend Like Me" in band my senior year, and we twirled to it. It was a lot of fun because my friend who made up the routine watched the movie for inspiration.
ReplyDeleteAh the memories. Great stuff Rich!
Awesome -- that must have been a blast! I really do love Marching Band music.
DeleteShut it!! I had that Gummi Bears thing scheduled to go up on the blog yesterday, and I bumped it to next Monday in favor of Prep and Landing. Darn!! Scooped by Rich. ; )
ReplyDelete