I finally got my copy of Kerry Butler's, "Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust" today, which arrived along with the revival recording of South Pacific today.
I just got done listening to Ms. Butler's album, and it was a joy from start to finish.
I was delighted to discover from reading the liner notes that she seems to be just as big a "Disney dork" as I am (see avatar and signature). Many of the songs on this album are well known, but I love how she made them distinctive.
She's taken a number of well-known songs and quieted them down a bit, made them more introspective. Don't get me wrong, I love big, belty versions of "When You Wish Upon a Star," but it is nice to hear Ms. Butler's softer, more thoughtful rendition. Ditto for her "Colors of the Wind," which has always been my favorite Disney song. By toning down the arrangements to a number of these songs, Ms. Butler has really focused on the lyrics, and what you get are stunning interpretations of the songs.
One of my favorites might be "God Help the Outcasts," where she does get to show off her range a little bit. Again, however, the song works because of her interpretation of its lyrics.
Another gem is the album's final song, "Disneyland," which is from Smile, but I had never heard before. It sums up my love of the Disney theme parks better than anything I've ever read before. Butler, being a "Disney dork" herself, really believes the lyrics (my favorite moment on the entire CD is her impassioned, "But I don't care!" in this song).
I'm so happy I bought this CD, and it's making me look forward to July 17 (when I go back to WDW) even more.
I am happy with many of the songs on her CD...others just made me want more...
"I never had theatre producers run after me. Some people want to make more Broadway shows out of movies. But Elliot and I aren't going to do Batman: The Musical." - Julie Taymor 1999
I want to apologize for some offensive messages posted on this board under my name. The night 0f 12-15-08 I did not have internet access, and someone had used my name to post something offensive. My avatar was also changed. I dont' know what else was posted, or if anyone recieved bad PMs, but I want to apologize for that. I've changed my password, and even though I was not the one posting these messages it still needed to be corrected.
The most shocking thing in Adam Greer's post is that he's never heard Disneyland before. I guess he never bought Unsung Musicals, huh? All real musical theater fans have Unsung Musicals you know :)
This Only Happens in the Movies When You Wish Upon a Star I'll Try Call Me a Princess Colors of the Wind It's a Small World/ God Help the Outcasts Baby Mine Minnie's Yoo Hoo The Second Star to the Right The Bare Necessities When She Loved Me Disneyland
I finally got my copy today as well. I LOVE it. I'm another Disney dork, so it's a lot of fun.
http://www.beintheheights.com/katnicole1 (Please click and help me win!)
I chose, and my world was shaken- So what? The choice may have been mistaken,
The choosing was not...
"Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
"And when Idina Menzel is singing, I'm always slightly worried that her teeth are going to jump out of her mouth and chase me." - Schmerg_the_Impaler
I just downloaded her CD via iTunes..I love "Its a Small World! -that's my favorite Disney song! I am listening to it right now! Oh! how I just love iTunes, so convienient!
I got mine yesterday and have had it playing in the background all day today. Well not all day. I will hopefully be going to WDW to work for seven months starting in January! Wont know till September or so, this CD makes me excited!
Broadway Shows I've Seen: Hairspray, Chicago, Little Shop of Horrors (2003), The Wedding Singer, Spamalot, Riverdance, Rent, Beauty and the Beast, Spring Awakening, Wicked, Legally Blonde, Phantom of the Opera, Sweet Charity (revival), Drowsy Chaperone, The Lion King, Dreamgirls(2010 Tour).
I guess you can add me to the "Disney Dork" list as well.
My husband did NOT care for the CD. He, too, is a Disney Dork, but he didn't care for Kerry's vocals. We usually disagree, though, and I am the one with TASTE. Ha ha.
I received mine a couple days ago and have given it a full listen. While I appreciated her reinterpretations, I was hoping for a little more "full throtle" belt moments. The album is very relaxed and hardly seems like a vocal workout for her at all. I was probably most pleased the with tracks I hadn't heard before: "Only Happens in the Movies", "I'll try" because I had no existing interpretation in my head. "Minnie's Yoo-hoo" was fun and there could've been more of that energy on the disc. Arrangements are pretty, but a little heavy on folk-fiddle and guitar. This is the Appalachian Disney album. :)
All in all, it is a well sung, very pleasant collection with a couple outstanding tracks. I'm sure I'll come to appreciate it more with repeat listenings.