Final Fantasy tribute CD announced

[09.24.00] » Electric Sound Ensemble performs the best of Final Fantasy VI, VII, and VIII.

    Given the minimal mainstream interest in videogame music in the US, especially compared to Japan, domestic soundtrack releases have been few and far between. Square first reversed this trend by including the soundtracks for Final Fantasy VIII, IX, and Parasite Eve 2 at their online store, and now comes the announcement of an original compilation for the U.S. market -- "The Best of Final Fantasy 1994 - 1999: A Musical Tribute."

    The CD, a psuedo-sequel to the Japanese only "Final Fantasy 1987-1994," will be released by released by Big Ear Music, a distributor known for symphonic renditions of everything from Jimi Hendrix to Star Wars. Though it's billed as being arranged by the Hollywood Symphony Orchestra, it's specifically a project of their Electric Sound Ensemble--which means that the interpretations are not the typical classical orchestrations found on Squaresoft arranged albums, and are instead more electronic, synthesized versions. The album includes nearly a dozen of the better-known pieces from Final Fantasy VI, VII, and VIII.

    This CD represents another step for the acceptance of videogame music in the U.S., and can be had for the surpisingly cheap price of under $10. Interested audiophiles can place preorders at Amazon.com, CDNOW, or any other online music retailer. The single CD collection will be officially released on September 26th. The track list is as follows:

1. Final Fantasy VI / 1994 - Opening Theme
2. Final Fantasy VI / 1994 - Tina
3. Final Fantasy VI / 1994 - New Continent
4. Final Fantasy VII / 1997 - Prelude
5. Final Fantasy VII / 1997 - Main Theme
6. Final Fantasy VII / 1997 - Cosmo Canyon
7. Final Fantasy VII / 1997 - Shinra Army Wages A Full-Scale Attack
8. Final Fantasy VIII / 1999 - Liberi Fatali
9. Final Fantasy VIII / 1999 - My Mind
10. Final Fantasy VIII / 1999 - The Spy
11. Final Fantasy VIII / 1999 - Mods de Chocobo

   Thanks to Brian Habersberger for the tip.