ReMix:Chrono Trigger "Theme of Frog's" 1:50

By Select Start

Arranging the music of one song...

"Frog's Theme"

Primary Game: Chrono Trigger (Square , 1995, SNES), music by Nobuo Uematsu, Noriko Matsueda, Yasunori Mitsuda

Posted 2007-02-01, evaluated by the judges panel


It took us ages to get a version of this piece from multi-talented multi-instrumentalist group Select Start at 192kbps, which is our current (and imo quite acceptable, with LAME) ceiling for encodes. Now that we have it, short though it may be, the band's arrangement of Frog's theme (in case the ever-creative mix title didn't give that away) is here, and rather good. Things intro with solo flute, but eventually flesh out to a more elaborate ensemble that introduces some nice harmonies alongside Mitsuda's amphibian anthem. Larry writes:

"It's short. That's about the only criticism I had. Hey, what can I say, I'd enjoy a few more minutes worth of this. Throughout the variations of the theme, there were some great changes in the texture and energy level (e.g. :26 & 1:06). The melody stays pretty conservative, but the presentation is personalized, you have all the other parts supplementing the melody with some swanky new harmonies and other new writing, plus it's played live. Brief, but it gets the message across nicely."

There was some panel apprehension regarding the flute part and what appears to be a single take approach, although this does add to the live feel of the performance. As with much of Mitsuda's work, there's a distinct Celtic bent to the source material, and it's accented effectively here with the live instrumentation, particularly the flute intro and violins; SS's arrangement style and instrumental arsenal in general work well with Mitsuda's oeuvre, and this is no exception. As Mr. Oji writes, the salient shortcoming here, if anything, is the piece's short length; I'm the last person to call for arbitrary padding, but I think it would have been relatively straightforward to add some 'stuff' in the same line and keep things substantive at the same time. Regardless, it's great to see live musicians putting together larger ensembles like SS and producing organic, flowing tracks like this; YM and Frog would both be happy, I'd bet. Be sure to check out more of their work at www.selectstartband.com.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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BLAHMASTER
on 2017-10-04 11:52:21

I'm not a fan of Frog's Theme, but I actually like the tune the way it's handled here. Definitely worth a listen!

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OA
on 2009-12-11 12:44:14

ohoo, the mix that was posted right before my debut mix! While it may not mean anything to anyone else, it somehow means something to me. XD

Select start absolutely pwned at magfest 6, and this specific track os one of their standout arrangements. At less than 2 minutes, the track is pretty brief, but it really has a nice feel due to the all live performances. The flute does seem a bit under pressure, but it's a pretty demanding part, and a second take might not have been an option. Either way, it's a great mix and I'm excited to hear some new material by them. :-)

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Lucentas
on 2008-12-06 21:54:28

Celtic instruments + live + one of my favorite video game themes from one of my favorite video games of all time = instant classic.

If there's one beef I have, it's the fact that the flute at the beginning lasts a little too long for my tastes before the real meat of the piece starts in.

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LuckyXIII
on 2008-05-19 14:23:01

I realize this is Frog's theme, but after watching Prince Caspian yesterday and then listening to this, I can't help but think of Reepicheep and his men (er, mice?).

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FlamingTP
on 2008-04-28 23:35:29

Remix 7/1522 OCR01549 - Chrono Trigger 'Theme of Frog's'

Beginning with a sound more like the original track, Jethro Tull would not mind this at all. Good smooth live Celtic through and through

Score 10/10 "awesome"

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mDuo13
on 2007-04-28 22:12:18

Listening to this the first time, I was pretty dubious of the flute intro. It wasn't the timings that bothered me; it was just that it was so similar to the original that I wondered where you could take it. I had a suspicion, and it turned out being exactly on the money. The mix blows up from small scale to much bigger, not unlike Hans Zimmer's theme for Tortuga in Pirates of the Caribbean 2. This is basically Frog's Theme as it was meant to be heard, and that's something I've always wanted.

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Darth Mamdouh
on 2007-04-17 06:40:13

Authenticity.

That's what all the small imperfections remind me of : this is not a ReMix done on a computer or using synthesizers, this is an actual band playing live. And although I have great love for computer-bred pieces and admiration for their authors, I must take my hat off to Select Start for their work since live recordings are a completely different ball game, where you can't just correct a mistake in a few clicks and that every sound you hear is actually played by a musician (no sound effects, no possibility of adding up several layers of the same instrument, etc).

Yes, this piece is a tad too short (the only true problem as far as I'm concerned).

