First, the songs. Man, there ain't a dud in the bunch. We've got a wonderful theme/narration song, a great "happy times" song, the best "sad" song in Disney history, a great (and *weird*) villain song, a snappy closing credit pop number and another song that I'd probably like better if it weren't overshadowed by the others.
"You Ain't Home on the Range" is pure fun, simultaneously poking fun at westerns and celebrating their energy and sense of adventure. It serves as a terrific overall theme for the film and gets even funnier in the reprise.
"Little Patch of Heaven" is gonna make Disney fans grin, sounding very reminiscent of "What a Happy Day" from Fun & Fancy Free. Light, joyful, and very effective in the finale. Contains one of my all time favorite lyrics as it sings of a place where...
Even the 'skeeters and the fleas
Say "May I" "Thanks" and "Please"
If you're a big-time Disney animation fan, this song is going to tear you to pieces emotionally in the finale...I'll explain why toward the end of this review.
Now for a song that there'll be no middle ground on: You're either going to love or hate "Yodel-Adle-Eedle-Idle-Ooo." Guess which camp I'm in. This is just so freaking wonderfully weird. Apparently actor Randy Quaid sang the first syllable of every yodel, but had a "stunt yodeler" take over for the bulk of the vocal gymnastics. During the bridge, we get a great surreal yodeling medley of "William Tell Overture" "Yankee Doodle" and "Ode to Joy." The non-yodeling lyrics are, again, hilarious and weird -- and just slightly disturbing (*four* references to the size of the villain's butt?!?)
Until now, I'd list the best "sad" Disney songs as "God Help the Outcasts," "Feed the Birds," "Endless Night" and "If She Can't Love Me." There's a new "best" sad song, and it's "Will the Sun Ever Shine Again." Wow, does this push all the right buttons. Bonnie Raitt doesn't overdo it vocally, she elegantly lets the song speak for itself. Music and lyrics combine to evoke a touching, poignant portrayal of someone in the depths of complete despair. Its beauty keeps it from being depressing and its simpleness keeps it from being corny. Like "Feed the Birds," it's about as perfect and beautiful as a song can get. If good songs were Uranium, this thing would power China.
Good thing the "You Ain't Home on the Range" reprise steps in to give you a chance to dry your eyes.
"Wherever the Trail May Lead" is a fine song with a beautiful melody and a catchy chorus. (And, okay, *this* one's a country song). There's nothing wrong with it, it just loses a bit of effectiveness coming so soon after one of the greatest songs ever written, and it pretty much offers the same message found in the final song...
"Anytime You Need a Friend." My only nitpick about this soundtrack is that this and the preceding song express the exact same sentiments. This is an excellent, upbeat closing credit number, one that won't make me try to claw my ears off.
Oh, there's also a hilarious seven-second-long "Saloon Song" in which some overaged dance hall girls sing in gravelly voices:
"Swivel Your Hips
Give 'em a Grind
Shimmy and shake
and leave your troubles behi - (SHRIEKS and SCREAMS)
We also get Alan Menken's solo rendition of "Anytime You Need a Friend." It's excellent and adds a nice personal touch to both the CD and Menken's career at Disney.
THE INSTRUMENTAL SCORE
Menken's brilliant, and this score plays smooth as silk. It's amiable, emotional, and paints huge landscapes of adventure and wonder in your head. It evokes classic western movie scores along with the likes of "City Slickers," but has its own unique "Disney" flavor, with the song melodies woven effectively throughout.
Lots of unexpected, brilliant touches. The villain's ghostly yodel echoing across the plains, heralding disaster...The classic folk song "Home on the Range" played by a lone trumpet (a wild west "Taps")...banjos and tubas moving playfully in and out of the landscape. Great, great stuff.
I'm anxious to see the movie now because I can't wait to see how the film's jokey comedy is balanced by the deep, heartfelt emotions of this score which turn even the funny songs' tunes into epic adventure music.
Some movie scores don't provide a completely enjoyable CD listen, but this one stands on its own two feet. It's pure, non-stop fun.
THE FINALE
I mentioned earlier how the finale is going to emotionally tear apart Disney animation fans. Here's why:
Keeping in mind that this is the *last* classic animated film from Disney, here are the final lyrics as the movie ends and we leave that last Disney fantasy landscape....
Darling I Swear
Once You've Been There
There ain't a view beneath the blue
That could ever compare...
Why don't you come visit
There's room in the nest
On that little patch of heaven
Way out west
As someone whose life has been happily enriched and energized by the talents of Disney's artists over many years, I find it hard to believe that it's over (at least for now.) The magic of the films will last forever, and I'll always keep that joy inside me (you all know what it's like if your reading this. It's powerful stuff!) Disney magic is nothing more nor less than the pure joy and wonder of a well-told tale. It's not unique to Disney, but Disney produced it more consistently and with more talent and imagination than any other single studio in history. And having all the characters, music and worlds under one "roof" created something greater than the sum of its wonderful parts. There's nothing wrong with computer animation, but it's NOT THE SAME animal.
We'll see what happens next. Maybe someone with a brain will bring theatrical hand-drawn animation back to Disney someday. But, if this is indeed the last classic-style animated film, at least they're going out on a sweet note.