002 Nobuo Uematsu, Shiro Hamaguchi, Squaresoft, Sony Classical.
Shop: Final Fantasy Item Shop

Track Listing:

1. Real Emotion/ SWEETBOX
2. 1,000 WORDS(FF X-2 MIX)/ SWEETBOX
3. Fumon - Mittsu no Kiseki
4. Last Mission No.1
5. Last Mission No.2
6. Last MissionNo.1
7. Creature Create
8. Flash Over
9. 1,000 WORDS ORCHESTRA VERSION/ SWEETBOX
10. Kimi e/ Yuna (Mayuko Aoki)

You got me. I bought this for the vocal tracks. Though I know that Nobuo Uematsu isn’t responsible for the sounds of Final Fantasy X-2, I fell in love with the music anyway. Thank you, Noriko Matsueda and Takahito Eguchi. To date, I do believe that 1,000 Words and Real Emotion are among the top of my favorite Final Fantasy theme songs, if not the very first on the list. It’s been a year since I’ve finished FFX-2 and yet I still get last-song syndromes from both Sen no Kotoba (Japanese version) and 1,000 Words.

I know getting Jade of Sweetbox to do the English versions of Real Emotion and 1,000 Words caused quite a stir among fanboys and fangirls, especially to those who would prefer that a J-Pop artist perform them. Koda Kumi, who did the original Japanese versions, did quite an excellent job indeed. I was awed by her vocal prowess, the passion and sentiment she was able to invoke with her performance. Unfortunately, I heard her English versions and the first thing that came to mind was that she must have swum in a pool of sake. (I was silently begging that she stick to singing in Japanese as I listened to her croon, “But you fight your ballals far from me…When I tarn back the pagers.” )

I truly believe that Jade’s vocals got Yuna’s personality down pat in English the way Koda Kumi captured it in Japanese. In Final Fantasy X-2, we have seen Yuna transform from being a goody-two-shoes, who carried the weight of the world on her shoulders, to a woman who is cheerful and fun, while still carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. The emotions all came out in 1,000 Words, this hauntingly beautiful ballad that stays in your head for all time. What struck me most about this English rendition was that it was remarkably translated. I mean, “Suspended on silver wings!” sounds so much better than, “Suspended on shiny wings!” And you can hear none of those “whenever sang my songs…who pinches you softly, but sure” (Eyes on Me, Final Fantasy VIII) nonsense. I mean, really. Imagine yourself getting teary-eyed at some emotionally charged FMV sequence, only to burst into sudden peals of laughter because of a badly translated line. Rest assured, 1,000 Words delivers and Jade delivers it on silver (not shiny) platter.

The difference between the second track and the orchestra version of 1,000 Words is that the second track features a duet between Lenne and Yuna. If you’ve played the game, you would know this came from a full-motion video sequence where Yuna held a concert to let people hear what the ghost Lenne had been dying to say for over a thousand years. Of course, this is to hear Jade do a vocal duel (of sorts) with herself, which has no less than impressive results. The orchestra version, on the other hand is the final theme. It’s longer, more dramatic, and well, characterized by slow, drawn-out accompaniments. You just have to love what they did with the piano and the strings here. Basically, it would be like listening to a Broadway presentation.

The first track, Real Emotion, is an upbeat dance tune that never fails to make you want to gyrate in giddiness. I must admit, this is the first time I heard something this upbeat from any of the Final Fantasy sound collections. Real Emotion is an apt intro, meant to draw you into the game at first glance.

Kimi e, performed by Mayuko Aoki, Yuna’s seiyuu, is the only Japanese song in the entire CD. This is Yuna’s image song. It’s also one of the most haunting songs I have ever heard, and it doesn’t sound typical of the ballads released for the Final Fantasy series. Although, whenever I find myself reflecting on the lyrics, I only get frustrated that I didn’t achieve the good ending in the game. It’s all about Yuna’s adventures and her hopes in finding her beloved Tidus someday. Well, my ending dashed all sense of hope found in this song. Heh.

Tracks 3 to 8 are all instrumentals. Of all these instrumental tracks, I’m only fond of Fumon - Mittsu no Kiseki. I don’t know why but I find myself imagining that mysterious Macalania Woods. Hearing this would sometimes make you feel melancholy, as if you were walking along the banks of a magical river while contemplating the disappearance of your lover.

The other tracks are a mix of jazz, techno and maybe even blues. You’ll be reminded of their ship (Last Mission 1 and 2 and Creature Create) and sometimes even battles with bosses and timed mountain hikes (Last Mission 3 and Flash Over). Think Cowboy Bebop. The only thing I didn’t like about some of the instrumental tracks is that many of them get repetitive after quite some time.

