ReMix: Final Fantasy VI 'Little Painter Girl'

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Final Fantasy VI

Newcomer Adam Dachis writes:

"I submitted another version of this about ten months ago. It was piano and drums back then. Now it's more of a "film soundtrack", as the people on the WIP boards are saying."

I can't begin to tell you how glad I am Adam reworked this piece, and how much of an improvement I think this new incarnation is. Taking Relm's theme and working it into an uplifting, cinematic (as correctly described) vision, Adam's second version employs some unique alterations to the rhythm of the original melody that give his arranging style a unique feel. It's mostly piano-driven, but there are strings, harp, flute, and orchestral percussion along for the ride, and sample quality and production are on the whole strong. If there's a weakness to the whole enchilada it's the arrangement decision to feature a rolling snare as the sole percussive element for considerable spans of time - I think something more elaborate could have worked. Whether the ReMixer knows it or not, there's a very Thomas Newman vibe going on here, especially at 1'38", where a quick key change and resolution varies it up a bit and tempers the overall bubbly, positive vibe with a little quirkiness. Next to the way Adam's played with the rhythm of the melody and layered it inwards upon itself, 1'38" is actually my favorite arrangement decision - Larry, Jesse, and Shariq all thought the notes sounded bad, out of place, awkward, or all of the above, but Gray and Harmony didn't. I think familiarity with Newman's work might help here; he's made it "okay" to blend in some pretty unusual changes into more conventional, major-key contexts. Being familiar with and appreciative of Newman's style, not only would I not call the resolution at 1'38" awkward, but I think it's one of the mix's key strengths and that it'd be less memorable and interesting without it. This is definitely a cinematic and not classical style of orchestral arrangement, with plenty of moving parts and a great ear for layering and transitions. It's interesting to see so many different opinions from the panel on this one - if only for the lovely moving flute part at 2'06", I can't see not giving this some arrangement kudos for simply having some interesting, compelling ideas. That's the mix's main strength, I feel - it has more than a couple interesting, provoking compositional ideas going on. Some of those ideas, as Jesse notes, are repeated quite a bit, perhaps mebbe a smidgin' too much, but hey, at least they're good ideas, representing dramatic, substantive changes to the original phrasing that really work. As a fan of Newman's approach of course I'm gonna enjoy the most Newmanesque submission we've seen to date; Dachis is certainly his own man, and I'm not suggesting this is emulation or imitation, but there's definite similarities, all of them positive in my book. There's also enough differences for the arrangement to stand on its own. If I'd tried to ReMix the Relm theme and come up with this, I'd personally be happy, I know that much. This also represents one of the most dramatic reinventions of a previously submitted (and rejected) piece I can recall; the submission/resubmission process isn't bulletproof (no process is), but here it worked out really well. Good stuff.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
Very nice, but it sounds like something that would go along in a movie scene, heh.

- ChaosPlayer on April 25, 2009
This song is just too good for me to reveiw it but its just a lovely piece.

- yosefu on April 12, 2009
Beautiful and a delicate piece of music that really has a sweet tune, the piano is fantastic. Great job:-P

- metalsnakejuice on April 10, 2009
Certainly a sweet, good-sounding tune. The harp at That Spot sounds really fantastic, but also quite out of place. For the rest of the piece I am waiting for it to repeat, for it to be elaborated upon.
--Eino

- evktalo on April 5, 2009
Took me forever to recognize the source (or even remember the original, which i think was the main problem). However, I was captivated from the beginning. Great soundscape, and some excellent original writing to improve the source. My only complaints is i think due to the tone, the snare and cymbals were a little too dry. Oh yeah, and that note at 1:38. Gross.
But seriously an excellent mix. Check this out.

- OA on April 3, 2009
I love this mix, it's so cheery and upbeat. It also reminds me of the carefree days of my childhood as well (not that they had anything to do with Final Fantasy VI, sadly).

- Lucentas on December 6, 2008
Yeah, i definatly liked this one a lot. The panio throughout the entire thing was awesome. It sounded so realistic. I was very impressed.

