A great yet widely ignored album from 20 years ago was Hal Willner's "Stay Awake" project, which utilized assorted rock, jazz and pop singers to perform assorted songs from memorable Walt Disney films. The album included such highlights as Los Lobos doing "The Monkey Song" from "The Jungle Book", Ringo Starr and Herb Alpert teaming up on "When You Wish Upon a Star", "Baby Mine" from "Dumbo" as interpreted by Bonnie Raitt, and Bonnie's friends NRBQ doing "Whistle While You Work". Sun Ra, Tom Waits, and Syd Straw among others also lent their talents.
Hal recently staged a "reunion show" in New York City, and this fall will take the show to UCLA:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117986832.html?categoryId=16&cs=1
Monday, June 9, 2008
"Stay Awake" Goes West
