Game Music Concert 2 ~The Best Selection~ :: Review by Dave and Nick

	Album Title:	Game Music Concert 2 ~The Best Selection~
	Record Label:	Warner Music Japan
	Catalog Number:	WPCL-709
	Release Date:	November 28, 1992
	Content:	1 CD - 18 Tracks
	Purchase:	Buy at eBay

Overview

Written by Dave

With the success of the Game Music Concert ~The Best Selection~ album, 1992 saw a new team of collaborators come together to create a sequel in an attempt to mimic its success. Once more, we see Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest music featured on the album, but many other games such as Sim City and Nobunaga's Ambition make their first entry into the concert series. Yoko Kanno and Koichi Sugiyama are amongst those who return, and even Nobuo Uematsu comes along to arrange two themes of his own! With the series now having gained more recognition, is it time to up the tempo even further? Read on to see what we thought!

Track-by-Track Reviews

1) Mother 2 "Because I Love You" (Written by Nick)

Kurita returns from the highly acclaimed Game Music Concert ~The Best Selection~ to arrange this classic theme. This piece is an excellent opener to this remarkable album. Oddly enough it does not remind me about love, rather, it reminds me about a group of friends who have finished an epic battle and are together for one last time before they go their own ways. The theme emits touches of sadness which are coupled with a feeling of looking forward to a bright future. The arrangement is simply gorgeous and it is almost as if it were written for an orchestra right from the beginning. It is most likely an ending theme, I think this because of the thematic development and the feelings I mentioned earlier. The piece comprises mainly of strings which convey most of the feelings effectively. Of course a lot of the emotions are also thanks to the effective woodwind, like the melodic flutes and the brass which is kept at a low key but is still effective. There are slight build ups during the piece but they are nothing booming, I am glad for this because I feel it would have really ruined the piece. Everything is kept at a low profile but they all blend so well together that is creates an amazing journey. This is easily my favourite piece on the album and really sets an optimistic feeling into gear. (10/10)

2) Mother 2 "Eagle Land" (Written by Nick)

This light-hearted arrangement starts off with a tuba which is then accompanied by a very sexy sounding euphonium at the 8 second mark backed up by the string ensemble. The highlight of this track is certainly the tuba which provides a soothing bass line for the whole piece. The euphonium adds to the effect as well and provides a lovely backdrop for the soothing strings to relax on. Of course, the tuba conveys a playful aura that the track simply reeks of. The strings merely emphasize that effect but in a good way. The instrumentation is clever because the tuba harmonizes very well with the strings and vice versa. I feel the track is a metaphor for a hopeful future and many happy meetings. It is hard hitting stuff and the development throughout the piece is kept to a low but that is recovered by the awesome blend of instruments. (9/10)

3) Sim City "Village" (Written by Dave)

Keiichi Suzuki and Nobuo Kurita's "Sim City "Village"" really shocked me, since I know nothing of the game itself. I found the piece to be highly melodic and certainly satisfying in many respects. The whole experience seemed to remind me of Final Fantasy VIII's "Eyes On Me," in the way that the violins seemed to flow alongside the gracious flute line whilst also building up into a dramatic 'pop'-like section. Indeed, it seems like a perfect ballad, with the instrumentation heightening a love filled atmosphere and a passionate section at 2:05 increasing one's emotions even further. Now, the thing that surprised me the most about this arrangement was how it suddenly gained flair in a very short amount of time. The lead up to the 2:05 section is very short, and such a seamless transition creates what is one of the most memorable melodies on the entire album. In many respects, the section could be seen as a 'Hitoshi Sakimoto meets Yôko Shimomura' circumstance in that it takes the characteristics of Sakimoto's ending themes and Shimomura's main themes! This is definitely one of the best on the album, but does its counterpart match it? (10/10)

4) Sim City "Town" (Written by Dave)

Much more light-hearted and jolly, "Sim City "Town"" doesn't seem to follow in the footsteps of "Sim City "Village"" at all. Much more aimed at creating a feeling of community spirit and a wholesome atmosphere, this orchestration is very dainty. Starting off in the style of Koichi Sugiyama's Dragon Quest arrangements, this theme is built entirely up from the string section, and its baroque nature adds to what is the light-hearted atmosphere. Despite lasting for nearly five minutes, the melody doesn't really go too far; with a few shifts to the minor key added here and there, development is minimal, but somehow, this seems cleverly masked! The 2:17 section sees the birth of a small new section, and it is this that actually makes the theme fly by in an instant. Although I've run out of fairly creative things to say about this track, rest assured that Nobuo Kurita certainly didn't run out of creative things to do within the arrangement. (9/10)

