Disney's Archive Collection

I used to be subscribed to the Disney Magazine for years before Disney stopped publishing it back in 2005. Recently while hunting though some local thrift shops, I came across a copy of the Spring 1998 issue of the Disney Magazine. I paid my 25 cent and took it home to have some fun rereading this 13 year old issue. What caught my eye was a full page story on the first 3 Disney Archive Collection CD's, as well as a half page ad for the albums.
Back in 1998, I didn't have much interest in these albums or the Disney Archive Collection, but today, I would love to add these to my collection. I am especially interested in finding a copy of the Lets Fly With Mary Poppins CD, as I downloaded a copy from iTunes and absolutely love it!

When Randy Thornton talks about the long- lost treasures in the Walt Disney Records archives, he
sounds more like a kid in a candy shop than a digital restoration producer. He takes master tapes of out-of- print albums and brings the sound quality up to today's standards. He uses words like "de-noise," "de-crackle," and "re-mix," but the mission is to present the music as it sounded in the studio.

He's done it with Disney's Classic Soundtrack Series, and he's doing it for the Archive Collection, due for its maiden release in March. "As long as I've been here, we've been getting letters from people asking about albums they had while growing up," says the 11 -year Disney veteran. Three albums will
launch the series. Originally released as Hayley Mills basked in the success of The Parent Trap, 1962's Let's Get Together With Hayley Mills contains her first commercial recording, "Jimmie Bean Song"
from Pollyanna. With British accent and spunky innocence, she sings of brave Jimmie, who "ain't afraid of nothing ... except a ghost, maybe."

Equally charming and also originally targeted for kids, 1964's Chim Chim Cheree and Other Children's Choices finds Burl Ives embracing old favorites and selections from Mary Poppins with a grandfatherly warmth that could soothe the wildest hellion. jazz trumpeter- singer-composer Louis Prima's Let's Fly With Mary Poppins from 1965 contains feisty renditions of the film's material. "Chim Cbim Cheree" won him the voice role of King Louie in The Jungle Book. These and subsequent releases will contain original cover art and liner notes.

Partly inspired by the resurgence of lounge music, the Archive Collection is an enthusiastic undertaking at Walt Disney Records. With a schedule calling for 10 releases this year and keepsakes from Fess Parker, Cliff  “Ukulele Ike” Edwards, and even Goofy's Dance Party on the docket, there will be new life for this lost art. "There's tons of stuff," says Thornton, "and it hasn't been available for 30 years. The time is right." (each CD, $16.98) -D. S.