ReMix:F-Zero "The Flood Plain" 5:19

By JJT

Arranging the music of one song...

"Big Blue"

Primary Game: F-Zero (Nintendo , 1990, SNES), music by Naoto Ishida, Yumiko Kanki

Posted 2006-07-09, evaluated by the judges panel


JigginJonT writes:

"In case you couldn't tell by now, I love the original F-Zero soundtrack. This is a Big Blue arrangement I did awhile ago, and it was written in the same manner as "Silent Progression." I learned the melody, came up with a loose outline in my head for the arrangement, practiced a few sections, then recorded some takes. This was the best one."

I spent a hell of a lot of time with this game, and love the soundtrack as well. GX does a great job of covering tunes from the original, but it's all very polished - JJT's mix is definitely more organic, as the live piano creates an intimate atmosphere, complete with some prepared piano material at 0'31", building up to the instantly recognizable main theme introduction at 0'54" that reaches stride at 1'18". I wouldn't have envisioned the original working particularly well as a solo piano piece, but in this case I clearly just couldn't see it - this feels amazingly natural, and JJT's performance is striking. Andy writes:

"I like the arrangement of this one. It's got a lot of interesting left hand stuff, some nice embellishments to keep the melody from being too plodding. Very nice dynamics and expression. Transitions like 2:37 are well done, and I particularly liked the improv around 3:03. The performance has some minor errors at worst but they're not even really noticeable - it's quite good. That aspect is totally fine with me. The recording quality is more than adequate. This is an excellent ReMix overall, and a good example of what a solo piano mix should be."

Right on - there's absolutely nothing auto-pilot about this arrangement whatsoever, which is the worst trap a solo piano arrangement can really fall into. Technique and expression are vital, but when the arrangement itself feels like it's playing out a preset scenario of arpeggios, I think a crucial focus is lost, and hard to regain. That never happens here for even a second; you can hear that Jon's invested himself in the material in every note, and his investment certainly paid off.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Schokolatte
on 2020-08-03 00:25:56

This is my favorite version of Big Blue. I recently rediscovered a mixtape from 2007 that has this track on it, and hearing it again and tapping my fingers along to the rhythm brings me such joy. It's been so long since I've come to OCRemix, but I'm glad I found it again through this song. All the recent covers on youtube don't even come close to this arrangement. Timeless!

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WesternZypher
on 2015-06-11 12:19:50

This is a lovely, uplifting peace that creates a calm moment for your mind during a busy day.

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DimeTower
on 2015-06-10 00:42:59

Years late, a re-link to this gem allows me the chance to write what I should have written years ago - that I've been listening to this mix for all that time. Wonderful, elegant interpretation of a really underused theme. A tremendous piece. Truly, thanks for all the enjoyment over that time.

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Xaenor
on 2013-08-28 15:14:41

Mind-blowingly beautiful remix, and I have to ask that question again - is there any chance of acquiring the piano sheet somehow? Pleeeease? :)

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Zen00
on 2010-11-02 14:34:17
Is it possible to get the sheet music for this remix?

I'd like to know this too, I'd love to play this piece sometime.

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tweex
on 2010-08-04 22:20:30

Another F-Zero piano arrangement. Some said it couldn't be done, but Jon said "NAY!" Once again, Jon brings the arrangement to the forefront and makes it very clear that this aspect of the remix is the most important aspect. The performance has great character to it that comes from the very well played parts as well as the slight mess ups here and there. This is the real deal; no programming here! I can hear how Jon's ability of the piano has increased since his first piano remix for Xenogears. Production quality of this piano on this one is a little different than the others. This one has a lot more high end in it that the others. It definitely gives it some great definition! Good work mate!

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OA
on 2009-12-11 12:19:44

Big Blue for solo piano? I can honestly say I didn't see it coming. Arrangement is awesome, way to build up tension early on for the theme with the plucking. I wish that section was a little louder, but the dynamic contrast worked out well in the end.

A flub here and there, but overall this was some very strong work. It definitely conveyed the intensity of racing, but with a completely different feel than the standard rock arrangements the source is accustomed to. I really enjoyed this, thanks. :-)

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Lucentas
on 2008-12-06 18:11:32

Another masterpiece from one of my favorite solo piano arrangers. Great job.

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odg_productions
on 2008-11-27 15:59:38

I downloaded this song about two years ago and I still listen to it today, I absolutely love the original and you couldn't have chosen a better way to remix it. You're a sick piano player and this remains for me one of the best things I've heard on here. Congratulations!

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Ganty
on 2008-11-18 13:54:48

man this song is the shit! listened to it for like 200 times the first day i got it haha...

yeah im also wondering whether its possible to get the sheet music for it... plz plz plz!!

its just so good that i wanna just play piano until i drop dead lol

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NeOmega
on 2007-08-28 19:17:37

I have been listening to this one for over a year, and it has grown on me. I had it marked as a 4-star for the longest time, but today I switched it to a 5-star, because I love every second of it.

It is rare when a song gets better and better and better, but this one does.

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Deductive Dave
on 2007-05-20 12:52:10

Wow. This is really great. I've avoided checking the f-zero mixes in general for a long time, because I expected them to be fairly ordinary and unoriginal rock mixes. Boy, was I wrong.

The minor trips in a few places do stick out after listening to it a few times in a row, but at the same time they do serve to make it sound like a live performance.

The quiet section before the start of the main theme was really neat. The only negative is that I didn't hear it the first few times I listened to it because there were other noises around me.

Regardless, this is top quality stuff. You must download, especially if you like any of the piano mixes on the site.

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Artemicion
on 2007-03-01 17:15:37

Is it possible to get the sheet music for this remix?

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GeneralJehy
on 2007-01-15 17:01:14

I really enjoyed this piece, and, as a few have already commented, I'm not usually drawn to piano solos.

I found The Flood Plain to have a nice upbeat tempo and lots of neat syncopation.

I, myself, don't play piano and know nothing of it, so I didn't clue into any errors.

I really liked the "pause" for the tapping of the piano string. True, it was just barely audible, but I think that's one of the things that gave this piece it's depth and character, and enhanced the mood of the piece in its entirety.

-Jehy-

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JJT
on 2007-01-15 16:35:14
Well actually... I'd like to point out something. 00:32 is where "the pause" starts, or rather, not a piano but a Sitar solo. I beleive it sounds very close to a Sitar. However I don't hear it change in chords, rather it's played as a percussion insturment with one tone. Reguardless, I beleive it sounds nice, rather I wished it was a little louder so people could hear it better. Otherwise it just sounds like one great big "pause".

I think the Piano you were referring to in "the pause" was the Sitar I speak of.

I'm actually tapping the piano strings with my finger nails during that section. I do agree that I should have turned the volume up, but yeah, its not a Sitar. Close though. :)

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
F-Zero (Nintendo , 1990, SNES)
Music by Naoto Ishida,Yumiko Kanki
Songs:
"Big Blue"

Tags (2)


Genre:
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Piano
Additional:
Arrangement > Solo

File Information


Name:
F-Zero_The_Flood_Plain_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,199,522 bytes
MD5:
e9f81b162e0c8ed560ed1e04cc5697e2
Bitrate:
128Kbps
Duration:
5:19

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