Just two days ago, we brought you the news about Walt Disney Records' latest entry in its Legacy Collection series: Lady and the Tramp. Now, we have a little more information and release information about the next entry in the series, this time devoted to the Happiest Place on Earth: Disneyland!
Disneyland, of course, hardly needs an introduction. Since opening on July 17, 1955, it has become arguably the most famous theme park on the planet and hosts millions of visitors each year. The park also has a rich musical tradition with original songs from the various attractions woven into the fabric of guests' childhoods such as the music from Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, The Enchanted Tiki Room or It's a Small World. (The memorable music for the latter two attractions was provided by the Academy Award-winning team of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman.) If that were not enough, there has been unique music written for the various performers, parades, and firework shows which have come and gone over the park's six decades.
Timed to coincide with the theme park's 60th anniversary Diamond Celebration beginning next month, The Legacy Collection: Disneyland will be released exclusively at Disneyland itself on May 20 (just two days before the official 60th anniversary festivities begin) and will then go into wide release on August 21.
While a track list has not been released yet, a little more information has been revealed by Walt Disney Records. The set will consist of three CDs and its contents are described as such: "Discs One and Two cover the lands beginning with Main Street U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Mickey's Toontown and Tomorrowland, plus 5 songs from Disney California Adventure Park. Disc Three features an additional 12 songs from Disney California Adventure Park, plus music from "The Main Street Electrical Parade" and "Fantasmic!"
Disney has been releasing music for Disneyland since nearly the beginning of the park's existence starting with releases in the 1956 devoted to the Disneyland Band and Walt Disney himself giving a tour of the original lands of the park. Since then, there have been dozens upon dozens of releases devoted to Disneyland itself and spreading out to include Walt Disney World, the various international Disney parks and California Adventure. The most comprehensive official look at the music of Disneyland was the impressive six-disc box set from 2005 entitled A Musical History of Disneyland which was released for the park's 50th anniversary. Over the years, a mixture of actual ride soundtracks and specially created musical pieces have been used to put together the various albums. The most recent park-related issue is 2013's 2-CD edition of The Official Album of Disneyland which is still in print and available at the park and online.
This new set is produced by Randy Thornton who has been involved with numerous Disney musical projects including the Disneyland 50th anniversary box. The liner notes are by Disney historian Stacia Martin. The three CDs will come in the usual hardbound CD-size book format of the Legacy Collection. The 24-page book will also feature new artwork inspired by Disneyland from Disney Animation artist Lorelay Bove.
We will of course provide you with the full track listing for The Legacy Collection: Disneyland when it becomes available. So, if you are in the mood to relive Disneyland's history in music, or are lucky enough to visit The Happiest Place on Earth after May 20 as part of its 60th anniversary Diamond Celebration, this set might just be for you!
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Randy Thornton's work is always top-notch. I do wish he'd been put in charge of this entire Legacy Collection project. They've been riding on the coattails of his work on many of the releases where his already existing soundtrack restorations - Sleeping Beauty, Lady and the Tramp, Mary Poppins have been used to form the core of the release. In the case of Mary Poppins, the bonus material was largely Thornton driven content from the previous expansion. I hold out hope that Mr. Thornton is able to provide us with something on the Disneyland Legacy Collection set that isn't redundant for those of us who have all the Disneyland Official album releases that he's produced, as well as the fabulous 50th set from ten years (!) ago.
Just curious... will (finally) be heading for Mouse World later in the year. Is there any one place specifically I should be looking for CD's, or is this another case of "the merchandise hits you from every angle, if you miss it you just weren't paying attention?"
Thanx
Dave -
There isn't really a specific place in Disneyland to look for specific merchandise. Each store has a different selection which greatly overlaps, but is not exactly the same. You may see one item at every store you visit and then only see an item at one particular store. I think your best bets would be the Emporium on Main Street or the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney. These are the two largest stores in Disneyland and both offer a selection of CDs, so hopefully they would carry a copy of this Legacy CD. If you don't find it there, you can ask a salesperson. They may be able to look up in their computer if any other store has it in stock. Hope this helps. Thanks for reading.