Archive for Disney Music

How to Use Disney to Get Your Kids Into New Music

If you have small kids, you are probably sick of kids’ music. But getting them to expand their taste can be difficult.

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Lin-Manuel Miranda is Disney’s new songwriter-in-chief

When music genius and PEGOT hopeful Lin-Manuel Miranda left the title role in his Broadway musical Hamilton, everyone was wondering what he’d do next.

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Watch Lin-Manuel Miranda sing songs from Aladdin, Mulan, and more Disney classics

What’s a Broadway star to do when given the key to Disney Animation’s Instagram? Why, sing Disney songs, of course! Lin-Manuel Miranda, the original star and creator of Hamilton, sang melodies fromAladdin, Newsies, Mulan, The Little Mermaid, and 1954’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea when he took over the account Sunday.

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Walt Disney Records Set To Release Pete’s Dragon Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Walt Disney Records is set to release Pete’s Dragon original motion picture soundtrack on August 12, 2016.  The album features 3 original songs written for the film, including the end credit track “Something Wild” by electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling featuring Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, “Nobody Knows” performed by the Lumineers, plus “The Dragon Song” performed by Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy.  The original score was composed byDaniel Hart (“Tumbledown,” “Comet”).  Disney’s “Pete’s Dragon” opens in U.S. theaters on August 12, 2016.

In addition to the lead single “Something Wild” by Lindsey Stirling featuring Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Stirling also performed on the film’s score.  The track is also the first single from Stirling’s forthcoming third studio album, Brave Enough.   A classically trained violinist, Lindsey has over 8 million YouTube subscribers, over 1.4 billion views on her YouTube channel, Billboard chart-topping hits and sold out tours worldwide.  She is currently on a summer tour and launches her Brave EnoughNorth American tour in September. Watch the Lindsey Stirling and Daniel Hart video clip here:   https://youtu.be/eYclv7rLzKo.  Alternative singer-songwriter Andrew McMahon of Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin fame is currently touring North America on the Weezer & Panic! at the Disco Summer Tour 2016, in addition to headline dates and festival shows.   McMahon’s most recent release Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness features the hit single “Cecilia and the Satellite.”

Performed by the Grammy®-nominated band The Lumineers, “Nobody Knows” was written by “Pete’s Dragon” co-screenwriterToby Halbrooks with Andrew Tinker.

“The Dragon Song” performed by singer-songwriter Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy (Will Oldham) was written by “Pete’s Dragon” director/screenwriter David Lowery and co-screenwriter Toby Halbrooks and bookends the film.

Daniel Hart, who scored the film, is a multi-instrumental composer and performer and toured over a decade with bands from The Polyphonic Spree to St. Vincent to his own projects.  His upcoming scores include the documentary “Eating Animals” and the FOX TV series “The Exorcist” airing this fall.

The soundtrack also boasts a newly-recorded version of “Candle On the Water” performed by the critically-acclaimed Okkervil River, fronted by singer-songwriter Will Sheff.  The band will release a new album this fall.

The Pete’s Dragon track list follows:

  1. “The Dragon Song” Performed by Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy
  2. “Something Wild” Performed by Lindsey Stirling featuring Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
  3. “Nobody Knows” Performed by The Lumineers
  4. “Something On Your Mind” Performed by St. Vincent
  5. “So Long, Marianne” Performed by Leonard Cohen
  6. “Gina Anne” Performed by Bosque Brown
  7. “An Adventure”
  8. “Are You Gonna Eat Me?”
  9. “Brown Bunny”
  10. “Reverie”
  11. “Tree Fort”
  12. “North Star”
  13. “Bedtime Compass”
  14. “Timber”
  15. “Breathe”
  16. “Gavin Knows What He’s Doing”
  17. “You Are Not Alone”
  18. “Elliot Gets Lost”
  19. “Takedown”
  20. “It’ll Be Just Like It Used To Be”
  21. “Follow That Dragon”
  22. “Elliot at the Bridge”
  23. “Abyss”
  24. Go North
  25. “Saying Goodbye”
  26. “The Bravest Boy I’ve Ever Met”
  27. “The Dragon Song Revisited” Performed by Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy
  28. “Candle On the Water” Performed by Okkervil River
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Walt Disney Records To Release The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack From “The BFG”

The talents of three of the world’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg – finally unite to bring Dahl’s beloved classic “The BFG” to life.  “The BFG” tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country.  The score was composed and conducted by Oscar-winning composer John WilliamsThe BFG soundtrack from Walt Disney Records will be available at physical and digital retailers, plus streaming services on July 1, 2016.  “The BFG” opens in U.S. theaters on July 1, 2016, the year that marks the 100th anniversary of Dahl’s birth.

