Frontierland Recording Sessions circa. 1991

[wedroy1923]

Does anyone have information recording the Frontierland recording sessions which produced the current Magic Kingdom Frontierland loop? I'm asking because in listening to other area loops from Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, I'm finding many of the same tracks as used in the Magic Kingdom loop but also many others, so I'm wondering how extensive those recording sessions were and if any material is available?

For instance, a loop associated with Tokyo Disneyland's Westernland (I say associated because I do not have confirmation that it is actually used in Westernland) includes "South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)" and "Pecos Bill" (the version heard in the older Magic Kingdom Entrance loop).

The Fuente del Oro Restaurant in Disneyland Paris' Frontierland includes, in addition to "Pecos Bill" and "South of the Border," tracks like "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart," "San Antonio Rose," "El Paso," and "Cielito Lindo" in the same style as the Magic Kingdom Frontierland loop. The Fuente del Oro loop also includes the "Zorro Theme" used in the older Disneyland Entrance loop.

I would assume the version of "Old Betsy" used in the Entrance loops is also part of these recording sessions.

Any information regarding the scope and availability of these recording sessions is appreciated.

 

[Horizons]

I have never come across these recording session tracks. I've always wondered if these tracks, the Splash Mountain tracks, and BTM tracks were all part of one large recording session. SoundmanG previously posted that the Splash recording sessions run 3+ hours, but I don't have any details on what additional songs, if any, were recorded.

 

[SeaCastle]

Here's a link to a discussion from two years ago. DL Flight 295 indicated that the current Frontierland music was from Tokyo Disneyland's Westernland BGM (which was also used at Big Thunder Ranch in 1985/86). Splash Mountain (WDW)'s should have been recorded in the early '90s. I'd imagine the music for Big Thunder Mountain was recorded in the late '70s when the ride was built, then recycled for use at The Land pavilion.

Around two hours worth of background music for WDW's Splash Mountain was released via Walt Disney World Forever, so including outtakes three hours would song about right.


If they ever decided to release the recording sessions for any of those three BGM's, I would die a happy man.

 

[SeaCastle]

I didn't realize what I said until after I posted, but the bit about BTMRR music being recycled for The Land is most likely baloney. I thought of the Garden Grill BGM (which uses music in similar style to BTMRR) but the rest of the music was scored specifically for the pavilion. (Listen to the Land variations, Jimmy Crack Corn, etc.)

 

[gmeader]

I have never come across these recording session tracks. I've always wondered if these tracks, the Splash Mountain tracks, and BTM tracks were all part of one large recording session. SoundmanG previously posted that the Splash recording sessions run 3+ hours, but I don't have any details on what additional songs, if any, were recorded.

To answer your question about one large session the answer is no (at least for Splash anyway), Splash was a stand alone session and was not grouped in with any other area development music projects. However due to the recording costs and licensing it was common practice to use any newly recorded music in as many other locations as possible, which is why you'll hear Splash BGM music in many different areas of the Disney empire. I don't remember everything that was recorded at the Splash session but I know we did the all of WDW Splash BGM, Tokyo Splash BGM and Splash attraction music for both TDL/WDW. It's possible we did a few extra tunes as we recorded for almost two weeks but I don't have any documentation that I can easily get a hold of that tells me what we recorded. Most of the Splash session was literally letting tape roll while the guys in the studio sat around and ad-libbed what ever they could think of. They would play some notes, discuss it and then record it. Two takes and it was on to the next tune.

Around two hours worth of background music for WDW's Splash Mountain was released via Walt Disney World Forever, so including outtakes three hours would song about right.

If they ever decided to release the recording sessions for any of those three BGM's, I would die a happy man.

Three hours of Splash BGM is what I have in my collection. There is more than that as it was a two week session and there are tunes that I remember recording that I don't have. I know I brought back to California quite a large box full of hour long rolls of tape containing two weeks worth of sessions.

 

[gmeader]

....Splash Mountain (WDW)'s should have been recorded in the early '90s....

You are correct sir. It was recorded in February of 1991 in Nashville.