 |
 Caught in the Carousel - Music Reviews and More
|
Ratatouille
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and What's Cooking?
Walt Disney Records
There isn’t a kitchen around that welcomes a rat. However, the new animated Disney/Pixar movie Ratatouille not only challenges that notion by making the hero of their story a rat who happens to be a brilliant chef, but by the end of the whole thing you may very well never think that rats and kitchens can’t co-exist harmoniously ever again.
While both kids and adults will both be entertained by this culinary tale, they’ll also both have their own separate soundtracks. The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Grammy-nominated composer Michael Giacchino (The Incredibles, Mission Impossible III, Alias, Lost) is a lively twenty-four track collection filled with sprightly, orchestral numbers (“100 Rat Dash” and “The Paper Chase”) and lush, thoughtful instrumentation (“Heist To See You.”) Elsewhere, inspired by the movie’s Paris setting, “Welcome To Gusteau’s” contains the French national anthem (“La Marseillaise”) and French singer Camille performs a beautiful rendition of “La Festin.” Rich, textured and filled with cinematic crescendos, this is lovely work.
Performed by Fred Mollin and the Blue Sea Band, along with a range of guest vocalists, What’s Cooking? is a truly inspired collection that in twelve numbers perfectly captures the madcap nature of Ratatouille. “Cheese Please” (featuring Chris Stapelton) is a joyful pun-filled romp; Perry Danos’ loungey “Chez Paris” is tons of fun; and Troy Johnson’s soulful vocals on “French Fries” make it an irresistible sing-a-long. Elsewhere, Lari White checks in with a swingin’ “Hold Tight”; Kim Keyes’ “Shoo Fly Pie” is a big band wonder; and when Johnny Neel and Mark Johnson step up to the mike for “Banana Split For My Baby,” and “Ma Maisoin” respectively, they knock the whole affair out of the park. A blast.
--Alex Green
Can we help you find something?