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Composer/producer Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, etc.) has already lassoed eight Oscars in his run as a Disney hit-deliverer, and here he rustles up several good reasons for the Academy to offer him one more. Of the eight non-score songs on offer, three are knock-your-spurs-off dazzlers: k.d. lang pours her perfect pitch all over "Little Patch of Heaven," Bonnie Raitt breaks hearts with the fragile piano ballad "Will the Sun Ever Shine Again," and Tim McGraw tips a twangy hat to friendship on "Wherever the Trail May Lead." The Beu Sisters' version of "Anytime You Need a Friend," also performed as a final track by Menken, satisfies musical sweet teeth--it's the sort of song that's practically mandatory on a Disney record these days--but its slightness doesn't detract from the at times rootin'-tootin', at times pure-prairie-pretty mood. Listeners of all ages, saddle up. --Tammy La Gorce