RE-VGM

[The audio has a low hum in the background; somehow my mic picked up the noise from my PC. I did my best to remedy it so my apologies.]

Yup, it’s another episode celebrating another game, this time Donkey Kong 64, first released on November 22, 1999. This action adventure game places Donkey Kong in 3D, allowing the player to explore DK Isle as he rescues the rest of the Kong family and the island itself from K. Rool’s Blast-O-Matic weapon. It is also one of two games that required the Expansion Pak for the N64 (The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask).

We’ll be playing several original tracks from the game, along with their covers and remixes. Yes, we’ll also talk a little bit about one of the game’s infamous tracks: the DK Rap.

It’s time to get bananas and get down and funky…

Donkey Kong Wiki

DK Rap Remixes

Rare Treats: DONKEY KONG 64 Revisited (Materia Collective, Bandcamp)

Track Listing

(all original tracks were composed by Grant Kirkhope)

Intro: “DK Rap”

BGM: “Main Menu”

“Jungle Japes” / “Jungle Melody”

“Jungle Japes – Donkey Kong 64 (Rock/Metal) Cover” – covered by gabocarino96

“Gloomy Galleon”

“Gloomy Galleon (Donkey Kong 64) Metal Guitar Cover” – covered by Dee Leggett

“Pufftoss Boss”

“Bloated Symphony (Pufftos) | Donkey Kong 64 (Remix)” – remixed by AstrothSounds

“Mad Jack Battle”

“Mad Jack Battle – Donkey Kong 64 | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” – remixed by A_A_RonHD

“Banana Fairy Isle”

“Banana Fairy Isle – Donkey Kong 64 Cover (feat. Madalyn Music)” – covered by EndofTheSeaVGM

“Hideout Helm”

“DK64 “Hideout Helm” Orchestral Remix” – remixed by RebeccaETrip

Outro: “DK Rap (Player2 Remix) [2023 Radio Edit] – Donkey Kong 64” – composed by George Andreas and Grant Kirkhope, remixed by Player2

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This week, we are celebrating the 23rd anniversary of “Halo: Combat Evolved”, released on November 15th. It was the launch title for Microsoft’s first console, the Xbox. This first-person shooter helped spawn a franchise of sequels, books, and film. By November 2005, it sold more than six million copies worldwide. Halo CE is considered a successor to Bungie’s previous games: Marathon and Marathon 2: Durandal.

We’ll be listen several original tracks from the game, along with any covers and remixes to follow.

Sit back and enjoy the music from a game considered on the greatest in history…

Halopedia

Laced Records – Halo

Track Listing

All original tracks were composed by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori

Intro: “Opening Suite”

BGM: “Halo/The Siege of Madrigal”

“Rock Anthem for Saving the World – Halo Guitar Cover” – covered by Sumask

“Perilous Journey”

“Halo – Perlious Journey [New Remix] | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” – remixed by LUCKYRiCK

“Under Cover of Night”

“COVER: Halo CE – “Under Cover of Night”” – covered by Cursed Lemon

“On a Pale Horse”

“On a Pale Horse (HALO CE) But It’s Synthwave” – covered by MS Synthwave

“Dust and Echoes”

“Dust and Echoes (Piano Version)” – covered by Hailscope

Outro: Halo Theme (Irish Folk Version) – composed by Martin O’Donnell, covered by Colm R. McGuiness

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What is black and white and holds 88 keys in one place? No, it’s not another Keyblade. It’s a piano, an acoustic instrument in which pressing a key will cause a hammer to strike a tuned string. In the hands of a capable and talented musician, it can produce music that soothes the soul and enriches the creative mind.

This week, we’re celebrating World Piano Day on Friday, November 8th, in honor of this acoustic instrument and its pianist. We’ll be listening to tracks from video games in which one can easily learn to play on the piano: a party of warriors in a final fantasy, a link to the past, and a tale from the Underground. All the covers and remixes will be rendered on piano.

