A Kid in Aladdin's Palace

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

It's easy to say that this score doesn't own brilliant and sensational music, but if you see it as a soundtrack addressed to smaller kids, usually those that will watch the movie and applaud it's orchestral size then you will surely accept its lovely and rich style. David Michael Frank is not a name that sticks out in the movie industry but his score for A Kid in Aladdin's Palace deserves credit because his work is entirely melodic and fun to hear. The score works tremendously and it's captivating power, the adventurous and magical world of Aladdin and Ali Baba has been created before my very own eyes. This release definitely stands above Aladdin from Disney, but fans shouldn't think that this is difficult music, like Williams or others would write. No because then you will be quickly deceived. You have to approach this score like a young adult perhaps and embrace its functionality. The size of the orchestra is huge, The City of Prague Philharmonic is known for its excellent performances in the compilation versions of Space and Beyond and David Michael Frank made good use of their size. The one and only complaint is the clarity from the recording which isn't that a big of deal anyway.

The main themes are used in almost every track and mostly they build to a short but glorious finale. In a way you can see the highlight as the actual album itself because all the tracks are too short to really make a difference. Frank's captivating magic definitely reminds you to the open spaces of the desert, in fact the love theme reminds you even more of David Arnold's whooshing Stargate, and with great flair by the way. The Arabian mood is perfectly created. Many will see A Kid in Aladdin's Palace as a somewhat simply approach but frankly it is, the easy scoring method as you could call it is meant for the younger kids out there, and I think they will like it very much. It's definitely a good way to start with film music if you're searching for an orchestral blast of power. And that it is, orchestral, rich themes full of power and a magical approach. In that way A Kid in Aladdin's Palace has a lot to offer, it is perhaps performed for a younger audience but many veterans will love the orchestral and rich approach of David Michael Frank equally so, and especially that bit that will remind them back to Stargate. It isn't the most inventive form but it reaches high standards in quality and magic. This simply works, because in some way it doesn't sound so complex as Arabian Nights. Here for instance we find that majesty and childlike fun.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Desert Opening (2.11) Excellent Track

2. Cave Of Wonders (1.08)

3. Sealing The Cave (1.37)

4. Special Delivery (1.11)

5. Market Chase (2.19) Excellent Track

6. Calvin From Reseda (0.30)

7. Harem Delights (0.56)

8. Secret Passage (1.37)

9. Camel Companion (1.36)

10. An Oasis (1.04)

11. Winging It (0.44)

12. Sweet Dreams (1.05)

13. Sea Of Sand (1.33)

14. Burger Mirage (0.49)

15. Sandstorm (1.16)

16. Searching (0.55)

17. Love Blooms (1.22)

18. Luxor Sees All (1.06)

19. Valley Of Death (1.28)

20. Guardians Of The Key (1.21)

21. Princess Sherry (1.51)

22. The Key Fits (1.11) Excellent Track

23. Entering The Cave (0.48)

24. Betrayed (1.22)

25. Ali Baba's Theme (0.36)

26. Slam Dunk (2.40)

27. Change Of Heart (1.46)

28. Raging Waters (0.53)

29. A Royal Beheading (2.34) Excellent Track

30. High School Hero (1.32) Excellent Track

31. Luxor Escapes (0.55)

32. Aladdin Awakes (1.28)

33. Final Goodbyes (2.05)

34. Date For The Dance (0.57)

Total Length: 46.48

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