Review of Disney Mania in Concert

Introduction

`Disneymania in Concert` is a natural extension from the success in the U.S of the `Disneymania` CD`s where teen-idol pop stars (like Ashanti and Jesse McCartney) sing some Disney songs in contemporary style.

Maybe the CD`s have enjoyed so much success because they provide a natural bridge from kiddie-dom to early-teens, in a wholesome and painless way. Three CD`s on, and Disney have recognised the potential of a CD release showing a number of these artists `doing it live` at a Disney resort theatre.

The DVD contains 7 artists covering some 13 tracks including `True to your heart`, `Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah` and `Circle of Life`. Running at a mere 54 minutes, it`s rather like a single episode of a TV special, mixing brief interviews with half-mimed performances that will please no one other than early-teen fans of the acts on offer.

So who`s in this star-studded line up? Well, hardly anyone known here in the UK. Rather a parade of white teethed, slightly tanned, spiky haired white pretty boys who will mean something to the average 11 year old stateside - like Stevie Brock, Clay Aitkin and Jesse McCartney.

There are also a number of female contributors and this time there`s some varied ethnic representation. These include artistes like the aforementioned Ashanti, The Beu Sisters and Raven-Symone.

Proceedings are hosted by Raven-Symone who sings three songs before introducing the remaining acts.

Though the real-musical meat here is Disney, some of the acts also deliver a dollop of their own work (like Stevie Brock`s `All 4 Love`) but it`s all frighteningly inoffensive.

All the performances here are `live` as long as you accept that `live` means the artist in question is adding something over elaborate backing tracks.

That `something` varies considerably here from full-flight singing to merely shouting the odd word of encouragement to the small audience.

Choreography is predictably slick throughout, though all predictable in the extreme.

SET LIST

"True To Your Heart" - Raven (Originally from Mulan)

Introduction/Welcome from Raven

"The Second Star To The Right" - Jesse McCartney (Originally from Peter Pan)

Backstage Interview with Jesse McCartney
"Beautiful Soul" - Jesse McCartney

Behind The Scenes of "Anytime You Need A Friend" Music Video with the Beu Sisters

"He`s A Tramp" - The Beu Sisters (Originally from Lady and the Tramp)

Backstage Interviews with The Beu Sisters

"Anytime You Need A Friend" - The Beu Sisters (From Home on the Range)

Studio recording, interview, and film clips from Ashanti and Lil Sis Shi Shi`s Colors of the Wind (Originally from Pocahontas)

"Best Day of My Life" - Jesse McCartney
"Shine" - Raven (from "That`s So Raven")

Studio Interview with Stevie Brock

"Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" - Stevie Brock (Originally from Song of the South)

Disney Channel Circle Of Stars music video: Circle of Life (Originally from The Lion King)

"All For Love" - Stevie Brock

Backstage Interview with Stevie Brock

Grand Finale: "Supernatural" - Raven (from "That`s So Raven")

Closing from Raven/Credits

Video

The concert has been shot 1.33:1 probably with television in mind. Some of the extras are in 16:9 widescreen though , like Ashanti`s studio session. Video quality is OK (for NTSC) and it`s clearly been shot and edited on a high-grade digital video format.

Audio

Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo sound only, despite the fact that this majors on the music. Maybe it was felt that the little-ears that this music is destined for wouldn`t be able to discern the difference between this and a 5.1 mix which might have made the whole `live experience` a lot more fun. It`s a full and meaty sound though with some major thumping bass throughout.

Features

There`s not much here - just an extra promo previously featured on the Aladdin Platinum Edition DVD released last year; Clay Aiken`s "Proud of Your Boy".

Conclusion

The saccharine-sweet sub-franchise of `Disneymania` is no better, and no worse, than many other cynical marketing ploys to separate hard-won pocket-money from the hands of the young and gullible pre-teen market. Most the music here is fine - and it`s certainly inoffensive, and will delight fans of the individual acts included here.

The disc itself seems a little lean for a casual purchase though, running at just 54 minutes and offering very little in the way of extra material for the outlay.The purist in me is still irked at the suggestion that this concert is `live`. The only truly `live` element of the performance is the final layer of vocal added to an already pretty complete backing-track. Oh - and the dancing!

If you`re a fan of Disney music and / or any of the young acts here, then go ahead in the full knowledge of what awaits you. It won`t be any better or worse than you imagine it to be.