For Disney theme park fans, those words conjure up many memories. Since 1969, Paul Frees, as the Ghost Host, has welcomed us into this extraordinary attraction.Now you can bring some of that magic home. Disney has released 2 wonderful CDs;The Haunted Mansion and The Story and Song from the Haunted Mansion. I purchased both discs at the D23 Expo.
Like many of you, I am a big collector of Disney theme park audio tracks. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion, a CD was released, which was meant to be the definitive word on the attraction. The limited-edition anniversary disc went out of print but another version carrying the same material has been in the stores for years. This disc contains some wonderful stuff such as outtakes, alternative versions from around the world (Vincent Price does the soundtrack for an unused version of the Euro Disneyland version of Phantom Manor!), and a complete ride through.
So I bought The Haunted Mansion with the expectation I was going to get one great thing - an updated ride through with the Constance the Black Widow attic storyline and a bunch of filler I already owned. I am happy to report that this disc not only exceeded my expectations but is a must buy for anybody who is a fan of the attraction.
Of course there is the complete ride through. Also included is an extended version of the Porter Music Box rendition of Grim Grinning Ghosts that you hear at Disneyland's Fastpass during Haunted Mansion Holiday. The iconic song is repeated a variety of ways including an organ concerto (10 minutes long - perfect for your front door at Halloween), the groovy graveyard scene version, other snippets from the attraction, and the surprise highlight, the Phantom Manor Suite. This was the soundtrack that was underneath the Vincent Price version on the 30th anniversary. It is just beautiful. It takes Buddy Baker's brilliant theme music (not to forget the most memorable lyrics by X. Atencio) and turns it into something of pure grander.
The packaging also contains a 12-page booklet highlighting the many Imagineers who have contributed to the Haunted Mansion attraction concept - built and unbuilt.
A terrific disc and a must have for your collection.
Oh one more thing. A reader of the blog, Keith LuBrant has taken the Grim Grinning Ghost theme and has added his own twist. A huge fan of the attraction, he has offered a free download of his version and I think you will like what you hear. Please visit his site at http://www.lubrant.com/ggg.
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