Sunday, July 30, 2006

WELL...

So I'm addicted to attending the Play! A Video Game Symphony Concerts, and I can't wait to head out to Vienna Virgina for the next one on Friday, August 4th. The news that Castlevania music will be performed at the Toronto Play! Concert is keeping the excitement at fever pitrch for me. Soon I'll have some pics up of my journey to Philadelphia for the performance at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts.

I have to say it again, if anyone out there has a chance, you have to attend a Play! concert, there is nothing else like it out there. I believe it will be one of your most memorable experiences ever!

I also mangaed to add a couple more pics to the art gallery, take a look! The link is in the links section!!

Keith

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

SEE YOU AT PLAY! TOMORROW!!

Lately I can't stop listening to the Tales of the Abyss Soundtrack! Well done Namco!! Well, tomorrow I'm off to Philadelphia for my third Play! concert. I simply can't get enough. Though no special guests have been announced, it will be a pleasure still.
I Look forward to seeing all the fans there!

Monday, July 24, 2006

NEW Rob Liefeld Boards up!!

AWESOME, my favorite artist of all time, Rob Liefeld, has opened up all new forums on the web, check it out!!
  • Click here!
  • Thursday, July 20, 2006

    PHILLY BOUND!! I'm Attending Play! A VIdeo Game Symphony in Philadelphia!

    I am happy and very thankful for the opportunity to attend the upcoming Play concert in Philadelphia!! It will be on Thursday July 27th at 8:30pm. If you have a chance to attend, don't let it pass, you won't regret it! I decided that I didn't want this journey to end. It's not over yet.....
  • More News Here
  • Monday, July 17, 2006

    REVIEW OF PLAY! A VIDEO GAME SYMPHONY IN DETROIT!!

    Well, more magic happened on Wednesday July 12th in Detroit! The Orchestra Hall was packed, and I met many great people from all over the U.S. Mr. Arnie Roth Conducted again with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Stoney Creek High School Choir. Thanks again to Jason Michael Paul Productions for making it happen! Here is the set list for another beautiful Play Concert!

    1. Play Fanfare - Nobuo Uematsu
    The excellent theme for the concert series, written by legend Nobuo Uematsu. It has his signature all over it. They are opening every show with it.

    2. Liberi Fatali - Nobuo Uematsu
    The Final Fantasy VIII Opening. Everyone loves it, and so do I. A wonderful job by the choir!

    3. Super Mario Bros. Suite - Koji Kondo
    So great to hear this live again! Classics like the underwater theme and Super Mario World never get old. One of the great things about the Play Concerts is that there is something for everyone, and people of all ages are in attendance. It really brings people together. There was also great video of Mario throughout his adventures on the monitor screens.

    4. Shenmue - Ryuji Iuchi
    Awesome, I've heard many wondered how Shenmue could be a part of this concert series, being an older Sega Dreamcast game.
    There is little doubt when you hear it, and then you realize the emotional power the game has.

    5. Battlefield 1942 - Joel Eriksson
    Never played the game, but this is incredibly written, very stirring, gripping. It fits the theme of war perfectly.

    Aeris' Theme may have been next, but Mr. Roth explained that it would not be a part of this performance. The crowd let out a big sigh upon hearing the news. That's another piece that captures the imagination. The Suites from Chrono Trigger & Chrono Cross were also not performed this time. I am ok with it, I think there is a time and a place for everything. This just wasn't the right moment I guess.

    6. Sonic The Hedgehog Suite - Masato Nakamura
    Arranged by THE LEGEND Yuzo Koshiro, pieces included are Green Hill Zone, Marble Zone, and Star Light Zone. I REALLY LOVE THIS, I truly hope for a Play CD.

    7. Shadow of the Colossus - Kow Otani
    The opening "To the Ancient Land" was performed beautifully. This is why I flew from Atlanta to Detroit. I would love to see more from this game performed, like some of the battles.

    8. Metal Gear Solid Theme - Tappy Iwase
    This has become a real classic, it's great how clips of the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 4 were shown too.

