“The Second Star to the Right,” a la Thomas Tallis (born about 1500), is stark and lovely. Takeoffs of the romantics work well–a ripe, Rachmaninoffish “Beauty and the Beast” and a “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” that could pass for low-level Tchaikovsky. Even if you don’t know a tune, you’ll recognize the inspiration: “With a Smile and a Song” may be new to you, but it’s genuine ersatz Chopin. Hats off, too, to the liner-notes team, who provide lively texts: short, big-print ones for kids, meatier ones for adults. “Heigh-Ho!” is more fun than “Pocahontas” and probably more historically accurate. And you can dance to it.
