It seems that DigiCube has made a tradition in all Final Fantasy Piano Collections printed by them. Unlike the radical packaging of Final Fantasy IV–VI Piano Collections, VIII and IX have almost identical packaging. It comes in a regular CD case (the first print has a paper sleeve to put over the case), and the liner notes contain the piano arrangement sheet music to the vocal track of the game. If there is an FFX piano CD coming, expect it to look like the previous two.
Uematsu picked some of the best tracks to go onto Piano Collections Final Fantasy IX… he also picked a great performer to do them (Louis Leerink). A friend of mine was disappointed that “Jesters of the Moon” didn’t make the CD, but I am still pleased with the overall track picks.
The thing about this CD that I like most (though FF VIII piano was very similar in this respect) is that the songs are not overly simplistic, but are arranged without taking away from the original melody. Every track is enjoyable for every single second that you are listening to it…stopping it for any reason is disappointing, because you know the next note is going to be just as enjoyable as the last and you wanted to hear it.
If you were upset by the fact that Final Fantasy IX didn’t get a *truly* arranged CD, take comfort in the fact that the piano CD makes up for it. If you have the money, and you’re an FF/piano enthusiast, be sure to purchase this CD.
