I've just relistened to The Big Picture to refresh my memory. I agree that Soul Bossa Nova doesn't work for me, but then it is not exactly my style of music anyway. Regarding the arrangements, I think the arranger is sometimes torn between whether to produce an arrangement or a transcription. As has already been said, what is intended for one medium doesn't always work so well in another, and so the arranger may need to add something original to make it into something worthwhile, but in doing that he is unlikely to please everyone.
Listening to the cd again reinforced my thoughts when first hearing it, in that it does not make for a very satisfactory programme to listen to. Although most of the individual items are more than acceptable, there is not a great deal in variety, and it seems as if the programme selection was based more on what music they were hoping to sell on the back of the recording rather than out of any aesthetic considerations.
I must disagree with Keppler about the Cartoon Classics, however, as I feel that works quite well, and I can imagine it getting good audience response at a concert. Despite my reservations regarding the programme I would still say that it is a recording well worth obtaining, but maybe not one to be listened to all in one go.