    9. Kingdom Hearts Medley - Yoko Shimomura & Hikaru Yutada
    There were a lot of Kingdom Hearts fans there, This is great, and unlike the Chicago premiere this performance featured some awesome clips from Kingdom Hearts II.

    Intermission

    10. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind - Jeremy Soule
    The strong and memorable melodies here are reminding that even though game music has evolved over the years from the old style, the formula is still there: aggressive melodies that invoke emotion. Jeremy Soule is WAY underrated. I hope I get to meet him again someday.

    11. Stella Deus - Hitoshi Sakimoto
    The piece entitled "Alchemy-Man's Theme" was selected by Sakimoto himself for this event. THIS SONG ROCKS, I sad I hadn't played this game yet. Wonderful anime clips from the game were shown.

    12. Swing de Chocobo - Nobuo Uematsu
    From Final Fantasy X. No one can deny it's memorable and energetic, and they also can't deny the cuteness of the creatures it's written for. I have always loved the Chocobo Theme in general. For me it's a demonstration of Uematsu's versatility as a composer and it has become a staple of his trademark playful style.
    Plus, it makes everyone laugh when they see the little critters running around on large monitors.

    13. World of Warcraft Suite - Jason Hayes
    More greatness from the choir here. It's amazing how popular this game has become. It's no accident Mr. Jason Hayes' work is a BIG part of that.

    14. Silent Hill 2: Theme of Laura - Akira Yamaoka
    I need to get the name of the guitar player here, he did an incredible job on this piece. It rocks and it really moves you. After seeing Mr. Akira Yamaoka play it in person and rock out at the premiere, that is saying a lot.

    15. Halo Medley - Marty O'Donnell & Michael Salvatori
    This music will one day make me play Halo, I swear. Though I primarily play RPGs, hearing this again will change that.

    16. Legend of Zelda Medley - Koji Kondo
    Another one of the undisputed classics of video games and game music.
    Who hasn't heard it and fallen in love with it instantly? Even the Overworld Theme from the Dark World in "A Link to the Past" is included here.

    17. One Winged Angel: Final Fantasy VII - Nobuo Uematsu
    This is almost always the final piece to be played now, and I don't mind one bit. It's a wonder Sephiroth hasn't gotten his own game with how many people love this song. It's usually an encore piece, but tonight the show ended here. After a lengthy standing ovation, those lucky enough to get a pass headed up the stairs in the lobby to meet the guests and get a free Kingdom Hearts Manga! I was lucky enough to be among those.

    Thanks for reading, and if you get a chance attend a Play! Concert! You won't regret it. SEE YOU NEXT TIME!!


    PICTURE TIME!!

    Me with two Legendary Composers, Ms. Yoko Shimomura and Mr. Hitoshi Sakimoto.


    I was able to add Mr. Hitoshi Sakimoto's and Ms. Yoko Shimomura's autographs to my Play! Program Book! I am especially fond of Ms. Shimomura's signature, because she wrote the word "love" under her name. It really meant something that she did that. It shows she was really happy to be a part of the event.


    Final Fantasy XII & Breath of Fire V Soundtracks autographed by Composer Hitoshi Sakimoto.


    Final Fantasy Tactics & Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Soundtracks autographed by Composer Hitoshi Sakimoto.


    Kingdom Hearts I & II Soundtracks autographed by Composer Yoko Shimomura.

    Sunday, July 16, 2006

    MORE PHOTOS FROM PLAY! A VIDEO GAME SYMPHONY IN DETROIT!

    The Box Office of the Max M. Fisher Music Center.


    A full shot of Orchestra Hall. Hard to believe a real marvel of a theatre lurks inside such an innocent looking structure.


    A brief history of Orchestra Hall, part of the Max M. Fisher Music Center, where the concert was held.


    The architecture inside the Orchestra Hall was beautiful, and the design of the building enabled incredible sound quality like I've never heard before. I noticed an "echoing" effect that was really cool!


    Almost Showtime!


    This is Kyle(left)and Keith(right) of Start Button News! It was great to meet and chat with them here! They even interviewed me, it was great. We'll meet again...