- MajLink on June 20, 2006
I love it. Relm's theme isn't a favorite of mine, but this really struck a chord in me. New favorite!

- Mythezza on June 16, 2006
Starts off with some piano, then after awhile, in jumps strings, flutes and marchdrums. A very nice overall,
the high notes on the piano gives that cute "Relm"
appearance, the music just marching through my head.
In other words: I LOVE IT! :D

- Bummerdude on September 19, 2005
When I'll say remix masterpiece I'll definetly take this one as example.
Great piano! nice instrumentation, specially with the initial march drums and later flaute.
Congrats!!!

- gasto on July 8, 2005
shessh it is good. it is one of those kind of songs that is sad that someone died. but some how you know they are in a happy place now. keep these kind of songs coming.

- maestermatt on July 5, 2005
This song is pretty good. I like it mostly because it seems to be a "sad" song. Unlike many remixes that are upbeat. Maybe sad isn't the right word. Thoughtful, or reflecting maybe. But at the same time I feel a sense of reservation, a tinge of sadness. Like when the song playing during the credits is so emotional, and you're sad the movie is over. That kind of thing. As I was saying, I very much enjoy that kind of song. It's quite beautiful.
That whole 1:38 thing, it sure does stand out. I think maybe it doens't belong in this song because it doens't seem to match the feel. After listening to the song a few times, however, it loses it's "missplacedness", as you become accustomed to it. At any rate, it was a risk, one that I woul not have taken myself, but in the end seems to work regardless.
I'd say a 9 out of 10, since it's a very nice song, but for the most part, a little simpler than others. Don't get me wrong, simple is rarely synonomous with bad, and in this songs case, is one of it's important distinguishing factors. I do wish it were longer. I could listen to this song for quite a whie and not tire of it. Reflecting, I don't know if this type of remix of this perticular song could be not simple. At any rate, it's a wonderful song. I like it very much, and in my opinion, you have done a great job.
~Lord Syruss
[Edit]
You know, I'd like to revisit the whole 1:38 thing. After listening to this song a few more times, I really come to appreciate the variance. I have to say, it was a good decision on your part, as it changes the song a bit, but still lends to the beauty of it. Way to go on that. I really do like the melody of that section.
[/Edit]
[Edit]
Well, this song really is a masterpiece. I truly love it now. I'm going to go ahead and give it a 10 out of 10. Man do I love this song.
[/Edit]

- Lord_Syruss_Khalai on June 23, 2005
I must say that this piece of work is fantastic. However, I find "Little Painter Girl" more resembles some of Mitsuda's Xenogears works than Uematsu's "Relm."
This arrangement has an uplifting tense feel to it all, which definitely reminds me of "Blues Traveler"(I think this has to do with the drums mainly) and "Wings"(26 second mark for sure) although toned down. But then I definitely feel it has an innocent touch and almost sounds a lot like "The Treasure Which Cannnot Be Stolen"(42 second mark piano).
That innocent touch brings the light-heartedness feel to it that made the original so memorable. A few keys sound like they're from the original(42 second mark woodwinds/synthesizers) but this only happens in a couple of places for only around 10 seconds at a time...otherwise you could have fooled me that this was "Relm".
And that breakdown of the music at the 1:38 mark is brilliant. Love it.
Overall, "Little Painter Girl" is very pleasing to the ears. I could listen to this for a long time to come. Download this now.

- Krelian on June 18, 2005
Wow. This is definitely one of the best remixes I've ever heard. A gorgeous arrangement with very realistic instruments.

- Geoffrey Taucer on June 9, 2005
Ever since djpretzel's Sunken Suite have I not been so soothed by a mix. From the flowing piano, complemented with the light strings, then the soft snare along with the tings of the cymbals. The emphasis of every third note with the bass drum, and the overlaying flute, I am in heaven. This is a masterpiece. All the superlatives in the world, will not do this piece justice. There needs to be more pieces like this.

- LadHolyman on June 6, 2005

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