Continuing a look at Disney and audio, this week a trio of Compact Discs well worth adding to your music library.

Note: This column first appeared on Jim Hill Media on June 2, 2005.

Well, as we have seen all too well here in California this year - when it rains, it pours. And, oddly enough, the same seems to be true for compact discs of Disney music this spring. The fun just won't stop!

First we had the big six-disc set of Disneyland audio that is one popular item right now. Then the new Disneyland Official Album two-disc set I reviewed two weeks ago. So now, a group of new titles worth listening to rounds out the bill of fare. And a good mix of music it is, too.

If you are among the fans of "Billy Hill and the Hillbillies" or "Riders In The Sky" (the folks who brought us "Woody's Round Up" from "Toy Story 2") then this one might be right up your alley. Michelle Shocked brings Western Swing to Disney or vice versa with "Got No Strings". These tracks have plenty of Disney favorites from all kinds of generations of fans:

1. "To Be A Cat" from "The Aristocats"
2. "Give A Little Whistle" from "Pinocchio"
3. "Got No Strings" from "Pinocchio"
4. "Spoonful of Sugar" from "Mary Poppins"
5. "Spectrum" from "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color"
6. "Wish Upon A Star" from "Pinocchio"
7. "Baby Mine" from "Dumbo"
8. "A Dream Is A Wish" from "Cinderella"
9. "Bare Necessities" from "The Jungle Book"
10. "On The Front Porch" from "Summer Magic"

It has been said that this album is one result of Michelle's relationship with artist David Willardson (whose own Disney fine art work is very popular right now). Part of a three album release, "Threesome," set for June 14th, this is definitely a new treatment for some old favorite songs. From down right comfortable to upbeat and bubbly, this album covers all kinds of moods. Check out this mp3 sample of "Bare Necessities" to hear for yourselves.

I wont hazard any guesses as to why she included "Spectrum" or "On The Front Porch," but I'm certainly glad she did. The lexicon of music from Disney has many songs that are not often heard. Maybe this will inspire other artists to add their own takes to some of their own under-appreciated favorites?

"Got No Strings" will be available as a separate album or as part of the special "Threesome" release. (Things from Texas always seem to be done in a big way.) The other two albums are "Mexican Standoff" and "Don't Ask Don't Tell" - all of which are being released on June 14th. Check 'em all out!

Now is a good time to think about catching Michelle in concert, as she is just starting to plan her next a tour of performances. Check this link for details.

Observant readers will recall that Julie Andrews has become the Honorary Ambassador for the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland. Considering her memorable association with Disney (including her Academy Award winning performance in "Mary Poppins") this new compact disc, "Julie Andrews Selects Her Favorite Disney Songs" seems only natural. The liner notes delve into why she selected the following tracks:

1. "Beauty and The Beast" from "Beauty and the Beast"
2. "Chim Chim Cher-ee" from "Mary Poppins"
3. "Part of Your World" from "The Little Mermaid"
4. "Some Day My Prince Will Come" from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"
5. "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" from "The Lion King"
6. "The Bare Necessities" from "The Jungle Book"
7. "He's A Tramp" from "Lady and the Tramp"
8. "A Whole New World" from "Aladdin"
9. "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" from "Cinderella"
10. "Bella Notte" from "Lady and the Tramp"
11. "Baby Mine" from "Dumbo"
12. "You'll Be In My Heart" from "Tarzan"
13. "The Second Star To The Right" from "Peter Pan"
14. "Feed The Birds (Tuppence A Bag)" from "Mary Poppins"
15. "When You Wish Upon A Star" from "Pinocchio"

I am sure that many of those are your favorites, too. While the album may not offer anything new, it is nice to see good a mix of classic Disney favorites to enjoy.

Another new album from Disney is "Disney Bossa Nova." For those who think of "Bossa Nova" as a Sixties throwback style of music, this album should do the trick to convince you that the Latin beat is alive and well in today's music scene. Disney may have gone "south of the border" a long time ago with animated films such as "Saludos Amigos" and "The Three Caballeros," but this album brings life to these songs in a new and very interesting way:

1. "Cruela Cruel" ("Cruella de Vil") Marcos Valle - "101 Dalmatians"
2. "Beauty and the Beast" Miucha - "Beauty and the Beast"
3. "When You Wish Upon a Star" Joyce - "Pinocchio"
4. "Under the Sea" Bena Lobo - "The Little Mermaid"
5. "In a World of My Own" Ana Martins - "Alice In Wonderland"
6. ". "À Voar, À Voar, À Voar" ("You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly!") Joyce -- "Peter Pan"
7. "Um Mundo Ideal" ("A Whole New World") Ivan Lins - "Aladdin"
8. "Parte de Seu Mundo" ("Part of Your World") Claudette Soares - "The Little Mermaid"
9. "Ciclo sem Fim" ("Circle of Life") Edu Lobo - "The Lion King"
10. "Uma Canção" ("One Song") Carlos Lyra - "Snow White and the Seven
Dwarfs"
11. "Hi-Ho" ("Heigh-Ho") Joyce - "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"
12. "Es Tu o Principe Azul" ("Once Upon a Dream") Wanda Sa & Joao
Donato - "Sleeping Beauty"
13. "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" Joyce - "Cinderella"
14. "Não é Fácil" ("It's Not Easy ") [amusement mix - remixed by IWAMURA
manabu] - "Pete's Dragon"

Check out these links on the official Walt Disney Records web page for sample of the songs. Something catchy going on there, just right for all of you high school jazz band folks to enjoy. (Come on now. Admit it. You actually enjoy "Bossa Nova", don't you?)