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New Simon, P. Diddy Tracks Highlight 'Wild Thornberrys'

An eclectic mix of pop and world music comes together to form the soundtrack to "The Wild Thornberrys Movie," due Nov. 26 via Nick Records/Jive. Among the 14-tracks framing the animated feature will be "Father and Daughter," a new song by veteran singer/songwriter Paul Simon, and "Dance With Us," a collaboration by P. Diddy, Brandy, and teen rapper Bow Wow.

Largely acoustic, Simon's heartfelt ballad is driven by a simple electric guitar lead, with lyrics mirroring the safari-based Nickelodeon series' relationship between wildlife filmmaker/Thornberry patriarch Nigel and his daughter Eliza. Filled with a father's wishes and advice for his offspring, in the song's chorus, Simon sings, "I'm gonna watch you shine/gonna watch you grow/gonna paint a sign, so you'll always know/as long as one and one is two/there could never be a father who loved his daughter more than I love you."

P. Diddy and Brandy team up on "Dance With Us," featuring Bow Wow, while Peter Gabriel recasts his classic "Shaking the Tree" with help from Jamaican pop reggae artist Shaggy and Senegal's Youssou N'Dour. The latter shows up again on the set with "Don't Walk Away," featuring Sting, while Gabriel also offers the solo track "Animal Nation."

To further reflect the film's exotic, safari setting, the soundtrack also features songs by Hugh Masekela and Las Hijas del Sol, as well as Angelique Kidjo, who turns in "Iwoya," a track that features Dave Matthews.

Jive world artist Sita lends the title track of her sophomore album, "Happy," to the set, and the label's Nick Carter of Backstreet Boys fame adds "End of Forever," a track not included on his solo debut album, "Now or Never," released earlier this week. The Pretenders, Reel Big Fish, and Baha Men are among the other artists who contribute songs to the soundtrack.

 "The Wild Thornberrys Movie" will find Eliza and her pet chimp Darwin trying to save the life of a kidnapped cheetah cub from poachers, who in turn threaten her sister Debbie's life. Featuring the voices of Tim Curry as Nigel and Lacey Chabert ("Not Another Teen Movie") as Eliza, the film (Nickelodeon Movies/Paramount) will open Dec. 20 in U.S. theaters.

Here is "The Wild Thornberrys" soundtrack listing:

• "Father and Daughter," Paul Simon
• "Iwoya," Angelique Kidjo featuring Dave Matthews
• "Dance With Us," P. Diddy and Brandy featuring Bow Wow
• "Animal Nation," Peter Gabriel
• "Happy," Sita
• "Motla Le Pula (The Rainmaker)," Hugh Masekela
• "Don't Walk Away," Youssou N'Dour featuring Sting
• "Acci-dent," Baha Men
• "Monkey Men," Reel Big Fish
• "Shaking the Tree ('02 Remix)," Peter Gabriel and Youssou N'Dour featuring Shaggy
• "Get Out of London," the Pretenders
• "Africa," Las Hijas del Sol
• "End of Forever," Nick Carter
• "Awa Awa," Wes

-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.

Source: http://www.billboard.com/billboard/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1752524