Tarzan - Various Artists

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	More good music by Phil Collins
Disadvantages:	Too much repetition

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Disney's animated Tarzan (1999) marked a new beginning for the ape man, taking its inspiration equally from Burroughs and Greystoke. Its major innovations were recasting the original fictitious ape species that adopted Tarzan as gorillas and turning Clayton, into a brawny out-and-out villain. These changes though dont affect the soundtrack of the film in any serious ways and the CD of the soundtrack is one pretty good CD.

Tracks on this CD include:
1. Two Worlds - This song is a great opening song to the CD and I think it is from the opening of the film. However, Im not totally sure about that. It has the long 'jungle' drum beat sound at the start and then in comes the voices singing this great song. This is definitely one of my favourite tracks of the CD.
2. You'll be In My Heart - This version of the song starts with a soloist singing the first part and then Phil Collins starts singing. This version doesnt build up to very much and is quite short - but its still not too bad a track.
3. Son of Man - This is quite a unique track in the way that there is only one version of this song. This song, however, is great anyway and doesnt need another version of it - this is definitely my favourite song from the CD and from the movie. It is a fast moving, upbeat song and is so good you cant help yourself smiling as you listen to it - or even singing along at the top of your voice - it is just one of those amazing songs.
4. Trashin' the Camp - This version of the song is taken straight from the film and has the voices of the characters, and is a pretty good track, and a much better version of this song than the later version. This, with chracter voices and sound effects, makes a much more interesting version than the other and is better to listen to.
5. Strangers like Me - This also is one of the best tracks on the CD and another favourite of mine. This has a strong beat through the whole song that gets your foot tapping or your head nodding as you listen to the rest of the music which is truly amazing and well worth listening to.
6. Two Worlds Reprise - This is the second time this song, or a version of this song appears on the CD, and the unfortunate thing is that it is not the last. This song is really the main theme from the movie and keeps appearing, in different forms throughout. This version is a bit shorter than the last, with the long drum beat introduction kept from before and then only a short period of different lyrics being sung. Not too bad but not wonderful and nothing special.
7. Trashin' the Camp - Phil Collins/'N Sync - This version of the song featuring only the voices of Phil Collins and 'N Sync is still a pretty good version but it just isnt as good as the other one - nor is it anywhere near as good as the other version and is a bit of a disappointment really.
8. You'll Be In My Heart - Phil Collins - This is the best version of the song on the CD, there is more to it musically and so it is more interesting to listen to. This version would be the 'pop' version of the song and sounds that way. Normally I would say this is a disadvantage but with this song, and the simplicity of the first version, this version is a much, much better version and much more interesting to listen to.
9. Two Worlds - Phil Collins - The third version of this song. This version would also be the 'pop' version of the song and doesnt sound very different to the first version of the song. It is similar enough and as good as the first version.
10. A Wondrous Place - This is the first of four 'score' tracks - that is they are just instrumental tracks and have no lyrics in them. This is a very peaceful piece of music, as would be expected from the title and is a good enough track.
11. Moves Like an Ape, Looks like a Man - This is another nice instrumental track, and although in some places it isnt a peaceful as the previous one, it is still as good as the other and as interesting to listen to.
12. The Gorillas - Another, even less peaceful track, this one sounding more like the soundtrack to a battle scene, if there is one in the film. But it is still as good as the other two and as interesting to listen to.
13. One Family - This is the last of the four instrumental tracks and is once again very peaceful most of the way through. Also, it is nothing special - but it is a good track and is as good as the other ones.
14. Two Worlds Finale - This is the final track on the CD, and the final version of this song. This, in my opinion is the best version of the track and makes a great ending to the CD. There is more musical interest in this version, with repetition of lyrics and childrens voices singing as well as a 'tarzan' shout at the very end to finish it all off.

This CD is a great CD and is definitely worth listening to, especially for those who love the film and/or the music from it. Even those who havent seen the film, but have seen other animated Disney films like this, especially Brother Bear which is also mainly sung by Phil Collins, would love this CD as well and should definitely listen to it.

This CD can be bought from amazon.co.uk for £9.96 with Used & New from £9.00 and can be bought for £8.89 with free postage to UK from 101cd.com, as well as from a number of other places. At this price the CD is definitely worth buying, even if only to listen to a small number of time.