New Disney Collectors CDs

Here is some pretty cool news from Intrada. Our new CD of Michael Giacchino's Oscar-winning score for Walt Disney/Pixar's animation hit UP headlines a new series of soundtracks on CD, co-branded by Walt Disney Records & Intrada. This title was selected as the debut release with the hopes of reaching a wider audience than we have with our core group of soundtrack collectors. As with the Grammy Award-winning download program, we hope this CD will appeal not only to our soundtrack audience but to listeners who may not share a passion for Alex North, Jerry Fielding, Elmer Bernstein and Jerry Goldsmith... yet love good music just the same. And Mr. Giacchino's tuneful, soaring and exciting score is just the perfect score to offer such appeal.
For our smaller group of core collectors, we have more great news! Disney is already restoring elements and preparing fully-restored masters for titles we'll be releasing just for you! (Coming next: a digitally-restored, newly-expanded genuine fan favorite!)
And Intrada will continue licensing great scores from other Disney-owned properties such as John Scott's powerhouse score for the Touchstone Pictures outdoor action film SHOOT TO KILL, which also just now makes its debut release on CD.
I truly feel this Walt Disney/Intrada series is great news for all of us who love music from the movies!

The Best Stories of AESOP

Here is a cool album I found this weekend at a local thrift shop. It is Wald Disney Presents The Best Stories of AESOP from 1961. Sterling Holloway narrates, with music by Camarata. This copy was manufactured by Sparton of Canada Ltd., London, Ontario.
On the back of the album is a list of the "Complete library of favorite Walt Disney stories as told by Sterling Holloway" which includes; Peter and the Wolf/Sorcerer's Apprentice, Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes, Three Little Pigs, Aesop's fables, Goliath, Country Cousin, Grasshopper and the Ants, and The Absent Minded Professor.
I love the albums like this one that have listings of other albums on the back. Its like a great checklist of other albums I need. In this case, I have 6 of the 8 listed. I still need to find Goliath and The Absent Minded Professor.

Songs from Doctor Dolittle

I found a few really cool new Disney records while out thrift shopping last weekend. Here is "Songs from Doctor Dolittle" with the songs; My Friend the Doctor, Talk to the Animals, Beautiful Things, Doctor Dolittle, At the Crossroads, I've Never Seen Anything Like It. I almost didn't notice this album amongst all the old classical records etc, as it didn't look like most of the usual colorful Disney covers - thank goodness for that Disneyland Records logo in the top righthand corner!
This album is from 1967 and the front cover states that it is MONAURAL.
From the back cover: The "Dr. Dolittle" stories were born in the trenches of France during World War I.
Hugh Lofting, the author, was a British soldier. His great interest in all animals inspired illustrated letters from the front lines to his children at home. He invented the lovable, eccentric country physician, Dr. Dolittle. The letters so delighted his own and other children, that the author had them put in a book form.
The dozens of "Dr. Dolittle" stories have become literacy classics - of interest to adults as well as young people - probably because Hugh Lofting never wrote down to children. He never considered them as a separate species. He respected their intelligence and wrote accordingly.
The story of the Doctor, dedicated to animals, who could speak to them in their own languages, was, of course, a 'natural' for the motion picture screen.
Now Dr. Dolittle" has become a motion picture. An outstanding picture with a great cast of top stars and performers. It will very likely become one of the all time great pictures.
Leslie Bricusse, a British born composer-lyricist, is responsible for the musical score, the songs and lyrics. An exceptionally talented man of music, Leslie Bricusse has captured in words and music the fun, the excitement and the fantasy of "Dr. Dolittle."
The musical numbers included in this album were conducted by Camarata and Feature the Mike Sammes Singers.
Camarata has recently done several highly regarded and extremely successful albums with the Sammes choral group. Among them are such top albums as MAN OF LA MANCHA and THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE. These two albums are on the Vista Fanta-Sound label, a distinguished series of quality recordings each packaged with multi-paged illustrated books. Also in the series are Saint Saens "The Carnival of the Animals" and "Carousel."
This LP was manufactured in Canada by Walt Disney Music of Canada Limited.

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.

Sing Along With Jimmy Dodd

Here is a neat album I picked up today in a record shop discount bin for $1. It is called Sing Along with Jimmy Dodd [DQ 1235] and is dated 1963, and printed and manufactured in Canada by RCA Victor Company, Ltd.
Side 1:
1) Rag Mop
2) Harrigan
3) M-O-T-H-E-R
4) Do-Re-Mi
5) Mickey Mouse Cha-Cha-Cha
Side 2:
1) Massachusetts
2) Alphabet Song
3) "A" You're Adorable
4) Encyclopedia
5) I've Got A Gal in Kalamazoo
What's a little strange to me is that the album does not list the album tracks on the back. The only songs listed are the 2 on the front; "Alphabet Song" and "Kalamazoo". The back of the record jacket is a generic back cover showing "Walt Disney's Musical Highlights for the Entire Family, including Many Original Sound Tracks - all for only $1.98. These sort of generic back covers are helpful for those of us interested in seeing what albums we are missing from our collections, but not so good for those buying the album who would actually like to know what is on the album they were about to purchase.
There is also a waring on the back cover letting us know, "This is a Disneyland Long Playing Microgroove unbreakable Record can be played only on 33 1/2 RMP instruments."

