ReMix: Street Fighter II: The World Warrior 'Ryu for Four Pianos'
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- Game: Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (Capcom, 1992, ARC)
- ReMixer(s): Reuben Kee
- Composer(s): Isao Abe, Yoko Shimomura
- Song(s): 'Ryu Stage'
- Posted: 2004-08-13, evaluated by the judges
Ah, it's been a hectic week, and I think I spent most of it recovering from a rather fun weekend, so posting has been slower. We'll try to catch up a bit this weekend, prolly Saturday, but in the meantime here's Reuben Kee's latest, a solo piano take on Capcom's hard-fightin' and oft-mispronounced hero... times four. Yes, this is actually four separate live takes on piano, layered together. This results in a "solo" piano piece that is quite a bit denser and frenetic than what would be possible with two hands. At times, it does become a bit much, and may seem a little overwhelming and/or convoluted, but the performance is pretty dern fluid and there's certainly more action in the lower and midrange than you'd normally see due to the quadruplexing and what not. Larry Oji writes:
"The layers of piano sometimes come together in odd ways here, but overall this was a really strong and ambitious mix that featured some much-needed, significant rearrangement of the source music. The last thing we need is a cover of Ryu's theme. Very well made for 1 take apiece on each section, and the deliverly is strong, even if noticeably scattershot at times. Great job, Reu. This is a nice, upbeat offering that contrasts well with your more relaxed work."
It's probably not what some are looking for when they think of solo piano mixes, and for a more jarring piece it's not as polished as Spekkosaurus' or JJT's stuff, but it's still very dynamic, impressive, and fun to listen to.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the What starts out pretty basic turns into some pretty crazy stuff
quickly- a lot of nice additions to the theme in the form of
countermelodies, and a pretty rhythmic chordal backing.
I remember checking this track out years ago, solely on the gimmick of 4 pianos, and though I'm not sure how this would sound live, the arrangement was cool enough to get me hooked.
Cool stuff, and a very creative.
- OA on December 4, 2009
I remember checking this track out years ago, solely on the gimmick of 4 pianos, and though I'm not sure how this would sound live, the arrangement was cool enough to get me hooked.
Cool stuff, and a very creative.
- OA on December 4, 2009
Fitting that my playlist would randomly select this mix so close to
the anniversary of Reuben Kee's untimely passing. It allows me to
rediscover just how great a body of work he left behind and this is
a supreme example of his talent at mixing, at arranging and on
piano.
Fantastic performances from all four tracks. Kee knew exactly where to insert the hills and the valleys in his musical landscape, and how to extract the most power out of them. With this one, you never forget the feeling you're in the hands of a master of his craft.
Some people have said the alternating tempos and stop/start dynamic made this offputting, I don't agree at all. This is a piano arrangement after all; those sorts of things are pretty commonplace in the field and I happen to think the technique sounds great.
A prized, bittersweet track that shows Reuben Kee at his most robust. I listened to this countless times through my teenage years, and even though I'll never be able to listen to it the same way again, I can't think of a better way of remembering a lost member of the community.
- Marmiduke on November 26, 2009
Fantastic performances from all four tracks. Kee knew exactly where to insert the hills and the valleys in his musical landscape, and how to extract the most power out of them. With this one, you never forget the feeling you're in the hands of a master of his craft.
Some people have said the alternating tempos and stop/start dynamic made this offputting, I don't agree at all. This is a piano arrangement after all; those sorts of things are pretty commonplace in the field and I happen to think the technique sounds great.
A prized, bittersweet track that shows Reuben Kee at his most robust. I listened to this countless times through my teenage years, and even though I'll never be able to listen to it the same way again, I can't think of a better way of remembering a lost member of the community.
- Marmiduke on November 26, 2009
This is one of the most amazing piano pieces I've ever heard, both
in terms of production and execution. And on the emotional side,
the sheer power and dynamism. Reuben Kee was a master of his art.
- Lucentas on December 6, 2008
- Lucentas on December 6, 2008
Thin Crust;346878 wrote: What does that mean?
Sadly, Reuben Kee and four other men lost their lives in a boating accident this weekend.
http://www.ocremix.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13286
His music lives on.
- Harmony on November 25, 2007
Flare4War;346727 wrote: An incredible piano adaption of Ryu's them by Reuben Kee.
He will be missed.
What does that mean?
- Thin Crust on November 25, 2007
An incredible piano adaption of Ryu's theme by Reuben Kee.
He will be missed.
- Flare4War on November 25, 2007
He will be missed.
- Flare4War on November 25, 2007
i know it's four pianos; it can be arranged for probably two - and
i'd still want to try it out :) i absolutely love it.
- tonyyboi on November 23, 2007
- tonyyboi on November 23, 2007
tonyyboi;346307 wrote: does anyone have any idea how to get the piano sheets for this? i'd kill to play this.
It's four pianos at the same time. You can't play it unless you have 8 hands. You could email or PM Reuben Kee, he's on pretty often here and you can contact him at his site: reubenkee.com
- Thin Crust on November 23, 2007
does anyone have any idea how to get the piano sheets for this? i'd
kill to play this.
- tonyyboi on November 23, 2007
- tonyyboi on November 23, 2007
Oh, no. This is a tragety.
My right earpiece on my headphones shoots static and I had to take it off in order to listen to this song in full quality. This song is absolutely the most beteaful piano mix I have ever heard, and that includes kLuTz, who I still revere as incredible. This song does not overdue it at any parts, I have no idea why people say that.
- Thin Crust on April 10, 2007
My right earpiece on my headphones shoots static and I had to take it off in order to listen to this song in full quality. This song is absolutely the most beteaful piano mix I have ever heard, and that includes kLuTz, who I still revere as incredible. This song does not overdue it at any parts, I have no idea why people say that.
- Thin Crust on April 10, 2007
Simply Gorgeous!! I cold listen to it all day! This is a piece that
should be performed at New York's Symphony Hall!!
- RPGWerewolf on June 15, 2006
- RPGWerewolf on June 15, 2006
Lovely take on Ryu's theme. This was probably the first remix that
I experienced on this site.
- Lord Archimage Nykimbur on July 18, 2005
- Lord Archimage Nykimbur on July 18, 2005
I admit, I am a chun li person (I always find a way to work in her
rapid kick move into play.) But I enjoy Ryu's song and I think this
captures his personality perfectly. I haven't, unfortunatly been
able to learn any of his moves (could sum 1 pm them to me) so I
could learn his story. I don't wanna have to go through the game
using normal punches and kicks to learn it so :roll:
- Bladewind on March 21, 2005
- Bladewind on March 21, 2005
8) I found this when I was downloading Piano Quartet Boss Battle
Medley for the FF series and I'm happy I decided to grab this one
too! It starts off quiet but then launches into a fast-paced tune
that you'll want to listen to on repeat.
I have to hand it to you, Reu, you sure pick some great tracks for piano solos! I'm looking forward to more rearrangements from you in the future! :mrgreen:
- Mini Mog on October 4, 2004
I have to hand it to you, Reu, you sure pick some great tracks for piano solos! I'm looking forward to more rearrangements from you in the future! :mrgreen:
- Mini Mog on October 4, 2004
Wow...this song stunned me. I never get tired of this song, the
sheer genius of it stuns me. I am normally not fond of most piano
music, but this is the best, probably only upbeat piano-only song I
have ever heard.
- Brim on September 11, 2004
- Brim on September 11, 2004
