Music » Cartoon Music

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Release Date: 1996-03-19, Audio CD, Geffen Gold Line Sp.

The second volume of the master Warner Bros. cartoon composer's work downplays the head-spinning montage of the first in favor of just-as-head-spinning complete scores. They aren't from the studio's best-known cartoons but from some of Stalling's most impressive tempo-warping, all-systems-go pieces, augmented by a few mini-pieces that illustrate the way he could transform barely familiar show tunes and classical themes into wild, rubbery jokes. Even without images, Stalling could make an orchestra suggest a "Flea-Ridden Sheep Dog" in 24 seconds flat and run enough changes on Stephen Foster's "Camptown Races" to match every mood in a Foghorn Leghorn cartoon. The head-snapping reversals of his scores anticipate much later avant-garde music. --Douglas Wolk

This collection has a split personality. On one side, there's the youth Moment, led by 12-year-old Aaron Carter, the younger brother of Backstreet Boy Nick, No Authority, and Jessica Simpson. On the other side, there are the established artists, who are true surprises. Sinead O'Connor? Cyndi Lauper? Isaac Hayes? So, it's a battle between bouncy pop with its hyperextended beats and clear skin and the ragged tone of world-worn former heroes. Things begin with a surprisingly mellow track from TLC's Tionne T-Boz Watkins (perhaps she can't figure which side of the fence to choose here). From there, the beats step up, and Aaron Carter, Baha Men, and Jessica Simpson all deliver the kinds of catchy tunes you expect. Sinead O'Connor hasn't abandoned her sententious beginnings. Even with the addition of hip-hop beats and a few random electronic noises, she still sounds as solemn as ever, whispering and singing softly. Former Spice Girl Gerri Halliwell updates Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots" without adding or subtracting much. A better novelty is Cyndi Lauper performing "I Want a Mom That Will Last Forever," a sentimental tune perfectly suited for her emotive reach. --Rob O'Connor

Disney's penchant for quickie, video-only sequels to its animated features has earned the studio its fair share of criticism. But the soundtrack to the Mouse House's latest small screen follow-up to its classic The Lion King deftly dodges the chronic sequelitis that has undermined similar efforts. Reworking the original's "That's All I Need" and "Hakuna Matata" for star Nathan Lane's turn as the antic meerkat Timon (assisted on the latter track by the stellar vocal harmonies of Ernie Gabrell, Jason Weaver and Joseph Williams) casts both in an energetic new light. Elsewhere, the emphasis is on vintage r&b covers infused with contemporary production sheen (Raven's slinky take on Ramsey Lewis' "Grazing in the Grass," The Tokens' "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by Lebo M, Drew K. & French's faithful take on Kool and the Gang's "Jungle Boogie"), performances that give the project a familiar, inviting aura for kids of all ages. Composer Don Harper rounds the collection out with a selection from his original orchestral score and a remarkably faithful take on Morricone's classic theme to The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. --Jerry McCulley

The verse-defying, guitar-blasting J-Rock group the Pillows come roaring back with more sit-up-and-take-notice grooving beats and vocals on this second gem of a soundtrack to the ingeniously chaotic Fooly Cooly series. Musical collaborator Shinkichi Mitsumune (Utena, Love Hina, Sugar) spreads out more of his flavorful instrumentals to fuel the high dosage of anime insanity that inundates this quirky off-the-wall anime. This 17-track CD includes the vocal songs "Crazy Sunshine," "Blues Drive Monster," "White Ash," "LAST DINOSAUR" and "I think I can" along with five drama tracks.

Release Date: 2007-01-16, Audio CD, Geneon [Pioneer]

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The Music You Loved in the Original the Lion King Continues with the Lion King 2: Simba's Pride. Feel Like Royalty When You Sing Along to the Seven Classic Songs that Continue to Tell the Epic Story! features Angelique Kidjo, Lebo M, Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Sandwiched amidst the remarkable string of renascent Disney animation successes that spanned The Little Mermaid and The Lion King, the studio's 1992 adaptation of the venerable Arabian tale won a pair of Oscars for Alan Menken's vibrant instrumental score and his memorable collaboration with lyricist Tim Rice, the infectious song "A Whole New World." This new edition does more than showcase those enduring musical charms, fleshing out the original 21 tracks of songs, underscore and antics of Robin Williams' manic genie with rare demo recordings of a pair of songs that were deleted from the film before its original theatrical release. The wistful yearning of "Proud of Your Boy" and the rambunctious "High Adventure" (both performed by Menken, the latter in a duet with lyricist Howard Ashman) also pay bittersweet homage to original project lyricist Ashman, Menken's Academy Award-winning partner on Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. --Jerry McCulley