Prepare to listen to musicians tickle the ivories and travel across the keyboard with flair and dexterity…

World Pianist Day

10 Easy Video Game Music Arrangements For Piano Students

Track Listing

“Opening Theme” – [Final Fantasy] – composed by Nobuo Uematsu

“Final Fantasy: Main Theme” – arranged by pianoYN

“Fairy Fountain” / “A Goddess Appears” – [The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past] – composed by Koji Kondo

“The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – Fairy Fountain (Piano)” – arranged by Jonathan Aldrich

“Megalovania” – [Undertale] – composed by Toby Fox

“Undertale: Megalovania | Frank & Zach Piano Duets” – arranged by Frank & Zach Piano Duets

Outro: “Fragile Fantasy – Genshin Impact Dragonspire OST – Piano” – [Genshin Impact] – composed by Yu Peng Cheng – covered by Jordan D Piano (Jordan Daniels)

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While Halloween may be over, Mexico and most households of Mexican heritage are celebrating “Day of the Dead”, a time to honor and pay their respects to the souls of family members and friends in a festive manner. If you visit such a house, you may find an ofrenda with the photo of the deceased and adorned with decorations and their favorite food and drinks. You may see some families and friends at a cemetery cleaning the graves of their dearly departed and decorating them with flowers called cempasuchil. If you happen to be wandering the streets, a child in costume may ask for calaverita (candies or money).

On this week’s episode, we’ll be listening to tracks from two particular video games influenced by Day of the Dead: a travel agent in the Land of the Dead, and a farmer turned luchador trying to save his love interest. There’ll also covers and remixes to follow these tracks.

Let us remember those who passed on, with good memories and heartfelt love…

Day of the Dead

“Extended Play: How Guacamelee! went from deign pitch to indie sensation”

Track Listing

“Swanky Maximino” – [Grim Fandango] – composed by Peter McConnell

“Grim Fandago – Cover a la Djanjo – Gitan live remix” – remixed by Rob Cavallo

“Ninth Heaven” – [Grim Fandango] – composed by Peter McConnell

“Ninth Heaven (Take One Remix)” – remixed by TakeOne

“Desierto Caliente” – [Guacamelee!] – composed by Rom Di Prisco, Peter Chapman

“Desierto Caliente (Remix)” – from “Guacamelee! Definitive Collection Original Soundtrack”

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Welcome to the November edition of “On Stage Now”, featuring The Noble Demon.

The Nobel Demon (real name Evelyn Lark) has been creating orchestral arrangements of video game music since 2011. The arrangements seem to fit the name, “a villain with a moral code”, with their sweeping melodies and moody atmosphere. Initially self-taught, The Noble Demon took more interest in music thanks to Rock Band 2, by joining a high school band as a percussionist and later taking AP Music Theory classes, at the encouragement of a music teacher. One of The Noble Demon’s accomplishments is doing the a re-imagined soundtrach for Bloodborne PSX, a fanmade recreation of the original game’s first area done as a PSX game.

Prepare to be taken away the melodies of The Noble Demon’s works…

The Noble Demon (YT, Facebook, X, Spotify, Apple Music, YT Music, BC, SC, Deezer)

Let’s Interview: Video Game Remixier and Cover Artist The Noble Demon!

Track Listing

“Ocarina of Time: Title Screen (Orchestrated)” – [The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time] – composed by Koji Kondo

“Super Metroid: Red Brinstar/Lower Maridia Orchestral Remix” – [Super Metroid] – composed by Kenji Yamamoto, Minako Hamano

“Undertale – Ruins Orchestral Arrangement” – [Undertale] – composed by Toby Fox

“Pokemon X & Y: Wild Pokemon Battle Arrangement w/ Panman14” – [Pokemon X & Y] – composed by Shota Kagayama, Minako Adachi, Hitomi Sato, Junichi Masuda

“Phantom Hourglass: Linebeck’s Theme Orchestral Arrangement” – [The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass] – composed by Kenta Nagata, Toru Minegishi

“Chrono Trigger: Yearnings of the Wind Orchestral Arrangement” – [Chrono Trigger] – composed by Yasunori Mitsuda, Nobuo Uematsu

“Etrian Odyssey: The Fallen Capital of Shinjuku Orchestral Arrangement” – [Etrian Odyssey] – composed by Yuzo Koshiro

“The Wind Waker: The Great Sea Orchestral Arrangement” – [The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker] – composed by Koji Kondo, Kenta Nagata

“La-Mulana: Giant’s Cry Arrangement” – [La-Mulana] – composed by Houryu Samejima

“Kingdom Hearts II: Darkness of the Unknown Arrangement” – [Kingdom Hearts II] – composed by Yoko Shimomura

“Earthbound: Threed, Zombie Central Arrangement” – [Earthbound] – composed by Keiichi Suzuki, Hirokazu “Hip” Tanaka

Outro: “Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree: The Lord of Frenzied Flame Symphonic Metal Arrangement” – Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree] – composed by Shoi Miyazawa

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Today, we’re celebrating the release on Sonic & Knuckles for the SEGA Genesis on this date, October 18, 1994. This was a special game because 1) it was developed alongside Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and 2) the cartridge contained a special lock-on technology so that other Sonic games and those made before Sonic & Knuckles can be inserted for added gameplay and value.

