The Disney
original is one of the funnier animated movies I ever saw and with its
enjoyable songs and good story it was just a matter of time for it to become a
stage musical. I didn’t see the show yet, but by listening to this recording
I’m sure it must be as funny on stage as it was on the screen.
Composer Alan
Menken was in an inspired mood when he wrote the songs for the movie and the
new ones sound as good as those. Menken is one of the few contemporary
composers who really knows how to write a good theatre song, like the ones of
Broadway’s golden age. There’s a joy to his songs that’s completely contagious
and his pop ballads are always magically melodious; “Friend Like Me” and “A Million Miles Away”
are two excellent examples of both types.
I believe all the
movie songs are here, including one of my favorite tracks, “One Jump Ahead”.
But “Friend Like Me” and “Prince Ali” sound much better here, both are strongly
sung by James Monroe Iglehart, who delivers all the humor of the lyrics and
sounds like he’s having the best time of his life. Of the new songs, my
favorite is the very Broadwayish “Somebody’s Got Your Back” and the beautiful
ballad “Proud of Your Boy”, to which Adam Jacobs gives his heart and soul.
Many people,
including Broadway lovers, may dismiss this as just another Disney musical, but
not me. I simply love all of this: the songs, the cast, the orchestrations and
the dance images that come to my mind when I listen to the songs. A must have!
Rate: 9 (from 1
to 10)
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