Review of Jim Brickman At The Magic Kingdom: The Disney Songbook

Introduction

Ok, if you like Di$ney or you like musicals, I`d stop reading now, because I`m not going to say anything nice about either of these things. Call me a miserable old git if you will, but here are a few of my least favourite things - Di$ney and musicals, all handily combined into one DVD.

This DVD contains a concert that was filmed at Di$neyworld in Florida. The main star of the show is pianist Jim Brickman, who is joined on stage by various special guests, although none of them really have an international pedigree, except for the evil balladeer Michael Bolton. Also appearing are Wayne Brady, Linda Eder, Lila McCann, Anne Cochran and Tracy Silverman. Who are any of them?

The songs are listed up above.

Video

A dull and uninteresting 1.33:1 NTSC transfer, as this is a region 1 disc. It`s a man playing a piano, some Di$ney characters bounce around on stage, and some guests turn up. It`s no Pink Floyd laser show.

Audio

A standard DD2.0 stereo soundtrack, which allows you to hear all the songs, if you want to. You might have expected a bit more, like a DD5.1 soundtrack, or something to make this a worthwhile DVD. As it is, a CD would suffice.

Features

There is a music video for Beautiful and also a brief "Making of", but these are really of no consequence.

Conclusion

Ok, you`ve probably got it by now. I hate Di$ney, and I don`t much like musicals either. So combining the two is not my idea of a great night in. Perhaps it would have been better if there were a few more "classics" on here, but as it is, the poor treatment of the few that are here don`t inspire confidence.

Insipid versions of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah (Bill Bailey`s Portishead version is miles better), Bare Necessities and Cruella De Vil just want to make you switch off. Some of the original versions of the songs aren`t always that bad, but the performance here renders all the songs into soppy mush.

If you do like Di$ney or musicals, why not go and buy either a Di$ney DVD or a different DVD of a musical? It will be much better than this experience which is bland and tedious. Even fans should avoid it.