Less than one year ago, Walt Disney Records announced The Legacy Collection, a 12-title series marking various anniversaries of classic Disney films and even a theme park. In June, the series kicked off with a deluxe expansion of the soundtrack to The Lion King to commemorate that film's 20th year, and since then we've received similarly expanded editions of Mary Poppins (50th), Sleeping Beauty (55th), The Little Mermaid (25th), Fantasia (75th) and Pinocchio (75th). Future releases were promised to arrive through this August, with Toy Story, Disneyland, Lady and the Tramp, Pocahontas, The Aristocats and Cinderella planned to round out the original twelve title line-up.
Having released just half of the initially announced titles, however, the label has changed its plans, readjusting various dates and postponing one title indefinitely. Stitch Kingdom was among the first to report last week that the Legacy Collection edition of Randy Newman's score to Toy Story has been taken off the schedule, though Walt Disney Records still hopes a release might be possible before this year's Disney D23 Fan Expo in August.
The updated Legacy Collection schedule is now as follows:
- Lady and the Tramp (60th anniversary) - Originally slated for May 12, it's been rescheduled for April 28 exclusively through Disney's soundtrack partner Intrada;
- Disneyland (60th) - Originally everywhere April 7, this title will now arrive in The Happiest Place on Earth itself on May 6 and at general retail on August 18;
- Cinderella (65th) - Originally August 14 to coincide with the D23 Expo, Cinderella will now arrive a couple of months earlier on June 23;
- Pocahontas (20th) - Originally set for June 23, Pocahontas has been delayed until July 21; and
- The Aristocats (45th) - This title has been the least adjusted. Originally set to premiere August 14 at the D23 Expo, it will arrive three days early, on August 11, at the Expo and arrive in stores on August 18.
The choice to distribute Lady and the Tramp exclusively through online retailer Intrada is the most intriguing change here; Intrada has most recently made Disney scores for Escape to Witch Mountain, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure and Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue through its first-of-a-kind partnership with Disney. Should general retail releases cease for The Legacy Collection, one fervently hopes that Intrada will pick up the baton.
Watch this space for further updates on each of the six remaining Legacy Collection titles including the indefinitely postponed Toy Story!
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This is just like Disney to do something like this. When Disney made the original announcement for the release schedule of upcoming releases, it was very exciting. They went all out on packaging, presentation, and content. I am cool if they wish to release LADY AND THE TRAMP through Intrada, but, if it is not the same book format as prior releases and contain extra content within, then I very much doubt I will continue with the purchase even with it being sold through Intrada. I was very excited about getting an in-depth soundtrack for TOY STORY, its any wonder why they removed it from their schedule. It is my opinion that Disney had finally stumbled on a success story with the releases through the Legacy Collection and that they would continue releases even after the initial current listings. Now I find that all in doubt now.
I just started collecting these, was looking forward to a nice line up on the CD shelf. Guess we'll take what we can get! 😛
The Lion King was a stellar release. Substantially expanded with relevant bonus tracks. Mary Poppins had at least an expansive second disc with performance demos and newly recorded versions of those to recommend it even though discs 1 and 3 were reissues. The Legacy Collection lost some steam with a much shorter bonus disc for Sleeping Beauty and a reissue of the existing single disc program. Just a bit better was The Little Mermaid that expanded the main film score, but repurposed a great deal, but not all, of the material from the 1994 Music Behind the Magic box set as bonus tracks. Fantasia was a solid release including both the original score and the 1982 re recording with substantial sound improvement for all the material. The most recent Legacy Collection release was a serious stumble and if left me feeling wheels were coming off of the Legacy Series after only five releases. Pinocchio is a straight reissue of a 23 old master. There was certainly room for new mastering technology to have improved this release substantially. I know the the existing soundtrack is cobbled together from elements that are 75 years old but the 2009 blu-ray release certainly demonstrates that improvement is possible. Beyond that, there are 3 bonus tracks that are exclusive to this release and a smattering of of Jiminy Cricket performances from appearances outside Pinocchio that bear no real relation to this soundtrack. The indefinite postponement of Toy Story and the rescheduling of the rest are not a happy occasion and doesn't bode well for the series to continue, but I'd also say I hope they're getting it together to provide better releases than Pinocchio. There's so many others that could have amazing releases that it's really disappointing to see it already seem to be fading away.
The best thing about this news article for me was finding out that the Escape to Witch Mountain score was recently released by Intrada. I had NO idea, and I ordered a copy within five minutes after reading this. Thanks, Joe! 😀 Us Joes have to look out for one another, as has been decreed by the Broseph Code.
@Robert Nail on the head! Preach it! While I personally thought Little Mermaid really made up for the disappointing Sleeping Beauty (which was my number one clamored-for release), Pinocchio really felt like a real troll move. You elaborated it all very well so I'll just say, "I agree."
My reaction after listening through Pinocchio's so-called Legacy Collection was, "Should I even be excited about the Disneyland and Cinderella releases anymore...?"
Really, aside from the lovely Mary Poppins and the excellent Lion King which I happily purchased, the only release I'd be interested in would be Toy Story, which is now off the radar.
Too bad.
I'm wondering if they will ever find it in themselves to release soundtracks from the original (and maybe possibly even) the 1970's revival of the Mickey Mouse Club on cd. Years ago I ripped the original vinyl to CD for my daughter and she loved it for several years. Would be nice for some remastered treatment.
I'm new to collecting Disney music but was wondering if anyone could direct me to find a solid collection of Silly Symphonies music? Most comprehensive/best sounding? Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
They heard you!
All Silly Symphonies released on LPs + digital download:
http://www.disneymusicemporium.com/rgshop/silly-symphony-collection/
Julien
It's now April 8th. Take a look at Intrada's webpage. There is no sign of Lady and the Tramp, nor is there any sign anywhere of what the cover will look like or the contents anywhere on the net. My guess is there won't be, because it will never see the light of day.
For years I've had experiences like this with Disney music. They announce a series, you start collecting and then for no reason they just stop. My guess with the legacy series, aside from The Lion King and possibly The Little Mermaid, they just haven't been selling in the amounts Disney expect, so they just pull the plug, whilst giving the impression all's well at the Mouse factory. I really hoped these release would happen, but if they I for one will be surprised.
@PaulMorris - I know this eventually came out and this post is somewhat old, but I didn't understand the selection of releases (aside from the fact that they either fell on a x0 or x5 anniversary). Some of them are a little obscure and others are extremely well known, which I guess adds some variety, but perhaps they should have concentrated on groups of popular collections. Like maybe:
-Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast, Aladdin, and Lion King
-Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland
-Pinocchio, Dumbo, Bambi, Jungle Book
I was extremely happy that Pocahontas was released though. It is one of my favorite soundtracks. I am hoping some type of release will be done for Beauty and the Beast this year, since it is 25th anniversary and then next year for Aladdin.
I wouldn't lose faith just yet. The scheduled date is April 28, which is consistent with Intrada's usual Tuesday release day. The official announcements on their site usually come the evening before, so I would expect confirmation by Intrada on the 27th.
I wish that they would create a legacy collection for Mulan, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Beauty and the Beast, and Tangled. There are so many beautiful scores missing. If anyone hears any news about these scores being made into a collection, please let me know.