ReMix: Final Fantasy IX 'The Rose General'
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- Game: Final Fantasy IX (Square, 2000, PS1)
- ReMixer(s): katethegreat19
- Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu
- Song(s): 'Rose of May'
- Posted: 2009-06-19, evaluated by the judges
Wow.
Let me take a second to pick my jaw up off the floor - this is an absolutely gorgeous piece of music. This is going to be one of those writeups where I gush enthusiastically and heap tons of praise, so if you've got a weak stomach for acclaim (especially when applied to others), be warned. I've looped this repeatedly the last couple days prior to posting, just to make doubly sure I wasn't being excessive, but no: This ReMix is an instant classic, a breath of fresh air, haunting, beautiful, memorable, and singular. Newcomer katethegreat19, aka Kate Covington, already has quite the following on MySpace and YouTube, and deservedly so - she's put together some very unique vocal fan mixes that apply a folksy renaissance fair/Celtic festival style to great effect. Her voice is not only breathtaking, but her control and her ability to break, harmonize, and convincingly pull off the quick modulations key to the genre are dead-on. This is an arrangement that essentially sinks or swims based on the vocalist, but with Kate it not only swims, but truly takes flight. Yes, that was a cheesy-as-all-hell metaphor, but I'm excited about this piece. It's a new direction, a different approach, something I wasn't expecting, convincing, and above and beyond all of that, a great piece of music. The artist writes:
"This is my vocal adaptation of Rose of May. The arrangement is entirely acoustic and I am performing all the parts on harp, guitar, frame drums and recorder. The lyrics, inspired by the character of General Beatrix are my own. please consider my submission! ^_^"
So, all of what I already said, plus she plays all the parts AND wrote the lyrics; color me impressed. And about those lyrics... absolutely perfect for the style; I love the "in rivers" repetition and "So put on my mask / I'll go where they ask" combination especially. Mattias says:
"This is one of the most personal arrangements I've heard in a while. While it's still rather close to the source you have a unique approach, great counter melodies and one of the most beautiful voices I've heard in a while. I am a sucker for folk-influenced singing I must admit but damn, this is fantastic. Beautiful lyrics, as a big FF-fan I appreciate the way it really portrays a character."
English may be AnSo's second language, but I think he quite often picks the perfect adjectives; in this case, the mix really does feel personal, due in no small part to the emotive vocal. Judges did have some feedback regarding panning and plosives that Kate addressed, making the piece even better. Everything is exposed, pared down to the bare essentials, and mesmerizing. Kate could make a dozen pieces like this one and I'd love each of them to death, but it would also be interesting to see if she could collab on something; right off the bat I can envision a Golden Axe arrangement I've been working on with her vocals in it...
... but I digress. It's sometimes difficult to talk about a mix like this: if I'm too overwhelmingly positive, I fear I'll trigger kneejerk reactions from those who may not dig vocal mixes, or the genre, or who simply don't like it when other people get compliments. Frankly, I usually don't let any of that stop me, and I'm not going to here: I believe this ReMix deserves a lot of attention, that it's both fantastic and original, and that I'll be listening to it regularly for the rest of my life. I sincerely hope Kate continues to create such works and submit them here.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the No wait, that's a D&D joke with me and my mates... moving on.
This remix. Hrm. Well there is no hrm about it. I've always enjoyed the IX OST because it's a very different from previous FF games, maybe because Nobuo has experimented with a different kind of music, but this track is...
Well the voice is one of the best female vocals I've heard in a while, along with the lead singer of the prog band "Touchstone" who I stumbled accross at a Prog Rock Fesitval in Philedphia in May. But that last fact is neither here or there in regards with this song.
But, I'm not sure about the lyrics themselves. Yeah I can see Yashuiko's point with his interpretation of the lyrics, but it still doesn't fit, it it's Beatrix's theme or not, at least to me. I haven't had chance to anyalsis them, as well as my poor spelling today yet, but I'll get back to you later.
- Ravenos on August 7, 2009
- Psyconaught_Omega on August 7, 2009
The lyrics are really inspired and appropriate, and I am totally serious when I say that this quite possibly deserves to become an official version.
As a general rule, I am highly suspicious of vocal ReMixes, but this totally goes in my list of incredible ones. Well deserved credit and kudos!
- Sorceror Nobody on July 21, 2009
Ticondrius... are you high? You need to listen more to folk music, this piece may be unique to ocr, both in style and quality, but there's lots more like it out in the big world.
- Dafydd on July 20, 2009
It's been very long since a song, from _ANY_ source, has caused me to openly cry. Not just a tear, nor a stifled sniff. An open cry of anguish. Thinking back, I'm not even sure I *can* recall the last time.
This song pulls your soul's pain and lies it bear for your consideration. All the pain, suffering and loss you might have suffered in life...all the tears you held back, pain unacknowledged... It cuts through your soul as a razor.
I can say no more. *repeats song*
- Ticondrius on July 13, 2009
Previous comments nail anything I'd say in a much more affluent way. The turmoil in this song gives it so much emotion and power. It's gut-wrenching. You hear this oath led in with a delicate strength, alternating between a facade utter devotion and devastating self-doubt.
I think her "Roses of May" is her past innocence, and the purity and peace of mind it brought her. She fought and fought - perhaps uncertain of the outcome - to try and find this feeling once again, each step sending her closer to damnation. I'm guessing the end of the song references Steiner - who was also a blind follower of Alexandria - who showed her what she should be devoted to, and gave her a new path to follow. She finally comes to terms with what she's done and accepts that while she may never have that innocence ever again, she can leave it behind and still be happy.
In any event, I don't know how I extrapolated that rant, but this song is most certainly one of the best I've heard in forever, and I am a damned fool for folk-style songs - which is why I love FFIX's soundtrack most overall. Great mix and keep them coming!
- Yasuhiko on July 12, 2009
- yosefu on July 11, 2009
This, however, is different. It's the very first time that I actually pay attention to the lyrics (might be because the instruments complement the vocals instead of just filling the soundscape as noisily as possible), and I really like them.
Quite the positive surprise. Nice work.
- Martin Penwald on July 9, 2009
- DeepChild on July 9, 2009
- Bradums on July 6, 2009
My favorite details:
- The high-note harp triplet at 0:36 and 2:37 is throat-constrictingly bittersweet.
- "When you look at me, what do you see?" - Sounds like a tender cry for help.
- "The red on my hands won't wash away, wash away" - This breeds a wealth of inner turmoil worse than any sword wound.
- "So here now I lay my Roses of May" - Taken literally, it sounds like a grave visit. Maybe it's a metaphor for paying respects to one's "dead" (former) self?
Introspective and interpretive.
- Polo on July 3, 2009
This song is easily my favorite of hers; the arrangement is perfect for her voice (and even better that she played everything too!) and the lyrics are just right for the song. I won't lie, I'm a little envious of how easy she makes everything sound.
I look forward to hearing more from Kate, and look forward to hearing more of her songs on OCR.
- DragonAvenger on July 2, 2009
- MrBogus on July 1, 2009
Seriously though, this is pretty awesome. I dig the harmonies. :|
- DarkeSword on June 30, 2009
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