Overall, I could say I’m very happy with this album. Not only am I satisfied with the vocal selections, but the bonus artworks that come with the cover are a must-see. You’ll also see pictures of the three girls in their not-so-flattering outfits (of all the available dresspheres in the game, why use the White Mage for Paine???) and stunning shots of Lenne and Yuna.

Credits: 1991 Nobuo Uematsu, Máire Bhreatnach, NTT Publishing, STARC STUDIOS
Shop: Final Fantasy IV: Celtic Moon , Final Fantasy Item Shop

Track Listing:

1. The Prelude
2. Prologue…
3. Chocobo-Chocobo
4. Into the Darkness
5. Main Theme of Final Fantasy IV
6. Welcome To Our Town
7. Theme of Love
8. Melody of Lute
9. Parom & Polom
10. Giotto, the Great King
11. Dancing Calcobrena
12. Mystic Mysidia
13. Illusionary World
14. Rydia
15. Troian Beauty

Credits: 2002 Nobuo Uematsu, Shiro Hamaguchi, Squaresoft, Sony Classical.
Shop: Final Fantasy Item Shop , Final Fantasy (OST) Collection

Description (on Animenation): On February 22, 2002 composer Nobuo Uematsu conducted the Tokyo Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra in a recital performance of classic Final Fantasy themes accompanied by special guests Rikki and Emiko Shiratori. This double disc CD-Extra set includes 17 tracks recorded during the concert along with bonus video footage of the concert and a special message from Nobuo Uematsu accessible through a computer.

Track Listing:

1999 Nobuo Uematsu, Shiro Hamaguchi, DigiCube (reprint Square Enix), Sunrise Studio, Sound City, and Victor Studio
Shop: Final Fantasy VIII: Fithos Lusec… , Final Fantasy Item Shop

Track Listing:

1. Liberi Fatali
2. Blue Fields
3. Don’t Be Afraid
4. Balamb Garden
5. Fisherman’s Horizon
6. Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec
7. Eyes on Me
8. The Man with the Machine Gun
9. Dance with the Balamb-Fish
10. Love Grows
11. The Oath
12. Ending Theme
13. Fragments of Memories

(Note that the pic shown is the inside cover. Front cover is blue and plain.)

Forgive me if I seem to be grasping for words to describe this soundtrack. It’s been years—nearly a decade even—that I have played Final Fantasy IV. Though I think that Final Fantasy really started with IV, completely disregarding the first three annoying FFs, I never realized that they could come up with a CD this good. With SNES being able to play only MIDIs, FFIV music is understandably primitive.

But not this album.

I had forgotten what FFIV sounds like, but this brought me back to my early days of RPGaming. Recorded in Dublin Ireland, and with Celtic instruments such as Irish harps, timber flutes, tin whistles, accordions and fiddles, how much more Celtic can you get? Don’t ask me to identify which sounds happened where in the game because I won’t remember. I can just give you a slight overview on some of the tracks.

The Prelude. You’ve already heard this in many Final Fantasy intros, but Celtic Moon’s version, with the Irish harp and that haunting flute makes this quite a nostalgic experience. Prologue, on the other hand, is known now as the "Theme After The Ending Theme" in the newer Final Fantasies. It’s essentially the same music you hear playing after recent FF credits, but this one segues to beautiful Celtic bridge that may lull you to sleep with its sweetness.

Chocobo-Chocobo is still the same familiar Chocobo theme you’ve loved using as ringtones, except this one will want to make you dance. Irish jigs anyone?

Into The Darkness…well, I don’t much recall where this was played. If this were a BGM in caves, I don’t recall it being this slow. It sounds sinister in a way I can’t really describe. It doesn’t sound dark. It sounds like you’re being tempted into darkness by soft waltz music. It’s as if you know there’s something evil out there, but you just can’t help but love being held in its enchanting grasp.

Main Theme of Final Fantasy IV. Ah. I’m pretty sure this is the song that plays when you’re flying your ship. It is exhilirating, fun and fills you with a sense of adventure, much like what Cecil, Rydia, and the rest of the gang felt when they were traveling all over the world map.

Welcome to Our Town…yep. It sounds like one of the BGMs played in one (or some) of the towns you visit. It’s basically gives you a feeling of comfort and a tinge of sadness. It starts becoming upbeat somewhere in the middle. Again, I am thinking of Irish jigs. It slows its pace again near the end, as if you should be in relaxation mode after a good amount of excercise.

