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Album Information Reviewer Rank
Final Fantasy IX: Piano Collections
Published by: DigiCube
Release Date: January 24th 2001

Composed by: Nobuo Uematsu
Arranged by: Shiro Hamaguchi

1 Disc, 14 Tracks
Catalog: SSCX-10048
98

Reviewed by: Mithrandir

"Really one of the greatest Piano Collections..."

This album is just great. All the arrangements are made by Shiro Hamaguchi (the man behind so many FF albums) and the tracks are performed by Louis Leerink who gives a great performance. Well that's all you need to know.

Eternal Harvest
This track starts the album with energy. I don't know where this plays, but the tracks is really great. It sounds really tough to play though. Anyway, it's a great track to start the CD.

Hermit's Library - Daguerreo
The title of the track speaks for itself. It's a town theme. Calm and peaceful like all the others villages themes, this track will calm anybody.

The Place I'll Return to Someday
The flutes did a good job on the original track but the piano adds something more to the original without changing the original. Great track.

Vamo' alla Flamenco
The original track was great and this is even greater! This Spanish style track will make your head move as the piano plays the notes. A track not to miss...I think...

Frontier Village Dali
Playing in Dali, this track evokes the peaceful ambiance of the village. You know, this album is just great if you want to relax.

Bran Bal, The Village without souls
I don't remember anything of Bran Bal, but it plays there (I only played FF9 once). The track is quite boring. It is calm but it is kind of boring, so I skip it often.

Endless Sorrow
It is a sad song, but kind of boring since it doesn't move.

You're not Alone
This track is one of the best work of Uematsu on ff9OST, the piano version keeps the same motive while making it sound more beautiful.

Two Hearts that can't be stolen-Beyond that door
How sad this track is....well, for the first part anyway. The second part which is "Beyond that door" is groovier than the first part. The track is not good or bad.

Rose of May
This track plays in Alexandria after the...hum...attack of...you-know-who... Anyway, the song became annoying since Alexandria is a big city and you pass some time there. The piano version is the same sad music.

Sleepless City Treno
Representing the nocturne liveliness of Treno, the piano does the job of making it alive. This is a theme I'll never forget.

Where Love Doesn't Reach
This plays when Zidane thinks of Garnet in Alexandria's bar. It's sad and the piano version makes it sound even more sad.

The Final Battle
I didn't like the original track on the OST. The sounds employed by Nobuo were just not giving the impression of fighting with THE final boss. This piano arrangement is just great! It takes some time to enter into the action but when it starts....boy! I could listen to this for hours. I know how to play piano but unfortunately, I' not good enough to be able to play this arrangement. Don't miss this on since it is the best track on the CD.

Melodies of Life
Okay, I've got nothing to complain about this one. It is better than the annoying "Eyes on Me" theme and the piano version keeps the same melody as the original.

Overall
This Piano Collection is really good. It is better than FF8...way better... Sure, it is not as good as FF6 but is something a FF music fan should have in his collection. I enjoy listening to this CD whenever I'm reading or...err....playing RISK. Anyway, it deserves 98 out of 100.

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