I’m not a big fan of hastily put together cover albums, especially when the musical cannon comes from the Disney Vault. It seems every song that has been done has been covered again. Do we really need another rendition of “It’s a Small World” after hearing Slim Whitman and The Baha Men? But even with my reservation, I have to say I am pleasantly surprised with Everybody Wants to be a Cat.
This isn’t a Disney album for kids unless they are jazz aficionados. There was actually thought and possible love put into this compilation as the producers reached out to a broad spectrum of the jazz world. There are the elders like Dave Brubeck and Dianne Reeves and the established like The Bad Plus, Roy Hargrove and Joshua Redman. There is even newcomers like the Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez and the tiny gal who carries a big bass, Esperanza Spalding. Then there is one of my favorites, Regina Carter, playing her violin in a beautiful rendition of “Find Yourself” from Cars.
One thing I like about jazz musicians is how they can hide the original theme to a popular song. Some will increase or slow the beat. Others will play in another key. Then others will try to go completely into unchartered territory. The key is can they make it work? I have included three songs by Rodriguez, Spalding and Hargrove. I think they find the right balance with varying grades of difficulty. See if you can guess the song they are playing. It’s okay to cheat. I had to look on the CD cover to figure out the third. I guess I still have a ways to go before I can call myself hip.
Dave
