I received a set of the Legacy Collection CDs as a member of the Entertainment New Media Network. No further compensation was received and all opinions are my own.
I rarely write about Disney since my kids have grown and my days as Flicks for Kids editor at NickJr.com are over.
But I will always have a special place in my heart for the classic Disney movies and the songs that literally provided the soundtrack to my kids’ childhoods.
I jumped at the chance to review Walt Disney Records: The Legacy Collection, a new line of collectible CDs celebrating the anniversaries of some of Disney’s most beloved films (and Disneyland itself), so I’d have an excuse to listen to those songs again even though no one was in the back seat of the car to sing along.
Through 2015, Walt Disney Records will be releasing a dozen CDs, each featuring an original classic soundtrack along with fascinating extra content that tells the story behind the music. Each album will have a distinct look, thanks to new artwork from Lorelay Bove, a visual development artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the collection will warrant a prized spot on a shelf or mantle rather than simply being stored in a drawer.
Three releases in the series are available now, and they pretty much create a scrapbook of our lives.
The Lion King celebrates its 20th anniversary with a two-disc set featuring the original motion picture soundtrack, 30 minutes of previously unreleased score, plus liner notes by producer Don Hahn and Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer.
We took our kids to see The Lion King at Radio City Music Hall – talk about the big screen! – when it originally came out. At the age of two, it was our daughter’s first movie. We had to take her out to the lobby a couple of times but our son, who was almost five, was totally mesmerized.
We listened to and sang along with the soundtrack endlessly in the car, laughing to “Hakuna Matata,” discussing death and shivering when Scar warned, “Be Prepared,” and waiting to burst in with “not yet!” when Simba boasts, “Everywhere you look, I’m standing in the spotlight.”
I just have to hear that first unmistakable note of “Circle of Life” and I’m ready to burst into tears. Honestly, it’s all I could think of as we went on game drives in Africa last summer, and it made the whole experience so much more emotional.
Next in the series is Mary Poppins, celebrating its 50th anniversary with three supercalifragilisticexpialidocious discs featuring the original soundtrack, pre-demos and lost chords, and an amazing disc of archival recordings of meetings held at the studio between author P.L. Travers, the Sherman Brothers and writer Don DiGardo.
If, like me, you’ve seen Saving Mr. Banks – which, okay, I’ve sobbed through three times – you will love this.
Listening to the Mary Poppins soundtrack brings back so many memories, both from my own childhood and from watching it with my kids over and over again. We used to sing “A Spoonful of Sugar” whenever we did things we didn’t want to do, we quoted Mary’s statement that she was “practically perfect in every way,” and we ha ha-ed with “I Love To Laugh.”
Because of “Sister Suffragette,” my daughter did a book report on Susan B. Anthony in second grade, dressing up as the women’s rights activist and holding a sign demanding “Votes for Women.”
And I have to admit I still get teary every time I hear “Feed the Birds.” Sigh.
The latest addition to the series, Sleeping Beauty, celebrates the 55th anniversary of the classic movie, which means it’s as old as I am!
Sleeping Beauty has taken on a whole new significance because of the recent release of Malefecent, which offered a very different perspective on the legendary story.
The score is beautiful, and I really enjoyed listening to it on its own, although it didn’t have the same nostalgia factor for me as the other two. I did find it interesting to read the behind-the-scenes tales and take in some of the beautiful illustrations.
I can’t wait for the next releases in the Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection. Meanwhile, if you see me driving by, wiping my eyes, don’t worry. I’m probably listening to The Lion King and realizing there’s “more to do than can ever be done …”
For a chance to win all three of these CDs, simply leave a comment below. For a second chance, Tweet this:
[Tweet “Win 3 classic movie #CDs from @DisneyRecords The Legacy Collection #disneymusic #enmnetwork #music”]
Contest ends on October 19 at midnight Pacific time. Winner will be notified by return email. Prizes can only be sent to a U.S. mailing address. If it comes to this blogger’s attention that the winner of this giveaway has won on an additional blog for this same prize, this blog reserves the right to chose another winner.
