Sunday, November 2, 2008

Walt Disney's "The Happiest Millionaire"

I picked up some great albums the other day including a few Hawaiian lounge style LPs which I have already added to my iTunes collection, and two Disney related albums.
Favorite Songs from Walt Disney's Mary Poppins - The sound stage chorus - recorded in London, England and this one, Songs from Walt Disney's "The Happiest Millionaire" from 1967.
I don't think I have even seen the movie "The Happiest Millionaire" and while listening to this album (as I type this), I have only heard the first track "Fortuosity" which has appeared on many Disney best of albums. Here we have 8 typical style Disney film scores, with "Detroit" standing out as my favorite.
From the back of the LP: "The song writing Sherman brothers, Richard and Robert, this year celebrate their 9th anniversary writing Walt Disney music. Since 1958 they have done the music and lyrics for more than 23 Walt Disney motion pictures.
Oscar awards for the score of "Mary Poppins" and one of its hit songs, "Chim Chim Cheree," was a high point in their careers and earned them a place among the world's most renowned contemporary song writers.
This recording of eight of their numbers from "The Happiest Millionaire" also features Richard Sherman as vocalist for three songs.
Since "The Happiest Millionaire," the brothers have completed songs for "The Jungle Book" and the new Disney musical feature "The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band."
World acclaim and honors have not dimmed their enthusiastic approach to musical challenges in new and future Walt Disney productions. They are modest about their success and excited about the future. As one of the top music writing teams in recent years, the future looks exceedingly bright - for them - for us - and for you."
Disneyland long-playing microgroove records can be played only on 33 1/3 RPM instruments. Disneyland stereophonic long-playing microgroove versions should only be played on stereo playback equipment.
This album is copyright 1967 Walt Disney Productions and manufactured in Canada by Walt Disney Music for Canada Limited.