Mario & Zelda Big Band Live CD [Import, Live]

Game Music | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 22, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Live
• Label: K-O Records
• ASIN: B0000QX2PE
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #227,090 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Opening Theme Of Mario

2. Super Mario 64

3. Medley Of Super Mario Bros.

4. Mario Scat Version

5. Go Go Mario

6. Super Mario Bros.3 Ending Theme

7. Theme Of Athletic

8. Yoshi On The Beach

9. Legend Of Zelda

10. Theme Of Dragon Roost Island

11. Song Of Epona

12. Theme Of The Dolphic Town

13. Zora Band

14. Theme Of Goron City

15. Theme Of The Shop

16. Medley Of The Legend Of Zelda

17. Ending Theme Of Super Mario Sunshine

18. Encore (Slider)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not to be Underestimated, October 16, 2004

By 

CaptainBG1 (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mario & Zelda Big Band Live CD (Audio CD)

Mr. Watson's review of this album is his opinion, but I can assure you that his opinion is far from shared. First of all, gamers around the world recognize the Zelda franchise as having some of the best music to be found in games...probably second only to the Final Fantasy series and maybe a few others. That being said, many of these tunes have been arranged very well though the performances sound adolescent at times - a high school-aged group maybe? The various groups performing do have some issues with the technical aspects of the music at times (intonation), but I've noticed this to be common among Japanese ensembles and anyone who is reasonably familiar with music of this genre will no doubt be familiar with that as well. (There are just as many, if not more, really great moments...especially the solo work in the two WindWaker tracks, among others). Despite some performance flaws, this is a great album - not just because of the music but because of the energy and fun just oozing out of it. You can almost see these performers just having a blast playing some descent music that many people recognize and enjoy reminiscing to. Shawn Watson "God of Gods" (good lord!) is obviously too young to understand this. So what it boils down to is if you enjoy Nintendo music...and have since the mid 80's...and if you enjoy live performances, you'll enjoy this album. Without a doubt.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another pro musician's opinion, January 15, 2007

By 

Robert T. Howard "Rob Howard: Composer www.ro... (Findlay, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mario & Zelda Big Band Live CD (Audio CD)

I would certainly second Mr. Madsen's take on the music. This is obviously a group either happy amatuers or a band that is sight reading the music.

That said, I'm not sure that the quality of the performance was poor enough to bother me, but then again, maybe I have a different perspective. I tend to like albums with warts (*sometimes*) as long as they aren't intrusive. Listening this reminds me a little bit of something like Thelenious Monk's medium sized ensemble recordings, as he would often hand the musicians hastily penned arrangements. As a result, these performances often have some missed notes and other issues.

Of course, "The Band of Rogues" does not have the deep sense of swing that Monk's players did (which is always going to make up for other problems), but they do keep the groove tight enough that you aren't going to get too distracted. Of course, I suppose that depends on your tolerance for technical perfection.

The main element, however, to the big band's performance that wins me over is the enthusiasm and excitement in both the performances and audience. Everyone is having a good time, and I like that in a live album. An example: The Who's Live at Leeds is so good because it just sounds like everyone is enjoying themselves so darn much. So I like the "happiness" that is on this recording. As my wife put it, "it's cute!" (-:

The small group that plays the Yoshi's Island and Wind Waker material, however, is a different matter. They are very tight, and are clearly in a different class of musicianship than the big band players. Excellent stuff which makes this album worth the price (as long as you aren't paying the $40 "import" price that is! Yikes!).

Incidentally, on the first track: I heard somewhere that the opening number was actually Shigeru Miyamoto playing (which would certainly explain the good but not quite professional performance). I have not confirmed this.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Overall, an average cd, October 14, 2005

By 

N. Madsen (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mario & Zelda Big Band Live CD (Audio CD)

First off, let me state that I have a Bachelor's and Master's degree in music. I have been a professional jazz saxophonist and pianist for about five years. I just got this cd, and I'm not very pleased with the product. The arrangements are pretty good, the band playing them is not. The trumpets miss quite a bit of notes and the saxophones have a tendency not to swing well. The scat arrangement of the Mario theme is very creative, but the singers keep going out of tune. My final verdict is that this is fun, interesting music done poorly.

[...] Not a great CD, but not the worst I've heard either. Hope this helps.