MULAN Soundtrack Review
Minh T. Nguyen
AGUIRRE wrote:
> 2. Reflection A-
> This is the best song in the movie. But with that said, I do have a
> few problems with it. I'm giving the song an "A-" for what the song could
> have been, not for what it actually is. First off, the song is so short. The
> song has such a lovely melody, but it's just way too short making the climax
> of the song seem way too early.
For some strange reasons, I feel disappointed by the music. I don't say it's bad,
but Reflection being the "main" song in this movie is not outstanding as previous
Disney songs. It's just ordinary, not bad, but not oustanding...
> Third, the melody. Something is not quite right and I can't pinpoint
> it. Maybe not distinctive and different enough from other Disney songs?
Yeah, for some strange reasons, I cannot recognize a good melody in it at all...
"Honor to us all" has a more rememberable melody which I hum even after I stopped
the CD...
> I was really looking forward to the collarboration between Stevie
> Wonder and 98 Degrees. Man, am I disappointed. But with that said, I've
> listened to this song over a hundred times and I'm slowly getting to like it.
> It's growing on me. I almost gave it a "D-". I just want to end this by
> saying that I have no idea how this song relates to the movie. How is it
> connected?
I wonder if this is the song which actually plays in the movie. I mean, this is a
pop song, does it fit into the movie? I don't know...
AGUIRRE
I bought the Mulan Soundtrack last Friday at the Disney Store and have been
listening to it non-stop for the past six days. Overall, I did enjoy it very
much.
There's four songs in the movie and two singles.
1. Honor To Us All B+
I really like this one. Although it is in comparison with BatB's
"Belle", I think that it is very different. I like that the song has that
Chinese music influence in the melody. I like the group ensemble singing
nearing to the end.
2. Reflection A-
This is the best song in the movie. But with that said, I do have a
few problems with it. I'm giving the song an "A-" for what the song could
have been, not for what it actually is. First off, the song is so short. The
song has such a lovely melody, but it's just way too short making the climax
of the song seem way too early.
Second problem is with Lea Salonga. She has such a great lovely voice
but knowing her, I expected more...maybe a little more subtle drama without
being whiny, and still sound confident as the character she's portraying. She
needed to slow down a bit. But having said that, she does very well, and does
a good job of providing a climax for the song.
Third, the melody. Something is not quite right and I can't pinpoint
it. Maybe not distinctive and different enough from other Disney songs? And
I'm saying this because I've let many people listen to it and they all say the
same thing "I've heard it all before". Well, even I haven't heard it all
before. This song does not remind me of "Go the Distance" at all despite some
have mentioned! But anyways...
3. I'll Make A Man Out Of You B-
I have read another person's review and he said that this is the best
song in the movie. It is not. Donny Osmond does a good job singing. My
problem with this song is the opposite of "Reflection". This song is too
long. They repeat the chorus three times. Twice is enough. The chorus is not
bad actually. I like the ending chorus.
I have to say this and make it clear: I have no problems with the lyrics.
They are okay. Could've been better, yes. But they're just fine.
4. A Girl Worth Fighting For B+
This is what you'd call a "fun" song in a Disney movie. I like the
idea behind this song and the irony it delivers. I like the collarboration
between the three comic relief guys. They're pretty funny and each have a
distinctive voice.
5. True To Your Heart (Single) C-
I was really looking forward to the collarboration between Stevie
Wonder and 98 Degrees. Man, am I disappointed. But with that said, I've
listened to this song over a hundred times and I'm slowly getting to like it.
It's growing on me. I almost gave it a "D-". I just want to end this by
saying that I have no idea how this song relates to the movie. How is it
connected?
6. Suite from Mulan A
starts pretty dramatic then plays an orchestration version of
"Reflection", then the playful "Honor to Us All", and then a really nice
uplifting instrumental. A really nice seven minutes.
12. Reflection (Single) B
Christina Aguilera has a great voice. What a great discovery! She
sounds like a cross between Tony Braxton-Whitney Houston-Mariah Carey. Can't
wait to find out more about her.
She starts the song well, and then stumbles in the middle. The song
starts to sound a little stale and not as fresh as when she started to sing
the song in the beginning. She needed to do something different, not shout,
to still keep our interest. But she does end the song well enough.
OVerall I give this soundtrack a "B". I'm pretty sure my opinion will change
for better or worse when I finally see the movie. Can't wait.
Sherline L
In article <6l540u$84d$1...@news.interlog.com>, tr...@interlog.com says...
> I bought the Mulan Soundtrack last Friday at the Disney Store and have been
> listening to it non-stop for the past six days. Overall, I did enjoy it very
> much.
>
> Third, the melody. Something is not quite right and I can't
pinpoint
> it. Maybe not distinctive and different enough from other Disney songs? And
> I'm saying this because I've let many people listen to it and they all say the
> same thing "I've heard it all before". Well, even I haven't heard it all
> before. This song does not remind me of "Go the Distance" at all despite some
> have mentioned! But anyways...
