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“Both
the cartoon itself and accompanying music just has such character,
that any remake is going have a hard time in taking their place in
our collective, Christmas-hearts.” |
Classic Who'liday Cheer!
Review by Christopher Coleman How
the Grinch Stole Christmas has become a Holiday classic and no small part
of that is the unforgettable music. It is most noted for its memorable
lyrics, penned by the good Dr. Seuss, himself, Ted Geisel.
Unfortunately the remainder of the music is lost in the shadow of such kiddie-classics
as You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch. The talents of composers Albert Hague
and Eugene Poddany certainly help the redemption story of The Grinch be
told. With the remake of the story into a full motion picture, the
interest in The Grinch is reaching an all time high; however, the feel of the
film and music is much more contemporary and only nods respectfully, once or
twice, to the original film. For those who crave a little Christmas, or
a little of their childhood, this release, from Rhino Records, might be
something to invest in. In addition to the famous Grinch story and
music, this CD also contains the music, and dialogue, from Horton Hears a
Who, which was exclusively scored by Eugene Poddany. When
one hears the title "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," usually one
of two themes rushes to their heads. Either the menacing, bass voice of
Thurl Ravenscroft (the original voice for Tony the Tiger!), singing, You're a
Mean One, Mr. Grinch, or the song of the celebrating Whos, Welcome Christmas,
complete with pseudo-Latin lyrics, comes rushing to our minds. It is a
certainty that these two songs have gone a long way in making this one of our
favorite Christmas cartoons. As the lyrics are creative and comical,
their melodies are equally infectious. Composer
Albert Hague, may not the most familiar composer to most, but has been
composing for film and television since the 1960's. He has also made a
number of notable appearances as Professor Shorofosky in the feature film and
television series, FAME. He combines with long time, animation score
veteran, Eugene Poddany, to give How the Grinch Stole Christmas the
familiar musical atmosphere most closely related to the popular Bugs Bunny
and Friends cartoons of the 1950's and 1960's. Hague's contribution are
the memorable melodies for those Grinch-songs we love to sing along to.
The music is far from
just purposeless underscore but fully serves as sound effects, as changes in
attitude, emotion and intent. Both Hague and
Poddany had established long, working relationships with the cartoon's
producer, Chuck Jones, and their signature sound and feel can be found in
dozens of Bugs Bunny cartoons and Tom & Jerry episodes of the 1960's. This
release by Rhino records contains the entire story of both How the
Grinch Stole Christmas as well as Horton Hears a Who. Most of the
dialogue is found and all of the most significant songs and musical themes.
Both stories also feature four isolated music tracks, which provide a more
pleasurable way of enjoying these songs. The recording is, at
times, stuffy, but the clarity might actually surprise some. The liner
notes are full of snap shots of both cartoons as well as a great interview
with producer, Chuck Jones. While
Ron Howard's version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas is garnering
exponentially more attention (and money) than the original cartoon or book
ever did,...and while the accompanying soundtrack is being equally well
marketed, there is no replacing the original. Both the cartoon itself
and accompanying music just has such character, that any remake is going have
a hard time in taking their place in our collective, Christmas-hearts.
This album succeeds in at least one area that Interscope's 2000 release
fails. Capturing some of the essence of Christmas, this Rhino Record
release actually demonstrates the moral of the story of the Grinch as it
foregoes big marketing and commercialism. While the music may not be
what the typical film music fan is looking for this album certainly holds
more continuity and focus than its 34 year younger sibling release.
Rating:
7/10
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Track |
Track Title |
Track Time |
Rating |
|
1 |
Opening |
1:29 |
*** |
|
2 |
Trim
Up the Tree |
0:45 |
*** |
|
3 |
Tomorrow
is Christmas, It's Practically Here |
4:11 |
**** |
|
4 |
Welcome
Christmas |
0:46 |
**** |
|
5 |
I
Must Stop Christmas |
0:59 |
*** |
|
6 |
You're
a Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Thurl Ravenscroft |
5:15 |
**** |
|
7 |
You're
a Mean One, Mr. Grinch (reprise) - Thurl Ravenscroft |
5:15 |
**** |
|
8 |
A
Quarter of Dawn |
1:43 |
*** |
|
9 |
Welcome
Christmas |
2:52 |
*** |
|
10 |
Finale |
3:06 |
*** |
|
11 |
Opening |
1:29 |
*** |
|
12 |
Trim
Up the Tree |
0:47 |
*** |
|
13 |
Welcome
Christmas |
2:06 |
*** |
|
14 |
You're
a Mean One, Mr. Grinch |
3:32 |
**** |
|
Horton
Hears a Who |
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15 |
Opening |
5:57 |
*** |
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16 |
Mrs.
Toucnella Told Me |
2:53 |
*** |
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17 |
Old
Doc Hoovey |
2:01 |
**** |
|
18 |
Wickersham
Brothers Song |
2:14 |
**** |
|
19 |
Who-Ville
Aloft |
3:22 |
*** |
|
20 |
Doctor
Hoovey, You Were Right |
1:33 |
*** |
|
21 |
Horton
The Elephant's Going to be Caged |
5:21 |
*** |
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22 |
Be
Kind to Your Small Person Friends # |
1:17 |
** |
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23 |
Finale |
0:48 |
** |
|
24 |
Old
Doc Hoovey |
1:23 |
**** |
|
25 |
Wickersham
Brothers Song |
2:06 |
**** |
|
26 |
We
are Here |
1:26 |
*** |
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27 |
Be
Kind to Your Small Person Friends # |
1:32 |
** |
| |
Total
Running Time |
66:04 |
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