Yes, there are some irregularities in the flute intro's timing.

Yes, the instruments aren't *perfectly* in tune.

But if you were sitting at the Prancing Pony in Bree, a mug of ale in your hand, hobbits running around while a tall guy sitting in the corner eyes you from the dark depths of his hood whilst smoking his pipe, wouldn't all these slight imperfections be there too ? Don't you feel they add to the organicness of the music ?

I just ordered Select Start's CD, because being in a band myself, I realize just how much even the slightest support and recognition from listeners means (and it's very reasonably priced). Looking forward to hear more from them !

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Faduger
on 2007-02-23 14:15:42

i haven't really heard a classical frog mix. Not to much difference from the original which i like when it comes from classical, good work..definateley. i will definately check out the site

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SoulCraft
on 2007-02-23 13:25:07

You did it dude ... with that tune you made me cry :P been ages since i played chrono for the last time and always love that frog song ... the flute was a big surprise and even if the end varies from the original i find it the best part as it rejuvenates the original tune IMHO

in 5 words

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

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Falcovsleon20
on 2007-02-20 17:45:05

You know how in anime how certain characters have specific theme songs for when they do something heroic or something to that effect? Well basically, what I'm saying is, if there was a Chrono Trigger anime (and I mean an official one. Not some obscure OVA thing or something to that effect) then this is what we'd hear everytime Frog had a big fight scene.

Please make more of these for other characters' themes. It's good. Really, really, good.

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The Instrumental Light
on 2007-02-15 18:01:02

its very well made in the sense that it is a professional sounding work, but it is simple, not many instruments and subtle tones(not that there is anything wrong with that) so you might want to add a few more things to the remix to make it extra special. other than that,very good job! -The Lone Ranger

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Faduger
on 2007-02-15 13:29:14

I had never heard your work before and have never had a satisfied remix to the theme. When i first heard the flute i wasn't sure if i was going to be disappointed or not. As soon as the entire band kicked in i found my happiness. Thank you for that. Glen would be proud.

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MojoHamster
on 2007-02-14 23:37:43

Sublime.

Thank you for making this! Please make many more!

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HoboKa
on 2007-02-09 15:02:54
I don't really like the flute solo,normaly I don't care about out of tunedness if it fits the song, but the intonation and fingering is very sloppy here and feels more like a giant mistake, it hinders the song more than it helps.

However once things get going after the intro it isn't quite so bad, and the lack of tuneing between the instruments seems to give it a better (more organic?) feel than if the tuneing had been perfect.

Overal I like it, its kindof short, and I wouldn't really say its a direct cover of the original either. A pretty good arrangement though, baring the flute solo anyway...

Edit: Oh yeah, since people are mentioning it, the problem with the flute solo has little to do with recording ability if you ask me, its the musician playing it that is weak, the solo would be good if it had been executed a bit more skillfully. Because really...that little bit should not be difficult for a moderate level middle school/highschool student to play.

Well you do have a point there, the flute solo is a bit sloppy, and I do agree that it mixes well with the rest of the music once it gets going.

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cobaltstarfire
on 2007-02-09 05:52:52

I don't really like the flute solo,normaly I don't care about out of tunedness if it fits the song, but the intonation and fingering is very sloppy here and feels more like a giant mistake, it hinders the song more than it helps.

However once things get going after the intro it isn't quite so bad, and the lack of tuneing between the instruments seems to give it a better (more organic?) feel than if the tuneing had been perfect.

Overal I like it, its kindof short, and I wouldn't really say its a direct cover of the original either. A pretty good arrangement though, baring the flute solo anyway...

Edit: Oh yeah, since people are mentioning it, the problem with the flute solo has little to do with recording ability if you ask me, its the musician playing it that is weak, the solo would be good if it had been executed a bit more skillfully. Because really...that little bit should not be difficult for a moderate level middle school/highschool student to play.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Chrono Trigger (Square , 1995, SNES)
Music by Nobuo Uematsu,Noriko Matsueda,Yasunori Mitsuda
Songs:
"Frog's Theme"

Tags (6)


Genre:
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Acoustic Guitar,Piano,Strings,Woodwinds
Additional:
Production > Live Recording
Time > Duration: Short

File Information


Name:
Chrono_Trigger_Theme_of_Frog's_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
2,736,846 bytes
MD5:
f0ee85c3824963af977bc24c9d69a53a
Bitrate:
192Kbps
Duration:
1:50
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Published 2006-10-28
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