In 1961, child actress
Hayley Mills enjoyed a Top Ten hit with the song "Let's Get Together" from the Disney film The Parent Trap. Disney subsidiary Buena Vista decided that an entire album was warranted, resulting in the release of
Let's Get Together With Haley Mills in 1962. The album included the aforementioned hit as well as "Johnny Jingo" (which barely missed the Top 20 in 1962), along with ten other tracks. Besides the fact that
Mills can't sing on key, the album is further hampered by the ridiculous juvenile material and inexplicable "ragtime" approach that is taken on many of the songs. The best track by far is "Ding Ding Ding," a fluffy teen-oriented rocker with a surprisingly aggressive guitar solo. "Cranberry Bog" anticipates the folk-rock sound of the late '60s with its instrumental backing (either harpsichord or treated piano) and Candyland-on-acid psychedelic lyrics. The 1998 CD reissue is a numbered limited edition that adds no bonus tracks but faithfully reproduces the original album art. Puzzling and preposterous,
Let's Get Together With Haley Mills is fun to experience, but not a likely candidate for heavy rotation on anyone's home stereo. ~ Greg Adams