[Dixielandjazz] "Everybody Wants to Be a Cat" reviewed

[Robert Ringwald]

CD Offers Adult Takes on Disney Classics
Various Artists, "Disney Jazz, Volume 1: Everybody Wants to Be a Cat" (Walt Disney
Records)
by Karen Hawkins
Associated Press, February 23, 2011

To get the most out of these jazz renderings of 13 classic Disney tunes, try listening
without looking at the song list first then wait for that satisfying "oh yeah!" moment
as your childhood and adulthood musically meet in one satisfying mashup.
The first volume of Disney's jazz collection brings together some of the genre's
masters and newcomers, including The Dave Brubeck Trio, Dianne Reeves and recent
Grammy winner Esperanza Spalding.
>From the swingin' piano and horns on Roy Hargrove's "Ev'rybody Wants to Be a Cat"
("The Aristocats") to Joshua Redman's staccato sax on "You've Got a Friend In Me"
("Toy Story") to Nikki Yanofsky's earnest vocals on "It's a Small World" ("It's a
Small World"), these covers are a treat both for children still enjoying the films
and adults looking for a little nostalgia with a side of upright bass.
"Gaston" ("Beauty and the Beast") by the Bad Plus, with its bold piano and frenetic
drums, is a grown-up take that holds on to the silliness and spirit of the original.
"He's a Tramp" ("Lady and the Tramp") is a mixed bag with outsized vocals by Reeves
but a tempo just a tad too lackadaisical.
Check out this track: Spalding's lovely, gently lilting voice and a tangy accordion
spin a dreamy take on "Chim Chim Cher-ee" ("Mary Poppins") with a just-right accent
of piano and acoustic bass. Its haunting melody lingers and will have you humming
it when you least expect it.


--Bob Ringwald
www.ringwald.com
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