Just 15 months after
Brian Wilson released his tribute to the music of
George Gershwin, out popped another tribute album -- this one saluting the 75 years of original songs from the feature films of
Walt Disney. Granted, this tribute is even more natural than
Gershwin, since
Wilson grew up just minutes away from Disneyland, and as a child of the '50s, had probably memorized perennials like "Whistle While You Work" and "When You Wish Upon a Star" before he ever considered writing songs about surfing. (Not to mention the fact that his
Gershwin tribute actually came out on one of
Disney's labels, as does this one.) Besides the natural feel of these songs as sung by
Wilson and performed by his talented backing band, there are several strokes of magic, like the could've-been-a-prime-
Beach-Boys ballad "Baby Mine" (Dumbo) or the stunning harmonies that open "When You Wish Upon a Star" (Pinocchio). And fans of pop music or
Wilson's special brand of production magic will enjoy the arrangements, like the marimbas and banjo playing on "The Bare Necessities" or the assortment of intriguing voicings from all manner of slightly exotic instruments (B-3, Moog, 12-string guitar and electric 12-string guitar, wooden flute, piccolo, musical saw, etc.).
Wilson and fellow musical arranger Paul Von Mertens are at their best on the ballads, including "When You Wish Upon a Star" as well as the Mary Poppins chestnut "Stay Awake." ~ John Bush