Customer Reviews

The Little Mermaid: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

To all those who might hesitate to buy this wonderful CD, of one of the greatest Disney movies ever, because of a review here on Amazon that the CD could not be downloaded to the iPod. This is NOT true. I got my CD yesterday and downloaded it directly onto my iPod without any problems. Now I can hear the gorgeous music of "The little Mermaid" wherever I want!!! Don't hesitate to buy this CD, the songs are great and a must for every fan of Disney movies and this in particular. I, also had been concerned about buying this CD, becuse this review said it would not work with the iPod. But I did buy it then and it DOES work !!!!

Walt Disney and, in particular, the Disney Studios, have given us some of the most wonderful, timeless and memorable movies, cartoons and music for over 70 years and this is no exception.
I'm not a music critic, I'm just a person who appreciates and loves music with passion and heart. The songs, such as "Part of Your World" and "Under the Sea" are just as great as anything from the "classic era" and the score, although a shame that many people don't have enough interest to listen to it, is simply beautiful. "The Little Mermaid" is a soundtrack worth having in your cd collection and will stand the test of time, right alongside of "Snow White", "Fantasia", "Cinderella", "The Lion King", and all the other wonderful Disney masterpieces.
(Note to Arleta J. Bagchi "Siam": Leaving a review is simply giving an opinion of a particular recording/movie, etc...The fact that you're not able to download it onto a silly ipod isn't relevant to this feature!!

From the moment the Prince's ship sails into the horizon, you get instantly captivated by this breath-taking score. And right throughout the movie the music enthralls you. One of the last collaborative efforts of Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, this magical soundtrack truly earns the title of a masterpiece.

The songs are excellent and vary from soothing ballads to beautifully styled Caribbean tunes. "Part of Your world" is unique; its haunting melody and Jodi Benson's mesmerizing voice (just listen to Ariel vocalizing) making it the best slow ballad ever heard on the silver screen. Samuel E. Wright's Caribbean vocals are the main highlights, with "Kiss the Girl" being a very tuneful, salsa number that has you swaying to its melody. "Les Poissons" in Rene Auberjonois' voice simply makes you giggle with laughter and Pat Carroll's "Poor unfortunate Souls" is a good villain song. "Under The Sea" truly is THE song of the movie, its Oscar-winning, foot tapping and humorous appeal making you want to listen to it over and over again.

The score, which earned Menken his first Academy Award, is outstanding and is easily one of the best scores in movie history. Later Menken efforts (like Aladdin and more recently Hercules) lack the magical charm so evidently present in The Little Mermaid.
"The Jig", "The Storm" and "Tour of the Kingdom" are definitely the finest sequences; the piano, strings, clarinet and drums conglomerate to produce a deeply invoking and overwhelming effect. Menken masterfully utilizes a host of instruments to eminently bring out the joyful, tense and melancholy atmospheres. "Destruction of the Grotto" and "Wedding Announcement" are such fine illustrations of the tense moments. As is mostly the case where the composer gives both the movie's music as well as its score; many parts of the score borrow tunes from the songs and beautifully manipulate them to highlight the emotional and imploring parts. "Bedtime" is a very good example of such a track, where the melody truly moves you. "Flotsam And Jetsam" portrays a dulcet sinister music, and "Eric to the Rescue" mixes all these ingredients into building up a captivating climax. "Happy Ending", which has a choral reprise of "Part of Your World", conveys the feeling of ecstasy and celebration.

The CD from Disney is something to really cherish, providing 44 minutes of engrossing Menken music. This perfect compilation does not miss out any significant part of the score. The Little Mermaid was the last Disney movie to exclude pop tracks from the end title. They are not at all missed. The soundtrack is complete in itself and honestly did not require any pop inclusions.

Menken was bade farewell from Disney after two of his scores (the much underrated Hunchback of Notre Dame and the most disappointing Hercules) did not quite attract the Academy. So this (and Beauty and the Beast) remain his best work till date. I honestly look forward to his return to animation and re-composing the genius which made Little Mermaid the crowning achievement of his career.

