ReMix: EarthBound 'Psi Piano Omega'
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- Game: EarthBound (Nintendo, 1994, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): Shnabubula
- Composer(s): Hirokazu Tanaka, Keiichi Suzuki, Toshiyuki Ueno
- Song(s): 'Paula's Theme'
- Posted: 2009-11-21, evaluated by djpretzel
This solo piano arrangement from Earthbound may be an older track of his, but I'm of the opinion that any Shnabubula is good Shnabubula, old or new. Sam writes:
"This is an old piano improv remix that I'm not super proud of but somebody posted it on youtube as part of a rock-candy album....long story short, this song does not exist anywhere on the internet in a place where I chose it to be so I'd like to have it somewhere that I respect like OCR! It's a remix of Paula's theme from Earthbound commissioned by Adhesive_Boy [now known more commonly as "adhesive_individual"] way back in 2005. The track title was the name of Ness' ultimate spell when I played the game originally as a wee lad."
I find it disturbingly impressive that Sam's "improv" mixes are virtually indistinguishable from more planned-out, formalized compositions; he can basically ReMix on the fly, coming up with ideas that most of us mere mortals need a bit more "brain time" to formulate. I'm a little pressed for time at the moment, or I'd walk you through some of the highlights, but suffice to say that, circa 2009 or circa 2005, Sam can throw down. This is an emotive, intelligent arrangement... it starts off simply, with a minor chord progression over a double-note, repeated motif, then oscillates into a major key section that actually sounds a little bit country-western. This juxtaposition alone is really interesting, but Sam of course proceeds to branch further out, elaborating on both themes. This one's aged like a fine wine, really shows off Sam's piano/improv skills, and beyond all that, is a great, enjoyable solo piano mix from a great soundtrack - what's not to like?
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the - 42 on December 27, 2009
Fantastic playing, though - that's pretty much a given but even though the arrangement didn't click with me I still found a lot of enjoyment in admiring the fact that it was improvised completely on the spot! You're a talented mofo, don't ever stop doing this kind of stuff Sam!
- Emunator on December 21, 2009
It's bright, lots of syncopation, lots of stacatto. I don't know what there is to say other than it's really good. Bright, sunny, and playful. Goes on my piano playlist.
- Arcana on December 8, 2009
- Martin Penwald on December 6, 2009
- metalsnakejuice on December 5, 2009
I feel like this is one of his more cohesive arrangements - good piano playing naturally, but a sense of cohesive flow that sometimes is missing I feel in his work more importantly. I don't remember the source being particularly long, so this makes this all the more noteworthy.
Random Hajile;616069 wrote: I'd like to comment on DJP's assessment of Sam, he INDEED can play improv as well as most people play arranged. I met him in person once (Great guy!), and he banged out an amazing rendition of Magus' theme on the fly that I will remember for a long time hence.
Sam! If you're reading this, Leon/Aaron says Sup :D.
Same to DrumUltima and Jose the Bronx Rican who were also there :D. And Bahamut for that matter o.0
Wait what? The most I do is sing haha.
- Bahamut on November 24, 2009
- progressive on November 24, 2009
- OA on November 23, 2009
Sam! If you're reading this, Leon/Aaron says Sup :D.
Same to DrumUltima and Jose the Bronx Rican who were also there :D. And Bahamut for that matter o.0
- Random Hajile on November 22, 2009
Really like this, has sort of a ponderous quality to it. Great balance between Shnabubulean virtuosity (while not getting too heavy) and thoughtful restraint.
More mixes d00d! Actually, I challenge you to make an impro remix employing that lh>drums/rh>bass concept you had started on a while ago. That'd be tits
- Nase on November 22, 2009
Thank you for posting this. It's one of my favourites of yours Shnab. It really goes to show how you have an amazing knack for improvisation, so much variation on a simple theme.
- Less Ashamed Of Self on November 22, 2009
Monobrow;615866 wrote: For some reason I always associated Earhbound characters with Charlie Brown (the roundness of his head I guess ALSO LOOK AT POO!) and anyway this really kinda made me feel like Paula was walking around Twoson to go to Linus and Lucy's house.
That's when I thought when I first heard this. I doubt it's intentional (I don't think Sam is really a fan of Vince Guaraldi), but it's still cool.
This may not have the depth of some of Sam's other stuff, but it's a very satisfying and nostalgic mix and I still like it a lot 4 years after the first time I heard it.
He also recorded some other little Earthbound snippets on piano the day he recorded this mix that I don't think are available anywhere. I'm gonna ask him if it's ok if I upload them so people can hear them.
EDIT: here's the link:
http://www.divshare.com/download/9461711-78c
- Liz on November 21, 2009