For some reason, Theme of Love doesn’t make me think of falling in love but rather despairing in love. It sounds really melancholy; just listening to it puts me in a bout of depression. Melody of the Lute seems to have been drawn from an old classical music, given a bit more life in this CD. It’s the sort of melody you’d hear from a music box.

I’d just have to comment on Dancing Calcobrena. Though I know Kefka was from FFVI (FF6), this sounds more like it’s Kefka’s music. It makes me wonder which villain in FFIV had this for his signature piece. You can basically waltz to it, but it sounds so kooky it can only be carried by an equally kooky character.

Mystic Mysidia is another kooky track brought to you by the Town of Mysidia. It’s lighthearted and strange. Can’t say anything more about it.

Two more tracks I believe that bear mentioning are Rydia and Troian Beauty. Ah, who can forget the lovely child-summoner Rydia? This is perhaps the only track that has vocals in it, although they seem to be synthesized. Despite that, you’d just have to be in awe of how graceful this sounds. Troian Beauty must be referring to some damsel that lives in the Town of Troia. Well, whatever it stands for, I think it would be a perfect dance tune to waltz your partner with. Troian Beauty sounds very much similar to the BGMs you’d hear from the newer game, Xenogears.

Overall, I am extremely satisfied with Final Fantasy IV: Celtic Moon. I am a Celtic music lover myself and this one just went high above my expectations. I’m quite sure there are some people who can appreciate this CD despite not having played FFIV. Surely, Nobuo Uematsu can’t do anything wrong.

It’s the the mix of classical and goth feel that had me hooked to this soundtrack. While I’ve always believed that Final Fantasy VIII was one of the best, most innovative, most challenging FF ever to hit the market — quite up there with Final Fantasy VII — I can’t deny that it’s the sounds that had me pegging it as one of the most memorable games of my time.

(SIDE NOTE: Yes, I love FFIV, FFVI, FFVII and FFVIII. None of that old-school-versus-new-school hodge podge for me. A true gamer should be able to see the merits of creativity and innovation, rather than keeping their arses stuck in tradition.)

The opening theme of FFVIII alone, Liberi Fatali, should raise goosebumps. This track is oft confused with Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec, but it’s actually the music playing while you watch Rinoa say that she will wait for Squall; while Squall goes head to head against Seifer; and while all things introductory to FFVIII are taking place. Liberi Fatali is guaranteed to get itself stuck in your head for ages.

Most of the tracks here are actually background music for fields, dungeons, and battles. Blue Fields is the BGM that plays while you explore walkable areas of the world map. Picture flowers blossoming and new leaves sprouting from trees; that is Blue Fields for you. Balamb Garden is about - d-oh - Balamb, the place where it all starts. Fisherman’s Horizon is one of those unforgettable pieces that makes you believe that the place must’ve smelled good even though all you can think about are stinky fish. The battles are defined by Don’t Be Afraid, one of my favorites in all Final Fantasies I’ve played, and the waltz music that served as the backgrounder for Rinoa and Squall’s fateful meeting at the Balamb Ballroom is Dance with the Balamb-Fish.

Now for the title track, Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec. Those who have gone through FFVIII would probably be reminded of the dancing tribal warriors that performed during Edea’s tribute. Spine-tingling, if you ask me. The music has just as much effect as the visuals. The steady beat of the percussions, almost like a chant, and the staccato play of strings are bound to get your imagination soaring. Of course, you can’t miss the actual vocal chanting. It’s eerie. It’s scary. It’s perfect.

Eyes on Me is the most popular vocal track in the entire CD. Performed by Faye Wong, it has the ability to capture the heart of someone who is truly in love - provided you aren’t easily bothered by the funny lyrics. It’s a love song that sounds like it has been badly translated, what with words like, "Whenever sang my songs, on this day, on my own. Whenever said my words, wishing they would be heard," and "Shall I be the one for you, who pinches you softly but sure? If frown is shown then, I will know that you are no dreamer." Yes, it does look like it’s badly translated into English. That’s precisely why it’s such a hit. It’s so silly, you just can’t help but find it adorable.

Spin-offs of Eyes on Me would be Ending Theme, which is actually just an extended orchestral version of Eyes on Me coupled with the traditional FF ending credits BGM, and Love Grows. Love Grows will make you want to savor that doki-doki feeling as you immerse yourself in the enchanting piano and the lovely orchestral accompaniment. Another track that could give you the same feeling would be Fragments of Memories. Don’t you just love waltz? It’s such a romantic, intimate experience.

My verdict? There aren’t really any definite way to say it, but this album just rocks. I can name 13 reasons why it does, but I think anyone who has an ear for excellence, provided by the genius Nobuo Uematsu, should be able to judge that for himself.