>
similarities.... the rhythms vary a bit, but it's pretty weird once your
realize what's going on.
"When will my reflection show..." (who I am inside)
(Go) "the distance and I'll be" (right where I belong)
BTW - I dont' think of this as a "rip"... because the chord progression
is actually quite normal. My only complaint is that it's overused in
many songs. It would have been better to do something funky with
Reflection - e.g. use more of a pentatonic scale...
Other than that - this song suffers from being too short and peaking
really early. But perhaps this version on the soundtrack differs from
the final print. It wouldn't be the first time that it has happened.
(e.g. versions of "Gaston", "A whole new world"...score from BatB
Finale...)
Sherline
little annoyed that Reflections begins with a wonderful intro and
abruptly changes types of scales. argh.
To reply remove the "removethis"
Eric J. Henwood-Greer
On Thu, 4 Jun 1998, Sherline L wrote:
> BTW - I dont' think of this as a "rip"... because the chord progression
> is actually quite normal. My only complaint is that it's overused in
> many songs. It would have been better to do something funky with
> Reflection - e.g. use more of a pentatonic scale...
Which is pretty much what Stephen Schwartz did in his song, "Painted in
Stone" which would have served the same purpose in the score he was
writing for Mulan before Disney let go of him due to his involvement with
Dreamworks. Yes I am whining *grumble**grumble*
> Other than that - this song suffers from being too short and peaking
> really early. But perhaps this version on the soundtrack differs from
> the final print. It wouldn't be the first time that it has happened.
> (e.g. versions of "Gaston", "A whole new world"...score from BatB
> Finale...)
Wow, I've noticed the changes you've mentioned--except in Whole New World.
How is the CD release different?
Eric
Eric J. Henwood-Greer
On Thu, 4 Jun 1998, AGUIRRE wrote:
> 2. Reflection A-
> Second problem is with Lea Salonga. She has such a great lovely voice
> but knowing her, I expected more...maybe a little more subtle drama without
> being whiny, and still sound confident as the character she's portraying. She
> needed to slow down a bit. But having said that, she does very well, and does
It's not up to her at what tempo she sings the song. It's the musical
director--most likely following directions from the film's directors, who
decides what speed she sings--so not her fault
Eric
> 6. Suite from Mulan A
> starts pretty dramatic then plays an orchestration version of
> "Reflection", then the playful "Honor to Us All", and then a really nice
> uplifting instrumental. A really nice seven minutes.
>
How disappointing that they only give us *7* minutes of score:( As if
more music couldn't fit...
Eric
Minh T. Nguyen
Charles P. Buchanan wrote:
> > I wonder if this is the song which actually plays in the movie. I mean,
> this is a
> > pop song, does it fit into the movie? I don't know...
> It fits in at the end, when the credits are running. :)
Grin. yeah.. well, is there a "classical" version of "True to Your Heart" which
will then be sung in the movie and if so, how come it is not on the CD? Well, I
guess we have to wait and see...
Best wishes,
Minh.
--
http://www.geocities.com/collegepark/campus/8997
Charles P. Buchanan
In article <357642F4...@cyberpcs.com>, "Minh T. Nguyen"
<en...@cyberpcs.com> wrote:
> AGUIRRE wrote:
>
> > I was really looking forward to the collarboration between Stevie
> > Wonder and 98 Degrees. Man, am I disappointed. But with that said, I've
> > listened to this song over a hundred times and I'm slowly getting to
like it.
> > It's growing on me. I almost gave it a "D-". I just want to end this by
> > saying that I have no idea how this song relates to the movie. How is it
> > connected?
>
> I wonder if this is the song which actually plays in the movie. I mean,
this is a
> pop song, does it fit into the movie? I don't know...
It fits in at the end, when the credits are running. :)
--Charles Buchanan
FDC Official Duck (WAK!)
Duck on FDCMuck
Montgomery
> > BTW - I dont' think of this as a "rip"... because the chord progression
> > is actually quite normal. My only complaint is that it's overused in
> > many songs. It would have been better to do something funky with
> > Reflection - e.g. use more of a pentatonic scale...
> Which is pretty much what Stephen Schwartz did in his song, "Painted in
> Stone" which would have served the same purpose in the score he was
> writing for Mulan before Disney let go of him due to his involvement with
> Dreamworks. Yes I am whining *grumble**grumble*
I'm not. I'm so glad that Stephen Schwartz isn't writing more mediocre
songs for Disney soundtracks.
(>_________{ Monty }__________<)
(> jmon...@suffolk.lib.ny.us <)
(>----------------------------<)
(> "Who died now?" <)
(> --Dana Scully <)
(>______________________<)
Andrew A. Poe
> > I was really looking forward to the collarboration between Stevie
> > Wonder and 98 Degrees. Man, am I disappointed. But with that said, I've
> > listened to this song over a hundred times and I'm slowly getting to like it.
