ReMix: Chrono Trigger 'The Trial in Concert'

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For OCR00800 we have a special treat - Spekkosaurus, previous submitter (a considerable while back) of two Earthbound ReMixes, amazingly enough recorded this highly interpretive and technically impressive piano instrumental from Chrono Trigger in one take. The whole thing. Skillz. While I'll often record a solo in a single take, an entire piece is something else, esp. to stay consistently musical and in relative time. I consider myself a synthesist before a pianist, and this is something I simply could not do (well . . . and have it sound like something you'd *want* to listen to, at least^^). So kudos off the bat to Spekko for sheer "wow" factor on getting anything submitted that's solo piano and one take. Apparently there wasn't much preparation, either - Spekko worked most of it out in his head, ahead of time, so when he finally sat down in front of the ivories, he was in the zone. This is not your typical solo piano arrangement, which usually try to be lyrical and (perhaps overly) "intimate". This is more like something you'd hear at a saloon, and has the tempo-changing properties of a Russian folksong. It's ballsy, and even gets raucous at times, something that you'd not expect. And the piano playing is, in the traditional, classical sense at least, the most technical on the site. Truly using the full dynamic range of the instrument, this is a piano arrangement that displays intimate familiarity with its context, capitalizing on the strength of the instrument with every stroke. It's significantly above the level of Spekkosaurus' previous Earthbound ReMixes, and brings something very new to the crowded world of Chrono Trigger arrangements. It's not easy listening, however, and it's also not groove-based. Instead, I envision this as something you'd listen to occassionally but with your full attention, to appreciate what Spekko's done with the original as well as the sheer musicianship. If you simply don't like solo piano work, you may not appreciate it, but for everyone else this piece comes highly recommended. Bravo.

― djpretzel