That Flitterin' Song-Fest

The charming Summer Magic recording below is one of the most unusual Disney records made available in that it was not released on Disneyland nor Vista—Disney's two labels in 1963, the year Summer Magic was issued to theaters.  Instead, as you can see from the front cover of this EP, it was released by Alcoa Wrap as a premium tied-in with the release of the film on July 7, 1963. Alcoa had previously offered a Babes in Toyland premium (a punch-out that formed "6 table decorations") and this time around, as the Summer Magic press book put it, "Alcoa will bring the sound of 'Magic' into millions of homes." The aluminum giant promoted the Summer Magic record (and Alcoa Wrap) in full-color ads run throughout the summer (when else) in such publications as TV Guide, Family Circle, Women's Day and Reader's Digest. The special Alcoa recording of course promoted not only the film but the new songs by Richard  Sherman and Robert Sherman—and included recordings off the Cast Recording (not a true Original Soundtrack Recording but new performances with new orchestrations with the film's cast) off the official Vista Records release. (Interesting that Hayley received top billing in the film but on the recordings—and sheet music—it was Burl whose name was headlined above hers—most likely because such charted recordings as The Versatile Burl Ives!, a big selling 1961 LP. Want more Summer Magic? See my new article on D23.com all about "Walt Disney's New Movie," replete with charming nostalgia, heartwarming cast chemistry, seven Sherman Brothers songs—and let's not forget "That Wonderful Hayley!" (This is a D23 Members Only article—but now D23 offers a FREE Membership level. Details are here.)  Celebrate summer in these final weeks of the season with "The Pink of Perfection: Walt Disney's Summer Magic" by Jim Fanning, newly posted on D23.com.

Sherman Magic

Imagine having Richard Sherman sit down and play a personal piano concert just for you. That sense of intimacy is exactly what you get with Forgotten Dreams, the splendid must-have CD (produced by Grammy Award-winning James Jensen) of haunting piano pieces both composed and played by acclaimed and award-winning composer/lyricist Richard Sherman. If you are a fan of Richard Sherman's music from films, theme parks and TV shows (and who isn't it?) you will love this new recording, a loving collection of 15 pieces Richard has composed as personal reflections, compositions I'm sure he originally wrote for himself and close friends, but that can now be enjoyed by everyone. These intimate musical interludes range from the soulful to the melancholy to the upbeat, each skillfully and expressively played by Richard himself. There's a stylish sophistication to these pieces that are different from the Sherman songs we know so well, though I certainly would not consider any Sherman song lacking in either style or sophistication. (By the way, it is beyond annoying to still encounter people, especially those who should know better, that still insist the Sherman Brothers wrote songs for "kiddie" movies. As anyone who reads this blog surely knows, the Shermans wrote songs for everybody of every age, and no one—least of all Walt Disney—considered the Disney films and other productions to be exclusively or even mainly for "kiddies.") I myself have listened to Forgotten Dreams many times and each time I discover another nuance in between the notes, an additional richness, a new musical emotion. Be sure and add this beautiful musical experience to your musical library—it's available at AcousticMusicResource.com, at Amazon: Forgotten Dreams, and iTunes. As Poppin' Guitars co-producer Bernadette Bowman has said, the "M" in Richard M. Sherman most definitely stands for magic.

13 Bewitching Things You May Not Know About Bedknobs And Broomsticks

Compared to Eglantine Price, Harry Potter is a wizard wannabe. Before the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was a gleam in the eye of J.K. Rowling, Miss Price learned the art of magic through the Emelius Browne Correspondence College of Witchcraft in Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971). As readers of this blog well know I have a great appreciation of, affection for and fascination with this spectacular musical fantasy, conjured up by the terrific team of Bill Walsh, Don DaGradi, Robert Stevenson and the Sherman Brothers (not to mention Walt Disney). Today, November 11, there's a new article by me on the D23 website. Focusing on thirteen "lucky" fascinating facts about this Disney classic, the piece is as of now up as the lead article on the D23 home page, where you will see my credit, "D23's Jim Fanning uncovers 13 spellbinding facts behind Disney's magical musical fantasy." (If you are looking for my byline, you will find it here as opposed to the article itself.) The photo you see there, of Angela Lansbury as Miss Price unwillingly wearing a gaudy hat placed on her head by Prof. Browne (David Tomlinson) at Portobello Road, is one of the many moments cut from the film before its premiere but reinstated for the extensive restoration of the film—and it's this nearly complete "producer's/director's cut" that's on the recently released DVD, pictured above. Be sure and check out the online article, "The Eternally Bewitching Bedknobs and Broomsticks" by Jim Fanning on the D23 website.

Strummin' Sherman Songs

One of the best presentations at the spectacular D23 Expo (September 10-13, 2009) was the screening of the new documentary about the Sherman Brothers, The Boys. Congenial host, Disney historian and friend-of-the-Shermans Tim O'Day welcomed the film’s directors Jeff and Greg Sherman (the Sherman Cousins) and the great Richard M. Sherman himself, who played songs and told stories as only he can, which is to say in a most delightful way. Also on hand were two accomplished guitarists from the new Poppin' Guitars: A Tuneful of Sherman album: Laurence Juber who treated us to a lively cover of “A Spoonful of Sugar” and Doug Smith, who played a haunting rendition of “Feed the Birds.” Produced by my friends Bernadette Bowman and James Jensen, this unique and highly recommended recording (click on the above image for more info) presents favorite Sherman songs played in the undiluted beauty of the acoustic guitar. These wonderful and “pure” performances bring out the simple (but never simplistic) beauty of these beloved melodies; it’s almost as if one had never heard them before. You can get your own copy (complete with a companion DVD) at Amazon.com.