ReMix:The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time "Lullaby of the Desert" 2:53

Newcomer Rodok (William Rhoden) gives us the feels with a very melancholy, violin/guitar + accompaniment folk ballad take on "Gerudo Valley" from Ocarina of Time:

"I got into "Gerudo Valley" not by playing the game, but by hearing djpretzel arrange the track (OCR #368). It was one of the first OCRs I heard over ten years ago, and I was hooked. This is my third attempt arranging it for OCR, and I wanted to go a different direction than most. It is a simple track with live guitar and violin (both played by me), NI's Giant piano, and a simple Sytrus synth. I tried to think of what Ganon's mother might have sung him, if he had one. The additional LoZ themes are essentially Ganon's unfortunate dreams.

This is a re-submission of a track I submitted back in Feb. and was evaluated in May. I increased the volume, re-recorded a section of the violin, fixed the panning issue, added reverb, and varied the accompaniment a bit.

As always, thank you for your continued support of video game music."

I'm sitting here crying a bit, even.

I'm just humbled & profoundly glad that anything I've ever done has inspired anyone to make something like this, but on top of that, the idea of Ganon's mother singing him this tune is just the right amount of heartbreaking/bittersweet to kick me in the gut. Emotionally. In a good way, really. Damn you, Mr. Rhoden! ;) Very glad the artist heeded the panel's advice and resubmitted this, because it absolutely benefitted from & deserved the refinement. The result is a simultaneously devastating & beautiful piece that leverages subtle, heartfelt performances on violin & acoustic guitar with delicate piano accompaniment, and damn if that TINY little synth part doesn't speak volumes. Sir_NutS writes:

"In this version it feels like the violin is carrying the song in a big way, due to being center stage. Like the previous version this packs a very emotive performance, and the variations on the original are a very welcomed addition. The piano adds some welcomed variation to the backings without completely ditching the original minimalist approach."

I'm glad I listened to this mix before reading the artist's submission email, because it still affected me & I appreciated it without knowing the backstory, including the personal element. Coupled with that information, while I have zero doubt that this will have a similar effect on many other listeners, on this day, writing these words, it's really hit me in a way that not many mixes do; a direct, effective, and - aided by a revision cycle - polished & distilled arrangement concept, executed with passion. Thank you, sir.