ReMix: EarthBound 'Psi Piano Omega'

downloadDownload MP3
3,974,470 bytes, 4:04, 128kbps
Stream/preview on YouTubePlay Preview
Streaming preview on YouTube
eStarland.com
EarthBound

This solo piano arrangement from Earthbound may be an older track of his, but I'm of the opinion that any Shnabubula is good Shnabubula, old or new. Sam writes:

"This is an old piano improv remix that I'm not super proud of but somebody posted it on youtube as part of a rock-candy album....long story short, this song does not exist anywhere on the internet in a place where I chose it to be so I'd like to have it somewhere that I respect like OCR! It's a remix of Paula's theme from Earthbound commissioned by Adhesive_Boy [now known more commonly as "adhesive_individual"] way back in 2005. The track title was the name of Ness' ultimate spell when I played the game originally as a wee lad."

I find it disturbingly impressive that Sam's "improv" mixes are virtually indistinguishable from more planned-out, formalized compositions; he can basically ReMix on the fly, coming up with ideas that most of us mere mortals need a bit more "brain time" to formulate. I'm a little pressed for time at the moment, or I'd walk you through some of the highlights, but suffice to say that, circa 2009 or circa 2005, Sam can throw down. This is an emotive, intelligent arrangement... it starts off simply, with a minor chord progression over a double-note, repeated motif, then oscillates into a major key section that actually sounds a little bit country-western. This juxtaposition alone is really interesting, but Sam of course proceeds to branch further out, elaborating on both themes. This one's aged like a fine wine, really shows off Sam's piano/improv skills, and beyond all that, is a great, enjoyable solo piano mix from a great soundtrack - what's not to like?

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
Oh yes! I love solo piano pieces so much. Not familiar with the source, but from what I hear, the playing was done well here. Great arrangement, better production than some piano pieces I've heard before and a nice touch of happy, quirky jabs. I agree with the Peanuts vibe in some areas. Sweet stuff.

- Crulex on April 16, 2012
Just what I needed today. Nowhere near the dense, dark entangled epics that Shnabubula is famous for, this is actually pretty light, fluffy and chipper. It is of course imbued with the improvised jazz sensibilities that I love, but I really appreciate the change in tone and mood. I find its a lot harder to convey upbeat or light material and also make it complex, so I see this as a rare and remarkable achievement.
My favourite thing about Shnab mixes is that he always makes it sound so easy and this one, while not technically or conceptually his strongest effort, is definitely his easiest to listen to. Brilliant.

- Marmiduke on October 14, 2011
Wonderful little song! I've had it on my ipod for forever it seems like and can't get enough of it - Interesting to know that it's imporv from a very talented artist! Very nice piano remix.

- SChepulis on March 4, 2010
Admittedly I'm not too familiar with the source, but I still like this. It has a very warm, homestyle feel to it. Not a overly sugary, cinnamon & spice "Welcome Home" feel, but more of a "Mac and Cheese" comfort food feel to it. It has all the things I like about a piano piece: it showcases the theme nicely and has a wonderfully playful sound scape. Definitely a fun track.

- 42 on December 27, 2009
To be honest, this was kind of hit or miss for me. Certain parts felt like they flowed VERY well and gave the piece direction and emotion, but the intro didn't do it for me and there were several other sections that similarly clashed with my tastes. I'm in no position to give technical criticism on Shnab's work because his piano-playing prowess is so far above my own, but honestly this didn't do it for me as much as his other mixes.
Fantastic playing, though - that's pretty much a given but even though the arrangement didn't click with me I still found a lot of enjoyment in admiring the fact that it was improvised completely on the spot! You're a talented mofo, don't ever stop doing this kind of stuff Sam!

- Emunator on December 21, 2009
Reminds me of Masashi Hamauzu's piano playing from his SaGa Frontier 2 album. Yeah, that's a good thing.
It's bright, lots of syncopation, lots of stacatto. I don't know what there is to say other than it's really good. Bright, sunny, and playful. Goes on my piano playlist.

- Arcana on December 8, 2009
The arrangement has a 16-bit era RPG feeling to it, which makes it easy to feel nostalgic even if you haven't played this particular game. I especially like the parts around 1:30 and 2:40, simply because they sound so lively and quirky.

- Martin Penwald on December 6, 2009
This is pretty amazing, I have never played it but this remix intrigues me to play it.

- metalsnakejuice on December 5, 2009
I've had this for a while. It's amazing.

- Mustin on November 25, 2009
Hey, a Shnab song!
I feel like this is one of his more cohesive arrangements - good piano playing naturally, but a sense of cohesive flow that sometimes is missing I feel in his work more importantly. I don't remember the source being particularly long, so this makes this all the more noteworthy.
Random Hajile;616069 wrote: I'd like to comment on DJP's assessment of Sam, he INDEED can play improv as well as most people play arranged. I met him in person once (Great guy!), and he banged out an amazing rendition of Magus' theme on the fly that I will remember for a long time hence.

Sam! If you're reading this, Leon/Aaron says Sup :D.

Same to DrumUltima and Jose the Bronx Rican who were also there :D. And Bahamut for that matter o.0

Wait what? The most I do is sing haha.

- Bahamut on November 24, 2009
Excellent stuff here, especially considering the source, which just hinted at all the possibilities that Sam actually explored here. I must say, though, that 2:30 onward is brilliant. I didn't even play Earthbound and I feel nostalgic. ;)

- progressive on November 24, 2009
There are some great ideas here, and the off-the-cuff nature gives this a fun vibe. 1:26 is easily my favorite part, I love the exaggerated phrasing, it really brings the section to life. Well played, I get a Charlie Brown feel here too.

- OA on November 23, 2009
That was great. More like this please.

- Pachi Risu on November 22, 2009
I'd like to comment on DJP's assessment of Sam, he INDEED can play improv as well as most people play arranged. I met him in person once (Great guy!), and he banged out an amazing rendition of Magus' theme on the fly that I will remember for a long time hence.

Sam! If you're reading this, Leon/Aaron says Sup :D.

Same to DrumUltima and Jose the Bronx Rican who were also there :D. And Bahamut for that matter o.0

- Random Hajile on November 22, 2009
Ah. I think I actually heard this on youtube as part of this rock candy...'project'.
Really like this, has sort of a ponderous quality to it. Great balance between Shnabubulean virtuosity (while not getting too heavy) and thoughtful restraint.
More mixes d00d! Actually, I challenge you to make an impro remix employing that lh>drums/rh>bass concept you had started on a while ago. That'd be tits

- Nase on November 22, 2009