ReMix:Little Nemo: The Dream Master "Nemo for Strings" 3:37

By Gux

Arranging the music of one song...

"Dream 1: Mushroom Forest"

Primary Game: Little Nemo: The Dream Master (Capcom , 1990, NES), music by Junko Tamiya

Posted 2002-01-17, evaluated by djpretzel


With some submissions, I know in the first 20 seconds, especially when a piece is in keeping with a familiar ReMixer's proven style. With other pieces, I need to listen a couple times. This all-strings submission from Gux (who gave us the fabulous Gunsmoke ReMix a long while back that you should grab this nanosecond if you don't have) was such a ReMix. It doesn't sound like his other pieces, and it struck me questionably the first time, mostly due to the total lack of DSP (reverb, etc.). There's a bit of sampled ambience on the string samples used, but nothing additional, so you can clearly hear the tail ends of the samples, repeating vibrato, etc. Now, all the sounds used are good, but this sort of exposure will put even $1000 string libraries to the test, so it's - shall we say - "daring" - to do an all-strings piece with no effects. However, after careful (perhaps too careful) inspection, I hereby conclude that Gux pulled it off well. The arrangement is what makes it work - articulations, harmony, and flow. Also, you gotta love the pizzicato. Pizzicato is good. It's fun to say 'pizzicato', and I thank Gux for giving me the opportunity, and also for using it well. It's not gonna be everyone's cup o' tea, and the no-effects thing took me a bit of getting used to, but it works. Cool.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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ornsio
on 2022-08-18 14:22:02

After recently listening to the entire catalog, this one actually rose to the top as one of my favorites on the strength of the arrangement alone. I would LOVE to hear a live performance version of this!

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Marmiduke
on 2010-04-20 10:28:09

Really love the chamber style approach, though it frustratingly lacks that chamber ambience. The arrangement is definitely there; it has all I'd ever want from a realistic, classical interpretation of the theme. The only thing that detracts is that it is so upfront about it's sound, flaws and all.

Masking some of those mixing artefacts and the wear-and-tear that the samples have suffered could have fixed this. But if you accept the sound for what it is and focus on enjoying the way this melody has been arranged, I think it's a lot more rewarding.

Don't think I'll ever get tired of classed up versions of VGM, this mix included.

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Lucentas
on 2009-06-23 21:47:13

A very ambitious piece--yes, the string samples weren't perfect, but the arrangement is great, I love strings, and this is a wonderfully relaxing little number.

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OA
on 2008-02-06 14:38:37

I do think this would have hugely benefited from a room sound. As is, it sounds completely dampened, as if a quartet was playing in a tiny practice room with overly-enthusiastic amounts of insulation.

Arrangement is good, and the only thing that bothers me is the way the samples are so exposed. It really makes the flaws very apparent, and it jars me out of listening every few notes. :-(

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MechaFone
on 2007-12-04 10:33:07

I enjoyed this remix. Very much.

Hated the game though. Loved the movie, hated the game, enjoyed the song.

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KogeJoe
on 2007-01-24 09:02:00

Usually, I can't stand the first levels to games, and Little Nemo is no exception.

The author seems well on his/her way on becoming a string quartet/quintet composer! Love what he does with each instrument. Sounds totally feasible on real ones, I'd say...

Keep up the good work!

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tyciol
on 2006-12-31 23:08:21

Oh, I heard this one! I love all remixes of classics like Little Nemo, anyone who chooses ones to do like that are great.

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Mustin
on 2006-12-16 20:25:40

Love this.

I love this track.

When it kicks in at :52 seconds, that's what really gets me in the pit of my gut. I love the music here!

Like others have mentioned, though, I would like to hear some reverb on this and some better mixing. It's just so in your face with no reverb.

However, that's not going to stop me from immensley enjoying the piece.

Fans of strings should definitely check this out. One of the more realistic string pieces on the site - and that is certain.

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pizzach
on 2006-01-24 01:42:34

Wow. My initial impression was unimpressed. But as I listened, I suddenly had a very strong hit of nastalgia. Props to the composer! Makes me want to find this game again. Oddly, I think the music also reminded me of the Spirited Away for a moment too.

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progressive
on 2005-04-29 17:58:54

Reminds me of the better parts of my childhood.

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Linearity
on 2005-04-28 01:45:48

This sucks.

No, actually, I was just trying to shake things up a bit, but it's hard to imagine a bad review for this.

First, as mentioned before, the samples are quite fabulous. I am another fan of the effects-free recording; it sounds as if I'm sitting two yards away from a real string ensemble. Props for that. Second, good arrangement. It stands completely on its own as a strings piece.

Here's some badmouthing for sake of the earlier lack thereof: this is kind of hard to listen to. It's not something I put on when I'm ready for action, nor is it really soothing or demure. It's kind of harsh on my ears.

Okay, that's about all I can say against it. Nice concise ending, too. I like this song.

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Nigel Simmons
on 2004-06-29 03:42:22

Pretty solid, if you ask me. SOMEONE needs to put some good reverb on this and resubmit it. It would be much better then.

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MrNemo
on 2004-05-26 14:09:32

I love this remix. The string sound is beautiful and convincing, and he definitely gave it a unique spin. The sample used blows my mind. This is a very haunting song. I can tell he is very talented from listening to the subtle changes made to the chords and progression.

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djFezik
on 2003-07-26 15:36:51

I love this; it's like I'm at a folk festival and there's a quartet there playing my favorite songs of childhood. Effects are for pussies.

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ella guro
on 2002-10-20 21:12:24

One of the better mixes involving strings. Instead of making some echoey epic techno combo or such which many people do, Gux just went straight ahead and did a string quartet with absolutely nothing else. It takes some balls to do that. And I must say he pulled it off very very well...

Gux really is one of the better and riskier remixers on this site, imo...

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Little Nemo: The Dream Master (Capcom , 1990, NES)
Music by Junko Tamiya
Songs:
"Dream 1: Mushroom Forest"

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File Information


Name:
Little_Nemo_Nemo_for_Strings_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
4,479,633 bytes
MD5:
678af34e7cafa0ca3245737b3a6ab708
Bitrate:
161Kbps
Duration:
3:37

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