Our first pick is a Walt Disney World tribute! One problem: This particular non-Disney album cover is so ugly, we're not going to post it. Instead, here are some lovely Main Street flowers...
Album: Cool & Classy Take on TV
This is such an odd find: Hidden among this album's ho-hum offering of TV themes you'll find an instrumental rendition of the "Welcome, Welcome, Welcome" show at Magic Kingdom. Whaaa...?!? The medley includes the "Welcome" song, "Walking Right Down the Middle of Main Street U.S.A" and "The Trolley Song." It seems arranged as a Karaoke backing track, but it still sound's upbeat as all heck. This one seems to be iTunes-only just now.
Next: A performance that's almost guaranteed to lift the sulkiest of spirits...
Album: Fiffin Market - The Lighthouse
Whether or not you've seen Disney's fantasy masterpiece Darby O'Gill and the Little People (and if you haven't, please put it on your to-do list!), you can still love this lively pub-band rendition of the film's theme song. Toe-tapping and foot-stomping are unavoidable; King Brian and his leprechaun clan would approve!
Now we move to a fresh twist on one of my favorite Sherman Brothers songs:
Album: Sandy Bainum - Believe
I love the easy-going, ambling pace of this beautiful recording. It's fairly straightforward, and wouldn't make this list if the song was something as mainstream as "Whole New World," but this awesome Oscar-nominated Bedknobs and Broomsticks tune doesn't get anywhere near the attention it should. (Check out Strange Things 2 for a great rock version.)
Next, get your tuppence ready...
Album: Joshua Picssick - Desire For Departure
Listening to a new arrangement of "Feed the Birds" for the first time is like riding a roller coaster. The slow, introductory verse is the chain lift. The first line of the chorus is the big drop. If that first line can send a chill down my spine, I'll buy it on the spot, and this unusual, surprising instrumental combines dulcimer and synthesizer into a colorful audio landscape.
As Mr. Dawes says in Mary Poppins, "Feed the birds and what have you got? FAT BIRDS." But phooey to that, I'm shelling out yet another tuppence...or, rather, 99 cents...
Album: Dirk Brossé & The Flemish Radio Orchestra - Wish Upon a Star
Now, this is a straightforward rendition of a well-covered classic, so why's it on Strange Things? Because it passes the roller coaster test mentioned above. It's possibly my favorite instrumental of this song ever, and makes me think of orange sunsets and magnificent solar-powered airships. But that's just me.
That wraps up another helping of oddball-but-awesome Disney recordings! We'll be back soon with another round of musical detours!
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