Customer Reviews

Simply Mad About The Mouse

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

 

 

Simply Mad About The Mouse gives us nine renditions of classic Disney songs by modern day artists including L.L. Cool J, Harry Connick, Jr., Michael Bolton and Billy Joel. We also get two other tracks that are based on Disney music although they are not Disney tunes: there is a creatively written introduction and the last track by Kirk Whalum, entitled "Mad About The Wolf," is strong but not exactly a classic.

The track set begins with "Simply Mad--An Introduction." This creative melody uses the horns and percussion to bolster the arrangement; the strings and piano help to make it more interesting. The number takes a quick turn into a rap/hip-hop type of sound before reverting back to a more traditional Disney instrumental track. "When You Wish Upon A Star" by Billy Joel follows; and he delivers this very well. Billy Joel's voice is in good form and he sings "When You Wish Upon A Star" with passion and feeling. Another Amazon reviewer notes that Billy's voice is a bit gruff sounding; but I think this adds to his performance. The arrangement uses strings and piano to bolster the melody. Great!

Ric Ocasek then comes in with his rendition of "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah;" when the main melody comes in you can tell right away this is a pop version of "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah." Ric sings very well, never missing a beat; and the female backup chorus works well to enhance this number. "Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf" gets the royal treatment from L.L. Cool J who delivers this as a rap/hip-hop number with an awesome female chorus on backup. L.L. Cool J sings REALLY well and you can tell he's having fun with this number; he performs a song he doesn't get much time to do because he and his fans prefer the more mainstream rap and hip-hop numbers. Great chord changes on "Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf," too.

"The Bare Necessities" features Harry Connick, Jr. crooning this to perfection; and the big band style arrangement works wonders for "The Bare Necessities," too. I predict that you will like "The Bare Necessities" very, very much.

Michael Bolton performs "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" very well; but I must agree with the reviewer who writes that his higher pitched voice can sound a tad "whiny" at times. The musical arrangement, however, lacks nothing; the strings and flutes make the music shine like silver and gold. Moreover, En Vogue does a great job with "Someday My Prince Will Come/One Song." The percussion, strings and drums on "Someday My Price Will Come/One Song" work to make this number a great ballad.

The CD track set ends with "Mad About The Wolf" performed by Kirk Whalum. The beginning sounds very much like the start of the first introductory track; and the horn solo that weaves in and out throughout the number shines magnificently.

The liner notes include the song credits; and the artwork impresses me.

Overall, this CD attempts to take classic tunes from Disney films and make them appealing to the adult crowd. It succeeds most of the way despite a Michael Bolton number that doesn't completely work; and therefore I give it four stars. If you're an adult who is also a big Disney fan, you just may like this CD. However, persons who want that traditional Disney sound will be disappointed.

The recordings in this CD are creative re-interpretations of the original Dysney songs. My children and I were captivated by the familiarity, yet new apects of the songs as interpreted by the artists. It's nice to inject new life into old classics!

If you like reworkings of favorite Disney songs this collection is for you. It originally came out in 1991, but sounds as wonderful as ever! In fact I'm still listening to my copy. The songs on this collection I like, I really, REALLY like and the ones I don't care for I really, REALLY hate. Fortunately there are only two of the latter, Billy Joel's "When You Wish Upon A Star" (much too gruff sounding) and Michael Bolton's "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" (as usual way too whiny for me). However the rest of the CD is truly inspired. The En Vogue medley of "Someday My Prince Will Come" and "One Song" accentuates the longing in the songs to great effect. The big band version of "Bare Necessities" by Harry Conick Jr. is terrific as is the ethereal "Siamese Cat Song" by Bobby McFerrin. LL Cool J, The Gypsy Kings and Ric Ocasek (from the Cars) just make you want to get up and groove with their songs.

Really, I can't think of a reason not to own this recording, especially when you consider the rock bottom price. Yes there are a few songs that don't work but I'm certain you'll enjoy the majority of these remakes. If your even a smidgen mad about the Mouse, you'll be mad about this Cd as well.

While this album has its amusing moments, it cannot live up to its predecessor, 'Stay Awake'. While the selections of songs performed include favorites such as 'Kiss the Girl' and 'The Bare Necessities', the interpretations presented by the various artists lack inspiration. Not an album for the collector of any of the individual artists to pass up, but also not one to worry about missing from the collection.

This Cd is great fun! The songs are familiar but with a fresh twist. The spanish version of "Got no strings" by the Gypsy Kings is wonderful, as is the big band version of "Bare Necessities" by Harry Connick Jr. We love to dance wildly to the rap version of "Whose Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf" by L.L. Cool J. Great for all ages!!

Got this CD originally when it came out (around 1992). Lost it, and found it on here. If you love the artists, you'll love the cd!

Simply Mad about the Mouse offers various artists' interpretations of Disney songs -- jazz to rap .... creative and nostalgic.

L.L. Cool J's rap version of "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf" is a "don't miss," and Michael Boulton's voice adds a new dimension to "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes." Other artists include Harry Connick, Jr., Ric OCasek, Billy Joel, and more. The whole CD will touch, amuse and entertain you.

I neglected to look closely when I ordered and didn't realize it was a CD, not a DVD. I originally saw a DVD version, and the visual performances were wonderful. Can't seem to find the DVD version. So sad.
Simply Mad About the Mouse [VHS]

I grew up listening to these songs and to hear them redone in this way was wonderful. Every time I hear these songs, they take me back to various points in my childhood. More CD's of this caliber needs to be done. Way to go, Disney!!!!

There's so much to be mined from Disney music, it's surprising there are not more remakes out there. This CD, however, is a fine example of how not to do it. Without exception, the tracks lack any inspiration, sense of reverence, or creativity. When L.L. Cool J's old-school rap version of Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf rates as the best song on the disc (and that's not saying much), things aren't looking good. Overwhelmingly, if you're looking for some genuinely creative and sincere reworkings of Disney tunes, pick up Stay Awake, and file this one under Stay Away.