Artistes: Various
Composer: Randy Newman
Label: Walt Disney Records
Release Date: November 23, 2009
Links:

SOUNDTRACK REVIEW:

We have waited five years for Disney to release another 2D musical (the last they film they gave us was 2004’s farm animal extravaganza “Home On The Range”), and boy, do the folks at The House of Mouse know how to please and pamper this die hard fans of traditional animation musicals.

If you don’t already know, this Jon Musker and Ron Clements directed movie features the studio’s first black princess, and it also marks the perfect chance to rope in a powerhouse singer to voice this role. Here we have Anika Noni Rose who fits the character of Princess Tiana (actually, she appears as a frog for a large part of the movie) perfectly. After all, the actress is a Dreamgirl beside Beyonce in the 2006 movie. “Down in New Orleans (Prologue)” gives us a glimpse of her richly fabulous voice, “Almost There” showcases a voice which exemplifies the character’s hope and dreams, while “Down in New Orleans (Finale)” wraps up the song section nicely with her soaring vocals.

In between these songs, Noni Rose is joined by a capable cast of actors (Keith David as the villainous Dr Facilier, Michael Leon-Wooley as the singing crocodile Louis who is inspired by Louis Armstrong and Jennifer Lewis as the charming witch doctor Mama Odie)  who croon tunes like the sinister “Friends on the Other Side” (the spooky images of black magic and voodoo comes to mind), the jazzy “When We’re Human” (renowned trumpeter Terence Blanchard comes on board with his gorgeous instrumentation) and the instant favourite “Dig a Little Deeper” (a big ensemble number with really big voices from the Pinnacle Gospel Choir).

Grammy award winning composer Randy Newman’s playful score fills the second part of this 55 minute album. Instead of the usual Alan Menken fare (we last heard his enchanting work in 2007’s live action and animated musical “Enchanted”), we get a stylistic display of jazz and blues which aptly depict the New Orleans context of the movie. Be prepared to be enthralled by cues like “Fairy Tale/ Going Home”, “The Frog Hunters/ Gator Down” and “This is Gonna be Good”, where the talented musician conjures moments of delight and joy with a fun and enjoyable orchestration.

Disney is back in shape, people. May the magic continue to enchant viewers and listeners years down the road. 

ALBUM RATING:

Recommended Track: (9) Dig a Little Deeper

Review by John Li

Posted on 1 January 2010

. The Princess And The Frog (Movie Review)

Other titles from Universal Music:

. Fame

. Funny People

. Bandslam

. I Love You, Beth Cooper

. Public Enemies

. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

. The Hangover

. Hannah Montana The Movie

. Confessions of a Shopaholic

. Jonas Brothers: Music from the 3D Experience

. He's Just Not That Into You

. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

. Slumdog Millionaire

. Four Christmases

. Madagascar Escapw 2 Africa

. Mamma Mia!

. Wall-E

. Indiana Jones And the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

. Kung Fu Panda

. Sex And The City

. Atonement

. American Gangster

. Alvin And The Chipmunks

. Across The Universe

. Stardust

. Lust Caution

. Halloween

. The Bourne Ultimatum

. Hairspray

. Shrek The Third

. Paris Je T'aime

. The Namesake

. Best Movie Hits

. Smokin' Aces

. Alpha Dog

. Bobby

. Notes On A Scandal

. Babel (2CD)

. The Painted Veil

. The Last King Of Scotland

. Hollywoodland

. Children Of Men

. Marie Antoinette (2CD)

. Leslie Movie Romance (CD+DVD)

. Movie Theme Songs Collection

. The Banquet

. Lady In The Water

. The Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift

. Mcfly: Just My Luck

This review is made possible with the kind support from Universal Music