Disney - Story & Song From the Haunted Mansion
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CD Details
Artist: DisneyEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
CD Release Date: 2009-09-22
Music Label: Disney
Soundtracks:
- The Story and Song from the Haunted Mansion
- Grim Grinning Ghosts [*]
Music reviews of Story & Song From the Haunted Mansion
Music Review: Great CD version of the original 1969 vinyl LP
Rating: 5 Stars
I thought it would good fun to provide a list of differences regarding the mixing of the new "The Story And Song From The Haunted Mansion" CD as compared to the original mix of the 1969 vinyl LP, which I own, having come across it on eBay only this month in very nice condition (vinyl and jacket/book). I've come up with this list of obvious differences. It's not a complete representation of the subject, but there is no point providing a minute-by-minute accounting for the entire almost-25-minute recording. Here goes:
1) Throughout the entire recording, our narrator (Thurl Ravenscroft) is entirely in mono on the LP and CD.
2) At 00:15 on the LP, there is wind and a cat in the left channel, both of which subtlely shift to mono at
00:41 and continue until 1:18, at which point the cat and wind/lightning effects begin to subtlely shift
back and forth from mono to stereo to mono. On the CD this entire segment is mono through 4:21,including
our Ghost Host (Pete Renoudet), who appears at 3:35 in mono on the LP and CD.
3) At 4:22, the Ghost Host begins his stereo segment on the LP and CD. His stereo effect is maintained
throughout most of the LP and CD, with only a few places on both in mono. However, the effects past 4:22
on the LP and CD are mostly mono throughout the recording.
4) At 10:10 on the LP, the Ghost Host shifts from stereo to mono for his last few words in this segment, and
then the mono continues as Mike and Karen talk. On the CD, he remains in stereo. This is funny, since
the CD seems to favor mono in most places where the LP is in its more eerie mono-to-stereo flip-flopping.
5) During part of the "ghost party" segment (from 17:14 to 18:15), the main organ shifts from mono to stereo
to mono on the LP, whereas on the CD the organ is entirely mono during this segment.
6) At 23:14 on the LP, as Mike and Karen leave the Haunted Mansion their voices seem to shift from mono to
stereo with a center balance between left and right channels. It's not quite like a pure mono sound.
This is proven by the segue that leads directly into the Ghost Host bidding Mike and Karen goodbye in a
very slight right channel effect, with the addition of a bell (23:37) also in that same very slight right
channel. By 24:05, the stereo has craftily and slowly shifted to mono to fill out the remainder of the
story at 24:44. On the CD, this entire segment from 23:15 to the very end is strictly in mono.
7) The CD doesn't have quite as much mid-range and bass, which suggests the original LP had somewhat too
much of both. This is a matter of personal taste. Whatever the case, The CD is quite clean and crisp,
and has an excellent overall sound. It should be noted that the sound effects are easier (actually
louder) to hear on the CD, and the distinctness between the various audio components of the entire
recording are certainly to be appreciated as compared to the original LP. Please understand that the LP
sounds very good and can stand very well on its own, but the CD benefits from today's excellent
production improvements. Between the stereo/mono issues and today's production standards, both the LP
and CD have very strong points and a few drawbacks. Such is life.
Track #2 is "Grim Grinning Ghosts", running 5:33 in length, and coming off like a mini-version of the ride-through. It begins with the familiar Haunted Mansion organ and Paul Frees as the Ghost Host, then the "Otherwordly" organ (see 1999 & 2009 Haunted Mansion CDs) comes in at :54, followed by the also-familiar Grim Grinning Ghosts song at 1:52, and finally finishing with Little Leota at 4:59 as the song winds down under her. Her spiel is :28 long. This same cut can also be found on the 2005 and 2008 "Official Album" double-CD sets from Disneyland (5:33 and 5:32, respectively), with the very notable exception that those two releases feature a shorter spiel from Little Leota (she comes in at 5:16), whereas the cut on this CD has her coming in at 4:59 so we can hear her entire spiel. Another reason to get this CD.
The CD also features the original LP/current CD artwork of Collin Campbell, accessible by simply inserting the CD into your computer disc drive. Very nice.
The overall result of the LP is a fun mixing of mostly fairly subtle, yet unpredictable shifts between mono and stereo for all the various components of this whole listening experience. It's too bad about the lack of multi-track tape decks at that time, which caused the production to be done in sections, which in turn were then spliced together, but during the course of 25 minutes, it doesn't really matter because it doesn't occur often enough to be of any lasting concern, if this sort of thing should even bother a person to begin with. At the very least, it contributes to the eerieness of the album. Cool. The CD simply exudes great production values overall despite the stereo/mono debate.
One regret about the CD is that it would have been a real treat to provide both the unaltered original mix along with the new mix. Listeners could have had some real fun choosing their favorite version and having fun discussing their reasons for their choice. As it stands now, only those of us who have the LP can have this fun. It would be nice if Disney would release a second edition of this CD with the original mix included in the package. Nonetheless, the current CD is excellent as released, and gives today's audience a chance to hear this previously hard-to-obtain recording in an up-to-date format. I was very surprised, and happy, to discover this new release, and highly recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys the Haunted Mansion.
Here's also hoping Disney will consider re-releasing some other gems, like Pirates of the Caribbean (1968), which also features Thurl Ravenscroft as a pirate-style story host. It also would be good to hear a CD version of the old Disney "It's a Small World" LP (1964) with Winston Hibler as host. I would have included the "Chilling, Thrilling Sounds Of The Haunted House" (1964), but it is already on iTunes, so no CD is coming for that one. All of these in their original LP form have the folding "book" format within the gatefold cover, except "Haunted House".
Description of Story & Song From the Haunted Mansion
1. The Story and Song from The Haunted MansionIn 1969, this Disneyland Records Storyteller album was released to commemorate the opening of Haunted Mansion. Intended as a simple promotional album, this recording has become a cherished childhood memory for many a Disneyland guest. The Story and Song of The Haunted Mansion includes original scenes and effects that never made it into the final attraction as it follows the story of two teenagers (voiced by Robie Lester and a young Ron Howard) who take refuge inside the eerie mansion during a mysterious rainstorm.
2. BONUS TRACK - Grim Grinning Ghosts
The official DisneylandŽ Park version
Bonus Content: Insert this CD into your computer to enjoy a second session of HiRez Collin Campbell images of his original paintings for the 1969 vinyl release.
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