We’ll be listening to tracks from all the Act 1 Zones, with the exception of the Lava Reef Zone in which it’ll be both Acts. There will also be covers and remixes to follow each track.

Prepare to go fast again with Sonic & Tails as they pursue Eggman through the floating continent while Knuckles deals with a certain EggRobo.

Sonic and Knuckles (Wiki page)

Sonic and Knuckles (Wiki Zone/Fandom page)

Track Listing

Intro: “Theme of Sonic and Knuckles” – composed by Howard Drossin

All original tracks, unless noted, are composed by the SEGA Sound Team

“Mushroom Hill Zone Act 1”

“Sonic & Knuckles – Mushroom Hill Zone” – covered by Super Soul Bros. w. Tony Dickinson

“Flying Battery Zone Act 1”

“Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Flying Battery | 16-Bit; YM2151 + PCM Remix” – remixed by RClay

“Sandopolis Zone Act 1”

“Sandopolis Zone (Sonic & Knuckles) – GaMetal Remix (2020 Revision)” – remixed by GaMetal

“Lava Reef Zone Act 1”

“Sonic & Knuckles – Lave Reef Zone (Electro House Remix)” – remixed by JemenJ

“Hidden Palace Zone” – composed by Masayuki Nagao

“Hidden Palace Zone (Lava Reef Zone Act 2) Remix” – remixed by Save_Train

“Sky Sanctuary Zone” – composed by Tomonori Sawada

“Sky Sanctuary Zone Remix” – remixed by Plamsa3Music (Pascal Michael Stiefel)

“Death Egg Zone Act 1”

“Chromium Asphyxiation” – remixed by Level 99

“The Doomsday Zone”

“Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Doomsday Zone Remix” – remixed by Bouncy Glow

Outro: “Credits” – [Sonic & Knuckles] (PC Version) – composed by SEGA Sound Team

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A 16-year-old teenager girl is crying about her missing boyfriend during her Sweet 16 party. However, it gets worse when her boyfriend returns with another girl wearing his ring.

This is the story sung for a popular song that was released April 5, 1963, called “It’s My Party”, sung by Lesley Gore (born Lesley Sue Goldstein). It was based on another Sweet 16 for Seymour Gottlieb’s daughter Judy, who retorted to him after being told about her grandparents coming, “It’s my party, and I’ll cry if I want to!”

This song is also the reason we’re celebrating “It’s My Party Day” on October 11th, though no one has any idea or clue as to its origins. We’ll be playing tracks from video games that could be played at party: a race around the track in go-carts, a funny game of truth-or-lie, and frantic race to build the highest tower. We also have covers, remixes, and arrangements to follow each original track.

Gather your friends, grab the controller or mobile devices and lets get ready to cheer and scream at each other… in a festive mood, of course.

It’s My Party Day

It’s My Party (Wikipedia)

The 25 best party games to play at home

Track Listing

Intro and BGM: “It’s My Party” – composed by John Gluck Jr., Wally Gold, Herb Wiener; lyrics by Seymour Gottlieb; vocals by Lesley Gore

“Main Menu” – [Mario Kart 8] – composed by Shiho Fujii, Atsuko Asahi, Ryo Magamatsu, Yasuaki Iwata, Kenta Nagata

“Mario Kart 8 Menu REMIX” – remixed by NoteBlock

“Credits Song” – [Fibbage 3] – composed by Andy Poland

“Fibbage 3 – Arranged by Scruffy (ft. Juan Marroquin, Roy Berando, and Shane Vincent)” – arranged by Scruffy

“Complicated Columns” – [Tricky Towers] – composed by Jonathon van den Wijngaarden

“Complicated Columns – Tricky Towers (lofi remix)” – remixed by Jembei

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When was the last time you tuned a radio in the car or on a boombox or portable music player? You know, that device with two dials and a bi-frequency band. You turn one dial to tune frequency and the other dial for the volume.

Well, today, on Friday, October 4th, we’re celebrating College Radio Day. It brings awareness to the radio heard on high school and college campuses. Whether it’s music, news, or talk, the radio was a part of most people’s lives, bring knowledge, solace, or joy to them.

This week, we’ll be listening to tracks from video games that have in-game radio: a smooth talker narrating a gang’s exploits, a Wasteland DJ talking smack about the Enclave, and a captain speaking words of wisdom and humor between songs. We’ll also listen to covers and remixes of these tracks.

