Beauty and the Beast [Bonus Tracks]

From the 1991 Walt Disney release. Composed by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman--the Grammy Award-winning team from "The Little Mermaid." Ashman died shortly after completion of this work.
Principal cast: Robby Benson (Beast); Jesse Corti (LeFou); Angela Lansbury (Mrs. Potts); Paige O'Hara (Belle); Jerry Orbach (Lumiere); David Ogden Stiers (Cogsworth); Richard White (Gaston).
Digitally remastered by Bruce Botnick.
Audio Mixers: John Richards ; Michael Farrow.
Audio Remixer: Bruce Botnik.
Arrangers: Danny Troob; David Friedman ; Alan Menken.
This music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman are positively delightful. While not as good as the Little Mermaid score, this album has its moments, such as "Be Our Guest" (in an A Chorus Line style). Including both orchestral and vocal selections, it features the talents of Robby Benson, Paige O'Hara, and Angela Lansbury, among others. The album also includes "Beauty and the Beast" as a duet between Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson. ~ Tavia Hobart