Disney will aways hold a special place in my heart! Especially the music…Memories of my mom and I singing along, then the wonderful memories of singing all the great songs with my children!
Oh I LOVE LOVE Disney music. My favorite is from The Little Mermaid and I watched Saving Mr Banks and was like hating the writer of MP’s at first but then she came around. Such an interesting movie.
We’ve just returned from a wonderful vacation in Disneyworld, so I would love these CDs to reminisce! Also, my 5yo son has just discovered the Lion King and Mary Poppins, and loves the music, so these CDs would be perfect for us. 🙂
I am a huge Disney fanatic!! I love all things Disney, even the music!
Great movies and music! Who does not love a good Disney classic!
I would love to win that. We are big fans of Disney and I own so many of their movies/soundtracks now.
I want this! REALLY BAD! I’ve always thought that Disney had the best movie songs.
I would love to win the collection! I also tweeted to my audience as well. @pixiedustsaving
I love Disney music! It’s so happy and is sure to be a classic. My favorite concert was at the Hollywood Bowl when the LA Philharmonic did the Disney classics. Fun giveaway.
Disney music is some of my favorite. Some my kids love to sing with me, others they don’t know so we watch the movies so they can learn:)
Disney brings back so many happy memories for me. Mary Poppins is in my Top 3. I just adore that movie and could watch it every day.
How much fun is this? I love the music of Disney. Their songs are always so much fun.
I love The Lion King! It is my favorite soundtrack ever!
Aww I love Disney music and movies! I have been singing the Lion King song for a few days now lol!
LOVE Disney music! They are so classic!
Huge Disney fan. As a matter of fact we head out in the morning for our annual Halloween Disney trip. So excited and Love Disney music. It’s the best.
Oh my goodness, I would love to have this collection! I even miss that older style of artwork and animation.
My son and his friends sang the soundtrack to the Lion King over and over and over and over and I never tired of it!
I had not thought of Sister Suffragette for years and now have that wonderful song stuck in my head!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane my friend!
You can’t go wrong with Disney music. I miss the old classic songs.
Disney has some great music. I don’t know a kid who doesn’t like them.
All those albums have really great songs and I especially loved the Lion King soundtrack. Great movie too!
What a great collection. We love listening to Disney movie in the car and it is great hearing the kids sing along to all the songs
Disney always has the best soundtracks for their movies! This post got me so excited because my family and I are going to Disney World Wednesday night!
What a great collection! It’s hard to believe that it’s been so many years!
Great collection! I would love to own this. Great movies!
I had no idea they made these. I definitely need to own a few, I used to sing the songs incessantly when I was a child.
I think songs from Disney movies live on forever and it is great to have a collection like this. It would also make a wonderful gift for those hard to buy for people.
I would love to win this. I love the music from all of those movies.
We have always been huge fans of Disney and Disney Music.
Classics are always welcomed in my house! I love that they are being re-made, but…you just can’t beat a classic! and of course to sing along– priceless!
That looks amazing! I would love to get this.
Ummmm yeah…Pretty sure this Disney fanatic needs those stat!
Yep, I’d have jumped at the chance to review that one too. 🙂 This kind of music is right up my alley. 🙂
What a great collection!! I think my daughter would really enjoy them!
I can’t believe it’s been so many years! Oy…. making me old and nostalgic here
This sounds like such a fun set! I love that it has all the songs i grew up with from Disney!
This is an amazing collection. I love all these classic Disney films.
This is a superb collection that includes some of my personal favorites. I love Disney Music more than you would know. We are headed to Walt Disney World next week and I’m excited counting the days!
This is such a good collection of music! It will be a great treat for someone.
All these movies have great music, and the art work on the covers are amazing!
I’d love to win this! Disney movies have such great music.
Just love Disney and their music. The soundtracks are so great.
I’d love these for my grandson
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I am a huge fan of the classic Disney books and songs! I grew up singing all the songs in voice classes and even now still use the Rescuers lullabies to get the kiddos to sleep at night!