For those of us Living in America, we were not able to attend this wonderful concert, commemorating not the games, but the Music of the ongoing Final Fantasy Series. Now the CD has arrived, with all the songs played in the concert, special hosts from various parts of the Final Fantasy world talking and video of the concert itself. This 2 CD bundle is a must for any Final Fantasy music fan and for all those who like great gaming music.

I have been a fan of Gaming music since I was 3 years old with the original Mario and Zelda music. From MIDI to Orchestra, I like them all, but my heart really goes for a good Orchestra playing some classic themes. This is one of those great CD’s that has a lot of good themes from classic games that are now Orchestrated in a powerful way. Some are new to me, others I have heard many times, but they are all good.

Below I have listen all the tracks for the 2 CD ‘Final Fantasy Concert 02-02-2002′ Soundtrack. If you enjoy Gaming music, especially in the Orchestra variety of it, you will enjoy this.

–Disk 1–
1 - Tuning: This is just the first track, with the orchestra tuning their instruments to get ready for the concert. If you want a nostalgic orchestra feel, be sure to start with this track. If not, just skip it and go right to the music.

2 - Liberi Fatali: The famous Opeing theme from Final Fantasy VIII, ‘Liberi Fatali’ is redone for the concert but much different from what I thought it would be. This version is much more quiet then the previous and despite sudden bursts from the orchestra, you can hardly imagine this song being used for the epic battle to begin Final Fantasy VIII. But it is still a great piece, with the orchestra doing a fabulous job.

3 - Theme of Love: If there’s any song I could say is the best from
Final Fantasy IV, it would be either The ‘Opening Theme’, heard in almost every Final Fantasy game or the ‘Theme of Love’. I have a few orchestra remixes of this song, but this one is well done just as the others are. A quiet theme, this song is always beautiful and rich with Violins. I especially like how the song ended in this version. One on my favorite Final Fantasy songs and I am glad they put it in the Concert.

4 - MC1: In most Japanese concerts, they ask special guests to come and speak during the concerts. From what I can tell, it sounds as if the main guests in this concert are the starring voices in Final Fantasy X, Tidus and Yuna. I may be wrong, but they sound quite similar. They are describing what was just played and what will be coming u in the concert, along with why the concert was done.

5 - Final Fantasy I ~ III: This track is very well done, orchestrating many of the big themes from the old Final Fantasy games. The one that stands out of course is ‘Chocobo Theme’. I have heard at least 10 themes for this song, but this one of the best versions in orchestrated form.

6 - MC2: This is the second track devoted to the guests of Honor. Sadly, I cannot make out what they are talking about in this one…

7 - Aeris’ Theme: Out of all the Final Fantasy music out there, one of my 2 most favorite songs is this one. I have had my hands on the Reunion Soundtrack for FFVII for a couple years and by far, my two favorite songs in Final Fantasy were orchestrated for that soundtrack, this being one and the other being the Main Theme for FFVII. This one is a lot like the other but, fitting with the entire concert, lighter than the previously made remake. Unlike the game and the other remake, it doesn’t triumphantly blast as much due to it’s added string sections and lighter tone from beginning to end. But all and all, this is still just as powerful a piece as both of the other times I heard the song, both after watching the pain of Aeris dying and sitting at home experiencing it all over again in my mind with the Reunion track. Definitely one of the best in the entire Concert.

8 - Don’t Be Afraid: We travel from Aeris’ Death straight into the main battle theme for the Final Fantasy games, ‘Don’t Be Afraid’. This version most resembles the theme found in Final Fantasy VIII, using most of the same beats and instruments as even it’s previously orchestrated counterpart. It is well done and like the other remake song, I like it very much.

9 - Tina’s Theme: Much to my surprise, Tina’s theme from Final Fantasy VI (III) has returned, but in a new form. Much like the previous Orchestra remake of this song a few years ago, it is triumphant sounding and holds true to the sound from the original SNES game. But unlike the other remake, this one is quieter and has more of the wind instruments brought out where before they were drowned out by trumpets. I am quite happy of how this song turned out.

10 - MC3: The same people as in MC1 talking about what will be coming up in the second half of the concert and the songs to come before the break. It also involves a long dialogue with Nobuo Uematsu, the writer of the Original Final Fantasy Soundtracks.

11 - Dear Friends: Where before there was a remake of the main theme from Final Fantasy V, now we have the remake of the song titled ‘Dear Friends’. With a light but dark tone, it fits the mood for a preamble to the following song, ‘Vamo’ alla Flamenco’.