5) Great Strategy Expert "Soldier's Rhapsody" (Written by Dave)

Following on from the all-string "Sim City "Town"," "Great Strategy Expert "Soldier's Rhapsody" is a fully orchestrated and welcoming addition to the album. Starting with a timpani roll and then moving on into some brass interjections, we are led into the main theme, which is played on strings. Soon enough, an inspirational developed section takes over to bring us into what is a fantastic march-like section led by brass. Snare drums and a rampant march beat really relate to the idea of a soldier, going out on a final journey for Queen and country. A favourite feature of mine is how Kousuke Onozaki also keeps a sense of tenderness in the piece, as if the soldier has much to learn on his journey. At 1:23, the piece becomes very dark as the soldier is plunged into an area filled with havoc and destruction, but as soon as the melody returns once again, we just know that his confidence has been returned, and with more and more instruments being added by the minute, this confidence grows to create what is a fantastic motif, relished with an awesome brass part. This is an effective arrangement, which is very well-structured. (9/10)

6) Nobunaga's Ambition "The Beacon" (Written by Dave)

I was pleased to see that this theme carries on from Kousuke Onozaki's arrangement perfectly. The structure is very similar in that it sees the use of some fantastic brass motifs in conjunction with some more 'tender' instruments like the harp and flute. As expected, such a glorious arrangement could only come from the mind of Yoko Kanno; unlike the ones that we have heard so far, Nobunaga's Ambition "The Beacon" (aka "Skyrocket") totally changes character at the 0:46 mark to become far more tribal and centred on a feeling of darkness. Here, heavy drums, a swift melody, and other dramatic instruments all collect to create an epic atmosphere. Even so, once more, the theme shifts to a different setting at the 2:08 mark. An Asian flute appears to create a rather ethnic sound that is then backed up by a high-pitched flute and a rather tribal tambourine. Soon enough, along comes a dramatic melody, and we are swept off into seamless epic goodness by some string glissandos. I love this piece, and I feel that through its development, it is probably the best the album has to offer. (10/10)

7) Nobunaga's Ambition "Distant Mountains and Rivers" (Written by Dave)

Just as sophisticated as its series counterpart, "Distant Mountains and Rivers" starts off with a delicate introduction before we are swept into an array of Kanno awesomeness. The tender touches of the strings contrasted with the rhythmic vibes of the glockenspiel create a very poetic and surreal atmosphere that leaves the listener feeling light-headed and in a world of their own. When we hear the introduction of the main melody, we are kept intrigued as it hops around the instruments and creates an exquisite timbre that could only be matched by what is about to follow! Violins, brass, and melodic instruments alike combine to create an increasingly daring atmosphere that creates a sense of suspense greater than any other arrangement I have known. I can truly say that the original theme is done a great deal of justice in this track, and that this theme is every bit as good as Kanno's first instalment to the album. (10/10)

8) Dragon Quest V "Palace Trumpet" (Written by Nick)

With a title like that, one would have expected a trumpet solo, but the piece ends up using strings as the focal point with the grandiose trumpet acting as a back up though occasionally takes the centre stage providing an occasional melody. In my opinion this piece stays very true to the essence of a string quartet. The trumpet works very well with the string ensemble and both are very good at creating a feeling of elegance and exquisiteness. Of course, Sugiyama knows the full power of a string ensemble, and uses it to its best potential here by throwing in fancy arpeggios and awesome harmonisation. The end result is a lovely, yet elegant, piece reminding me of a castle in the breeze on a warm cloudless day. Hard hitting stuff. (9/10)

9) Dragon Quest V "Bridal Waltz (Written by Nick)

Whenever I hear a waltz if forces me to compare it to the two waltzes featured in the Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack which were pretty much the first pieces I heard that were waltzes. However it would be sacrilege to compare this track to Uematsu's rendition of a waltz because they are both very different. "Bridal Waltz" achieves a lot of levels of satisfaction that Uematsu's compositions did not, so they are not comparable at all. The remarkable thing about this piece is that it reminds me a great deal of the classical piece "Swan Lake" by Tchaikovsky. It is wonderful and I feel that the strings are a metaphor for a calm river while the brass sections are rocks that prohibit the path of the running water. The brass simply adds flavor to the overall piece, it is just that their full potential is held back as they are kept to a low profile which is not really favourable to the piece. Which is why I call them rocks that hold back the river; if they were turned up slightly, perhaps to the same level that they are played in during the last motif, then the piece would be much better? (8/10)

