Video Games Live

Game Music

Christopher Tin Wins Big At Grammy Awards!

February 13, 2011 | Patrick Gann | 1 Comment Share this

We just got word (thanks, Mario!) about two very exciting announcements. Perhaps you’re currently watching the 2010 53rd Annual Grammy Awards right now, but plenty of awards were already revealed…

You may have heard that, a few months ago, Christopher Tin was nominated for a Grammy award for the category “Best Classical Crossover Album” with his CD Calling All Dawns. The album, which was released in late 2009, just barely fit the early end of the window for this year’s Grammy’s. Many of us at OSV loved this incredible world music album, which opens with Civilization IV‘s instant-classic theme “Baba Yetu.” Well, that nominated CD just won. Scroll down to the bottom of this page to see for yourself!

Think “Baba Yetu” wasn’t a big part of what helped that album win? While we’re not going to downplay the rest of the album (because it is all quite good), there’s no question that Baba Yetu is a hit. Want proof? The Baba Yetu single from Calling All Dawns also won a Grammy The category for this second win is “Best Instrumental Arrange Accompanying Vocalist(s)” (found on the second entry of this page).

So, in one night, Christopher Tin became a two-time Grammy award winner. That’s gotta be exciting! What does Tin have to say about it?

“The fact that this song has had a life outside of the game is owed almost entirely to Video Games Live. They were the first to bring this music to concert stages around the world and to places I had never dreamed possible.” In other words, I think Tin is happily sharing the award with the VGL folks for all the promotion they gave his award-winning piece of music (specifically during the Video Games Live: Level 2 tour). The love is reciprocated by VGL CEO Tommy Tallarico, who said: “We’re so proud of Christopher’s Grammy Award victory and what he has accomplished. This historic moment will continue to bridge the gap between mainstream music and video games. It is an honor to perform his music in our show.”

UPDATE: Check out Mr. Tin’s acceptance speech on YouTube!
Game Music, Reviews

Video Games Live Levels Up With CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray Release (Review)

November 17, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | 3 Comments Share this

Time sure does fly. I can’t believe it’s already been two years since we reviewed Video Games Live: Volume 1. While I enjoyed the debut album, I did miss some of the show standards including music from Nintendo and Square Enix. Well, that’s all behind us now, as the tracklist for Video Games Live: Level 2 (not sure why they decided to switch from volumes to levels) features music from those companies and more with the Blu-Ray/DVD release packing in even more music and extras for your enjoyment.

Wondering how Video Games Lives’ first live concert DVD turned out? Find out in our review after the jump! (more…)
Game Music, Television

Breaking News: Video Games Live To Appear On PBS

December 19, 2009 | Patrick Gann | 4 Comments Share this

Ladies and gentlemen, the revolution will be televised.

That’s right. Tommy Tallarico’s infamous concert series, Video Games Live, will be broadcast across America via PBS. Unfortunately, it’s not a live broadcast.

On February 5th, 2010, at the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, a new Video Games Live concert will be performed and recorded. Not just the audio, but the video as well. This will be a large-scale performance, featuring the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

The taped concert will begin airing on PBS sometime in June 2010. But for those of us who don’t want to figure out exactly when the concert is played on TV (or DVR the performance), the recording will also be released on DVD and Blu-Ray shortly after the month of June. Said video release will go hand-in-hand with the CD release of “Video Games Lives: Volume Two.”

Also, if you’re reading this news story and you live anywhere near New Orleans (or would like to visit), tickets are already on sale. Ticket prices start at $15. Don’t miss the opportunity.
Game Music

Comic Con 2009: Video Games Live Returns to San Diego for Round 2

July 27, 2009 | Chris Ling | 3 Comments Share this

The crowds at San Diego Comic-Con had plenty to celebrate as Video Games Live returned to perform simultaneously with the event. The second appearance of VGL in San Diego marks the 30th venue the concert series has performed this year alone. Certainly this is a testament to the interest fans have in the wide world of game music.

You’re probably wonder what was new, so I’ll tell you. New pre-concert videos, a Mega Man segment, and the much-talked about Chrono Trigger/Chrono Cross segment all made an appearance. Overall, it was a good experience, so check out the setlist at the very least.

Our impressions of the show, after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

Video Games Live Singapore: Hibino’s Strange Outfit and a Crazy Girl Who Wants Her One-Winged Angel

June 26, 2009 | Gideon Dabi | 4 Comments Share this

We aren’t quite sure if Hibino was channeling a 30’s mobster or Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor costume from the original Superman movie with his outfit, but he sure can play the saxophone. This is from the most recent Video Games Live in concert in Singapore, an instrumental version of the title track from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. I always felt the song had such Bond-like flair to it right up until the “Some day, you’ll feed on a tree frog” line….

A second video features a rather enthusiastic female audience member getting disturbingly excited about the “One-Winged Angel” segment from Final Fantasy VII. Click on the jump to check it out!

Also, thanks to Tommy Tallarico for shooting these videos over. (more…)
Game Music

In Singapore This Weekend? See Norihiko Hibino Perform at Video Games Live!

June 17, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on In Singapore This Weekend? See Norihiko Hibino Perform at Video Games Live! Share this

Yeah, I know, you’re probably not going to be there, but we wanted to let you know that Video Games Live is hitting Singapore this weekend, and they’re bringing our friend and contributor Norihiko Hibino along with them to jam out “Snake Eater” from Metal Gear Solid 3. I imagine it will be a lot better than the rendition we saw in the fan-made video that won our MGS contest last year.

As a bonus, Tommy was kind enough to pass along this busy promotional poster for the show. See Hibino’s portrait tucked way in the corner? Almost looks like the text should say, “A Challenger Approaches!” Anyway, it sounds like a good time.

Wish you could make it out to the show? Would you like to see Hibino at other VGL shows around the world?

Read the official VGL press release after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

Video Games Live Pulls The Trigger: Chrono Medley Added to Repertoire

April 8, 2009 | David Hsu | 25 Comments Share this

If you’ve ever gone to Video Games Live, you might have gotten the vague feeling that something was amiss, namely the woeful absence of Yasunori Mitsuda’s name in the program notes. Fortunately that should no longer be a problem in future concerts, as Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall debuted their new Chrono segment with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony back on March 14th. Be on the lookout for the segment, as it will likely be a part of most (if not all) of their upcoming performances.

How do you think VGL’s medley compares to PLAY!’s? Has Jack Wall unintentionally jeopardized his career by demonstrating the orchestra can get along fine without a conductor? And how many “Scars of Time” arrangements is too many?