Symphonic Fantasies Tokyo -- awesome liner notes

[Ramza]

http://vgmdb.net/album/32972

Just got this in the mail and added the packaging scans to vgmdb. Of note --

http://vgmdb.net/db/covers.php?do=view&cover=151453

(you'll need to be logged in to see images at full size)

That's a two-page English commentary from Masashi Hamauzu, who was not in any way a part of Symphonic Fantasies, but did work with producer Thomas Böcker before. These liner notes are some of the most thoughtful statements on game music and the industry you'll find anywhere.

Beyond that, there are 2-paragraph notes from each of the four composers (Shimomura / Kikuta / Mitsuda / Uematsu) specific to this concert.

A review on RPGFan is in the works. But in the meantime, VGM nuts will want to read these English liner notes. They're fantastic. I really love what Hamauzu has to say (and as for music that was initially not well-received but later gained much acclaim, I wonder if he's talking about SaGa Frontier 2 or Unlimited SaGa?)

Ramza

[Yggdrasil]

Someone in VGMdb was saying that this release was controvertial, why is that? And what are those liner notes about? ・ヘ・

[Ramza]

um ... it's not really all that controversial. Basically it's a second recording of a concert they'd already recorded in Germany back in ... 2009 or 2010.

So you could say it's "controversial" if you think it's also controversial that there are THREE recordings of every Dragon Quest Symphonic Suite I through VII.

As for the liner notes ... um ... read them? They're self explanatory?

[Wild Armor]

A re-recording, eh? Which would you recommend purchasing for my listening pleasures? I'll be sure to look into your review/thoughts on the album(s). ;)

[Ramza]

I think Stephen is handling the Tokyo review. The original album I reviewed when it came out years ago.

The Tokyo one is better. It includes the encore, and it's a better encore than the old digital-only release. the FF medley also was improved upon.