12 - Vamo’ alla Flamenco: Although I have yet to play Final Fantasy IX, I have for quite a while been a fan of the music found throughout its soundtracks. I am pleased to now have an orchestrated version of one of the better songs from this game. Following the song ‘Waltz for the Moon’ in Final Fantasy VIII, this song is an upbeat guitar dance piece that utilizes a mixture of old musical styles and that of a Spanish Flamenco dance tune. One of the best on the first CD’s and a great losing song.

–Disk 2–

1 - MC1: The Male host of the concert goes on for 10 seconds to tell the audience to listen to the rest of the concert.

2 - At Zankarkand: My experience with Final Fantasy X is minimal at best, even with the music, but this small piano track is sweet, reminding me of such themes from Joe Hisaishi’s works of ‘Mononoke Hime’ or Yoko Kanno in ‘Macross Plus’. Short but works well to bring us into the second half of the concert.

3 - Yuna’s Decision: Much like Track 2, this is a slow but rich piano piece from Final Fantasy X. This particular piece makes me imagine a gallant female warrior waiting between two different tasks to be done.

4 - MC2: The hosts come and ask a man they call ‘Aki-san’ to tell the audience about how he came to work on Final Fantasy. They talk for about 2 minutes about him and go on to the rest of the Concert.

5 - Love Grows: From Final Fantasy VIII, one of the best songs returns. ‘Love Grows’ has always been a powerful piece for me. I was a little sad when I realized that this version was lacking in the vocals from Faye Wong that I so loved, but they replaced it with a well done orchestra melody hoping from one instruments to another. I cannot say I prefer it to the original vocal version but it is well done and I still enjoy it.

6 - Suteki Da Ne?: Once again, my lack of playing Final Fantasy X left me out of hearing another beautiful song. ‘Suteki Da Ne’ is a sweet vocal piece; Sweet as almost all of the songs preceding it on this CD are. The song makes me want to see how and when it was used in the game.

7 - MC3: For the third Host track, I cannot figure out what they are talking about. Sorry, but anyone who knows Japanese can find out once they buy the CD.

8 - Melodies of Life: My lack of playing Final Fantasy IX didn’t stop me from hearing this, one of my favorite Vocal Final Fantasy songs. It sounds as if they got the original singer to sing the song once more, which is very nice seeing as she is my favorite part of the song. She adds a distinct flavor to the song and has one of the sweetest voices I have ever heard. I find myself listening to this song more and more now that I have it on CD…

9 - MC4: For the Fourth Host track, they speak to the singer to the previous song. I wish so much I could understand what they are saying fully…but that’ll be for later when I learn Japanese now won’t it…

10 - Sephiroth’s Theme: Ah well…we can’t always have a perfect concert, can we? For my one complaint track, I would have to say this is it. I have loved the versions of the ‘Sephiroth Theme’ in the past, but in this light and somewhat slow concert, this piece stands out too much in a bad way. The number in the chorus as dwindled to what sounds like 6 people singing. To top it all off, the arrangement isn’t as powerful as the past remake or original Playstation version. When it is all added up, the song just doesn’t live up to it’s much acclaim and hype (for both the character and the power behind the songs purpose for the end of the game. This song could have very much been added to or replaced by another song more fitting to the type of style such as ‘South Pontera Theme’ from Final Fantasy VI or ‘Main Theme’ from Final Fantasy VII.

11 - MC5: This is another Host track but sadly, another where I cannot tell what is going on fully. I THINK they are interviewing Nobuo Uematsu, but I did not hear his name and only going by Voice recognition. Forgive me if I am wrong.

12 - The Man With the Machine Gun: To add from the weaker version of ‘Sephiroth’s Theme’ we have this track, ‘The Man With the Machine Gun.’ Another track I have previously heard in an Orchestra remix, this one was done almost the same as the one before but added more strings and trumpets, producing a more powerful effect in some ways, less than others. All in all, I like this track a lot and follows up nicely after the poor display with the ‘Sephiroth Theme.’

13 - FINAL FANTASY: The last track of the concert is the ever classical and beautiful ‘Theme of Final Fantasy.’ Almost an exact replica of the song from the ending theme of Final Fantasy VIII, this version is slow and moving with a single snare drum and many violins supported with a small assortment of brass, mainly low brass and occasional Trumpets coming through. A wonderful piece to end the concert but makes me a little sad because I don’t wish it to end…

And so it is over, but you can always listen to it over again! I have already, many times. Anyway, I give it an 8 for it’s great songs, but also because it lacked a couple things, mainly some of the more powerful songs and emphasis in the songs it did put in. I recommend this still to everyone because it is well made. This CD came in at a VERY strong 8.