ReMix: Final Fantasy IX 'Messenger in the Key of Black'

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Final Fantasy IX

Newcomer Lightwarmth originally had a version of this arrangement that was synth instead, and a little mechanical, but this revision features Nex on the ivory keys, performing a solo piano rendition that blends classical with rock and jazz in a pretty unusual fashion. Things start off in a dramatic, Romantic fashion, then get quiet, but at 025" it becomes obvious that this isn't going to be orthodox classical at all. Lots of nice tempo transitions help the arrangement flow from idea to idea, restating at half-tempo certain riffs and then building on others with some pretty impressive runs. At just under three minutes, it's pretty brief, but vacuum-packs a ton of notes into that space. What I think is particularly admirable is the way very rapid, expulsive pasages are blended into softer, more deliberate passages without losing momentum or seeming poorly juxtaposed. An arrangement like this practically dictates human performance, and performance by someone who knows where to take it, and fortunately that's happened with the ReMixer's collaboration with Nex. Unique, surprising work.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
A ff9 track that isn't 'you're not alone' sortof blows my mind, but this is cool stuff, frantic and precise. Sounds so on as to be sequenced, but either way, it's really well planned, and the flow and tempo changes are nice. It gives you a little breathing time before kicking off again.
Clarity was pretty good, and though the piano sound itself wasn't completely natural (it seemed to lack a lot of velocity layers), this is a really nice mix.

- OA on March 31, 2009
Now this is a jammin' tune. I absolutely love the crazy piano work, amazing job.

- Lucentas on March 5, 2009
Piano's sound is very nice here. The speed isn't a problem to me, in fact I especially like that crazy fast part at the beginning.
And with the original melody as it is, it's impossible to fail. 9/10.

- isthan on September 30, 2006
This is a mix that deserves more props that it has thus far! I haven't got a lick of musical talent in me so I can't offer you constructive crits. I can only say that I have passed this song along to friends and find it tremendously inspiring.
I really hope to hear more from you!

- willow-whisp on March 3, 2006
SUPERSPEED!!!!!!
Very nice.... I liked how its in piano.... It works well...
9.5/10

- SakakiAzu on November 12, 2005
To be dark messenger, which has a very high tempo, this remix is good.

- Bummerdude on September 22, 2005
This is really badass

- Artificial_AI on February 17, 2005
To do this song in piano was a good idea. The tune is set very well and the pace works great into the atmosphere. 8/10

- FinalGamer on February 17, 2005
I think this is a great piece. I play the piano, and I only have a few problems. One was mentioned, and thats that it seems like the person playing this had their "foot on the pedal" a little to much. It makes for a great effect, but parts of it do run together.
As far as a contrast between the lower and higher notes, I didn't really have a problem defferenciating between the two. Also, as far as it being fast, one thing that piano players will do so that the song doesn't sond monotonous is to speed up parts and slow down other parts. This song could be played all at the same speed, but then it would be repititious. Varying the play speed is a way to make one part stand apart from another, even if they are the same sequence of notes.
And yeah, it was pretty soft, but it's not like that isn't easily remedied. Anyways, I'd have to give this remix a 9 out of 10. It's worth listening to many times.
~Lord Syruss Khalai

- Lord_Syruss_Khalai on September 16, 2004
Darangen wrote: I guess I'm the only one, but...
I didn't enjoy this too much. It's a decent arrangement, played well if it wasn't sequenced, and not all that bad.
However, to me it sounded like someone banging on a piano faster than they should, just trying to show off some of their speed/skill instead of making a pleasant sounding arrangement. I don't mean make a pleasant and peaceful arrangement of Dark Messenger, but something a little more pleasant to the ears instead of being reminded of a 9 year old banging on a piano.
So my opinion: Too fast, too hard. Try easing up on those keys and playing with emotion instead of skill.
7/10

It does lack emotion, but part of that could've been due to the sample's articulation. I think the sample is partly responsible for making it sound so bangy.

- BlueEnvy on September 9, 2004
Shnabubula wrote:
pixlz wrote: have to say though, like it or not, kudos to anyone who can actually play that fast.

This is not that fast. The only [i]moderately[/i] difficult part of this arrangement is toward then end when you have to reach out with both pinkeys repeatedly. That requires swift wrist movement, however that is a skill that is [i]quite easily[/i]
mastered. There is definitely alot to like in this piece, however the technical skill needed to play it is not much of a selling point

mebbie it just sounds fast to me cause of the whole, me not being able to play. well steal the compliment from my post then why dontcha. =P

- pixlz on September 8, 2004
pixlz wrote: have to say though, like it or not, kudos to anyone who can actually play that fast.

This is not that fast. The only [i]moderately[/i] difficult part of this arrangement is toward then end when you have to reach out with both pinkeys repeatedly. That requires swift wrist movement, however that is a skill that is [i]quite easily[/i] mastered. There is definitely alot to like in this piece, however the technical skill needed to play it is not much of a selling point

- Sam Ascher-Weiss on September 8, 2004
honestly didn't care for this remix all that much. i can't place what it is. i think its the fact it sounds like its being fast just to be fast. a few of the fast to slow transitions work and start to develop emotion behind the music.....
but definitely not the developing of emotion everywhere and thusly falters a little in my book. gave it two listens through too.
technically good, emotionally flat.
have to say though, like it or not, kudos to anyone who can actually play that fast.

- pixlz on September 7, 2004
I guess I'm the only one, but...
I didn't enjoy this too much. It's a decent arrangement, played well if it wasn't sequenced, and not all that bad.
However, to me it sounded like someone banging on a piano faster than they should, just trying to show off some of their speed/skill instead of making a pleasant sounding arrangement. I don't mean make a pleasant and peaceful arrangement of Dark Messenger, but something a little more pleasant to the ears instead of being reminded of a 9 year old banging on a piano.
So my opinion: Too fast, too hard. Try easing up on those keys and playing with emotion instead of skill.
7/10

- Darangen on September 7, 2004
lightwarmth wrote: www.sibelius.com - d/l sibelius scorch (free)
www.squaresound.com - sheet music section, the arrangement sheets are there. Enjoy!
thanks all for the reviews!

Yup yup. Thanks everyone for the reviews. You guys rock!
PS. Lightwarmth, you should show SquareSound this recording in the 'FF9 > Piano Recordings' section :P

- Nex on September 1, 2004

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