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[Drakken]

LOS ANGELES, April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Square Enix, Inc. today revealed the appearance of the top Japanese vocalists Emiko Shiratori and RIKKI and the return of MC James Arnold Taylor at the highly anticipated concert, "More Friends -- Music From FINAL FANTASY(R)." The two original vocalists from the theme songs of FINAL FANTASY IX and X and the voice of FINAL FANTASY X character Tidus will add a truly authentic experience to this one-of-a-kind musical event featuring music from the internationally acclaimed video game series, created by composer Nobuo Uematsu. The concert starts at 8PM on Monday, May 16th at Gibson Amphitheater. In time for this concert, the soundtrack from the concert series will be available for the first time in the U.S.

The concert will celebrate the U.S. debut of "Maria and Draco," an opera from FINAL FANTASY VI, sung by Stephanie Woodling (Mezzo-Soprano), Chad Berlinghieri (Tenor) and Todd Robinson (Bass-Baritone), as well as the worldwide debut of "Swing de Chocobo," newly arranged by Grammy award winner Arnie Roth. Roth will also conduct the entire concert performed by the World Festival Symphony Orchestra, the CSUF University Singers and the Nobuo Uematsu-led band, The Black Mages.

The concert's composer, Nobuo Uematsu, won admiration for his award-winning music with several sold out performances of the orchestral concert "Dear Friends -- Music from FINAL FANTASY" over the last year. "More Friends" will meld footage from the video game series with live orchestral, rock and pop music. In addition, the original soundtracks "Dear Friends -- Music from FINAL FANTASY" and "More Friends -- Music from FINAL FANTASY" will also be available in the U.S. for the first time at this performance.

Emiko Shiratori, vocalist for "Melodies of Life," the theme song from FINAL FANTASY IX, also wrote the lyrics to the Aerith theme remix, "Pure Heart." Her debut as a solo artist was in 1969, and she was featured in both the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics and the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. Emiko also sang the theme song for the Japanese film, "Doraemon," as well as the popular animation series "Moomin."

Japanese vocal sensation, RIKKI, is immensely popular for her traditional Japanese folk combined with pop music sensibilities. RIKKI sings the theme song from FINAL FANTASY X, "Suteki Da Ne." At the age of 15, RIKKI became the youngest ever "Grand Prix" winner of the Japanese traditional folk music awards.

The Black Mages, best known for delivering the epic battle music for the FINAL FANTASY series in a rock style, will join their creator, Uematsu, on stage, bringing an exciting element to the concert performance. Uematsu formed the group two years ago and performs as organist. He named the band after a job class (type of character) found in all of the FINAL FANTASY games.

Special guest MC, James Arnold Taylor, is known by many as the voice of Tidus in FINAL FANTASY X and has had an enormously successful career in every facet of the voice-over industry, including promos, trailers, commercials, animation, video games and voice doubling for celebrities like David Spade and Billy Bob Thornton. He has starred in features such as Star Wars: Clone Wars as Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Animatrix, Comic Book: The Movie, Atlantis: Milo's Return and the English version of Hayao Miyazaki's classic Nausicca.

Tickets for "More Friends -- Music from FINAL FANTASY" are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone at 213.252.8497, on the Internet at http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/73787 or at the Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal Citywalk box offices.

For more information on FINAL FANTASY music, please visit http://na.square-enix.com/uematsu/concert/index.html.

 

[ronito]

This is just what the declining sales of orchestras in the US need so desperately. Hope orchestra's across the country pay attention. Too bad Seattle's not on the list.

 

[Drakken]

Reading through it, I just noticed that the soundtracks for "Dear Friends" and "More Friends" will be available for purchase at the show. Sweet!

 

[fugimax]

What do they mean by the soundtracks will be available? I really want a recording of the concert from last May...but it seems maybe these are just collections of studio-recorded songs?

 

[Mac the KNife]

Reading through it, I just noticed that the soundtracks for "Dear Friends" and "More Friends" will be available for purchase at the show. Sweet!

All mine!

 

[Kobun Heat]

...wow. This is going to kick serious ass.

 

[fugimax]

Also, is the PR implying those Japanese vocalists are going to be there? It gives info on them, but doesn't say that they will be there..

 

[BugCatcher]

Does this mean that the new songs, vocalists, Black Mages, and special guests will only be at the More Friends concert in CA, and not at the Dear Friends concerts?

 

[Prince of Space]

...wow. This is going to kick serious ass.

Quoted for emphasis. Can't wait!

 

[IAmtheFMan]

Is this 'Maria and Draco' the same thing as that 23 minute "Dream Oath?"

 

[Aruarian Reflection]

The what? It's at Gibson Amphitheater now? I thought it was Universal Amphitheater?