Directed by three-time Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Melissa Mathison based on the best-selling book by Roald Dahl, “The BFG” stars three-time Tony Award®, two-time Olivier Award and Oscar winner Mark Rylance, newcomer Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Jemaine Clement, Rebecca Hall, Rafe Spall and Bill Hader.  The film is produced by Spielberg, Frank Marshall and Sam Mercer, with Kathleen Kennedy, John Madden, Kristie Macosko Krieger and Michael Siegelserving as executive producers.

John Williams, whose career spans over five decades, has won five Academy Awards and he has scored some of the most popular and critically acclaimed films of all time, including all seven “Star Wars” films, the first three “Harry Potter” films, and countless others.  His 42-year artistic partnership with director Steven Spielberg has resulted in many of Hollywood’s most acclaimed and successful films, including “Schindler’s List,” “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Jaws,” “Jurassic Park,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” the “Indiana Jones” films, “Munich,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “War Horse” and “Lincoln.”

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Walt Disney Records To Release Original Motion Picture Soundtrack For Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” On June 17

Walt Disney Records will release the original motion picture soundtrack for “Finding Dory” on June 17, 2016.  The score was composed and conducted by thirteen-time Oscar® nominee and six-time Grammy® winner Thomas Newman (“Spectre,” “Bridge of Spies,” “Saving Mr. Banks”).  Rated PG, “Finding Dory” opens nationwide the same day.

“Finding Dory” welcomes back to the big screen Dory, friends Marlin and Nemo—and Newman. “To me, he was one of the cast members of ‘Finding Nemo,'” says director Andrew Stanton. “We formed a close relationship ever since, and now that he is behind the score for ‘Finding Dory,’ it feels like the last member of the family has arrived at the reunion.”

“There was no way I could not do ‘Finding Dory,’ says Newman, who was nominated for an Oscar® for his work on “Finding Nemo” and won a Grammy® (best song written for motion picture, television or other visual media) on Stanton’s “WALL•E.” “It’s ironic that a movie about fish—some in aquariums, some in open water—has such a huge range of emotive possibilities—from the hysterical to the deeply profound and primally frightening. That’s exciting to ponder musically.”

The “Finding Dory” score features both an orchestral and electronic approach, allowing the composer flexibility. He employs dulcimer guitars, tympani drums and soprano vibraphones to support the storytelling in a unique way. “I have such a love of percussion color,” he says. “I like the high-metal rhythms and quirky sounds.”

Five-time Grammy® nominee singer-songwriter Sia performs the film’s end-credit song, “Unforgettable.”  American songwriterIrving Gordon wrote the song in 1951, and in 1992 won a Grammy® for it when Natalie Cole included the tribute to her late father on her album of duets. “Unforgettable” remains revered worldwide today.

Sia performed the song last month on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” DeGeneres, coincidentally, is the voice of the much beloved and forever forgetful blue tang Dory.  “Dory’s story makes me teary,” said Sia. “When Ellen asked me, I couldn’t refuse!”

Andrew Stanton has long been a fan of the native Australian performer. “In the same way Robbie Williams did his own unique twist on a classic song for ‘Finding Nemo,’ Sia captures the soulful truth of the Nat King Cole classic ‘Unforgettable,’ and makes it all her own,” said Stanton. “They are a perfect complement to one another, just like the two films.

The “Finding Dory” soundtrack, featuring Thomas Newman’s score and Sia’s rendition of “Unforgettable,” will be available fromWalt Disney Records on June 17, 2016, wherever music is sold.  The soundtrack is available for pre-order HERE and can be streamed HERE.  For more information on Walt Disney Records’ releases, like us on Facebook.com/disneymusic or follow us atTwitter.com/disneymusic.

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Walt Disney Records Celebrates 60 Years

Walt Disney Records (WDR) is proud to celebrate its 60th anniversary with the music that has been enchanting and entertaining audiences for generations.  To kick off the celebration, Alan Menken will participate in a special event at the Grammy Museum on June 1, “An Evening with Alan Menken,” which includes a Q&A and culminates with a special performance.  One of the most admired and prolific musical talents of our time, this Academy Award®, Grammy Award®, and Golden Globe Award® winner is responsible for unforgettable Disney classics including “Part of Your World” (“Little Mermaid”), “Under the Sea” (“Little Mermaid”), “Be Our Guest” (“Beauty and the Beast”), “Beauty and the Beast” (“Beauty and the Beast”), “A Whole New World” (“Aladdin”), “Colors of the Wind” (“Pocahontas”), “The Bells of Notre Dame” (“Hunchback of Notre Dame“),  “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)” (“Hercules”) and “I See the Light” (“Tangled”).