A Disneyland Records Christmas

Here are four great Disneyland Records Christmas records I picked up recently in my thrift shop travels.
The first is Disney Christmas Favorites - The Mouse Concert plus other Yuletide Favorites. Check out this great album cover. I just love the artwork of the mice on the front and back covers of this album. I didn't photograph it, but the back cover has drawings of the various mice playing their different instruments. This copy is made in Canada, 1973, and distributed in Canada by Walt Disney Music of Canada Limited. Songs on the album are your typical Christmas fare. There are two tracks by Cliff Edwards, and one by Ludwig Mousensky and the All Mouse Symphony Orchestra & Chorus.
Second is Walt Disney's Christmas Favorites. This one is from 1958, and is a product of Pickwick International Inc (GB) Ltd, and distributed under licence from Walt Disney Productions Ltd.
The back of the album jacket has some info on Ludwig Mousensky: "This is a record that embodies all the spirits of St. Nicholas, Santa Claus and Father Christmas. In song and story, some old, some new, Mickey Mouse Record artists bring you many delightful moments on this long playing record.
Discovered under a stairway at the Disneyland Studio, the unique all-mouse symphony orchestra under the able baton of Ludwig Mousensky is undoubtedly the first and finest rodent ensemble in the world. And, we here at Disneyland records are proud to present their first recording, The Christmas Concert. Here are Christmas hymns, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, O Little Town of Bethlehem, O Come All Ye Faithful, Jingle Bells, and the popular Winter Wonderland. The Mousensky group's rendition of these songs is truly a delightful experience for all. Under the maestro, the orchestra, consisting of Skueeky, Zeke, Horace, Henrietta, Tubby, Tootie, Clarence, Pinky, Stuffy, Zooty, Hans, Fritz, Otto (these three were formerly with the Vienna's famed eutschMICEster Band), Pee Wee and Frenchy give a new dimension to these Christmas favourites. All proving that Christmas is a time for both mice and men.
Next up is Rankin/Bass presents Frosty's Winter Wonderland, Complete Story and Original Soundtrack from 1976. The complete story from the second (and not nearly as good) Frosty Christmas animated special, told and sung by Andy Griffith. Other guest voices are Shelley Winters as Mrs. Frosty, Dennis Day as the Parson, Jackie Vernon as Frosty, and Paul Frees as jack Frost. This one is also made and distributed in Canada by Walt Disney Music of Canada Limited.
Finally, we have Disney's Merry Christmas Carols, starting Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy & Chop 'n' Dale, with Larry Groce and the Disneyland Children's Sing-Along Chorus. This one also has the usual Christmas songs, including The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't be Late), I Wish it Could be Christmas All Year Yong, Here We Come A-Caroling, Sleigh Ride etc. The nice thing about the album is that the back cover has the lyrics for all eleven songs on the album so that everyone can sing along. The date on this one is 1980.

Buena Vista Records: It's A Small World

While searching though piles of records at the thrift shops on the weekend, I found this album which I had never seen before. Its "the Mike Curb congregation, It's A Small World, Walt Disney's Greatest Hits." The album is on the Buena Vista Records label and copyright 1973 Walt Disney Productions.
The record is called It's A Small World, but other than the cover and track number 1 which is "It's A Small World", the rest of the album is the usual Disney fare. The track listing is as follows:
Side One:
It's A Small World
When You Wish Upon A Star
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo
The Bare Necessities
Snow White Medley; Whistle While You Worl, I'm Wishing, Heigh-Ho, With a Smile and a Song, Someday My Prince Will Come
Side Two:
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah
A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes
Winnie the Pooh
Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly)
Once Upon a Dream
Mary Poppins Medley; Feed the Birds, Chim Chim Cher-ee, A Spoonful of Sugar, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
In case you weren't sure where the front and back cover photos were taken, the back cover states "Photography taken by Charlie Nichols at "It's A Small World" attraction at Fantasyland in Disneyland, the happiest place on earth."

