[djpretzel]

What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

[OmegaMan]

Another solid score for TO. While it appears the judges find this piece to have a more Western flavor, I’d have to lean more towards the East. Perhaps it’s due to the recent phenomenon of associating the Wild West with the Wild East: namely, the Samurai cowboy.

The solo woodwinds introduce the blind samurai with a little boy tagging along beside him trying to match his steps (Lone Wolf and Cub style). After panning across the samurai’s (or should I say Ronin’s) stoic face, and the boy’s effacing visage, the synth-strings unveil the scene to a wide panoramic of the vast bleak hills of rural Japan, the sun is appropriately just peeking over the mountaintops bathing the travelers in a warm orange light, casting long still shadows behind them.

The beat is deliberate, like the solid steps taken by a man approaching an unknown destiny...(I can't help being dramatic, it's in my blood)

While some have heard a resemblance to Enya, I have this to say: The song does indeed employ a few Enya staples: woodwinds, native American percussions, and a windy backdrop. But while Enya tends to produce tunes for those who wish to tune-out, this piece has a very definitive driving forward…

One thing I noticed after listening to this track several turns, it warps time. I'm not kidding. This track has the ability to orogami-fold 5 and a half minutes into what literally feels like 2...maybe China's just screwing with my head...

Great work.

Mick

[Being]

A very odd remix to be sure.

I was under the impression that there was no actual soundtrack for the game, so I suppose he went on game-audio rip or something like that.

It's the first Abe's Oddysee remix, and it's a goodie.

[The Orichalcon]

Originally Posted by jules

I was under the impression that there was no actual soundtrack for the game, so I suppose he went on game-audio rip or something like that.

There's no actual soundtrack. I plugged my equipment into my PS2 and recorded the background ambience from the monsaic lines level.

You can find the source here (temporarily):

http://www.doulifee.com/prc/TheOrich...nsaiclines.mp3

[Baruch, Vampire Lord]

A good mix. I definitely agree with the dark samurai sort of feel. However, I do disagree with one point.

Another solid score for TO. While it appears the judges find this piece to have a more Western flavor, I’d have to lean more towards the East. Perhaps it’s due to the recent phenomenon of associating the Wild West with the Wild East: namely, the Samurai cowboy.

What recent phenomenon? 90% of classic waesterns are based on Jpanese tales of samurai. 'A Fist Full of Dollars' is based on the samurai tale called 'Yojimbo.' 'The Magnificent Seven' is based on 'The Seven Samurai.' Samurai and the Cowboy have been in league together since the Western genre was born.

Back to the point, excellent mix, it gives a great sense of there being something more lurking in the shadows, much like the feel of the first two games themselves.

edit: This is number twenty five! My first rated post! Party at my house!

[Vercalos]

It was very good. It felt like a cross between New Age and Native American, and overall. It was excellent. Another instant favorite to add to the list. The only thing that bothered me at all was the staccato drums at some points. It's such a minor point however, and the quality of everything else, essentially blows that little issue out of the water.

[OmegaMan]

Originally Posted by Baruch, Vampire Lord

What recent phenomenon? 90% of classic waesterns are based on Jpanese tales of samurai. 'A Fist Full of Dollars' is based on the samurai tale called 'Yojimbo.' 'The Magnificent Seven' is based on 'The Seven Samurai.' Samurai and the Cowboy have been in league together since the Western genre was born.

Vamp Lord, you are absolutely correct 100% about the 90%. I should have clarified, it appears only 50% of my meaning was understood, by an unknown percentage of folks on the forum...

By "recent phenomenon", I meant it relatively. The earliest reference to Samurai was roughly before the 1000 AD mark. The Old American West ranges as far back as America's colonial period, but is generally considered to be the 19th century (1800's).

Akira Kurosawa's Yojimbo (1961) and a Fist Full of Dollars (1964), were both products from less than half of century ago...

Thus: "Recent phenomenon".

But in reference to a review of a song posted a few days ago...I could see how my meaning was muddled.

Most importantly, I'm glad you too can see the samurai scene scored by TO's track.

Take care and look forward to future exchanges of interesting trivia...

M

[The Orichalcon]

I really hate to be picky, but can you guys please not talk about American history in this thread? Anywhere else but here.

[OmegaMan]

This thread is for you, TO. Not history.

You're request has been understood. Won't happen again (perhaps a private message next time)...

Let me just reiterate for all the fellow viewers out there:

"Do you see what kind of in-depth tangential debate can come from such an inspiring track?"

It really is a piece deserving of several threads: Native American history, Old American Western history, Japanese history, film history...the remix really resonates with so many varieties of themes...download it!

Great work again.

M

[The Orichalcon]

Perhaps I should explain it then.

It's not meant to be american anything. If it sounds native american or whatever, it's purely by accident. What I was going for was to bring the Oddysee music up to the same style of music that was in the latest title of Stranger's Wrath.

You can argue over style's and what flavour it has, but in the end, it's just meant to be a nice tribal and atmospheric sounding mix with a bit of power in it. Consider it New-Australian then.