To commemorate the label’s milestone, 60 titles will be available on sale at Apple Music (http://smarturl.it/wdr60thsale), Amazon (http://smarturl.it/wdr60tham), and Google Play, plus Spotify’s playlist highlights the most beloved musical classics and current hits from Disney movies, television shows, and theme parks (http://smarturl.it/wdr60thsp).

The selected albums and tracks represent numerous key releases that have been important to the label and The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) such as “Some Day My Prince Will Come” from Snow White (first soundtrack), “When You Wish Upon a Star” from Pinocchio (theme song for TWDC), “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” (first single from a television show), “Monkey’s Uncle” byAnnette Funicello (the label’s first teen sensation), tracks from Mary Poppins (album held the #1 position on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart for 14 weeks) and “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King (soundtrack earned WDR its first Diamond Award from the R.I.A.A., certifying sales of 10 million units).   Also highlighted is the chart-topping multi-platinum Frozen soundtrack, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Disney-Pixar classics (Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Inside Out and more), plus albums and songs from Disney Channel Original Movies and series including and High School Musical and Hannah Montana.

The special 60th Anniversary commemorative artwork was designed by UK-based graphic artist Steven Wilson.

Celebrating 60 years, Walt Disney Records has set the standard as the leader in family audio entertainment. The label has earned more than 300 gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards from the R.I.A.A, and several of its releases rank among the top-selling singles and soundtracks of all time.  Over the last decade, the label has helped preserve Disney’s rich musical history by the restoration of its earliest recordings and re-mastering of classic soundtracks in an effort to keep the legacy and musical spirit of Disney alive for future generations.
Honoring the continuing legacy of the Disney music catalog, Walt Disney Records’ site, Disney Music Emporium (DME) is the destination for collectible Disney music products.   To celebrate WDR’s 60th, a special 10″ Mickey Mouse Club vinyl picture disc (Side A:  “Mickey Mouse March“; Side B:  “Mickey Mouse Club Alma Mater”) will be available later this year.  For more information on Disney Music Emporium, please visit DisneyMusicEmporium.com become a fan at Facebook.com/disneymusicemporium or follow us at Twitter.com/DisneyMusicEmp.

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Walt Disney Records Set To Release The Jungle Book Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Walt Disney Records releases The Jungle Book soundtrack, featuring score by award-winning composer John Debney (“Iron Man 2”), the end-credit tracks including “Trust in Me” performed by Scarlett Johansen and produced by Mark Ronson, “I Wan’na Be Like You” performed by Christopher Walken, plus Dr. John & The Nite Trippers’ rendition of “The Bare Necessities.” The original music was composed and produced by John Debney. The original motion picture soundtrack will be available wherever music is sold today, April 15, 2016.

Directed by Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”), based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, “The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. “The Jungle Book” seamlessly blends live-action with photorealistic CGI animals and environments, using up-to-the-minute technology and storytelling techniques to immerse audiences in an enchanting and lush world. The wild adventure swings into theaters in 3D on April 15, 2016.

The all-star voice cast includes Oscar®-winners Ben Kingsley (“Learning to Drive,” “The Walk”), Lupita Nyong‘o (“12 Years a Slave,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”) and Christopher Walken (“The Deer Hunter”), as well as Bill Murray (“Lost in Translation”), Idris Elba (“Star Trek Beyond”), Scarlett Johansson (“Avengers: Age of Ultron”) and Giancarlo Esposito (“Breaking Bad’).

With its roots in classic Disney animation, Jon Favreau’s epic live-action version of “The Jungle Book” called for a powerful score. Veteran composer John Debney brought his award-winning sensibilities to the film—along with a notable history as part of the Disney family.

“I have quite a history with Disney,” says Debney, whose father Louis Debney was hired by Walt Disney himself in the mid-1930s. “When I was a youngster, they were making this incredible magical film called ‘The Jungle Book,’ and I was sort of a studio brat. I got to know the young man Bruce Reitherman who played Mowgli. We would go on adventures around the world with his family.”  When John was a boy he got to spend the day with the Sherman Brothers at the lot and decided then, that he would create music for films too.

According to Debney, the plan from the get-go was to create a classic score reminiscent of the 1967 film. “Jon [Favreau] wanted a timeless sound to the score and I embraced that,” says the composer. “That’s where I come from. I love writing really rich, beautiful Disney-esque music.”

Favreau wanted to pay homage to the original in a subtle way. “We were able to reinterpret and highlight snippets of the songs we all know and love,” says Debney. “I couldn’t believe I’d get to work with Dick and Bob Sherman’s music. I think it’s really smart to embrace these amazing, classic tunes—yet bring them into this new interpretation of the story in our own way.”

The score features a classic orchestral sound accented by ethnic instruments, including bass flutes, woodwinds, big drums, Indian violin and Indian flute. An impressive 104-piece orchestra brought Debney’s score to life.

