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I
make no apologies for being a fan of Final Fantasy. While I do admit
that they have not earned my dollars in the past few years, I still
will go back and play the classics, because that is what they are.
There is a reason why they are called classics and are still to this
day considered some of the best RPG's from the past.
Back
in 2004 on the heels of the first successful concert, 20020220
Music from Final Fantasy, Shiro Hamaguchi partnered with Nobuo
Uematsu again to do another concert. Instead of one night with the
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, they would do 7 concerts in 6 cities
across Japan. Hamaguchi got Taizō Takemoto to again conduct the
orchestra as he had done so back in the 2002 concert.
So
how is the album? Well the kicker is that I have not been able to buy
the album as it was a limited DVD run and given out exclusively to
members of Nobuo Uematsu's fan club. So my exposure has been limited
to Youtube video's which in this case actually works in the album's
favour. There is something special about watching an orchestra
perform your favourite tracks infront of an audience. For me, it
feels as if I am there in the crowd.
The
concert performed one or two tracks from each game from Final Fantasy
IV to XI as well as a medley of tracks from Final Fantasy I-III and
they are all stellar, including The Oath from Final Fantasy VIII and
given my dislike of the music from that game, I consider this quite a
feat. Something else they did that I consider icing on the cake is
during the Final Fantasy Opera/Maria and Draco, they had Etsuyo Ota,
Tomoaki Watanabe, and Tetsuya Odagawa to perform as Maria, Draco and
Ralse respectfully. The three of them do a fantastic job on this
song.
However,
one of my favourite pieces from this has to be either their rendition
of You're Not Alone or Final Fantasy Main Theme. While the former
invokes the same feeling of hope from the game, the latter is truly
special. From simple beginnings to playing with the Tokyo
Philharmonic Orchestra, is is amazing to see how it all comes back to
this iconic tune.
While
the above is true, the real reason that this track is so great is
because halfway through the song, Hamaguchi gives up his baton and
orchestrating duties to Uematsu himself (who proceeds to use his own
Baton he produces from his pocket). The applause itself is so grand
it nearly drowns out the orchestra. It is such a profound moment that
you can't help but smile.
I
absolutely love this album. Growing up with this series, I have
fallen in love with this type of music and I consider Uematsu one of
my musical heroes and I considered him one of the cornerstones of the
original company along side Amano and Sakaguchi. When they left, the
original Squaresoft was gone and in its place was Square Enix. I am
not decrying the efforts of the current company as that is what they
are, a company and companies have to make money. I just feel that
when the three left, they took a something from there that made the
games special.
So
where can you find this album. Sadly I have been unable to find the
CD for purchase anywhere. As I have said, my only exposure to the
soundtrack has been through Youtube links. If you are able to
purchase it for a reasonable price be sure to do so as it is a
fantastic album.
Next
time, I gear up for a fight because the minibosses are back in
action. This is Daimo Mac and I am lost in the music.
~~
Follow
me on Twitter @lostwiththmusic or
email me at lostwithmusic@gmail.com
~~
Heads up. The VGO plans on performing live in Boston on the 7th (tickets here) and they wish to produce a live CD. Of course, things like this cost money so they have started a Kickstarter and need your help. For more information, visit their Kickstarter page
~~
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