Disney Spectacular, A - Erich Kunzel/Cincinnati Pops Orchestra

Advantages: A historical score on all levels; over 100 minutes of utter splendour
Disadvantages: Sound not as full due to age; the Empire is lacking strong accompaniment

...into the right place, and this included the music by John Williams. John Williams was already an established composer with two Academy Awards under his belt (one for the adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof and one for Jaws). Steven Spielberg was the one that originally introduced Williams to George Lucas and the results were breathtaking. Williams' approach was a notable departure from the music that was being composed at the time. By the 1970's electronic music and pop-based scores were getting more and more dominative apart from a few composers efforts. What Williams did was take a full symphony orchestra and paint on an epic canvas with powerful themes, exciting action and so much diversity that there must have been nobody leaving the theater without humming at least one of the tunes. Williams decided to hark straight back to the old style... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Mostly pleasant listening and has some quite good ideas
Disadvantages: But when it comes to execution falters down into generic blandness

...one of those annoying pop beats. It may come across that I'm needlessly bashing this score for wanting it to be different than what it is, but the fact of the matter is that there is absolutely nothing that distinctive about the entire score. There are some painfully misplaced musical styles included (the pop beats of "Evacuating London", the electric violin in "Lucy Meets Mr. Tumnus," the cheap synths), themes that are on the whole pretty unmemorable, and overall there is a slight lack of cohesion (at least on album) that causes the music to jump around a little too much with no sense of consistency. Also the fact that the mixing is pretty flat and bland, causing the 75-member orchestral ensemble and 140-member choir to sound like it's a 55-member orchestra and 75-member choir and has some pretty bland orchestrations, makes one crave... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Easy to listen to, and sing and dance too, nice cast
Disadvantages: Quite same-y throughout.

...- will they make it in time, will they land the roles, will they escape detention…? You'll have to see for yourself. But as it's Disney, I'm sure you've pretty much guessed! This CD is the soundtrack to the movie, and also includes a star performance by B5, and a number of instrumental tracks for Karaoke use. The tracks are all quite samey, with a soft hip-hop-pop feel, but there are a few distinct ones in the group. 1. Start of Something New Troy and Gabriella's first meeting, when they are forced to do Karaoke together at a New Years Party. This is quite an upbeat, hip-hop-meets-pop song, and it is easy to find yourself singing along, even without the CD playing! 2. Get'cha Head In The Game The video part to this is awesome! The song itself is about staying focused, and keeping your head in the game, while Troy is still distracted by thoughts... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful