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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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Fantastic soundtrack!
I love this CD! It's like I'm watching the movie but I'm able to get on and do other things at the same time. The only thing is that it would be cool if the songs were actually in the order that they are in the movie.
Rating: 
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fine original motion picture soundtrack
Disney's Beauty And The Beast stunned me with its beauty; and it certainly had a magnificent soundtrack of tunes as well! This CD gives us every major song from the original motion picture; and Disney fans will enjoy this one very much!
The track set begins with the "Prologue" from the movie. The strings and percussion carry the melody well; the brass enhances the music even more. The narrator tells us some background history that helps us to understand the action at the beginning of the movie. Great!
"Belle," a wonderful number performed by Paige O'Hara, tells us about the character of Belle as a way of introducing her to the moviegoers--and the listeners of this CD. Paige O'Hara sings "Belle" to perfection and the strings, percussion, and backup chorus bolster the number. The reprise of "Belle" gives us Paige O'Hara singing with all her heart and soul; Belle dreams of the wonderful life filled with adventure and love that she wants to lead. "Gaston" lets Richard White, who did the voiceovers for the character of Gaston, deliver this number with panache. Richard White gets ample help from his sidekick and a fine backup chorus, too. Richard White's excellent diction helps to make his performance of "Gaston" even better!
"Be Our Guest" gives us a typical lush Disney ballad with a catchy melody and a strong backup chorus to make this number stand out as a highlight of this CD. The musical arrangement makes good use of the percussion from the very beginning; and the strings, brass and percussion go on to make this number take flight! Listen also for Angela Lansbury to sing her part in this number as the character of Mrs. Potts. Angela sings her lines flawlessly.
The song entitled "Beauty And The Beast" stuns me with its beauty just as it did all those years ago when I saw this film--twice--on the big screen. Angela Lansbury sings her part without a superfluous note as do the others. The violins greatly enhance the charm of "Beauty And The Beast."
In addition, if you're looking for some background music that was strictly background music without any singing, listen to "West Wing." I predict that you will appreciate this instrumental track very much as it sets the tone for the scene in the movie in which Belle enters the West Wing of the beast's castle to find what's hidden there. The track entitled "Transformation" is more background music played as the beast turns back into a handsome prince from the ugly beast he once was. At the end there is a fine chorus singing a few lines from the song "Beauty And The Beast." Great!
The final track gives us a stunning duet between Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson as they deliver "Beauty And The Beast" with great care and sensitivity. What a great ending for this album!
The liner notes give us the names of the actors who did the voiceovers for the major characters in the animated film; and the artwork impresses me as well. Alan Menken and Howard Ashman did a great job of writing the music and the lyrics respectively.
At the end of the day, this CD gives us a fine selection of words and music from the Disney animated film Beauty And The Beast. I highly recommend this album for Disney fans; and people who enjoy show tunes will appreciate this album as well.
Great job, everybody!
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a true masterpiece in every sense of the word
when alan menken and howard ashman put together their second disney feature i dont think that anyone could have known what a masterpiece beauty and the beast would become. the film itself was praised for its maturity and remains the only animated film in history to every be nominated for a best motion picture academy award (it deserved it instead of silence of the lambs) musically the film was magnificient as well. it was adapted into a full length broadway musical three years later. but this original piece will forever remain the benchmark for all other animated works and their music.
alan menken's hauntingly beautiful score is a true masterpiece. the musical scores for the west wing and the beast lets belle go are moving and powerful. the emotional level that every piece reaches is amazing and menken absolutely deserved this oscar for best score. this is not only his best score, but quite possibly one of the greatest musical scores in history.
SCORE 5 out of 5
the songs are all quite powerfull and fun with a definate broadway, its no wonder that it was so seamlessly turned into a broadway musical.
BELLE - this is the strongest opening to ever appear in a disney film. the broadway feel makes it a great way to kick off the film it is both fun and quirky but definately contains a more serous undertone. this was originally suppossed to be shortened down, but luckilly it was left intact. paige o'hara as belle is nothing short of amazing.
5 out of 5
BELLE (REPRISE) - this is short but is very strong due again to o'hara's vocals. her vocals paired with ashman's stirring lyrics of longing make this short but definately a winner.
5 out of 5
GASTON - this is a fun song that is both witty and darkly clever. ashman's lyrics and richard white's performance as gaston carry this song. it may be the weakest of the piece, but it's still fun and catchy and shouldn't be missed
3 out of 5
GASTON (REPRISE) - this is really just an extention of the song listed above, but this one is much more twistidly clever and is actually stronger that the first song.
3 out of 5
BE OUR GUEST - this is one of the most famous songs from the soundtrack and its obveous why after just one listen. jerry orbach and angela landsburry both give great performances that along with menken's french-influenced score and ashman's fun clever lyrics make this song sound fun and fresh. its a great song that really does epitimize the fun of the piece and of ashman's lyrics.
5 out of 5
SOMETHING THERE - this is a short little song but it is the first hint at belle and the beast as lovers. o'hara and robby benson both give great but short performances. orbach, lansbury and david ogden stiers also give fun performances as the objects. this is beautiful and romanticly sweet little song.
5 out of 5
HUMAN AGAIN - this wasn't included in the original theatrical film (why i dont know) this is a great song that is fun and brilliant. ashman yet again outdoes himself with great lyrics and again the household objects give dynamic performances. im so glad that this is back for the special edition since its a real gem that shouldn't be missed.
5 out of 5
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - this is the most famous song from the movie and it won the oscar for best original song. just one listen shows why. lansbury gives a beautifully moving performance as mrs potts singing this. this is of course the song that shows the beast and belle as lovers and it does so perfectly. this song never dumbs things down it goes for the full romantic punch. well done
5 out of 5
THE MOB SONG - this is possibly the cleverest piece. the use of shakespearean lyrics make this a twisted and dark piece that effectively shows human nature that still rings true today. this is an overlooked but strong song that again is lifted by white's performance as the now sinister gaston.
5 out of 5
the best part of all these songs is how none of them dumb down the romance or more "adult" themes for the kiddies. this film allows itself to be fully romantic and that's why it has been so praised and lived on in such a flattering light. the near-perfect music not only aided this, but were a crucial part of this maturity.
SONGS OVERALL 5 out of 5
as i said earlier, this is one the greatest film scores of all times. it may not be as recognizable or memorable as say star wars or gone with the wind, but the emotional punch that it makes elevates it far past these other two scores. menken truly outdid himself and ashman's lyrics work perfectly. the performances from all the performers are dynamic, fun, powerful, and intense. everythign works perfectly here and truly makes for an experience that is truly magical.
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Great Disney CD: For Children of all ages
I really enjoyed this CD. IT is the soundtrack for Beauty and the Beast.
I especially enjoyed " BE our Guest". This is an all around excellent Disney CD with lots of vocals,and intrigue. The singers are very talented, and well re-hearsed. I love this CD. It's worth the money. Go and buy it!!!
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got this as a present for someone else
This was a present to a friend. She liked it. I love soundtracks and Disney music, so it's pretty good.