1958 Sleeping Beauty LP with Mail-In Card

I picked up this great looking Sleeping Beauty LP the other day at a local thrift shop for $1. Being that Sleeping Beauty is my favorite Disney movie, I am always thrilled to add a new Sleeping Beauty item to my collection. And this LP is in great shape considering its age and the fact that most kids records you find are pretty beaten up and in pretty bad shape. This one is a gatefold and has the complete 11 page book inside.
I was surprised to see that the LP was inside a paper sleeve, as I have encountered very few kids records that still had their inner sleeves. But what was even better was that there was also a Disneyland Records mail-in postcard inside. The first of its type that I have encountered in the past 20 years of collecting Disney records. The postcard was a questionnaire asking where you bought this album, do you own a Super 8mm movie projector, and do you have a cassette tape player? It also asked if you would like to know more about other Disney merchandise? I would love to know what they would have sent out if you replied "Yes" to that question?

A Day At Disneyland LP

While out with the family today we stopped at an antique mall which mostly has furniture etc. But, I found a booth that had some neat old games, records etc. And to my delight I found, buried in a pile of dusty old records, an album which put a huge smile on my face!
It was "A Day at Disneyland with Walt Disney and Jiminy Cricket [ST-3901]" from 1957. It comes in a large cardboard record sleeve with a 4 page insert. I'm not sure why, but the middle page (which is two pieces of thick cardboard) also has a couple of extra pieces of cardboard glued inside to make it even stronger (and thicker).
Side One has 1) Horse car ride down Main Street U.S.A. and 2) A boat ride thru Adventureland. Side Two has 1) Exploring Frontierland, 2) Space Ship Visit to Tomorrowland and 3) Fun in Fantasyland.
Check out the great album cover and artwork from the pages inside.


I am always looking for Disney records and this is the first time I have ever seen this particular album. Well worth the $10 I spent on it!

Donald Duck the Milkman 45 RPM

The other day while out thrift shop shopping, I came upon a large collection of picture sleeve 45's... all priced at 49 cents each! One of my absolute favorite things to collect is Disneyland Records, and any time I find a new addition to my Disneyland Records collection, I am very excited! Among the great picture sleeve 45's I found that day, I picked up this great Walt Disney "Little Gem" Record with 2 Fun Stories, "Donald Duck The Milkman" and Donald Duck The Peanut Vendor". The record is copyright 1961 Walt Disney Productions. There is a large white sticker on the front of the record with the price of 39 cents, which I am sure was put on the record back when it was originally on the store shelve back in the 60's. I absolutely love the artwork on the front!
On the back of the record sleeve is a listing of other Little Gem records. If you and your children enjoy this Walt Disney Little Gem record we know that you'll be happy to learn that the Disney Studio has prepared a wonderful library of 12-inch LPs for children.
This Little Gem record, while complete in itself, is only a small portion of the high quality and good musicianship found on the Disney 12-inch LP line. We invite your attention to the following LP titles which are available at your favorite record store:
DQ-1201 SNOW WHITE - Sound Track
DQ-1202 PINOCCHIO - Sound Track
DQ-1203M BAMBI - Sound Track
DQ-1204 DUMBO - Sound Track
DQ-1205 UNCLE REMUS - Sound Track
DQ-1206M PETER PAN - Sound Track
DQ-1207 CINDERELLA - Sound Track
DQ-1208 ALICE IN WONDERLAND
DQ-1209 Walt Disney's FUN WITH MUSIC
DQ-1210 GOOFY'S DANCE PARTY
DQ-1211 MOTHER GOOSE NURSERY RHYMES
DQ-1212 DONALD DUCK AND HIS FRIENDS
DQ-1213M BEST LOVED DISNEY SONGS
DQ-1214M HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND HOLIDAY SONGS
DQ-1215M MUSICAL MONKEY SHINES
DQ-1216 ZOO SONGS
DQ-1217 SONGS OF OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE
DQ-1218 STORIES OF AESOP
DQ-1219 BABES IN TOYLAND
DQ-1220 Walt Disney's DOG SONGS
DQ-1221 ANIMAL SONGS FROM AESOP
DQ-1222 PROFESSOR LUDWIG VON DRAKE
ST-1901 STORY OF DARBY O'GILL
ST-1902 STORY OF GOLIATH
ST-1903 STORY OF THE COUNTRY COUSIN
ST-1904 STORY TO TOBY TYLER
ST-1905 STORY OF GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANTS
ST-1906 STORY OF POLLYANNA
ST-1907 STORY OF SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ST-1908 STORY OF 101 DALMATIANS
ST-1909 STORY OF PERRI
ST-1910 STORY OF THREE LITTLE PIGS
ST-1911 STORY OF THE ABSENT MINDED PROFESSOR
ST-1912 STORY OF THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER
ST-1913 STORY OF NIKKI
WDL-1008M A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES
WDL-1016 PETER AND THE WOLF
WDL-1030 LITTLE GEMS FROM BIG SHOWS
WDL-1039 SALUDOS AMIGOS
WDL-4101A RITE OF SPRING / TOCCATA AND FUGUE
WDL-4101B NUTCRACKER SUITE / DANCE OF THE HOURS
WDL-4101C PASTORAL SYMPHONY / NIGHT ON BALD MOUNTAIN