Video Games Live Audio CD – CD, July 22, 2008

Video Games Live Vol. I music album. Trust me to everyone who is considering buying a copy: it is worth it. The more people who buy this album, the more sales they will get, and the more chance VGL Vol. II will come. Jack Wall actually said he wants to make AT LEAST four albums, and that won't happened unless this album is successful. So if you know anyone who enjoyed this album and pirated it, PLEASE, PLEASE, urge them not only to not do something so illegal, but to purchase this album whether here or in digital format (also offered by Amazon) to help promote future volumes by making this one successful!First thing: Where were these songs when I went this last time to VGL '08? Hahaha. Yeah we had some fantastic music, but one thing I noticed was a total lack of the use of the live choir. It's like they were standing back there for no reason the whole time except to sing in the Halo Suite, God of War, & Sweet Emotion.That's not the case with this album. If you are a fan of live choirs in orchestrated music, this has an abundance and beautiful harmony.Track o1:: Kingdom Hearts [3:37]For fans of the intro track to the KH games...this is the Hikari Orchestrated track, but better. Definitely more bombastic, the horns are louder, the bass is louder. It's gorgeous.Track o2:: Warcraft Suite [5:05]A montage of music throughout the Warcraft games. Many of you will recognize the main songs throughout the track as the themes of Warcraft III & World of Warcraft. Emotional music accompanied by a beautiful choir...nothing makes you want to commit massacres of entire villages of centaurs and jungle trolls quite like this. The various different songs are seamlessly interwoven within this track. Definitely a favorite, really gets that dramatic feel down beautifully.Track o3:: Myst Medley [6:04]The one and only Myst. Yet another choir-accompanied piece, this track definitely captures the ethereal quality of the Myst soundtracks. This is a beautiful and moving track, complete with dramatic solo chanting and rising melodies. Around [4:10] the ethereal child solo turns into the bombastic melody I'm sure Myst fans will recognize.Track o4:: Medal of Honor (LIVE) [5:43]I'm not familiar with the source material, so I'm not sure what particular songs are included in this. All I can say is that it's a beautiful, moving track. Starts off with a choir, then moves down into a soft moving orchestra piece, and then a rising choir and melancholy violin, piano, rises back into a rousing melody, then finishes with percussion.Track o5:: Civilization IV Medley [4:56]This has turned out to be by far one of my favorite tracks on the entire album despite not being familiar with the source material (I'm going to go find it now.). A nice medley of various tracks from the game of various ethnic origins, around [2:00] a soloist kick in alongside with the choir for some beautiful African (?) singing. This is a very beautiful, very moving track that both fans and those like myself not familiar with the source material will enjoy.Track o6:: Tetris Piano Opus No.1 [1:09]Martin Leung plays Tetris on piano. Yes! Korobeiniki!Track o7:: God of War Montage (LIVE) [3:35]I'm not familiar with all the source material, though I do plenty recognize the rousing choir and symphony accompanied by soloist from the various game footage I've seen. Very cool track, GoW fans will definitely enjoy this one.Track o8:: Advent Rising Suite [6:27]Again, not familiar with the source material. I feel ashamed to call myself a game music fan now hahaha. Anyways, beautiful and moving track with orchestra and live choir. Definitely a joy to listen to.Track o9:: TRON Montage [5:18]I would literally kick an elderly woman (a mean one, of course) to see this song live. The second the first note hit I knew which track it was. The way they've recreated the completely digital soundtrack with a live orchestra, and even have the choir. Oh man. This has hit the nostalgia chord for my favorite Disney film dead on. Beautiful.Track 1o:: Halo Suite [6:38]The song I spent the entire show waiting for. Halo's soundtrack is hands down one of my favorites, and this does not disappoint. A montage of themes from Halo 3, the Halo 3 version of the main theme plays a huge part in this Suite. Oh yes, Tommy Tallarico on guitar. This is a very moving track, call me dorky, but listening to this stirs something inside of me. I love this song. Track 11:: Castlevania Rock (LIVE) [4:44]To quote Jack's shouts at the beginning of this live recording..."The one, the only, Castlevania!" You've got it: Vampire Killer! If I said this is the best rendition of the song I've ever heard, I wouldn't be exaggerating. Orchestra, electric guitars, drums, everything. It's amazing. Hands down the best ever!I give this CD a full 100%! Whether or not you've been to a VGL concert before, you MUST buy this album! It's worth it for all game music fans! Even friends and family who do not know anything about game music still enjoy this album as well. The music is just that beautiful.

