Posted 2002-01-21, evaluated by djpretzel


I wouldn't normally post two of my own ReMixes so close together, or DO two ReMixes so close together, but it's been a little stressful lately, and this is a good way to focus on something else for a bit. This is kind of a continuation of my Lunar 'BlueLament' ReMix in tone, at least initially, with a somber and minor key motif. It's the theme from 'Her Last Breath' (used in other places as well) off the PS4 soundtrack, reworked a bit into more of a film piece. There's a 'Usual Suspects' influence as well as Los Lobos with some of the guitar meandering, and everything was done in Gigastudio. With this track, though it's fairly sad, there are moments of hope / rays of light, with the major key section towards the end that also picks up to doubletime with the piano arpeggios underneath. I've been wanting to do a straight instrumental with no percussion for some time, and this be it. I'm pretty happy with it, and actually would like to dedicate it to my grandmother, who's been a fan of my 'music' since long before she probably should have, and still listens to tapes of my older, painful stuff.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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gyrrakavian
on 2015-04-16 14:37:29

Beautiful yet somber peace.

It would be amazing to hear a live recording of this with even more emotion put into it.

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Audity
on 2015-03-06 05:34:16

Just got to this point in the series again, after replaying them all 13 years later from my first play. I stopped playing to go to sleep, but I knew I had to come here again and listen to this, having not heard it in maybe 10 years. Nothing really more to say than what feelings can be inferred from deciding to post here again. (I'm "AnotherOneBitesTheDust" from the first page in 2002.) I'm going to play this at the grave near the end of the game as a tribute, while streaming live, whenever I get to that point; so I hope the viewers get their tissues ready.

I guess I can go into some interesting hindsight on what sounds dated—after not hearing it for 10 years, upon first listen (which is a perfect time to notice any imperfections). I thought the woodwind section in this ReMix broke the flow a little bit. And some of the guitar notes were too close together (at least, immediately coming from witnessing the game's rendition of everything). It's really fascinating thinking about it now, the technical limitations; and of course the meaningful additions found throughout the arrangement thwart the bad. I'm glad it holds up overall after all these years, in multiple ways. I can and have, somehow, seen/thought that some people might dismiss it as sappy, but that's because they don't understand enough, don't have enough meaning drawn for it; otherwise its subtleties are allowed to shine seemingly immeasurably.

Listening to it again, I'm surprised I was even able to write all that in the moment. Definitely a better idea to keep listens to a minimum (preferably one, when the time is right), lest ye become a melodramatic person.

edit: as for the title, I didn't get it either. But I think you can make it work if you think of the first breath being Chaz's.

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avaris
on 2012-09-26 16:34:59

Wow thanks for posting Larry. This was an awesome, and when I go look at the release date I was shocked. Beautiful composition and ideas here DJP.

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Liontamer
on 2012-09-26 15:07:33

Never posted here (I'm surprised), but the arrangement here is excellent, with genteel yet solemn instrumentation. This one's vastly underrated.

Even back in the day, the variety and creativity within the community was strong, with djp leading the way. The genre diversity's grown since 2002, but the focus on creativity has been there since the beginning.

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realdeal_55
on 2010-07-22 14:35:48

Very nice; sounds a lot like "My Funny Valentine." I like it. :-D

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cjlenig
on 2010-01-10 01:21:05

Love the choice of instrumentation, as you can really feel the sense of melancholy that Chaz is feeling after losing his mentor and friend. This is in my iPod, right now! Wish there was more PS on here, the source material from the series is excellent, IMHO.

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OA
on 2008-12-08 12:57:27

Holy guitar sequencing. :o

When it gets to the higher registers, it doesn't sound as strong, but the lower stuff is beautifully emotive. A few of the backing elements could benefit from stronger samples, notably the cello, but they don't specifically drag the mix down, just breaks a bit of the illusion. Piano throughout is great though.

Really emotive work, I like it a lot. It makes a pretty good case for checking out the PS4 soundtrack.

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DramaNoMore
on 2008-04-30 13:24:42

Everyone already said what I was about to say...

I'll say this: If you ever loved for real, you'll get this song.

Thank you for arranging it.

To my ipod it goes.

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Kozmo
on 2006-05-07 22:48:26

beautifully written with a great choice of instrumentation. This has quickly become one of my favorites of djp's mixes. Very emotive, and at the same time something is always moving in the song. Its a great song to listen to when you are down because of this. Some slower songs achieve the same level of sadness and emotion, but this is one of the few to capture that feeling while keeping the song interesting, unpredictable, and refreshing.

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SotiCoto
on 2006-03-01 02:11:27

... Lovin it. Wish there were more PS4 tracks.

Organic Beat would make a good one, I'm sure of it.

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Bummer
on 2006-01-07 08:51:42

Too bad I haven't played any Phantasy Star, this song sounds like something you need to have listened to. Djpretzel creates a very tragic mood to it using violins (excellent choice) and a piano, but somehow brings some passion into it with an acoustic guitar. It almost wants you to shed a tear for Alys. I don't really get the title of this remix, it doesn't make much sense, but poetry fits into this scene quite well.

We may have lost a PS character, but that event gave birth to this remix. Thank you djpretzel.

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maestermatt
on 2005-07-10 13:49:29

phastasy star 4 was the first game i got so attached to when alys died i cried so this song means something to me.

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GrayLightning
on 2005-03-08 18:21:42

DJP's sequencing skills always surprise me. Even though this is over 3 years old the quality still remains. Great arrangement, with top notch guitar and piano sequencing. Quality work top to bottom.

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jordex
on 2004-10-06 00:07:42

2 words: Beautiful

Yet another great piece DJP!!

This is my second favourite remix from djp, maybe even first

This one makes me cry...

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Royal Sovereign
on 2004-07-19 12:09:46

I felt a little girly being ten years old and crying over Alys' death...but IT WAS SO SAD. As if to make sure we get the point, this song, with its melancholy Spanish guitarwork and rambling pianoes really makes it hit home -- Alys' death is one of the saddest in gaming history.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium (Sega , 1993, GEN)
Music by Izuho Numata,Masaki Nakagaki
Songs:
"Her last breath"

Tags (10)


Genre:
Cinematic
Mood:
Romantic,Sad,Solemn
Instrumentation:
Acoustic Guitar,Cello,Piano,Strings
Additional:
Time > 4/4 Time Signature
Time > Tempo: Slow

File Information


Name:
Phantasy_Star_4_Last_Breath_First_Breath_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
7,115,538 bytes
MD5:
8ab8a25beb8e017ff200d7c4dad0fa3f
Bitrate:
211Kbps
Duration:
4:26

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