Hey everyone... on a whim, and because I tend to enjoy Menken's music, I excitedly picked up a copy of Home on the Range for a "why the hell not" kinda price.

I was shocked and pleasantly surprised to see that he was handling music duties on the film. What was his big hiatus all about?

On to Home on the Range -- I'm really pleased with the album! There's roughly 40 minutes... half songs / half score. The tunes are great, and the score, while maintaining a voice that screams Menken, evokes some pretty hefty City Slickers 2 vibes. I remember hearing some of that in the trailer, and can't help but wonder if they said, "Alan, do kinda what Shaiman did here." Regardless, it's great music. Fun songs and a charming, original score.

I'm a sucker for good songs (any genre) - and while of course these are particularly sugary, the featured artists (K.D. Lang, Tim McGraw, Bonnie Raitt, The Beu Sisters) all do a fantastic job. Because Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater wrote the songs, Menken's melodies carry over into the score seamlessly. Randy Quaid has never made me laugh so hard, either... he's a yodelling fool! All of you absolutely must check out that track (Yodel-Adle-Eedle-Idle-Oo).

Joan Hue, you should check out this disc. If I remember right, you're a lover of western genre soundtracks as I am... I think you'd really enjoy it.

I've listened to the album three times... and left it with a smile each time. It's good to have Mr. Menken back, whether it be a one-time flight or the start of a new series of contributions.

Jeron

P.S. Almost forgot to mention - Menken sings the song at the end of the album! Who knew the guy could sing, much less do it well?? Kudos to him. Truly a talented feller.

Just kidding.

I grew up with the tunes of "The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin" and of course "Beauty and the Beast" so it really was a joy to hear Menken be Menken again...doing a western no less.

The songs that I'd heard on the disc are TOTAL and PURE Menken. With good performances by Bonnie Raitt and Tim McGraw, the songs hold and really are a throwback to the early 1990s era of Disney songs.

Score wise, is very music like a Broughton or Shaiman piece of score, but its fun none the less.

If you’re a fan of the Menken days of The Mouse House then check this disc out.

--Brian

quote:

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Originally posted by Crono/Kyp:
This CD should only be listened to if you are one of those CRAZY people from Texas.

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I watched Brother Bear last week which was just so so for me. Rather tepid Disney, but it was worth the watch to follow the rams' scene and the moose and the end credits. Still laughing.

(Wow Hellboy got rave reviews from Ebert and our local reviewer.)

[Message edited by Crono/Kyp on 04-03-2004]

Grew up with Menken, but still can't spell his name right!

Ryan

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Originally posted by rkeaveney:
Grew up with Menken, but still can't spell his name right!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Jeron:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=1 face=arial>quote:</font><HR size=1>Originally posted by rkeaveney:
[b]Grew up with Menken, but still can't spell his name right!<HR size=1></BLOCKQUOTE>

LOL... Ryan, you know Brian has spelling ... challenges. [/B]

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No, that's just Bogganish language.

Jeff

You can blame that on Jeron Because that's what he told me

--Brian

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Originally posted by Crono/Kyp:
Because that's what he told me

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hehehe

Har, har, har.