Is it me, or is Disney starting to feature a lot of music from
the ’60s and ’70s, especially with leaning towards acid rock, in
their soundtracks? It was there on
Remember The Titans, and it’s now on the soundtrack for
Recess: School’s Out, the latest animated feature based on a
popular television cartoon. If kids are wearing tie-dye, chances
are it won’t be because it’s popular.
Actually, I’m thrilled that soundtracks like these feature such
songs (even if a few selections are tired and hackneyed); it allows
kids the chance to experience something past the pre-packaged
pretty-boy-and-girl pabulum that tops the charts these days. Plus,
I admit I’m biased, since I grew up on this music, and I still love
it to this day.
Anyone who listens to oldies radio will probably find themselves
gravitating towards over half of
Recess: School’s Out. What a collection of songs and artists
– Martha And The Vandellas (“Dancing In The Street”), The Surfaris
(“Wipe Out”), Human Beinz (“Nobody But Me” – at least now I know
who performs this song), Three Dog Night (“One” – hey, at least
they didn’t pick “Joy To The World”). If anyone thinks I’m going to
complain about this lineup – well, frankly, I’d like to have heard
more, but that’s just me.
A surprise inclusion is “Incense And Peppermints” from
Strawberry Alarm Clock, a real slice of psychedelia for your
preschooler. It’s innocent enough for the tykes, and I’d have no
problem letting my four-year-old listen to it, but I’m willing to
bet this one might just re-awaken an acid glimmer in someone’s eye.
(Interesting nugget of trivia: Strawberry Alarm Clock featured
guitarist Ed King – who later on became a founding member of Lynyrd
Skynyrd.)
There is, however, one major letdown – Robert Goulet performing
“Green Tambourine”. (What, do The Lemon Pipers – the original
artists – not need the royalties?) The only reason I can see Goulet
included is that the kids might recognize him as the singing voice
of Wheezy the penguin from
Toy Story 2. Hearing a cabaret lounge singer tackle this
track would be like getting Chuck D to front a country-and-western
band. It just doesn’t fit, and it’s uncomfortable to listen to.
On the other hand, Myra’s remake of “Dancing In The Street” is
more appropriate, staying somewhat close to the structure of the
original. Obviously included to capture the attention of the
kiddies with the pretty-boy-and-girl pop, she does a good job on
this version, tying things up nicely.
The one instrumental selection, Denis Hannigan’s “Recess Suite,”
occasionally displays too boldly its synthesized roots, making the
piece feel a little contrived. Then again, this is an adult
talking; the kids will probably eat this one up and want more.
Besides, I’m sure it fits the plot of the film well enough. (You
guessed it – I haven’t seen this film, but this is more because my
daughter isn’t into the show “Recess”. Blame her, not me.)
Recess: School’s Out is a disc that adults will find they
can enjoy as much as the kids – in some ways, even more so. And
despite a slip or two, it is a well-constructed collection that
will entertain the little ones as much as educate them about the
music of their parents and grandparents.
