[Ginnsu]

Dragon Warrior 3 'Flight of Destiny'

Another soft and medolic yet playful bit of music from our resident electronic orchestra conductor, Russell Cox. It's always fantastically dramatic with this guy, isn't it? A beautiful mix of strings, brass, and wind instruments, topped of with a piano like a cherry on a cream pie. But of course you must have a taste for classical to get anything out of this. Try it just to see. Stunningly beautiful piece of work, Russell Cox.

[Russell Cox]

Okay, here goes. Hopefully you'll respond in turn if you can find the time.

Originally Posted by djpretzel

It seems Russell's done some mixing of actual 'real' recordings of some of the instruments in this arrangement with the previous (excellent) electronic emulations we're use to. At the very least, he's layered some room ambience and sounds of a rustling-but-attentive audience to the mix, which lends an imminent, 'live performance' feel that's something new and different.

Interesting -- I didn't use any recordings in this song. I actually never have and use samples only as it's hard for me to find a recording, or even a snipet, that I like and that would work well. Though, I would like to know where in the song that my manipulation of the samples lead you to believe that.

The ambient noise was a good touch, but I usually don't use it. I've only used it in 2 of about the 40-something (original and arranged) songs I've done.

Originally Posted by djpretzel

Discrepancies in recording levels for the acoustic portions are sometimes noticeable, like at 3'25" when the harp comes back in softly after a swell. Whether or not this annoys you will depend on your perspective - from my point of view, it's an interesting effect to try but I wouldn't want to hear it regularly applied to all of Russell's pieces as I've previously enjoyed the pristine nature of the sound quality.

Simple -- my sound card was misbehaving and the recording levels were out of whack. There were 3 different levels of volume throughtout the song. The beginning was around 75% of max volume that the Audiophile could output. It was changed to 50% near 2:25 simply because of the sheer volume of the 'finale' section and the fact that I wanted to have the section before quiet as to set the 'calm before the storm.' Around 3:37 the voume levels jump to 100% for the remainder of the song.

As far as the drop in overall volume right after the tutti orchestra plays, I can see where that would bother you. However, I chose to recap the ast two measures of the 'finale' section in minor mode and wanted draw a parallel to the world of DW III -- when you finish the first world, it's not the end of the adventure. The quiet followup depicts that the hero's job isn't over yet and the recap of the overworld theme from DW (DWIII second run) portrays the team's 'lonliness' -- they are alone in a strange, new world without the support of the Hero's king, just as Erdrick's descendant in DW is alone and without the aid of a companion, hence the sombre tone of harp/harp/oboe trio.

Originally Posted by djpretzel

. . . Mr. Cox . . . Mr. Cox . . . Mr. Cox . . . Mr. Cox . . . Mr. Cox . . . Mr. Cox . . . Mr. Cox . . . Mr. Cox . . . Mr. Cox . . . Mr. Cox . . . Mr. Cox . . . Mr. Cox . . . Mr. Cox . . . Mr. Cox

..... I suddenly feel very old . . . . .

Originally Posted by djpretzel

Sugiyama's work is more reserved and less flamboyant than Uematsu or Mitsuda, I feel, but has subtleties that arrangements like these can capitalize on and really highlight.

Not to mention extremely complex -- the only other game composer I've seen with this much ability with the orchestra is Yuzo Koshiro and even then it's still not on the level with Koichi. Even Uematsu and Mitsuda refer to Sugiyama as the "big daddy" of game music simply because of his talent composing and his unsurpassed understanding of the whys and hows of the orchestra. *Needless to say he ranks right up there on my list of favorite game compoers*

[Disco Dan]

Damn. I wanted to be the first to review this. Oh well. Stellar work. In my opinion, Russell's best of what I've heard. I don't know why I'm reviewing this. He's heard it all before and nothing I say is going to improve the song, because, quite honestly, except for a few nitpicky sections, I really don't believe this NEEDS any improving. Anyway, check it out for an experience.

Now all we gotta do is get MISTER COX to do some FAST stuff...


