Video Games Live - Volume One

The Video Games Live world tour has enjoyed increasing popular and commercial success since its 2005 debut. In 2008 alone, around 50 shows have occurred or been announced. However, its accompanying album Video Games Live Volume One has had a troubled history. Announced in October 2007, the CD was delayed multiple times with no official announcements leading to speculation it may have been cancelled. It was eventually quietly released digitally on June 30, 2008 and a true CD was finally released on July 22, 2008 shortly before the San Diego concert. British-based popular music record label EMI Classics published the album complete with packaging containing the trademark graphics of the tour.

The CD features some of the more popular items that are performed by Video Games Live. The track listings for the release considerably differ from what was originally advertised, however. For copyright reasons, "The Legend of Zelda - Symphonic Suite", "Final Fantasy Piano Medley", "Sonic the Hedgehog - Symphonic Suite", "Super Mario Bros. - Symphonic Suite", "Mario Piano Medley", and "Final Fantasy VII - 'One Winged Angel' Live" were omitted. They were replaced by "Kingdom Hearts - Hikari", "Castlevania Rock", "Medal of Honor - Operation Market Garden", "Tetris Piano Opus No. 1", and "God of War Montage". All items apart from the opener Kingdom Hearts and closer Castlevania are from Western titles.

Most of the album was recorded by an orchestra and chorus conducted by producer Jack Wall. Most tracks feature straightforward renditions of their original material presented in medleys. The Slovak National Symphony Orchestra suffices en masse to create power on stage, though there their performance lacks intricacy and refinement. They are not one of the more eminent European orchestras out there. Warcraft, Myst, God of War, Advent Rising, and Halo are medleys that also feature feature powerful performances by the Crouch End Festival Chorus to give an epic Hollywood feel. There are nevertheless noteworthy guest performances from the ethnic choir Standform Talisman on Civilization IV, translated from the original, and the haunting soprano Cindy Shapiro on God of War. These provide some of the most musically innovative contributions to the CD.

The orchestral performances are some of the most accomplished Video Games Live have performed, but this frankly does not mean much. The show is famous for jumping into concert after one rehearsal and opts to use playback to compensate for the small size of their orchestras. An example of a misguided performance is Kingdom Hearts' orchestral version of "Hikari". The phrases are too punctuated and abruptly phrased relative to the serene original and even untrained listeners will find them jarring. Even in their straightforward rendition of Medal of Honor, there are obvious deficiencies such as the use of an adult female rather than a boy soprano on "Operation Market Garden". Momentarily neglecting the numerous more intricate flaws of the album, one has to question whether Wall is sufficiently trained to work with an orchestra.

Despite claiming to be 'the first studio-recorded video game industry compilation album', there are actually three live tracks. Medal of Honor and God of War were recorded in Brazil while "Castlevania Rock" was performed in Plaza Calafia Bullring at Mexicali. In spite of post-production refinement, the tracks also feel like significant stylistic breaks in the album. This will be appreciated by those who want to imagine the great atmosphere and excited audiences of the shows, but not those who are looking for an album that will help video game music be appreciated as an art form. There is a bit more rock in Halo too where electric guitars and voice samples are used. These are the best features of an otherwise abrupt and unfulfilling medley. Although its inclusion in Video Games Live is a dubious one, David Kates' arrangement of Tron is well done and will help listeners to understand this segment for.

Fans of the bold and racing piano performances by Martin Leung, the Video Game Pianist, will enjoy his interpretation of the folk song "Korobeiniki" in "Tetris Piano Opus No. 1". Placed in the middle of the CD, this one minute performance contrasts greatly with all the orchestra and chorus tracks and will be fun to some, jarring to others. Nevertheless, it is still admirable that EMI permitted a fan performance to be included in an otherwise highbrow CD as it's a testament to the extent of fan activity out there. "Castlevania Rock" is another track that differs from the rest of the album. Opened and closed with exuberant announcements, it is a medley of classic Castlevania themes performed by a five man rock band including famed producer Tommy Tallarico assisting on guitars. As it closes the album, it feels more like a bonus track than a complete misfit. Jack Wall finishes by ominously enthusing "You guys have been great. Thanks for being part of the show. We'll see you next time!!".

The album claims to be 'recorded and mixed at the world famous Abbey Road Studios in London'. In actual fact, the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra was recorded at Slovak Radio, Bratislava, Slovakia and the chorus was recorded at All Saints Church and Abbey Roads Studios in London. There were mighty post-production efforts for the album. Abbey Roads Studio was used to edit and mix the CD while mastering was done at the very expensive Grundman Bernie Mastering Studios in Los Angeles. There is considerable use of reverb and the integration of sometimes synthesized percussion use. However, there are still obvious mistakes in the studio recordings and considerable balance problems.

Given this CD seemed unlikely happen at all, fans of Video Games Live will be thankful there was eventually a release. However, there have been many disappointed by the track listings and recordings. Furthermore, those in the industry would be worried if this were used as the premiere example of video game music as it does not display the refinement of most of the source material or the diversity of game music collectively. If you know what to expect, this album might still be a worthwhile purchase. It will still be enjoyed by those who enjoy epic tracks without caring about the profound performance and technical problems. Some others might care for the album for the more unusual entries Civilization IV, Castlevania, and Tetris. However, it does not compensate for not owning the originals.