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Album Information Reviewer Rank
Game Music Concert 3
Published by: Sony Records
Release Date: December 22nd 1993

Composed by: Hajime Hirasawa, Yuka Tsujiyoko, Koji Kondo, Minako Hamano, Kozue Ishikawa, Keiichi Suzuki, Koichi Sugiyama, Kiyotaka Sato, Tsutomu Shimizu, Hiroki Kikuta, Yoko Kanno, Kouhei Tanaka, Naoki Kodaka, Shigeaki Saegusa
Arranged by: Koichi Sugiyama, Yoko Kanno, Kouhei Tanaka, Naoki Kodaka, Kosuke Onozaki, Nobuo Kurita, Toshihiko Sahashi, Kenichiro Morioka

1 Disc, 16 Tracks
Catalog: SRCL-2732
87

Reviewed by: Mithrandir

Good enough for the series...

Well well well... here it is: the third album of the OGC series. And though the second is better, it doesn't mean this one is bad. Oh no... The arrangements are done by: Yoko Kanno, Koichi Sugiyama, Kouhei Tanaka, Naoki Kodaka, Toshihiko Sabashi, Kenichiro Morioka, Kosuke Onozaki and Nobuo Kurita.

Star Fox Theme
I remember the first time I played Star Fox...oh yeah...I felt like I was the king of space and I was going to destroy that damn Dr. Andross. Um...yeah, the review. Well, The theme of Star Fox is well played by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. Kind of Star Wars-ish. This is the only orchestral arrangement ever done of Star Fox music so you better listen to it.

God's Young Sage
Released on the super famicom, not many of us (North Americans) have played it. I, for instance, have never played that game. But one thing is sure: I like the track they choose for this arrangement. The oboe-harp duet is simply beautiful. The theme is the same but played by different sections of the orchestra. You'll never forget this track. It reminds me of Gandalf the first movement of the Symphonic Suite written by Johan De Meij.

Looking towards the Island of dreams
Well another Zelda arrangement but this time is taken from the Game boy. It starts exactly like the theme of Zelda but then it changes. Though it resembles to the theme it is not the main theme of Zelda. A great march.

Because I love you
You can find this track on the second OGC and I don't know why they decided to put it on this one too. Not that the track is bad but really, we already heard the track on the second OGC. Oh yeah, this track is from Earthbound.

Toruneko's Theme
A funny track from a game I never played. Kind of symphonic and it has something from Dragon Warrior. I guess it's because of Koichi Sugiyama...

And here is a little waltz
Again from Toruneko's Big Adventure, this waltz is kind of weird but still beautiful. There's an oriental influence on the track. Not too great but not bad.

The Legendary Warriors
With a great overture, this track is just great! A march representing power and well...greatness... Then the track slows down and a nice melody is played by the strings. Really great track.

Almighty boss is challenged
A great track from Dragon Quest V. You can sense the intensity rise in this track. Great action music from Koichi Sugiyama. It’s one of those tracks that you listen to and then you want to direct the orchestra... the parts played by the French horns are just great. Another great track.

4th Movement from Divertimento
Taken from the Game Half boiled Hero, this track starts with a xylophone solo. But I must admit that the xylophonist of the orchestra did a great job. Then it becomes more mysterious...just like Actraiser music (which is great too, I recommend the Symphonic Suite of Actraiser. Refer to the review from a fellow reviewer in this section for more information) and then it ends with the xylophone solo.

Fear of Angels
From Seiken Densetsu 2 or "Secret of Mana". The track is just beautiful...oh my god...Kind of sad but not too much. The oboe solo is just incredible. Then the theme switches to another theme from Secret of Mana and then comes back to the main theme. The arrangement is beautifully well done. One of my favourites tracks on the OGC.

Introduction-Defeated Army-The Morning Bell
Another game I've never played but the music is great. With something oriental in it. Nobunaga's Ambition music is always a surprise. This time it's not an exception. The track seems to be taken out from some movie. Really amazing and surprising. Do not miss this track. Yoko Kanno is one of the greatest names of VGM. Actually, he's the one directing the orchestra in this track. Great result.

Nasukuoto
Renasu music is also always a surprise in the OGC albums. This time, they offer a march to us. With a solid start, the march then continues with more solemnity in it. Too bad this track is so short...

Albert Odyssey Theme and God's People
This is also a great surprise. A great march (yes, a march again) with the French horns starting all. Then the trumpet section enters as powerfully as they can. Great music. The second track is more soft but good too. I want to play to that game. Too bad I don't have a Sega Saturn...

Kabuki's Theme/Retrospect
Nice beginning. Somewhat oriental music and good. The track is taken from Kabuki's Story of Heaven's magical barrier. They used a lot of percussion on this track and that gives it some dance beat. Nice track.

Eruru's Song
Taken from Elfaria this track starts with a soft movement. But then the rhythm changes and a rock beat starts. Kind of surprising.... It's a great ending for the album. Wow!

Overall
Better than the first album but not as good as the second, the album remains one of the bests Cd's in the VGM industry. With all these great names, you can't be deceived by this. Oh yeah...this album is extinct and very rare so...good luck...

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