On its own merit, Brian Wilson’s new album, In The Key of Disney should be regarded as an album full of childlike whimsy and lighthearted fun. The strong Wilson-esque production, arrangements and harmonies (on par with Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin) are the real gold in this collection and are vibrant throughout this release.
Brian is in fine vocal form on this collection, and to his credit – with one or two exceptions – he and music director/arranger Paul Von Mertens have recorded fresh and lively versions of these classic Disney film tracks. Wilson’s band are so completely dialed into his tendencies they are more or less his “Johnny-on-the-spot” musicians providing him with the sound he’s after within minutes (or seconds). That familiarity really comes through in these songs. The adaptations of “Kiss The Girls” (from The Little Mermaid), “We Belong Together” (from Toy Story 3) and “Bare Necessities” (from The Jungle Book) offer reverent re-workings, but the real humdinger of the collection is “Heigh Ho/Whistle While You Work/Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life For Me);” replete with SMiLE era “Vega Tables”-like tympani and percussion.
For the new album Brian recorded 13 tracks; two are exclusively available via Amazon.com. The digital download CD includes “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” and “Peace On Earth.” The “Heigh Ho/Whistle While You Work/Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life For Me)” medley, however, is exclusive to the physical CD with “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes.”
If you have children, and they — like you — love the films from which these songs were inspired, then this release is as much for them as it is you.
For more information on Walt Disney Records’ releases, please visit Disney.com/music, become a fan at Facebook.com/disneymusic or follow them at Twitter.com/disneymusic. For more information on Brian Wilson, please visit www.brianwilson.com.
©2011David M. Beard/All rights reserved
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT: This article is the original work of David M. Beard. Under no circumstance may any portion of this article be broadcast, copied, published, rewritten or used without the permission of the author. Please email requests to esqeditor@esquarterly.com.
Comments