 

[Aruarian Reflection]

Also, is the PR implying those Japanese vocalists are going to be there? It gives info on them, but doesn't say that they will be there..

You need to work on your reading comprehension, it says very clearly they'll be there

 

[Mike]

I have some great tickets for this concert up on ebay. I wish I could go to this, but unfortunately I have to sell my tickets. Here are the links:

2 tickets:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6528389528&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MESE:IT&rd=1

3 tickets:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6528389900&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MESE:IT&rd=1

 

[fugimax]

You need to work on your reading comprehension, it says very clearly they'll be there

Holy shit I'm blind. Well then.

And for the person above, the Universal Ampitheatre was recently renamed the Gibson Ampitheatre after an agreement with Gibson Guitars.

 

[el jacko]

Is this 'Maria and Draco' the same thing as that 23 minute "Dream Oath?"

Yes it is. And it is awesome.

Oh man. This song (and FFVI Decisive Battle) are the only two pieces I wanted to hear out of these FF concerts. And they're coming! At least, one of them is. Holy shit I wish I lived in LA right now.

Oh God this better come to NYC. I swear to Christ it better.

 

[djtiesto]

Yes it is. And it is awesome.

Oh man. This song (and FFVI Decisive Battle) are the only two pieces I wanted to hear out of these FF concerts. And they're coming! At least, one of them is. Holy shit I wish I lived in LA right now.

Oh God this better come to NYC. I swear to Christ it better.

Sorry, the closest to NYC is Hartford...

*considers taking the ferry over*

 

[XMonkey]

Damn, that sounds awesome... May 16th cannot come soon enough

 

[Aruarian Reflection]

Yes it is. And it is awesome.

Oh man. This song (and FFVI Decisive Battle) are the only two pieces I wanted to hear out of these FF concerts. And they're coming! At least, one of them is. Holy shit I wish I lived in LA right now.

Oh God this better come to NYC. I swear to Christ it better.

The Black Mages will be performing, so there's a chance they might perform Decisive Battle. I would much rather hear them perform Dancing Mad though

 

[Kobun Heat]

I doubt Black Mages will do all nine minutes of Dancing Mad

If they don't do Battle With Gilgamesh, however, then we can assume that Square Enix still doesn't quite get it.*

*

Spoiler

When they were gearing up to release FF Anthology, and announced it would have a CD of music inside, they did a poll of American fans asking what their favorite tracks were. Gilgamesh and the FFVI Aria ran away with it, taking like half the votes. Of course, neither of those were on the CD, because that would have been smart.

 

[Magnus]

I'm guessing these soundtracks will only be on sale at the concert, and not online...? If we learn they're actually recordings of the original first performance in LA last May (which I had the pleasure of attending, it was fucking awesome), I'd really be interested in buying a copy through one of you guys fortunate enough to live in LA who can actually attend this new concert. Can anyone help me out? I'm kind of paranoid about eBay price gouging on these if Square doesn't just sell them online.

 

[mrkapawutzis]

For any San Diego heads thinking about going, you can peep out the website for ticket prices and what not. $85 for premium seats?!?

 

[Kobun Heat]

I'm not sure about the CDs for sale. I know they record every show, but Uematsu hasn't been happy with the recording quality. Apparently they found some workable solution.

From the wording of the press release and using common sense, I highly doubt there will be a recording of More Friends available. I'm guessing just a Dear Friends CD.

In that case, they could probably use the soundtrack that was released in Japan, since the tunes are identical. Strip out the Japanese emcees, and nobody would be able to tell the difference...

 

[Magnus]

I can see how that'd work (you're talking about 20020220, I presume?), but it's mostly for the four entirely new pieces that debuted last May that I'd be buying it. That and sentimental value -- I'd really only buy it if in fact it was an entire recording of that particular show from '04, Tidus emcee and everything. I really, really look back on that night fondly. It was incredible.

 

[Kobun Heat]

I'm only counting three that weren't on the Japanese CD -- Not Alone (IX), Ronfaure (X), and the new song from Advent Children.

EDIT: And even then, I think those were performed in the Tour De Japon (though I don't have a set list handy), so recordings of those not from the American tour probably exist.

In any case, it's difficult to tell what they'll do. I just know for sure that by the San Francisco concert, they hadn't had any recordings here that Uematsu was happy with. So either he accepted a compromise or the San Francisco recording worked out really well. (He did seem happy with it afterwards.)

 

[Folder]

I got tickets to this today but might not be able to go as it clashes with the GAF meet being planned. If that's reslated, I'll be there though.

 

[artful_dodger]

Girlfriend surprised me with tickets to this year's concert. I'll be there