10) Wizardry V "Opening" (Written by Nick)

This piece offers a more than welcome change from the strings that we have seen thus far. The piece commences with light, almost silent brass and the harmonic piano enters at the 28 second mark. For a change, instead of a traditional build up with brass or strings, the soothing piano takes the lead part and plays a range of notes that increase in tempo as the piece progresses. As the journey continues, the brass is slowly eased back into the piece picking up in volume as the play time progresses. The arranger knows the listener simply can not take the amazing build up thus far and decides to give us a spiritual release by bringing the whole orchestra into play at the 1:49 mark. The release of the built up tension is amazingly rewarding and the listener is blown back. After this amazing motif that utilizes the full power of the orchestra the instruments ease back and go into a small frenzy before picking up with the main theme again at the 2:52 mark which is set off by a crashing cymbal. This piece is simply amazing; I can not describe it in any other way. In order to fully appreciate its absolute power and force you have to witness it for yourself! (10/10)

11) E.V.O. "In Admiration of Nature" (Written by Dave)

I'll admit, I've never been a fan of the waltz, but that won't let me down rate the tempting vibes offered by "In Admiration of Nature," which totally epitomises the dance style. Naturally in 3/4 time, this waltz starts off with a timely tempo as we hear a low 'cello part adding syncopated beats to a luscious string motif. At 1:18 we see the arrival of a solo violin section motif, which delightfully contrasts the darker vibes created by the underlying brass section. In many respects, I wish that Motorou Takenouchi had done a bit more this arrangement. With Koichi Sugiyama as the original composer, the theme still holds much of its string 'goodness', but perhaps Takenouchi could have taken it a step further by making the brass section more dominant? We'll never know, but the outcome was good enough. (7/10)

12) E.V.O. "Sorrow" (Written by Dave)

Now, this is definitely expected from E.V.O, a hard hitting theme that is brought out through the use of highly melodic strings and a gracious piano motif. The performance is so clean that I can almost hear the performer's fingers glide across the piano's ivory keys, and, when we are led into a section filled with fluctuating strings, the string player's vibrato just goes right through me. Unlike in other compositions from Koichi Sugiyama, it's great to see the dominant use of an instrument other than strings. The tinkering piano melody truly sends shivers down my spine, as would a trumpet in "Palace Trumpet," if it were actually included. Motorou Takenouchi should be proud of this arrangement as he has truly done it justice. Perhaps this could be a message to Sugiyama to focus more on non-string instruments. I am, of course, not forgetting all of the brass, piano, and electone albums that he has released! (8/10)

13) Otogirisou "Lingering Morning Mist" (Written by Dave)

"Otogirisou "Lingering Morning Mist"" is a beautiful theme that is orchestrated and arranged by one of my most favoured game music artists of all time: Hayato Matsuo. I find this arrangement to be one of the more stimulating on the album, since it seems to be built up from dynamic and textural contrasts, rather than being a straight arrangement of a single melody. A suspended violin note leads us into the track, under which the main section begins to form. Following an exquisite set of string arpeggios, comes a sorrowful brass melody that really digs deep for the soul. Inadvertently, following the introduction of the strings comes a rise in atmosphere as we are led into an even more epic and catastrophic section. Spelling out disaster, the brass get more furied until everything falls in on itself to return back to a now, even more triumphant, main melody. This is the better of the two Otogirisou themes and it's really made me want to discover more of the game's themes. (10/10)

14) Otogirisou "Beyond the Sadness" (Written by Dave)

They always say that beyond the sadness is a turmoiled mind, and this crazy track stays true to this very much so. Starting off as if it belongs to a horror score, "Beyond the Sadness" seems to be a collection of every type of horror sequence that I've heard. High, shrieking violins trigger my 'flight or fight' motif before I am finally put to rest by a selection of quieter tremolo strings. Around the 1:50 mark, we get taken by a twisted violin melody to delve deep into what is a saddening situation. Soon enough though, we return to the original theme, and hence the piece ends in just as much of a turmoiled fashion as it began. Although the theme is hardly one of the best on the album, it certainly stands out a great deal. (10/10)

