The
Best of The Muppets
Featuring The Muppet Wizard of Oz
Greg
James (February 1, 2005) - Disney released their
first Muppet CD, "The Best of The Muppets Featuring The Muppet Wizard
of Oz," a few days before the film’s television premiere. The
CD features 15 songs; 9 classic Muppet hits and 6 from "The Muppet
Wizard of Oz.” Like many Muppet fans, I am a little disappointed that
eight out of the nine “classics” also appeared on 2002’s
“The Muppet Show: Music, Mayhem and More”
CD. The CD should have been titled “The Muppet Wizard of Oz Soundtrack
(with 9 bonus tracks of Muppet classics)”. Track
1: "Kansas" by Ashanti
The first track on the CD is a solo by Ashanti. This song kicks off the
film as well. It's not a bad song, but I would have liked some Muppets
to kick off the album.
Track 2: "When
I’m With You" by Ashanti & Kermit, Gonzo, Fozzie, Pepe
This catchy little number is the only song on the album to feature Gonzo,
Fozzie, and Pepe, which is a little sad. The song is cute and full of
classic Muppety fun.
Track 3: "The
Witch Is in the House" by Miss Piggy & the Electric Mayhem
This song is probably my favorite new song from the "Oz" portion
of the CD. It is full of the Piggy we all know and the cool and funky
Electric Mayhem backing her up. Sadly the song does not feature Dr. Teeth
and the Electric Mayhem on vocal work, rather Piggy is backed up by Johnny
Fiama and her henchmen.
Track 4: "Calling
All Munchkins" by The Munchkin Tap-your-knuckle Choir
This is a short song (and not just because it’s sung by rats)—lasting
about 15 seconds. The song is full of fun, but I wish it were longer.
Given its context in the film, I’m surprised Disney even considered
it worthy of the CD.
Track 5: "Good Life" by Ashanti
This is another Ashanti dominated track from “Oz”. It is a
nice song and really embodies the Muppet spirit, but lacks one key Muppet
quality– Muppets!
Track 6: "Nap
Time" by The Electric Mayhem
This song is an instrumental so the Electric Mayhem remain silent. On
the bright side, the track is a great jam and classic Electric Mayhem.
I’m glad that even though it is 2005 the Mayhem have not changed
their style or lost their groove.
Track 7: "The
Muppet Show Theme" by the Muppets
The Muppet Show theme on this release is different from the one found
on the most recent CD releases. This version features the original opening
version with a joke by Fozzie Bear. It is definitely a staple for any
“best of” collection and always fun to hear.
Track 8: "Mahna
Mahna" by Mahna Mahna & the Two Snowths
We all know it, we all love it, and we all own a bunch of copies of it
already. It’s a great song and a great skit, but it is probably
one of the most released Muppet songs (along with The Muppet Show Theme,
and Bein’ Green).
Track 9: " (It’s
Not Easy) Bein’ Green" by Kermit
Another Muppet classic, and truly a “best of.” The 25th Anniversary
CD by Rhino chopped off the opening chords of "Bein' Green"
and it was a delight to hear the opening intact on this CD.
Track 10: "Rainbow
Connection" by Kermit
The only song not from "Oz" or “The Muppet Show.”
I love it, but I already own it. Still, it wouldn’t be a “Best
of” CD without it.
Track 11: "Lady
of Spain" by Marvin Suggs and his Muppaphone
This skit was funny on the Muppet Show, but on a record you lose the charm
of the bit. I put up with it on the Muppet Show 25th Anniversary CD; but
I don't think it should be classified in "The Best of The Muppets".
Track 12: "Halfway
Down the Stairs" by Robin
I love this song, and I was upset it was not available before on CD. It
is the only "classic song" on the CD that was not also on the
Muppet Show 25th Anniversary CD. Jerry Nelson does a great job in this
classic and touching Muppet hit. Did I mention that I love this song?
**Can you verify it
was never released and is it clear he means Robin’s version? Rowlf’s
version is on the SST Celebrates Jim CD**
Track 13: "What
Now My Love?" by Miss Piggy
For those familiar with this song you should know that the Kermit and
Piggy intro to "What Now My Love" is cut a bit. Personally I
was never a fan of this song, and think another unreleased song would
have been a better choice.
Track 14: "Tenderly"
by The Electric Mayhem
Yet another song that could have been replaced with another classic. It’s
not a bad song, but I would never have put it on my top 10 list and I
think many fans would agree. But since it is the Electric Mayhem I'll
let it slide .
Track 15: "Happy
Feet" by Kermit and the Frog Chorus
It was great on the show, it was great on the last CD, but I think it's
becoming a little over rated.
Over all I give the
CD 3 Kermits. I like the new "Oz" songs and I'm impressed that
Disney decided to release the songs from a TV-movie on CD (especially
before it even aired). I like how they included some "classic"
tracks, but wish they had dug into the archives more and picked a better
variety of songs. A lot of the CD seemed like a double-dip and rehash
of past releases. I would have enjoyed some unreleased or under released
stuff like: "Memory Lane" by Gonzo; "Mr. Bassman"
by Floyd and Scooter; "Pennsylvania 6-5000" by Bobby Benson's
Baby Band; "Saying Goodbye" from The Muppets Take Manhattan;
or even the original version of "I'm Going to Go Back there Someday"
by Gonzo.
The "Oz" songs are not the greatest Muppet songs of all time,
but they aren’t bad. They are catchy and fun, and it’s nice
to see a Muppet movie with musical numbers. I like the CD, and I'm glad
Disney cared enough to release it. It might not be the prized gem of a
fan’s collection, but I would suggest that you pick up a copy.
I made some changes
and some grammatical/spelling corrections in the text. Here’s my
overall take: The review is long and tedious. I deleted some of the repetition
but it still says they could have made better choices for the classic
songs section and many of the classics have been released multiple times.
I’d like to see the individual track reviews dropped and just keep
the opening and conclusion—maybe compile some stuff from the tracks
for one additional paragraph but I don’t think that is even necessary.
Just my view—but I think short and sweet is a good thing (and yes,
I realize I tend to go on way too long in my own writing—especially
in early drafts).
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