Posted 2020-02-14, evaluated by Liontamer


Over OCR's history, we've had several great examples of present and future married folks teaming up on ReMixes, including on Valentine's Day. This year, we've got a great way to celebrate the holiday of love thanks to Earth Kid and Seth Tallman's FF9 couple's collab!

  • Earth Kid: arrangement, lyrics, production, vocals, harp, recorders (soprano, tenor), hammered dulcimer, Irish bouzouki, piano, percussion
  • Seth Tallman: djembe

I feel like she stole all the instruments and just left Seth alone with a djembe, reading that list :) Earth Kid (Natalya May) writes:

"Hello! After a long while, here's a new submission from me! This folky arrangement is part of my contributions featured originally on Pixel Mixers' own Final Fantasy IX album, Beyond the Mist, released in 2019. Hope you enjoy it. :)

"Terra" has always resonated with me -- from the prominent harp to the rearranged "Home" theme that features in the game. Since FFIX is my favorite game, I gave this remix my all and wanted to do my best to capture the same nostalgic, mysterious wonder I felt arriving in Terra for the first time.

The lyrics I wrote are in two perspectives. The verses are inspired by Garland's point of view, while the choruses are in Zidane's. I performed all the vocals, harp, soprano and tenor recorders, hammered dulcimer, Irish bouzouki, piano, and percussion elements (tambourine, egg shakers, rainstick). I also invited my husband Seth to play the djembe for me, which really helped bring the track to life. I love the way the "Terra" melody sounds on the recorders, so I decided to do a sort of "call and response" in the verses as well as featuring the soprano recorder later on in an instrumental section. The densely layered vocal harmonies in the final chorus may have had an influence from Appalachian folk music (particularly the Carter Family), as well!

I think this is one of the best arrangements I've done so far (I finished this in February), so I hope my love for this game and its music comes through here!"

Beautiful vocals & lyrics, a diverse array of well-performed live instruments, and an elegant, intimate atmosphere & flow do indeed combine to make this one of Natalya's strongest arrangements. Gorgeous work, and while the lyrics aren't strictly lovey-dovey V-day material, this collab has the depth & warmth appropriate for the occasion, or just curling up by the fire on any *other* day, for that matter. Lovely!

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 4 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
avatar
CJthemusicdude
on 2024-04-14 16:40:09

Excellent singing and instrument playing. This was very musical and definitely enjoyable to listen to. Fantastic job overall! :)

avatar
Jello_Snake
on 2020-12-04 14:52:17

The original lyrics fit so well. Incredible job. Feels like it could go in the game. Great job all around. This is one of my favorites.

avatar
lemnlime
on 2020-02-15 19:48:34

Earth Kid has a beautiful voice. Incredible work!

avatar
Liontamer
on 2020-02-14 01:00:46

What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Final Fantasy IX (Square , 2000, PS1)
Music by Nobuo Uematsu
Songs:
"Terra"

Tags (18)


Genre:
Ballad,Folk,New Age
Mood:
Mellow,Mystical
Instrumentation:
Bouzouki,Dulcimer,Hand Drums,Harp,Piano,Singing,Vocals: Female,Woodwinds
Additional:
Lyrics > Lyrics: Original
Origin > Collaboration
Regional > Appalachian
Regional > Celtic
Usage > Sleepytime

File Information


Name:
Final_Fantasy_9_Homecoming_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
8,220,460 bytes
MD5:
e0232ca7aaf005b371438b1c61bbf9b3
Bitrate:
212Kbps
Duration:
5:05

Come, pass through the veil
Move forward, now - leave behind the world you knew
Bathed in blue light,
Memories of home haunt you

Children mill about,
Vacant eyes waiting to fill with new life
Suddenly, a girl beckons you
Will you follow the path?

Home is where I belong,
The place that I long to be
Why did I come here?
This can't be home to me

What is the truth of life,
The reason for my existence?
Called by the lights of blue,
I must go into the distance

Miracle of life,
Tell me, where does your loyalty lie?
Bid farewell your friends,
They will only hold you back

Born by blue light,
I designed you to spread destruction
Why now do you hesitate?
Angel, our future rests on you

Home is where I belong,
The place that I long to be
Why did I come here?
This can't be home to me

Is this the truth of life,
Is this who I'm meant to be?
I won't look back now,
I'll seize my destiny

I won't look back now,
I'll seize my destiny

album cover
Published 2019-08-11
By Pixel Mixers
Arrangement

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