About
Little LP is a series on Disneyland and licensed labels consisting of a 7" LP and small book. It became the "Read Along" series by the early 90s. This series can be credited when: - the "LLP" prefix appears or where one existed or would have been applied previous to 1973 (when all catalog number prefixes were dropped). - where the format logo appears, in any language, using the same designs as seen in the images. - the phrase "SEE the pictures HEAR the record READ the book" appears on the cover or labels, in any language - the phrase "A Disneyland Record And Book", in any language - the phrase "A Little Golden Book & Record", when it appears on the Disneyland label or related labels. - listed on the back flap as "other titles in this series" or equivalent. Generally, all releases of 7" records that play at 33 rpm should be tagged with the LP tag. Exceptions include: - Releases with the LLP prefix should be tagged LP, regardless of speed - if it is a 45 rpm reissue, add that tag as well. - Any release at 33 rpm, but without the LLP prefix should still be tagged LP. - Releases of 45rpm records with the series logos, but no LLP prefix do not need to be tagged with LP. Series History: The first Little LPs were released in November 1965, consisting of LLP-301 to LLP-308. They were originally all 33rpm as Disneyland president, jimmy johnson (10), disliked the 45rpm format (non-English reissues were often converted to 45rpm, while English language version stayed at 33rpm). The stories were initially adapted from stories previously published in Little Golden Books, but later may have included some original stories. Many of the Disney stories in this series did not follow the movies exactly as they were often written long before the final version of the film. Other stories were completely unrelated to the story in the films, but used the same characters. Original releases until 1977, approximately, had the story separate on the A side with one or two songs from the film on the B side. Early issues of the 300 catalog number block also included printed lyrics for the songs on the B side of the record. Track titles for the story were typically in the "Story Of [Title]" format. Most books were 24 pages. After 1977, many Little LPs were recorded with a full, unnamed cast and had the music and sound effects interspersed in the story. These often had new artwork for the cover and a rearranged tracklist. Track titles for the story were typically in the "[Title] Story And Song" format. The original 300 catalog number block consisted of Disney stories only, but other non-Disney stories were later released in the 200 catalog number block in the 1970s. Other number blocks included the 400 block on the Charlie Brown and Buena Vista labels, and the late 80s 500 and 700 blocks. Narrators for the series were called the "Disneyland Story Reader" - originally, most were not credited on the releases. The original English language Disneyland Story Reader was Robie Lester, who performed on all US released from the series start in 1965 to 1970. These were all performed on-the-fly, with scripts being read for the first time a few minutes before recording. The first records in the series opened with the following phrase: "This is a Walt Disney original little long-playing record, and I am your Disneyland story reader. I am going to begin now to read the story of [Title]. You can read along with me in your book. You will know it is time to turn the page when you hear Tinker Bell ring her little bells like this [chimes]. Let's begin now." Her initial recordings had no sound effects beyond the chime to turn the page (with one exception - Peter And The Wolf). The early recordings all ended with "That is the end of the story of [Title]. But now we are going to hear another song from Walt Disney's motion picture." After these first recordings, the opening narration was shortened to "This is a Disneyland original little long playing record and I am your Disneyland story reader," and the closing narration was removed. The lyrics were also removed from the covers. Robie Lester's final Little LP recordings were Pecos Bill and Susie, The Little Blue Coupe, released in December 1970. After Lester's final recording, British actress Lois Lane (3) took over recording Little LPs. Unlike Lester, she did not give characters different voices and read everything in her native accent. She also did not re-record any of the previous stories recorded by Robie Lester. Her last recording as the Disneyland Story Reader was Winnie The Pooh And Tigger Too, released around August 1974. In 1976, the Little LP story recording format was updated. These new versions were recorded with a full cast, variously consisting of Tony Pope (2), Corey Burton, Linda Gary, Pat Parris and other guest voice actors, and included sound effects and music interspersed throughout the story. In addition to the first 24 releases of the 200 catalog number block, they also re-recorded several of Robie Lester and Lois Lane (3)'s original Little LPs. These re-recordings have a rearranged tracklisting and new cover artwork. The Little LP series concluded by 1986 when the Disneyland label was renamed to Walt Disney Records. Many of these recordings began to be issued on cassette during the 80s, which were release as the "Read Along" series. This new name continued with some CD issues as well, and eventually became the present day Songs And Story. __________________________________ Languages and variation that appear on Little LP copy (credit the series as "Little LP" - exact wording of the copy can go in the notes): SE Billederne HØR Pladen LÆS Bogen (Danish) Kleine Langspielplatte (German) Guarda Ascolta Leggi (Italian) Se, Hør, Les (Norwegian) 45 T Disque Longue Durée (French reissues, remastered to play at 45 rpm) Lill-LP (Swedish) A Little Golden Book & Record (on non-Disney Little Golden Books on the Disneyland label) Mini L.P. (found on Dutch releases) Mira Las Laminas Escucha El Disco Lee El Libro (Spanish) Pikku-LP (Finnish) Note that some countries may have a second series in addition to "Little LP". These include: Kleine Langspielplatte Priče I Pjesme Disneylanda Приче И Песме Дизниленда Related series include: Disney Read-Along A Walt Disney Read-Along Read-Along Adventure Mini Bilderbuch-Schallplatte Walt Disney's Musiksaga Cuentodisco Bruguera