DC

[Ebonyks]

Wow, what to say... That is certaintly one of the best remixes i've ever heard on this site, and i've been here since the good olde days. I've got a few minor complaints, like it gets a bit muddy in the early 3:00's, but other than that minor complaint, a beautful arrangement of a already great piece.

Incredable job :)

[Protricity]

I usually get flamed for stating my opinions since Im almost always in the minority, but I do it anyway. Also please keep in mind this is not a bash against Russell Cox (as some people like to conclude). I much respect the guy and think hes a cool person. so anyway,

I really dont see the big deal with this song. I am a long time lover of the game and I've heard the Dragon Quest Orchistral arrangements hundreds of times - I absolutely love them.

But this one just seems to simple. I mean, it goes through the original melody with super-amazing-highquality samples. A few variations here and there. A few changes in the chord structure. Some repeating. Usual conformation to rules of orchestra (Ugh, I hate rules). There really isnt anything in this song that I find unique, admirable, or impressing except maybe the sound quality.

Some stuff I didnt like outright like the pentatonic major use of harps at 0:35 and the piano at 1:22. Stuff like that I thought didnt fit this kind of song at all.

I know I dont know much theory, but I dont think that matters. Orchestra is still my favorite Genre and I hear quite a bit.

On a side not, I hear a lot of clipping in Russell songs, you might want to check into that, russ.

-Pro

[Ryan8bit]

Cool, Dragon Warrior III. It figures that you'd choose the flying bird song, that one was probably the most easy to put into orchestra besides maybe the monolith music.

What I don't get about this song is the break at about 1:10, and then it shifts into a different piece. Obviously it was intentional, but it almost sounded like "the orchestra" was starting a new song or something.

The improvised part around 2:00 is way awesome, especially when the piano comes in. And then we get back to the initial melody, which leads up to the grand part at 3:00, the highlight of the song. But after that there's some weird transitions (the piano and amplitude of noise, the pause, and then all of a sudden there's harps from Alefgard). Which I might've preferred to go on longer, because it didn't seem finished or even a way to add on to what you had.

But all in all, I think it's a good piece and I'm glad to hear some DWIII coverage.

[Steffan Andrews]

I absolutely love this rearrangement and I do not believe the so-called "lack of complexity" of the arrangement itself as stated by some is any deterrant from enjoying this piece. I have never played Dragon Warrior III, but I listen to this arrangement all the time because it is thoroughly enjoyable. The quality of the instruments really helps it sound great, and no, this isn't soaring brass and full orchestral all the way through, and why should it be? If you put it into a particular context, it works even better, such as if this track were to be used in a film score. It's perfect.

The auditorium noise fits very well in my opinion, and it is a great idea to add that extra stroke of realism to a piece. When the hiss levels seem to increase at about 3:28, I think it actually adds more realism to the "recording idea." Since it is a quiet part, it would seem that if this were actually recorded with an orchestra, the recording engineers may increase the volume at that point. And the dramatic release with the brass after the crecendo at 2:55 is totally amazing.

Thanks Russell, excellent work. I'm impressed as always! This one, for me, is a keeper.

[rdvdolson]

I am a recording engineer; we don't boost the volume during quiet parts. Good piece, though!

[Aerospace]

ehehehe...now that vgmix is down, you just thought it wise to put it here so those that didn't get a chance to download it there can have it here? ;)
or not. maybe you just wanted it on ocr just because...
after listening to it more since I first reviewed this on vgmix, i have a few more things to say...

the part at 1:53 seems strangely familiar...or it's just the style you chose.
but I've finally pinpointed it after all this time, and it really reminds me of the overworld theme in dragon warrior monsters 2. (the extra magic key worlds, not the main ones) It always seems to remind me of that.
I don't know why...but anyways...

Yeah, I'll suggest this again, DO MORE DRAGON WARRIOR III SONGS.
Like, a battle theme would be cool *coughbaramoscough*. There's not enough dw3 songs out there. :P

[Keithius]

I generally only comment on songs that I really, really enjoy... so I guess it's redundant to say that I really, really enjoyed this.

-Keithius