ART GALLERY UPDATE!!

Lately the lead on my pencil is burning hard! Check out my new works in the gallery!

Here

MTV ADDS GAME MUSIC CATEGORY TO VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS

Yeah, apparently it is true. Why am I not excited? Because I don't want to see a bunch of "Hollywood Heads" who don't know a thing about game music suddenly acting like it's their pride & joy. Sure, everyone is familiar with the Nintendo classics, but MTV can't handle it. You want proof? This is the first time they're doing this, and I don't see any classic game music nominated for an award.

It's too late now to be jumping on the band wagon. The video game music world has already had some of it's biggest hits, and you were nowhere to be seen, MTV. Some of you may think of some of the older game soundtracks as "bloops and bleeps", but there were real, honestly composed, strong and vibrant masterpieces there.

Will Yuzo Koshiro ever win a MTV award for all his efforts, like Ys, Actraiser, and Shinobi? What about Nobuo Uematsu with his Final Fantasy work seemingly over, and those countless scores of his? Will they ever get the credit they deserve? I could go on and on. My point is, it seems only now that since many games have full orchestral scores, the music is "acceptable" for an awards show. Based on what was nominated, that is. It is thanks to projects like Play! A Video Game Symphony, Video Games Live, and the support of a loyal fan following that the classics are being kept alive. The fans are being allowed the opportunity to show their respect (in person, on many occaisions) to the founders of this wonderful art form. Not by MTV, which should just stay out of it. They know nothing about game music. It just really upsets me that a network that has shown zero support for game music in the past is suddenly a judge on it.

Now, two sites have opened up where you can vote in two categories: best soundtrack and best score. Jeremy Soule's work on the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion soundtrack is among the nominees for best score, and he deserves it. As does Jesper Kyd for Hitman in the best soundtrack category. Just not from MTV. These guys deserve better. One day game music composers will get the proper respect they deserve, from a credible source. I have provided links at the end of this article for you.

Am I saying not to support this? No way! Support it, and hopefully a real video game music awards celebration will one day be spawned, by people who appreciate it for what it is. Not by a TV network with NO experience, and no prior support for it.
Where was MTV when Final Fantasy VI hit? Or what about Super Mario 64? Both have outstanding music! Most likely, whoever presents the awards in the video game music categories will be someone who doesn't care about game music. Want to surprise me, MTV? It will be hard. This is your test.

I encourage you all to vote for those who deserve it at the following sites:

Gametrailers

and

Xfire.com

Be well, and thanks for reading!

Keith

NEW SOUNDTRACKS

Been a while since I had anything come in. Traveling around the USA definitely put my collecting on hold. I did manage to get the following, which I am real excited about!
Motoi Sakuraba's Valkyrie Profile Silmeria Soundtrack:


The awesome soundtrack to the upcoming RPG Ar Tonelico!

PLAY ROCKED THE WOLF TRAP!!

The amazing Wolf Trap Filene Center in Vienna, Virginia:


Hello all! I recently returned from attending another amazing, and my fourth, Play! concert in Vienna, Virginia. The performance was on Friday August 4th, and like the great show in Philadelphia, the Wolf Trap is an outdoor venue. The weather was perfect for an evening concert!! The place was packed, and we had to give two standing ovations for the amazing performance. The addition of all new footage from the featured game scores was absolutely spectacular.

I am very happy for the opportunity to be there in Toronto for the next Play! concert.
If you plan to go, the tickets are going fast!! Don't be left out of an incredible event!!

Here is the set list:

1. Play Theme
2. Liberi Fatali
3. Mario Medley
4. Shenmue
6. Battlefield 1942
7. Sonic Medley
8. Aeris
9. Metal Gear Solid Theme
10. Kingdom Hearts

Intermission

11. Morowind Suite
12. Music from "Prey." Again, this was wicked.
13. Swing de Chocobo
14. World of Warcraft
15. Chrono Trigger / Chrono Cross
16. Theme of Laura (Silent Hill 2)
17. Halo
18. Zelda Medley
19. One Winged Angel

Encore
20. Blue Dragon

Arnie Roth Conducted again, there were two taped messages, one from Nobuo Uematsu and one from Koji Kondo, thanking the fans. The fans loved it!

SEE YOU AT PLAY! TOMORROW!!

I'm really looking forward to tomorrow evening's Play! concert in Vienna, Virginia. It's not everyday you get to attend two of your most favorite concerts two weeks in a row. Hope to see you there!! As always, expect a full report afterwards!!

Keith

SET LIST FOR PLAY! IN PHILADELPHIA

Last week's Play concert in Philadelphia was AWESOME! It was at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, which is an outside venue, with a limited roof.

There was a storm, and it really added to the atmosphere. The sound of the thunder with lightning and rain, along with the music was very cool.

Here is the set list:

1. Play Theme
2. Liberi Fatali
3. Mario Medley
4. Shenmue
6. Battlefield 1942
7. Sonic Medley
8. Aeris
9. Metal Gear Solid Theme
10. Kingdom Hearts

Intermission

11. Morowind Suite
12. Premiere of music from "Prey." This was wicked, it really felt like a horror/science fiction score.
13. Swing de Chocobo
14. World of Warcraft
15. Chrono Trigger / Chrono Cross
16. Theme of Laura (Silent Hill 2)
17. Halo
18. Zelda Medley
19. One Winged Angel

Encore
20. Blue Dragon

Arnie Roth Conducted again, there were two taped messages, one from Nobuo Uematsu and one from Koji Kondo, thanking the fans.

The Mann Festival Orchestra and Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia performed the music. Hard to believe they fit it all into two hours.