    A Picture of me waiting for the doors to open. Thanks to Keith of Start Button News for taking the pic!


    A few of the T-Shirts that were on sale for fans

    Saturday, July 15, 2006

    ART GALLERY UPDATE

    Two new pics added to the gallery today! Feel free to check them out!
    Detroit Play Concert Review soon as well.
  • Click Here
  • Thursday, July 13, 2006

    DETAILS REGARDING THE PLAY GIVEAWAY LAST NIGHT!

    There indeed was a Kingdom Hearts Manga giveaway at the Play show last night! What they didn't reveal in the official Play e-mail was how to get it, or that it was going to be somewhat limited. The fans who got to the concert hall early, when they started allowing the fans inside, received a pass to attend a meet & greet gathering with Yoko Shimomura, Hitoshi Sakimoto, Arnie Roth and Michael Salvatori. As part of this gathering, each person with a pass recieved the Manga just before they entered the room to meet the composers. Here is a picture: Full report soon!

    The Kingdom Hearts Manga, a gift made available to early arrivals at Play! in Detroit last night, if they attended the Meet & Greet with the composers.

    Monday, July 10, 2006

    GIVEAWAY AT PLAY! IN DETROIT!

    Hello everyone! Great news for those attending the Play concert in Detroit! Attendees will receive a free Kingdom Hearts manga! No doubt in honor of Kingdom Hearts composer Yoko Shimomura's appearance, it shows the respect JMP Productions and sponsor Tokyopop have for the fans. I'm leaving for Detroit tomorrow myself, it will be a joy meeting all the other fans again. SEE YOU THERE!!

    Sunday, July 09, 2006

    SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS ENGLISH TRANSLATED TRACKLIST!!

    After searching around, I couldn't find an English Tracklist for the Shadow of the Colossus Soundtrack. Then I got lucky! Here it is for those in need:

    1. Prologue ~ To The Ancient Land ~
    2. Prohibited Art
    3. Commandment
    4. Black Blood
    5. Reurrection
    6. Sign of the Colossus
    7. Monstrous Figures ~ Battle With the Colossus ~
    8. The Opened Way ~ Battle With the Colossus ~
    9. End of the Battle
    10. Idol Collapse
    11. Green Hills
    12. A Violent Encounter ~ Battle With the Colossus ~
    13. Resurrected Power ~ Battle With the Colossus ~
    14. Lakeside
    15. Silence ~ Battle WIth the Colossus ~
    16. In Awe of the Power ~ Battle With the Colossus ~
    17. Wander's Death
    18. The Farthest Land
    19. Creeping Shadow ~ Battle With the Colossus ~
    20. A Messenger From Behind ~ Battle With the Colossus ~
    21. Counterattack ~ Battle With the Colossus ~
    22. Sky Burial
    23. A Closed-off City
    24. Released Guardian ~ Battle With the Colossus ~
    25. A Despair-filled Farewell ~ Battle With the Colossus ~
    26. Prayer
    27. Swift Horse
    28. Gate Watcher of the Castle ~ Battle With the Colossus ~
    29. Sanctuary
    30. Demise of the Ritual ~ Battle With the Colossus ~
    31. A Pursuer
    32. Premonition of Revival
    33. Epilogue ~ Those Who Remain ~
    34. Hope
    35. The Sunlit Earth
    36. Memories
    37. Wilderness
    38. Voice of the Earth
    39. Marshlands
    40. Anger
    41. The Final Battle
    42. The Farthest Land (Reprise)

    Wednesday, July 05, 2006

    NEW ART ADDED TODAY IN THE GALLERY

    Hey everyone, I just added an Optimus Prime art piece in the art gallery section, please check it out!
  • Optimus
  • Saturday, July 01, 2006

    7-1-06

    I have an update coming for the collection page, with all the latest soundtracks I have gotten. Lately time is short. I am getting ready for my fourth Peachtree Road Race on July 4th and I have the Detroit Play Concert the following week! Also, I have to say, now that I'm finally playing Tales of Rebirth, it is all I could have hoped for. More news coming soon.