15) Final Fantasy V "Opening Theme" (Written by Nick)

Thematic development is the purpose of this piece, but does Uematsu's arrangement of this theme live up to the original? Well one thing to note is that it is barely arranged, and the only changes are the tempo and the fact that it is not synth but orchestrated. Therefore, I shall be looking at the development of the piece and the feelings within it. I can divide this piece up into segments; the first segment reminds me of a lone girl with troubles on her mind as she prepares for an epic mission. This feeling is achieved by the strings which slowly build up, similar to a build up of emotions in our female protagonist. The second segment kicks in at the 2 minute mark and it represents a dire situation as the heavy and low percussion kicks in which is coupled with effective brass and eerie strings. The product is a booming build up of tension and fear. The third segment is a brass ensemble which resembles the hero as he embarks on his epic mission. This is where the main theme kicks in and a small amount of satisfaction is given out. It ends leaving the listener eager to find out what happens to our heroes next. I credit the effectiveness of the orchestra but what I do not credit is Uematsu's laziness in making a decent arrangement instead of a direct port. It looses marks in that department. (7/10)

16) Final Fantasy V "Waltz Clavier" (Written by Nick)

Ah, now here is something that has been arranged! The beginning boasts a totally new section where a mix of woodwind and a soothing harp are a metaphor for the piece as it depicts complete calmness and serenity. Sadly, the harp fads out 38 seconds into the track, but the listener's journey through musical bliss is not over as the strings enter and create the image of tumbling down. This is slightly clumsy, because it ruins the serenity set up by the harp. All in all this track is good, it delivers a nice musical experience but does not offer much else. It is simply 'nice' but does not create many emotions within the listener. (7/10)

17) Final Fantasy V "Town Theme" (Written by Nick)

I am forced to say that after two mediocre tracks, I was desperate for a spiritual release, so I looked forward to hearing Hattori's rendition of the tranquil "town theme." The majority of the piece is played by strings accompanied by a sombre flute. The arrangement retains the tranquil feeling from the original composition, but takes a step further by exploring other feelings like happiness and peace. The main theme is not really arranged much but each time it is repeated, the instrumentation is slightly different, thus adding a nice flavour and excitement to the piece. It was simple, short and sweet and left me pretty happy. (8/10)

18) Final Fantasy V "Main Theme" (Written by Nick)

After that string of barely satisfactory arrangements, I was really begging for something with some edge and passion. Surprisingly "Main Theme" fulfils that desire slightly. The piece enters with a snare and a cornet which provides a nice introduction leading into the peaceful flute at the 13 second mark. It might just be my hearing but the backup strings sound slightly out of tune and weak. However this is fixed when the are emphasized in power. The brass ensemble is the key section here, and rightly so, as if they were not, the piece would hardly be powerful, and in all honesty the main theme itself is not really hard hitting. The bits where the strings play the main theme provide another look on the piece because they create a very airy feeling, making this piece seem like an airship theme. The highlight is definitely the end of the track where the percussion takes the centre stage and increase in tempo marking the end of this amazing album. (8/10)

Summaries

Written by Dave

It has to be said, that Game Music Concert 2 ~The Best Selection~ betters its predecessor. With themes from a number of lesser known games though, it seems like the arrangers were getting more inventive with their choices. I was surprised to hear music from games that I had never heard of before, such as the likes of Nobunaga's Ambition, Great Strategy Expert, and Otogirisou, but more importantly, I was glad that I had been introduced to them. It has to be said that the games with the most bizarre names generally tended to have themes that pleased me the most! The standard of arrangement on this album is top class, and it's certainly worth buying. If you can find it, that is! (9/10)

Written by Nick

Game Music Concert 2 ~The Best Selection~ certainly steps it up! Its predecessor sets a very high standard that is hard to live up to, but the sequel sets the standards even higher. While there are some weak aspects like the Final Fantasy V contributions, the rest of the album makes up for it and more. By the end of this musical journey, I felt ready to take on the world; everything is perfect right down to the track order. We are graced with mainstream releases like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy and other games like E.V.O and Mother II. It is hard to summarise this album because it is just so great. To be honest, I could drag this on for hours, but I will not! All I will say that is it amazing and you must check it out to believe it! (9/10)