Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Emotional and Moving Soundtrack, April 18, 2001
Pocahontas is one of my favorite soundtracks of all time. The songs are not done in the broadway style that so energized The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, but they still flow effortlessly out of the story. Colors of the Wind is by far the most popular of the songs and for good reason. First off it's sung by Judy Kuhn and she makes it an honest emotional plea that never sounds forced or phoney. Secondly, the song speaks to the universality of man and the respect we must show not only to one another but the earth itself. It's a great message and one that adhears to Native American beliefs. You're sure to be singing "Just Around the Riverbend" and "Mine, Mine, Mine" long after hearing them as well. I espscially lilked "Mine, Mine, Mine" because it's the "bad guy" song, but sung in a very happy, cheerful and classicaly disneyesque way. It's only when you listen to the lyrics that you realise the cunning, self importance and disrespect on display. Mel Gibson also sings a few lines in this song and he's suprisingly good too. The third act song "Savages" parts 1 & 2 is very powerful and talks to how fear can turn into hate which easily turns into prejudice. It's extremely powerful and I get chills every time I hear it. As for the score Alan Menken has done a masterful job with finding ways to speak about the love story at the heart of this film. The love theme heard through out is stunningly beautiful and it's a shame that the fully sung version of it was cut from the film as it strengthens the love between Pocahontas and John Smith as well as deepening their characters. The majesty of the country and Pocahonts herself is evident in many of the tracks and I espicially liked the aching beauty of "I'll Never See Him Again". The playfull track "Percy's Bath" is a lot of fun and "Ship At Sea" is so energetic and furious that you can practically feel the waves crashing all sround you. Kids are sure to enjoy this soundtrack as much as any other Disney soundtrack, but what makes this one stand out is that there is plenty for a more mature audience to get interested in as well. The heartache of loss, a deep and strong yet forbidden love, a message of peace and understanding. These are the things that can be found in Pocahontas. Listen carefully and get swept away by the colors of the wind.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"HEAVY" Music for a Disney film!, October 26, 2002
During the "rediscovery" of the animated musical following the success of "The Little Mermaid", there have been some memorable melodies and theme songs that have been embedded in the collective minds of all that have seen and listened. Many have their favorites and I am no different from them.The score to "Pocahontas" ranks at the top of my list. Alan Menken, who had so masterfully added music to the lyrics of his late partner Howard Ashman, worked with lyricist Stephen Schwartz. The pair fashioned four of the most deliberate and passionate songs to ever grace a Disney film. The Academy-Award winning "Colors of the Wind" is presented in its original form, featuring Judy Kuhn (vocals for the title character) as well as the pop release sung by Vanessa Williams, heard over the end credits. Both are befitting a story line heavy with an ecological mindset. Mel Gibson the singer? Well, he does a more-than-adequate job on "Mine", a duet with David Ogden Stiers. This composition has the actors' respective characters engaged in a vocal "duel" over the fate of the land in this New World. IT is one great tune. "Savages" is a tour de force for the composers. It is never preachy but is a determined and not-so-subtle look at prejudice. The "love ballad", also heard at the end credits roll has to be the most hypnotic ever done by the studio. "If I Never Knew You" is too beautiful for words, and the pairing of Jon Secada and Shanice could not have been more appropriate. They are vocal magic. For sheer majesty, the cut entitled "Farewell" works for me. It is heard as the ship carries the wounded "John Smith" away from his beloved Pocahontas. The strings swell as the Native American maiden runs to the hilltop to bid him "adieu". At the ledge of the cliff, the girl waves for the last time. The music heard, like most of the score, just sends the clichéd "chill up my spine". Do you get the idea that I like this disc?
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Soundtrack, August 27, 1999
By A Customer
The sountrack to Pocahontas is definitely one of the best soundtracks I've ever listened to, the best songs being "Colors of the Wind" (grammy and oscar winner) and "Just Around the Riverbend". But the whole soundtrack is great. First there are the songs performed by the English settlers (The Virginia Company, Mine Mine Mine) which are playful and fun to listen to, with a pub/sailor type sound. Then there are the spiritual mood-setting songs of the Indians. Many are instrumental (Grandmother Willow) which have a meditative new age-type sound. The vocal songs (Steady as the Beating Drum, Listen With Your Heart) are beautiful, maybe not exactly what American Indians sang like, but still enjoyable to listen to. The soundtrack's main strengths are the songs of Pocahontas, performed by Judy Kuhn. "Just Around the Riverbend" is so inspiring and its such a great song that you can't help singing along at the top of your lungs (try playing it really loud!). The orchestrations are beautiful and it has a great sound. "Colors of the Wind" has endured criticisms for its "pc" lyrics, but you can't deny that it does have a good message. And of course "Colors of the Wind" is the most beautiful Disney ballad to listen to. Judy Kuhn's voice is so clear, and it rises with emotion as the song progresses. Savages, another song which has endured criticism because of its lyrics, is aggressive and confrontational, perfect for the scene it's from. And if one listens to the lyrics, the Englishmen sing, "Their skin's a hellish red, they're only good when dead...", and you'll hear Indians singing, "This is what we feared, the paleface is a demon....they're different from us, which means they can't be trusted". So the point of the song is to speak out against racist violence. Yes, its politically correct, but its not meant to be against either whites or Indians. All in all, the soundtrack is so diverse and wonderful. There is a certain Broadway Musical theatrical type sound so if you like that genre you'll love the songs and great vocals. And to even it out, you have the calming Native American songs, the soaring ballads, and the two pop songs at the end. Wow I wrote a lot (sorry) but I really love listening to this soundtrack, its definitely one of Disney's finest!
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~ Harvey Fierstein
~ Alan Menken
~ Angela Lansbury
See all 28 tracks on this disc
is mainly Children's Music”
