ReMix:The Guardian Legend "The Scarlet Halls of Night" 4:29

By The Wingless

Arranging the music of one song...

"Labyrinth: Area 3, 4, 8"

Primary Game: The Guardian Legend (Broderbund , 1988, NES), music by Masatomo Miyamoto, Takeshi Santo

Posted 2006-03-01, evaluated by djpretzel


I don't know about you, but when I think "Wingless," I think "effeminacy"... no wait, rather I meant "multitalented"... ahh, heck, since he and co-host pixietricks have taken over the reigns at VGDJ and seen fit to mock me (the utter audacity!) in their very first episode together, I figure I'll go with both, just to be safe. John's starting '06 off with a bang, scoring two-for-two in both January and early March, as (relatively) hot on the high heels of his World of Warcraft mix he brings us this take on the Guardian Legend, his third arrangement from its score. The ReMixer writes:

"MENTION THE SITE AND I"LL LOWER MY CAPS"

At this point I'd like to mention that John Allen Burnett, aka "The Wingless," has never had his own personal website, and never will. Moving on... this is an arrangement that essentially sounds like what you'd expect it sound like, given the title - relatively mellow, piano-led, waltz-tempo orchestral arrangement. One half-expects Anastasia (as voiced by Meg Ryan) to pop-up and start dancing in slow motion as the camera pans around her, with a CG background. Have you heard? There's a Wingless in St. Petersburg! Not that either of his efforts from 2002 were bad - far from it - but I think comparatively you can hear the polish and maturity the years between those mixes and this piece have brought; the overall work is more cohesive, piano is no longer battling acoustic guitar for melodic supremacy, the last metroid is in captivity, and the galaxy is at peace. The arrangement does have a Russian flair to it, strings are used effectively, the initial pauses with chimes in the intro are tasteful, things develop fully and the progression becomes more challenging at around 2'13", plus we get some epic brass thrown in for the mid-section pushes. One potential glitch - the entry at 2'41" seems to abruptly expose a too-swift attack on the samples being used, making the entrance artificially sudden. This might be the type of thing that only bothers people like me, but in a sea of otherwise appropriately tranquil waters, it rocked my boat momentarily. Well-handled ending, however - piano gets exposed at 3'32", and at 3'52" the left hand cuts out as well, leaving the music-box melody all alone. Midrange piano comes back in to keep it company for the conclusion, a nicely drawn out, ritardando arpeggio thang. I'm personally glad that with his new job at Midway John's still found the time to remember the little people and continue creating excellent ReMixes. You'll most certainly wanna check this out if you're a fan of TGL, Wingless, or small dancing Russian ballerina girls (and who ISN'T!?!?), and also be sure to witness John and Jill in all their podcasting glory in the latest, 100% less-Canadian (for better or worse) episode of VGDJ.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Souperion
on 2019-09-15 18:40:30

Rosenthorne has a gentle intensity that lends a vital quality to it. The Scarlet Halls of Night offers a twinkling grandeur that illuminates without blinding. It is delicate yet forceful in its evocative progression that rings with the beloved source as it proudly displays artistic innovation. It's a privilege to have this track in one's music library.

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Emunator
on 2009-12-19 02:12:18

I don't think the mix title could feel anymore appropriate. The strings mixed with the perfect piano sound feels perfectly suited for a dance in the moonlight :-) Beautiful piano, and expertly chosen additional instruments only highlight and accentuate the mood.

One of my favorite Wingless peices (and trust me, I love just about every one of them, so that's a high honor!) It's just plain beautiful, I can never grow tired of it :-)

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OA
on 2009-12-18 11:49:36

I thought this was going to be solo piano, but when the orchestra came in, I was pleasantly surprised, as it gives this a even better feel.

The treatment of the melody was really nice. I'd even call it magical, with a tear in my eye. This was the kind of mix that really got me interested in the site in the first place. There is a fine line between movingly sentimental and a bottomless pit of nacho cheese, and this mix has the proportions just right. Very good stuff, possibly my favorite Wingless mix.

My inner small dancing Russian ballerina girl is impressed. GG, Wingless.

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42
on 2009-12-01 19:01:46

Oh, this waltz is so beautiful. Something about this mix seems a little off, like the sound was muted/dampened just a hair. I don't think it detracts from the mix though; on the contrary, I think it really adds to it. The mood here is fueled by nostalgia, not saddeningly so, but in a "the good times have come and I'm glad I was part of them" sense, and I think this mix is highly appropriate for its setting. It does its job well. When I listen to this, I feel as if I have to slow down and smell the roses; it just wouldn't feel right when listening to this mix to do otherwise.

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Blake
on 2006-12-05 00:51:18

WTF. Why haven't I heard this yet. This is awesome.

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DukeNukem007
on 2006-05-29 01:46:16

Excellent piano work as always, Mr. Wingless. Great mood, not too simple, not too complicated. Dare I say better than your Super Metroid Girl/World duo. A

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Liontamer
on 2006-04-22 11:06:01
I'd like to know what the original song(s) was. _

NSF Track 3. Doesn't have anything I'm aware of that I can use as an official title to add into the database.

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Dahlia
on 2006-04-22 07:02:10

I'd like to know what the original song(s) was. _

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kitty
on 2006-03-31 02:09:09

Heard it on VGDJ, and I fell in love with it since.

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Corporal Eschebone
on 2006-03-30 21:47:18

The piano could be a little less "wet," but other than that very high quality. I needed only the first few seconds to know that this would be great.

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meccaneer
on 2006-03-26 13:50:43

Holy crap, Wingless. I sure do envy your awesomeness both in design and composition.

This mix: it's simple, beautifully harmonic and relaxing. You get a gold-star! Don't you go a-changin'!

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Kantir
on 2006-03-18 18:16:46

This brings a tear to my eye. Because it makes me think that this game deserved a manga, or an anime, yet it was never released (or at least none that I knew of..) but there are plenty of other animes out there with this kinda genre of video game. For example, Gundam Wing and Robotech. Bubblegum Crisis comes to mind also, forgive me, I am just speaking my mind.

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kitty
on 2006-03-15 23:54:57

I'm already hooked on it. :D

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MasamuneX
on 2006-03-11 22:21:29

Very well done. I wish I could elaborate more, but my ears are still dining on the orchestral feast that is this song. Seriously, my brain can't process anything else right now because of how well this track was made. Piano is silky smooth, and the orchestra being slowly let in is exactly what set this track off for me. 10/10 and may god have mercy on your soul for being so awesome!

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Alianger
on 2006-03-11 09:17:22

This is great stuff! Is it only me hearing some super metroid tune in there? Like at 0.50 something, and perhaps somewhere else too.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
The Guardian Legend (Broderbund , 1988, NES)
Music by Masatomo Miyamoto,Takeshi Santo
Songs:
"Labyrinth: Area 3, 4, 8"

Tags (4)


Genre:
Classical
Mood:
Sad
Instrumentation:
Orchestral,Piano
Additional:

File Information


Name:
Guardian_Legend_The_Scarlet_Halls_of_Night_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,495,150 bytes
MD5:
8666e7f1e86c0a25930b910e2d525da7
Bitrate:
160Kbps
Duration:
4:29

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