[.ca] Aladdin

Magical:
I have a friend in Bloomington with whom I go to films on a regular basis. We have several genres of films which we prefer, and others with which we will experiment, but animation, particularly Disney, was never among them. However, I've often enjoyed Robin Williams characterisations, and so persuaded my friend Jim (who informed me that I would then owe him the next three film selections) to go to Aladdin. He enjoyed the film, and I loved it. This was a children's film that had entertainment value for adults, too, and crafted the witticism and irony into the dialogue and songs that were incredible. Alan Menken is the primary composer behind this soundtrack. Working with Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, Menken and company produced a Oscar-winning soundtrack with individual songs as winners and nominees ('A friend like me', Williams vocal character tour de force, received a nomination, and the themesong, 'A whole new world', won the award). Tim Rice (Sir Tim Rice, actually), lyricist, is known for many spectacular productions, including various collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber (again, now titled...), such as Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita. The crafting and care in the songs is evident; erudition is not sparing in this collection, but neither are the songs inaccessible to either children or adults. This, I feel, is the mark of a great talent. Finally, working on the project was Howard Ashman. Ashman died of AIDS in 1991. He worked on many Disney projects, including Beauty and the Beast. According to the Disney corporation, 'In animation, we have two guardian angels. One is Walt Disney, who continues to touch every frame of our movies. The other is Howard Ashman, who continues to touch every note of our movies.' One of my reasons for originally wanting to see this film is that I had heard of Ashman's connexion with my university, Indiana University -- he received his MFA from that school in the early 1970s. Ashman is also known as the lyricist for 'Little Shop of Horrors', another collaboration with Menken, which, if one watches Aladdin with that in mind, gives a whole new world of impression on the film! The music makes me laugh and feel good. I am much less prone to aggressive driving if I have this CD in the box in the car! Of course, this is a sappy love story with, in my opinion, a rather silly denouement, but it works for the kids. Of course, the lyrics are, as I indicated, educational: I've had the chance to explain what nom de plume, charge d'affaires, and coterie mean. Some filmtracks have lifted portions of this music for use as background material, which is another sign of successful composition. But, by far the high point has to be Robin Williams' vocal flexibility and ingenuity in the characterisation of the Genie. Alternating accents and impressions (at one point doing Edith and Archie Bunker, at another doing William Buckley, etc.) the rapid flow of the voices smoothly across causes me to wonder if the characterisations were improvisational, with the animation produced afterward to fit the flow of the changes. I recommend this soundtrack most highly to children and to adults who love comedy. It is an interesting treat. Songs: Arabian Nights One Jump Ahead Friend Like Me Prince Ali A Whole New World 'A Whole New World' has two tracks -- the one of the actual movie scene, performed by Brad Kane and Lea Salonga, and the 'radio edit' performed by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle. There are some dozen additional tracks of background/mood/theme-setting music.

The great Aladdin:
This is one of the top three soundtracks of Disney films i have bought (The other 2 being The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast) Robin Williams is excellent as the genie-his best song being Friend Like Me and One Jump is also great. The only thing that is perhaps annoying with this (as with all Disney soundtracks) is that the sound effects are edited out. However I listen to this CD almost every week and still don't tire of it.

The Final Collaboration.:
ALADDIN was the third animated hit that Disney had in a relatively short time during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The music of the movie was created largely by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. Ashman, who had been one of the keys to the success of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST died of AIDS during the production of Aladdin. Tim Rice was brought on board to finish the work that Ashman had begun, which give the soundtrack to ALADDIN a very unique feel unmatched, in my opinion, my any Disney soundtrack since then. The songs in ALADDIN carry a full range of emotion from the heartfelt "A Whole New World" to the triumphant "Prince Ali" to the manic "Friend Like Me". The score is just as lovely including pieces full of despair, such as in "The Battle" to the joyous "Happy End in Agrabah". I've already mentioned most of my favorite tunes, but the opening number "Arabian Nights" is another number that deserves mention. But, my favorite song on the whole album by far is "Friend Like Me". Robin Williams helped make ALADDIN the huge success it became (and also started a bit of controversy, putting Eisner's Mouse in its place) and listening to his hyped antics on some of the tunes is always a pleasure. I have heard that the re-issued copy of this soundtrack has changed some lyric and deleted parts to songs. I can't say for sure about that because the copy I have is from the 1992 original release. However, knowing Disney's troubled recent history, I will say that if you can get your hands on a copy of 1992 release that's the one you want.

Love the music!:
Especially the enchanting duet "A Whole New World" by Lea Salonga and Brad Kane. Nice album!

Aladdin...in all its EDITED glory!:
Aladdin features some of the best music ever heard, and both the songs and the movie will outlast time. However, this edition of the soundtrack is CENSORED and EDITED, NOT remastered. During the original theatrical release of the movie in 1992, the opening number, "Arabian Nights," featured the objectionable lyric "Where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face"; on this reissued version of the soundtrack as well as the 1993 video release of the film, it has been removed and replaced with "Where it's flat and immense and the heat is intense." This is not only wrong, but it is done in a very unprofessional and obvious manner: that is, you can tell that the actor singing that line is different than the actor singing the rest of the song. ther lyrics have reportedly been changed for this CD release, as well (supposedly in Friend Like Me and maybe others.) However, I am lucky enough to own the original release of the soundtrack from 1992, which is blessedly unedited, so I can't comment specifically. I highly reccomend seeking out a copy of the original 1992 release if you can find it. It might be found through eBay, Amazon marketplace sellers, or secondhand music stores. The original release can be easily identified by its alternate cover art, which is different than the one seen on Amazon's page for this version. It features Geenie coming out of his lamp, holding onto a square in which we see Aladdin and Jasmine on the Magic Carpet against the background of the city of Agrabah. If you can find that version, by all means do and teach Disney that censorship of their movies and music is wrong. If not, since the majority of the music is the same, this version will do nicely. Either way, be sure to add this wonderful soundtrack to your CD collection. You won't regret it.

• Arabian Nights - Bruce Adler
• Legend of the Lamp
• One Jump Ahead - Brad Kane
• Street Urchins
• One Jump Ahead (Reprise) - Brad Kane
• Friend Like Me - Robin Williams
• To Be Free
• Prince Ali - Robin Williams
• Whole New World - Brad Kane, Lea Salonga
• Jafar's Hour
• Prince Ali (Reprise) - Jonathan Freeman
• Ends of the Earth
• Kiss
• On a Dark Night
• Jasmine Runs Away
• Market Place
• Cave of Wonders
• Aladdin's Word
• Battle
• Happy End in Agrabah
• Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme) - Regina Belle, , Peabo Bryson