TRACK LISTINGS:

1. Fathoms Below
2. Main Title
3. Fanfare
4. Daughters of Triton
5. Part Of Your World [***** Excellent]
6. Under The Sea [***** Excellent]
7. Part Of Your World (Reprise) [***** Excellent]
8. Poor Unfortunate Souls
9. Les Poissons
10. Kiss The Girl [***** Excellent]
11. Fireworks
12. Jig
13. The Storm [*****Excellent]
14. Destruction of the Grotto
15. Flotsam And Jetsam
16. Tour of the Kingdom [*****Excellent]
17. Bedtime [*****Excellent]
18. Wedding Announcement
19. Eric To The Rescue
20. Happy Ending [*****Excellent]

At the time that THE LITTLE MERMAID came out, the Walt Disney studio was in major trouble. They helped paved the way in animation and CGI, but they hadn't had a major hit on their hands in a long time. The animation department at the studio had failed to produce a solid success in a long time and rumors were circulating that the company might end up doing something drastic, like selling off assets. Then THE LITTLE MERMAID came out and Disney saw a complete turn around. The movie revived the art of animation and helped secure Disney's foundation so that it could produce later films such as BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN, and THE LION KING. THE LITTLE MERMAID has a good story and the plot is still memorable today. However, the thing that sets the film as almost being a classic is the soundtrack. THE LITTLE MERMAID set a whole new course for Disney and in some ways paved the way for the revival of movie musicals. After all, the movie is basically an animated musical. The songs from the film are sung so much nowadays that they are commonplace, but they are still memorable and just as moving as they were the first time I heard them. Some of the main songs include:

"Daughters of Triton"

"Part of Your World"

"Under the Sea"

"Poor Unfortunate Souls"

"Les Poissons"

"Kiss the Girl"

My favorite song in the arrangement is "Kiss the Girl", though "Part of Your World" is a close second. I am also one of the few people I've met who enjoy "Les Poissons".

The second half of this album includes the rest of the score from the film The score won a 1989 Academy Award for Best Score. A must have for Disney fans and a great piece of music to listen to in general.

Hats off for Mr. Alan Menken for the breathtaking score for this motion picture.

Winner of 2 academy awards, this cartoon movie has excelled and reached heights a lot of other movies wanted to reach..

This soundtrack is kinda short but the music in it is just AWESOME!
(and by the way, I added the music to my iPod with no problem)

I don't know what words I can to describe this soundtrack, but I'll try.
The Litle Mermaid was my first introduction to Disney, and my siters and I watched it non-stop until we knew half the dialogue, and all the songs.
I have many favorites, but "Part Of Your World" is my all time favorite! Listen to it, and you'll melt in your seat. Jodi Benson's amazing voice is like an angel's, and the evergreen longing of desire hits you like a ton of bricks.
"Under the Sea" is THE song for the film! You can't help but sing at the top of your voice along with Sebastian(Samuel E. Wright). "Kiss The Girl" is no different!
The "Part Of Your World" Reprise is a song in itself(if that makes any sense). Ariel sings of longing to be with Eric, and, almost cryptically, Eric is looking for someone to spend the rest of his life with.
"Poor Unfortunate Fools" is the ultimate villan song. Pat Carroll is amazing!
All in all, a great album, and the songs tie in with the film beautifully!

Little Mermaid came out the year I started Kindergarten...I remember seeing it in theaters...and I've known "Part of Your World" word for word ever since. Menken and Ashman's beautiful melodies and joyful lyrics make everyone want to sing along. And Jodi Benson (along with the rest of the cast) brought so much to the music written by two of the best songwriters Disney has ever seen. It's unfortunate that Howard Ashman is no longer with us, but his music is his statement, and it's beautiful.

As of The Little Mermaid's rerelease an 'Enhanced' version of the music was also released.

And after reading the reviews on the 'Enhanced' version I was inclined to spend my money on the 'Original' for these reasons.

1.) The 'Enhanced' version has been recorded (I personally favor originals)
2.) The 'Enhanced' versions re-recording has been redone with a whole new cast (Not a very good situation for anyone including myself who likes the original)

To be fair I have not listened to the 'Enhanced' version because I didn't want to spend $15.00 for something that would end up collecting dust. So I can't say on how 'good' or 'bad' it is.

I purchased and just finished listening to the original and I found it to be superb recording identical to the movie and I highly recommend it for anyone (like me) who is an original kind of person.

Thank you

As A child everyone wanted to become something A dancer, firefighter, cook, or an actor. Be secretly everyone wished they could be, at one time or another, something magical. Something like, a ghost, superman, an elf, a wizard or a mermaid. Little Mermaid is one of the best Disney classics created. This original soundtrack brings back all the magical music that captured our hearts. "Part of Your World" is a personal favorite. I recommend listening to this disk as well as getting the movie when it is released from the moratorium in 2006.

The Little Mermaid is my favorite Disney movie, and I love the music as well. "Part of Your World" has always been my favorite song in this movie. This CD brings back childhood memories!