ReMix:Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete "A Dream That Seems Far Off" 2:40

By Dale North

Arranging the music of one song...

"Wind Nocturne (The Boat Song)"

Primary Game: Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete (Working Designs , 1998, PS1), music by Noriyuki Iwadare

Posted 2011-04-28, evaluated by djpretzel


Happy birthday, Noriyuki Iwadare! 誕生日おめでとう!

By a happy twist of fate, today is the composer's birthday, AND we just happened to have a ReMix of one of his pieces already queued up! I always preferred the soundtrack from the original Sega CD version of Lunar to the Playstation remake - they're quite different - but both games have amazing music; Iwadare is the man.

I've been waiting a long time for Dale to really show off his vocal chops in a more serious context, and I'm happy to say that this RnB/ballad style track does exactly that. Mr. North has a great, smooth tone to his voice that's perfect for the genre, and while this arrangement is relatively conservative, one of the most interesting changes is simply hearing the lyrics sung in a male voice, as opposed to the original (and also excellent) English-language vocal by Jennifer Magallanes (then Stigile); it just lends the piece a different vibe/context. Dale actually showed this mix to her and she dug it, so that's pretty cool, too. He writes:

"I've always loved Luna's boat song from GameArts RPG Lunar: Silver Star Story, originally released on the Sega CD. The cinema at that part of the game was so well placed, and it's such a pretty song! I took the single verse and lyric right out of the game (the Jenny Stigile performance) and did my own arrangement, focusing on layered piano and bell parts over a string orchestra. The vocal starts out very soft and quiet, but builds as the song does."

This genre, and this specific song all the more, really relies on a strong, emotive, personalized vocal, and Dale delivers exactly that. Short but tear-jerkingly sweet, I think this mix is unique on OCR, and I'm really happy Dale submitted it. If for some crazy reason you haven't played the Lunar games, hopefully this will be one more reason among many to check them out. A big part of what makes them so great is the emotion & sentimentality that this arrangement fully conveys, with a good deal of wit & humor mixed in as well. Beautiful piece of music, this.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Crulex
on 2012-10-31 11:28:24

Oh, yeah, I'm getting a Disney or at least animated ballad feeling out of this, which is a totally good thing for a song like this. Damn, those vocals are incredible. I had no idea Dale North could sing that that! Seriously, one of the best male vocals I've heard on OCR. I really don't care if it's just a little short, it's kinda perfect for this type of song and this thing will be replayed for sure. The piano arrangement makes this a very beautiful, heartfelt ReMix. Love this to death!

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Thin Crust
on 2011-11-23 23:23:49

This song convinced me to buy the rerelease for PSP. I'm so glad I did. I've been needing a game like that. Thank you for this amazing piece.

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Martin Penwald
on 2011-07-12 15:36:29
This sounds of movie quality (very similar to the Disney Aladdin song 'magic carpet ride' in pitch and tempo (I Think that 's the name) , keep up the great work.

Good to see that I'm not the only one who gets not only a Disney, but an Aladdin feeling in particular from this song.

As for Dale's vocals, they might just be the best male vocals on this site.

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BlackPanther
on 2011-05-07 13:28:22

Beautiful man... beautiful.

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Kadosho
on 2011-05-05 11:09:35

Lunar was one of my favorite series on the classic consoles. But to hear a different take on this tune, I honestly like it.

Dale, nice job! I had no idea you had such a great voice. Hope you'll do more singing in the future. =D

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FlashX
on 2011-05-03 21:36:08

awesome voice!! well done track!!

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Kizyr
on 2011-05-01 13:27:02
But, yeah, I get what you mean. I haven't listened to the Sega CD version, but I'm assuming that some of the tracks match the PS1 one.

Interestingly enough, none of the tracks match between the Sega CD and PS1/Saturn versions of the game; the remake was kind of a complete one, and every track from every corresponding point in the game was changed. (Eternal Blue for Sega CD, on the other hand, had a nearly identical soundtrack as the PS1/Saturn versions, though with different quality.) I like both soundtracks, but personally the Sega CD version is far more endearing to me.

Anyway this is an awesome mix. This song was really calling out for Dale North's vocal treatment. As some folks know, Lunar is my absolute favorite series, and I love seeing a really good mix from there posted. KF

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DjMystix
on 2011-05-01 02:57:57

incredible vocals! Absolutely loved it!

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Squint
on 2011-04-30 22:54:50

This is great, very cool to hear a male voice on this one. Even though it sticks pretty close to the original, the little bits that are changed up (a slight pause here, a jump to a higher pitch there) make it a real fun listen.

And I agree with what you wrote in your write-up. When I first played Lunar and got to this scene, it blew my mind that I was seeing and hearing what I was. It further validated videogames as a story-telling medium, and became a benchmark for other RPGs to aspire to.

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Thin Crust
on 2011-04-30 11:34:07

So here I am waiting to catch up on all the games I've missed over the years. One of which is Lunar which has been rereleased on the psp. It's near the top of my list to play and hearing this just made it the next game to buy (After I beat Nier and FF13). On top of that, this song came out on my birthday so thanks for your present Dale!

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teh1archon
on 2011-04-30 10:11:17

I love Longcat's song! Got to play this game someday.

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docnano
on 2011-04-30 01:00:10

@SwordBreaker Thanks for pointing out the Sega CD version remixes. I agree with djp that many of the SCD OST tracks are more memorable than their PSX counterparts, but Wind's Nocturne is one huge exception! Glad to see it remixed (covered?) here in style.

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SwordBreaker
on 2011-04-29 18:39:57
OMG, NO Lunar:SSSC remixes up to this point?? Shame on all of us.

This makes one helluva debut for this gem of a game on OCR. Vocal performance is full of heart, and the chord changes from the (amazing) original are quite tasteful. Me like beaucoup!

http://ocremix.org/game/77/lunar-the-silver-star-scd

Well, not exactly. Three mixes from the Sega CD original, including ANOTHER vocal theme by DJP himself (gutsy move back in 2000), although the latter in my opinion isn't a true testament to David's vocal ability. This one is:

But, yeah, I get what you mean. I haven't listened to the Sega CD version, but I'm assuming that some of the tracks match the PS1 one.

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OA
on 2011-04-29 17:59:36

great vocals, I absolutely love it.

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Flik
on 2011-04-29 16:21:23

It is impossible to ever get tired of hearing how amazing Dale's voice is. And not only the voice, but the musical arrangement as well. It all fits together so incredibly well. I'm very happy to see that he is still involved and a part of this community. Great mix Dale!

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete (Working Designs , 1998, PS1)
Music by Noriyuki Iwadare
Songs:
"Wind Nocturne (The Boat Song)"

Tags (6)


Genre:
Ballad
Mood:
Mellow
Instrumentation:
Piano,Singing,Vocals: Male
Additional:
Lyrics > Lyrics: Existing

File Information


Name:
Lunar_Silver_Star_Story_Complete_A_Dream_That_Seems_Far_Off_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
3,928,499 bytes
MD5:
072d69a61cb618269f207a6bc71c7301
Bitrate:
192Kbps
Duration:
2:40

Wishing on a dream that seems far off
Hoping it will come today
Into the starlit night
Foolish dreamers turn their gaze
Waiting on a shooting star

But...
What if that star is not to come
Will their dreams fade to nothing?
When the horizon darkens most
We all need to believe there is hope

Is an angel watching closely over me?
Can there be a guiding light I've yet to see?
I know my heart should guide me, but
There's a hole within my soul

What will fill this emptiness inside of me?
Am I to be satisfied without knowing?
I wish, then, for a chance to see
Now all I need,
Is my star to come...

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