When the Carthay Circle Restaurant opened at Disney California Adventure, a special soundtrack was created featuring jazz versions of classic Disney songs. This album, the Carthay Circle Sessions: The Music of Carthay Circle, has just been released on iTunes and is also available for download from Amazon.
The album is a great way for parents to introduce their children to jazz music. Disney used a talented group of musicians to create the album, including the album’s arranger, Bill Cantos, and the album’s producer, Bill Schnee, who is an 11-time Grammy nominee.
The album has several songs that were created after the Carthay Circle Restaurant’s 1937 theme, but the jazz sounds feel at home inside the restaurant. A little noticed detail is that the soundtrack changes from the lower level to the upper level of the restaurant. Downstairs, the music is represented by an ensemble trio, while upstairs the same music is played in a variety of light jazz piano tones.
1. A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes (from “Cinderella”)
2. Be Our Guest* (from “Beauty and the Beast”)
3. Ev’rybody Wants to Be A Cat (from “The Aristocats”)
4. Winnie the Pooh
5. A Whole New World*** (from “Aladdin”)
6. Alice in Wonderland
7. He’s a Tramp (from “Lady and the Tramp”)
8. Can You Feel The Love Tonight** (from “The Lion King”)
9. If I Didn’t Have You** (from “Monsters, Inc.”)
10. Married Life*** (from “Up”)
11. Some Day My Prince Will Come (from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”)
12. You’ve Got A Friend In Me* (from “Toy Story”)
*Best Original Song Academy Award nominee
**Best Original Song Academy Award winner
***Best Original Score Academy Award Winner
In addition to iTunes and Amazon, you can buy the album on CD at the Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge or at several shops inside Disney California Adventure such as Elias & Co. and Off the Page.