Let’s sit back and dial into these tracks…

College Radio Day

College Radio Foundation

KSPC 88.7 FM

Track Listing

“Title Screen” – [The Warriors] – composed by Steven Donohoe

“The Warriors OST Main Theme (conclave mix)” – remixed by Noize Decay

“Main Title” – [Fallout 3] – composed by Inon Zur

“The Fallout of Eli” – remixed by Mazedude and Brynner Agassi

“Welcome to Los Santos” – [Grand Theft Auto V] – composed by Oh No

“GTA V Remix – Main Theme (Joxell Rodd Remix) | HOUSE VERSION” – remixed by Joxell Rodd

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Here we are near the end of September, which means it’s time for our special episode of “On Stage Now”, and this month’s featured musician is William Matthews.

William Matthews is often found under the alias WillfoxPiano or willfox125 on social media. He has been doing remixes and covers of VGM for several years, played mostly on keyboard or keytar. He also combines traditional instruments with chiptune music, providing a unique listening experience for his fans. However, his music is often smoothed out with an R&B layer of goodness, making for some groovy tunes.

So, let’s have a seat and enjoy the sounds of William Matthews… and hopefully Spotify listeners will be able to hear this episode too.

William Matthews (YT, X, Twitch, SC, Patreon)

Track Listing

“Gerudo Valley Funky Piano Remix (ft. Teddy)” – [The Legend of Zelda – Ocarina of Time] – composed by Koji Kondo

“Heavenly Flight (Dragon Qust III) 8 bit/piano cover” – [Dragon Quest III] – composed by Koichi Sugiyama

“Smash Bros. Ultimate: Main Theme (Piano/8 Bit)” – [Super Smash Bro. Ultimate] – composed by Hideki Sakamoto

“Octopath Traveler Battle Theme Remix (16 bit + piano)” – [Octopath Traveler] – composed by Yasunori Nishiki

“Street Fighter V: Karin Kanzuki Retro-Synth Remix (ft. Brandon Skelton)” – [Street Fighter V] – composed by Keiki Kobayashi

“Ice Field White Knight (Londrekia’s Theme) Remix – Under Night in Birth” – [Under Night in Birth] – composed by Raito / Masaru Kuba

“Rhythmical Bustle Funky Synth Remix (Melty Blood)” – [Melty Blood] – composed by Raito – Masaru Kuba

“Orbital Ring System Synth Remix (Tatsunoko Vs Capcom)” – [Tatsunoko Vs Capcom] – composed by Yasuma Kitagawa, Kota Suzuki, Akihiko Naita, Reo Uratani

“Fearless (Shiki Nanaya Cover – Melty Blood)” – [Melty Blood] – composed by Raito / Masaru Kuba

Outro: “Wii Party Main Theme – Keytar Cover” – [Wii Party] – composed by Toshiki Aidi

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On September 20, 1996, Atlus released a game that would be a start of their subseries to Megami Tensei: “Revelations: Persona”. It follows the exploits of a group of high school teenagers given the power of Persona, the ability to call upon entities to cast spells and fight against the demons that have invaded their town and high school. As stated by their guide Philemon, there are many Personas that may be in every person; some merciful, some vengeful; some kind, some cruel.

This week, we’ll be taking a walk through the story of the game as we listen to tracks, along with their covers and remixes. We’ll also talk about the two branches of the game, one of which was not made accessible in the North American release unless you use cheats.

Sit back and enjoy some nostalgia for the first game in the Persona series.

Track Listing

Intro & BGM: “Opening” – composed by Hidehito Aoki

“Battle – Awakening” – composed by Kenichi Tsuchiya

“[Remix] Revelations: Persona – Awakening Theme (Megami Ibunroku Persona)” – remixed by rail gun

“Normal Battle” – composed by Kenichi Tsuchiya

“Battle (Arranged)” – arranged by Achilles Damigos, from the album “Megami Ibunroku ~PERSONA~ Original Soundtrack & Arrange Album”

“Velvet Room” (Aria of the Soul) – composed by Shoji Meguro

“The Poem of Everyone’s Soul (Cover of Velvet Room Theme)” – covered by CatHatFiddle

“SEBEC Above Ground” – composed by Hidehito Aoki

“Persona (PSP) SEBEC ~PSX Cover” – covered by To nin

“Snow Queen” – composed by Hidehito Aoki, Kenichi Tsuchiya

“Snow Queen (Arranged Version)” – arranged by VerMeer (Tonika Ichinose / Takao Kondo), from the album “Megami Ibunroku ~PERSONA~ Original Soundtrack & Arrange Album”

Outro: “Satomi Tadashi Pharmacy – Techno Pop Arrange” – composed by Misaki Okibe, vocals by Yuko Kobayashi, from “Megami Ibonroku Persona:Digital Collection”

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