I saw the VGL concert in Orlando this past January and went with an open mind and a few inhibitions. I left extremely happy. The show was well put together, Tommy Tallarico an excellent host, some great video montages of our favourite games and above all, a more than faithful representation of some of the most famous gaming themes to date.The release of this CD was delayed for quite some time and though the content is excellent, I was a little disappointed. Granted, Kingdom Hearts, Halo and Advent Rising in particular are highlights and worthwhile inclusions but being a 90's gamer more, Sonic, Metal Gear Solid, Earthworm Jim and Mario, not to forget Final Fantasy were all inclusions that I was looking forward to seeing.However, I had heard that there were some issues with the distribution of those particular themes (with Sega etc) so perhaps it isn't any fault of the producers of the album.On the upside, you have an excellent album here, perfect for reminiscing or just keeping in the background when you are working. It also means however that there is plenty of scope for a second Volume and I for one am looking forward to it! I would love to hear Command and Conquer: Red Alert and Elder Scrolls: Oblivion one day too.

Amazing music! I cannot believe how far game music has come but this CD has managed to capture those climactic moments that make this performance worth listening. My favorite track in the whole album is the Civilization 4 medley but the other tracks are great as well and worth listening to. the only drawback is that the album is supposed to be "Live" which it is but there are also studio recordings (maybe they had to omit some songs due to licensing and/or copyright. idk) but to those who are picky about stuff like this, now you know. Overall I rate this 5/5 stars, great buy!

First, the actual music is preformed BEAUTIFULLY. There is no disputing that. The track selections, and composition are amazing.I've been to 2 Video Games Live shows, and 1 Distant worlds show. When you are in the show house, the crowd is an accepted part of the experience - something to enjoy and appreciate. However, when I'm in the mood to listen to this type of musical fare at home or while working, I don't want to hear the crowd hooting and hollering. Whistles and cat calls break the atmosphere. This issue is made worse in the Level 2 CDs where the conductor feels the need to call out the name of the games as each piece starts. It's loud, off putting and often counter-intuitive to the atmosphere and feeling of the music.If you are looking for "The Video Games Live" experience in its entirety, crowd and all, this is what you want. It's not an experience to be frowned upon. It's just not one I look for in a private environment.If you want orchestral renditions without the background noise over-riding parts of the music, I'd suggest getting:The Greatest Video Game Music Volumes 1 and 2http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005WV6ZI8/ref=oh_d__o03_details_o03__i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1http://www.amazon.com/The-Greatest-Video-Game-Music/dp/B009XTXLDM/ref=pd_sim_dmusic_a_1A lot of the tracks are identical, but more care and time was clearly taken on the sound of the music over the "VGL" experience.

If you like videogames, you'll love this album.I already own vol.1 - 3 and number 4 is out now.I was also lucky to see this show in 2014 in Antwerp, Belgium.It was a great evening, hope the comle overhere agai this year.RecomendedDanny Van Ginhoven

Jonesing for those tunes that kept you stoked as you played? Maybe they're in here. They make good "saty awake, dammit" music for the road, too - but just don't let them get you into ubercompetitive mode while driving; remember, the only acceptable objective is to get there in one piece.

[I know VGL level 2 is out now, but let's pretend I wrote this review a couple of months ago]It's amazing! Great orchestral recording of video game music. The hair stands up on the back of my neck when I listen to Halo, it's so very very good.Buy it. I Can't wait to hear more from them!What? VGA Level 2 is coming out. Wow. I've got to get that too, can't wait.

The title of this c.d. may possibly put some people off, but this is most definitely music for all age groups and one doesn't have to be a fan of video games to enjoy it! Give it a chance! You'll be more than just pleasantly surprised! Brilliant stuff!!

Primär empfehle ich das Konzert! Das ist wirklich ein Erlebnis. Soweit ich weiß gibt es zwei Konzerte im Jahr in Deutschland. Wer Videospiele mag wird von der Musik begeistert sein. Tolles Erlebnis und sehr sehr gute Musik...

Gostei muito, e o que mais me surpreendeu positivamente é que o cd é nacional.

Offert à Chéri après l'avoir découvert à la télé, il a adoré, c'est un cd très bien, la musique est juste excellente. L'orchestre rend très bien la musique de jeux vidéo.