THE MUPPET MOVIE - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2013)

The pastel blue cover of this CD should make you feel all nostalgic. In fact, it may evoke the need to own a copy of it. Yes, this is a re release of the soundtrack to the beloved 1979 movie starring everyone’s favourite frog and his piggy girlfriend.

There’s quite a bit of history for the younger folks. Originally released as a LP, the album reached a phenomenal No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 32 on Billboard’s Top LP’s and Tapes chart, and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. For a family movie soundtrack album, this is really quite a big deal.

The 32 minute recording kicks off with the charming “Rainbow Connection”, a lovely tune crooned by Kermit (Jim Henson) and written by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher. One of the greatest songs ever in movie history, there has been countless covers performed by artistes like The Carpenters, Kenny Loggins and Sarah McLachlan. The Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated song is worth the price you paid for this album reissued to coincide with the movie’s release on blu ray.

Elsewhere, there are other equally delightful tunes like “Movin’ Right Along” performed by Kermit and Fozzie (Henson and Frank Oz, whose also voices the legendary Yoda in the Star Wars series), “Never Before, Never Again” sung by Miss Piggy (Oz) and “I’m Going Back There Someday” belted melancholically by Gonzo (Dave Goelz).

The soundtrack won the Grammy Award’s Best Children's Album and was also nominated for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media, the Golden Globe for Best Original Song, and two Academy Awards; Best Adaptation Score for the overall album and Best Original Song for "Rainbow Connection".

This soundtrack is a must own for Muppets fans, and is an apt initiation to the younger audiences, especially when this is the first time the album is available in print over 20 years. 

ALBUM RATING:

Recommended Track: (1) Rainbow Connection – Kermit (Jim Henson)

Review by John Li