Barnes & Noble
Michael Crawford’s astonishing voice gets better with each release. On The Disney Album, Broadway’s legendary Phantom of the Opera has tapped
material perfectly suited to his wistful, mellifluous delivery. This superior
collection is culled from the cream of Disney’s animation renaissance and
features outstanding writing from such seasoned experts as Elton John, Tim Rice,
Phil Collins, Randy Newman, Stephen Schwartz, and Kenny Loggins. Crawford’s
angelic tenor and breathtaking control elevate ballads like “When She Loved Me”
(Toy Story 2), “You'll Be in My Heart” (Tarzan), and “If I Never Knew You” (Pocahontas) to classic status. But it’s the album’s lone nod to Disney’s fabled
past, a gorgeous version of “Baby Mine” from 1941’s Dumbo, that provides the emotional
highlight. Don’t be afraid to leave the kids alone with this formerly scary
Phantom. They’ll love him. David Cohen
All Music Guide
The Phantom has one of the most incredible and powerful voices on the planet, and the pairing of that with some of Disney's top songs (mostly from films of recent years) seems a sure bet. Certainly, it's a beautifully produced collection, with Crawford backed by beautiful strings and a children's choir on "Your Heart Will Lead You Home" (from The Tigger Movie). He's so eloquent and perfect, though, that some of the whimsy and edge of the original songs is lost on his versions. "You'll Be in My Heart" is pleasantly upbeat in an adult contemporary manner, but lacks the percussive fire and vocal edge of Phil Collins' take. Certain elements of "The Lion King Medley" require a little more grit as well, though he shines on the "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" passage. He brings an emotional power to "Colors of the Wind," but not quite enough of the original spirit. Crawford is much more effective on the simpler ballads like "I Know the Truth" (from AIDA) and especially Dumbo's classic "Baby Mine," to which he brings the necessary grace and innocence. Crawford fans will surely love it, and fans of Disney may enjoy adding it to their collections. But fans of many of these original versions will hardly be tempted to stop listening to the source recordings for this project. Jonathan Widran