The Jungle Book track list follows:

1. “The Bare Necessities” Performed by DR. JOHN and The Nite Trippers
2. “Trust in Me” Performed by Scarlett Johansson
3. “Main Titles – Jungle Run”
4. “Wolves – Law of the Jungle”
5. “Water Truce”
6. “The Rains Return”
7. “Mowgli’s Leaving – Elephant Theme”
8. “Shere Khan Attacks – Stampede”
9. “Kaa – Baloo to the Rescue”
10. “Honeycomb Climb”
11. “The Man Village”
12. “Mowgli and the Pit”
13. “Monkeys Kidnap Mowgli”
14. “Arrival at King Louie’s Temple”
15. “Cold Lair Chase”
16. “The Red Flower”
17. “To the River”
18. “Shere Khan’s War Theme”
19. “Shere Khan and the Fire”
20. “Elephant Waterfall”
21. “Mowgli Wins the Race”
22. “The Jungle Book Closes
23. “I Wan’na Be Like You (2016)” Performed by Christopher Walken
24. “The Bare Necessities” Performed by Bill Murray & Kermit Ruffins

The Jungle Book soundtrack is now available at iTunes http://smarturl.it/jbsa1, Amazon http://smarturl.it/jbsama2, streaming services http://smarturl.it/jbssta1, and wherever music is sold.  For more information on Walt Disney Records’ releases, like us on Facebook.com/disneymusic or follow us at Twitter.com/disneymusic.

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Walt Disney Records Announces Compilation Album Everybody Loves Disney

Walt Disney Records has released the compilation album Everybody Loves Disney, now available at all download stores (http://smarturl.it/elda1) and streaming services (http://smarturl.it/eldsta1).  The album features YouTube stars with a combined 14 million subscribers and 2.7 billion views, delivering their own unique interpretations of classic Disney songs.  Each artist revealed their music videos on their respective social media platforms on the digital album release date, Friday, March 25th.   The unique collaboration between the label and YouTube stars is in celebration of last year’s Top 10 Billboard album, We Love Disney, produced by David Foster.

Everybody Loves Disney highlights include “Go the Distance” (from “Hercules”) by Kurt Hugo Schneider (3M subscribers) with Hollywood Records artist Shawn Hook.  Hook’s current single, “Sound of Your Heart” is a Top 25 hit at Top 40 radio and is #1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Chart. The video for “Sound of Your Heart” has amassed over 4 million online views.  Additionally, Sam Tsui (2.3M+ subscribers) performs “The Rainbow Connection” from “The Muppets” and Alex G (1.5M subscribers) performs her version of “A Whole New World” from “Aladdin.”

Everybody Loves Disney track list follows:

  1. “Go the Distance” – Kurt Hugo Schneider and Shawn Hook
  2. “Colors of the Wind” – MAX
  3. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” – Tyler Ward
  4. “Friend Like Me” – Todrick Hall
  5. “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” – David Choi
  6. “A Whole New World “– Alex G
  7. “Let it Go” – Peter Hollens
  8. “Rainbow Connection” – Sam Tsui
  9. “Zero to Hero” – Gardiner Sisters
  10. “Wan’na Be Like You” – Tessa Violet
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Disney Music Emporium Presented By Disney Music Group Featured At Comic-Con International’s WonderCon 2016

Disney Music Emporium, the online destination for collectible Disney music products, will take physical form at Booth #2036 at WonderCon 2016 on March 25, 26, and 27 at theLos Angeles Convention Center. Over the 3-day event, the Emporium will feature exclusive and limited edition music products, free gifts, plus album signings by award-winning composers.

Scheduled for Friday, March 25 in Room 515B, DME presents “The Composers: Today’s Greatest Superheroes of Music” moderated by Jon Burlingame. The panel of composer superheroes will discuss creating the music that helps bring Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Disney movies and TV series to life. Scheduled to appear on the panel are Brian Tyler (Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, Marvel’s Iron Man 3), Tyler Bates (Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy), John Debney (Marvel’s Iron Man 2, The Jungle Book), and Kevin Kiner (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels). Autograph signings will immediately follow the panel in DME’s booth #2036.

Limited quantities of a wide assortment of music products and posters will be available for purchase including: Star Wars BB-8 Die-Cut Picture Disc, WonderCon/DME Limited Edition Poster, Captain America Limited Edition Poster with Picture Disc Vinyl and The Winter Soldier CD, TRON Legacy Limited Print Poster with TRON LegacyTranslucence Vinyl, Picture Disc Vinyl Box Collectible Set, and The Nightmare Before Christmas Vinyl Picture Disc.  Additionally, The Jungle Book Picture Disc Vinyl and Star Wars: The Force Awakens Picture Disc Vinyl albums, will be available for the first time at WonderCon.

 

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