> > It's growing on me. I almost gave it a "D-". I just want to end this by
> > saying that I have no idea how this song relates to the movie. How is it
> > connected?
>
> I wonder if this is the song which actually plays in the movie. I mean, this is a
> pop song, does it fit into the movie? I don't know...
It would work well as the closing credits song. I don't know if it is or
not, but that's where I would put it.
By the way, "I'll Make a Man Out of You" kicks butt! Donny Osmond, the
Latter-Day singer who made "Cute, Marie, Real Cute" a household expression
and who claimed only to be "a little bit rock and roll" really came
through. His voice has sure matured since I heard him last... I wonder
if they could get Daryl Dragon in to orchestrate the next Disney movie.
--
Andrew A. Poe
917 E ANN ST #4
ANN ARBOR MI 48104-1613
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
+1 313 665-4920
+1 734 665-4920
andre...@umich.edu
Sherline Heerah Lee
On Thu, 4 Jun 1998, Eric J. Henwood-Greer wrote:
> On Thu, 4 Jun 1998, Sherline L wrote:
>
> > BTW - I dont' think of this as a "rip"... because the chord progression
> > is actually quite normal. My only complaint is that it's overused in
> > many songs. It would have been better to do something funky with
> > Reflection - e.g. use more of a pentatonic scale...
>
> Which is pretty much what Stephen Schwartz did in his song, "Painted in
> Stone" which would have served the same purpose in the score he was
> writing for Mulan before Disney let go of him due to his involvement with
> Dreamworks. Yes I am whining *grumble**grumble*
That's too bad. I am not too familiar with Schwartz's work overall (never
listened to Pippin) and hope that someday we get to hear this material...
>
> > Other than that - this song suffers from being too short and peaking
> > really early. But perhaps this version on the soundtrack differs from
> > the final print. It wouldn't be the first time that it has happened.
> > (e.g. versions of "Gaston", "A whole new world"...score from BatB
> > Finale...)
>
> Wow, I've noticed the changes you've mentioned--except in Whole New World.
> How is the CD release different?
Mostly in the depth of orchestration. The opening leading in to "I can
show you the world" on the CD uses a synthesizer with A-D-E-F#, A-D-E-F#
E(long) , the movie version actually starts above the opening F# with
strings down to "I can show..." (See the piano version to get an idea of
what I mean)
I'm not sure that it is changed -rather - it seems to have taken out that
segue for the purpose of giving the song an appropriate "opening" on the
CD.
Sherline
(nuts, is Disney ever going to release all that stuff a la Music Behind
the Magic?)
Nancy Stadler
Minh T. Nguyen <en...@cyberpcs.com> wrote in article
<357642F4...@cyberpcs.com>...
>
> I wonder if this is the song which actually plays in the movie. I mean,
this is a
> pop song, does it fit into the movie? I don't know...
>
I believe this is the song that plays over the credits that roll right
after Mushu says "Guess who's back on pedastal five! Send out for some egg
rolls!"
Eric J. Henwood-Greer
> > On Thu, 4 Jun 1998, Sherline L wrote:
> >
> > > BTW - I dont' think of this as a "rip"... because the chord progression
> > > is actually quite normal. My only complaint is that it's overused in
> > > many songs. It would have been better to do something funky with
> > > Reflection - e.g. use more of a pentatonic scale...
> >
> > Which is pretty much what Stephen Schwartz did in his song, "Painted in
> > Stone" which would have served the same purpose in the score he was
> > writing for Mulan before Disney let go of him due to his involvement with
> > Dreamworks. Yes I am whining *grumble**grumble*
> That's too bad. I am not too familiar with Schwartz's work overall (never
> listened to Pippin) and hope that someday we get to hear this material...
Pippin's lots of fun--his work fluctuates a lot though. For his best
score try to find a CD of his flop "The Baker's Wife"--it's an amazing
score (and the semi-standard, "Meadowlark", one of his best songs, came
from it). Many of the ballads in Baker's Wife have a bit of a similar
feel to his Mulan stuff--ie the rolling piano (granted which is present in
lots of his stuff period), etc
Anyway Painted in Stone (which is probably about 4 minutes) is soooo
perfect:(
> > > Other than that - this song suffers from being too short and peaking
> > > really early. But perhaps this version on the soundtrack differs from
> > > the final print. It wouldn't be the first time that it has happened.
> > > (e.g. versions of "Gaston", "A whole new world"...score from BatB
> > > Finale...)
> >
> > Wow, I've noticed the changes you've mentioned--except in Whole New World.
> > How is the CD release different?
