Hollywood Records release a double album of songs from the musical TV series Galavant. Galavant is a dashing knight, down on his luck, determined to reclaim his reputation and his "Happily Ever After" by going after the evil King Richard, who ruined it the moment he kidnapped the love of Galavant's life, Madalena. Galavant is assisted by Princess Isabella, whose kingdom of Valencia Richard has conquered, and Sid, his squire...

Musicals are not normally my thing. But when I hear one that I like I can't get enough of it. This was very much the case with Galavant.

Galavant: The Complete Collection collects together 62 tracks (1 hr, 58 min, 18 sec) of the first two seasons of the musical comedy series Galavant. Disc one contains music from the first season, which chronicle Galavant's journeys through musical numbers composed and written by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater. The second disc charts the story of the second season, where having discovered the dark side of Madalena, our dashing hero's adventures continue as he embarks on an unlikely bromance with King Richard and fights to rekindle the romance with his true love, Isabella. All the episodes of the season lead up to a large battle among three armies, including the Valencians, the Hortensians, and a swarm of zombies led by Galavant and Richard.

Fans of the show will love this release, while collectors of Musical albums will also get a huge kick out of how many homages are paid to some of their favourite shows.

The first season songs focus a little too heavily on the one main theme - but it's such a great and memorable theme that you instantly forgive Menken and Slater for overusing it. But there are other themes that are just as impressive. Actually too many highlights for me to even begin listing.

The second season dispenses with the main theme, they even have a dig at themselves for overusing it in the first season. Worry not, it makes a welcome return towards the end of the album. And there are more varied musical numbers which will have fans of the show grinning from ear to ear. And even if you've never seen the series you'll still find the lyrics to be very amusing.

It's an impressive and incredibly funny release. In fact I can't remember the last time I laughed out loud when listening to an album. The LP's, and for that matter the show's, charm is that the musical numbers switch seamlessly from comedy to beautifully serious numbers. For example one of the album's funniest tracks 'Let's Agree to Disagree' is followed by one of the show's most moving 'World's Best Kiss (Reprise)'.

The album pretty much lets the story unfold, so even if you haven't seen the show (and you really should) you can pretty much follow the plot (especially as the Jester pops up from time to time to fill us in).

This is an uplifting and very funny release which should appeal to both Galavant's fans as well as collector's of Musical albums.

10

Darren Rea