>
> Mostly in the depth of orchestration. The opening leading in to "I can
> show you the world" on the CD uses a synthesizer with A-D-E-F#, A-D-E-F#
> E(long) , the movie version actually starts above the opening F# with
> strings down to "I can show..." (See the piano version to get an idea of
> what I mean)
Hrrm-come to think of it I think I have noticed this.
> Sherline
> (nuts, is Disney ever going to release all that stuff a la Music Behind
> the Magic?)
I dunno if they'd release Schwartz Mulan stuff--partly because it might
just make them look bad for letting go of Schwartz:) And because I don't
know if they'd own the rights to it. I'd love to have a legitimate
release of many of the cut Pocahontas and Hunchback stuff though (even if
the deluxe laserdiscs give us quite a bit of the cut music--I've heard
some more on various private tapes and some of the cut stuff is great)
Eric
Charles P. Buchanan
In article <35777B26...@cyberpcs.com>, "Minh T. Nguyen"
<en...@cyberpcs.com> wrote:
> Charles P. Buchanan wrote:
>
> > > I wonder if this is the song which actually plays in the movie. I mean,
> > this is a
> > > pop song, does it fit into the movie? I don't know...
> > It fits in at the end, when the credits are running. :)
>
> Grin. yeah.. well, is there a "classical" version of "True to Your
Heart" which
> will then be sung in the movie and if so, how come it is not on the CD?
Well, I
> guess we have to wait and see...
Both "If I Never Knew You" from Poca and "Someday" from Hunchback were not
in the films themselves, but they were played during the credits and they
did appear on the CDs without accompanying classical versions. Anastasia
had a credits song too. Disney wouldn't be setting any new precedents with
Mulan and "True to Your Heart." :)
Pocah1tas
Hey everyone-
"True To Your Heart" may set a precedent afterall...Both "IfI Never Knew
You" and "Someday" were written to be included in the films but weren't for
various reasons...I suspect "True To Your Heart" was also written for the film,
but to be sung by whom? Mushu? And probably with several lyric variations???
Or was this indeed the first pop cut written solely for that purpose?
Anybody know?
Christopher the Pocahontas and Mulan freak
Poca...@AOL.com
*If I Never Knew You*~
Mulan! What a girl! :)
Minh T. Nguyen
Charles P. Buchanan wrote:
> > Grin. yeah.. well, is there a "classical" version of "True to Your
> Heart" which
> > will then be sung in the movie and if so, how come it is not on the CD?
> Well, I
> > guess we have to wait and see...
> Both "If I Never Knew You" from Poca and "Someday" from Hunchback were not
> in the films themselves, but they were played during the credits and they
> did appear on the CDs without accompanying classical versions.
Yeah, but as we know, there was supposed to be a classical version of "If I Never
Knew You" in the movie. You probably saw the missing scence couple of months ago
on the Disney Channel..
> Disney wouldn't be setting any new precedents with
> Mulan and "True to Your Heart." :)
That's right. I just got back from the World Premiere of Mulan. "True to Your
Heart" is used in the credits, not in the movie, as we expected.
Minh T. Nguyen
Pocah1tas wrote:
> "True To Your Heart" may set a precedent afterall...Both "IfI Never Knew
> You" and "Someday" were written to be included in the films but weren't for
> various reasons...I suspect "True To Your Heart" was also written for the film,
> but to be sung by whom? Mushu? And probably with several lyric variations???
> Or was this indeed the first pop cut written solely for that purpose?
Yeah, strange, huh? I was wondering the same, but "True to Your Heart" doesn't
appear on the CD as a "classical" version, nor was there a song in the movie which
links to "True to Your Heart", nor was there a line or a quote from any characters
in the movie which says something similar to "True to Your Heart". However, if you
take a look it seems to me that it is Li-Shang who says it to Mulan (there was a
line in the lyrics which says "Girl, my heart is driving me to where you are"), but
other than that I can't even see a parallel to the plot of Mulan.
It's a very nice song, though. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. :)
Minh T. Nguyen
Andrew A. Poe wrote:
> > I wonder if this is the song which actually plays in the movie. I mean, this is a
> > pop song, does it fit into the movie? I don't know...
> It would work well as the closing credits song. I don't know if it is or
> not, but that's where I would put it.
I just saw the movie. It is put at the end credits... yeah, it wouldn't really fit into
the movie itself...
Pocah1tas
Hey everyone-
I was also thinking more about "True To Your Heart" ..being that Mulan and
Shang do not get together until the end of the film the song kind of builds on
that budding relationship. anyway...
christopher the Pocahontas and Mulan freak
Aladdin
Eric J. Henwood-Greer (un...@victoria.tc.ca) wrote:
> Anyway Painted in Stone (which is probably about 4 minutes) is soooo
> perfect:(
Of course "Painted in Stone" makes no sense as the song was entitled
"WRITTEN in Stone".
--Alan