Final Fantasy 9 - A Place To Call Home remix - "Ain't No Riddim Like At My Place"
13Released on the Pixel Mixers album Final Fantasy IX: "Beyond the Mist". Available for free direct download from https://pixel-mixers.com/2019/06/27/final-fantasy-ix-beyond-the-mist-tribute-album/
Credits:
Arrangement, lyrics, production, recorders, kalimba, rhythm guitar: Jorito
Vocals: Cyril the Wolf (https://www.youtube.com/user/CyrilRufus; announcer), katastrophe_owlz (Vivi), GuitarSVD (https://www.youtube.com/GuitarSVD; Steiner), Earth Kid (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOhdqZa6K5TjIBESNVoDnUg; Garnet), RichGC (https://www.youtube.com/richgc; Zidane)
Guitars: tibone (http://youtube.com/tibonev/)
Bass: Cyril the Wolf
Trombones, trumpets: John Stacy (https://www.youtube.com/user/TheJohnStacy)
Near the end of the production process of Pixel Mixer's Final Fantasy 9 tribute album, "A Place To Call Home" became free to be claimed again. Because it's such an iconic track, it meant that it needed to be done quickly or it would delay the entire album.
As luck would have it, I was immediately inspired to do something with it despite a crazily busy schedule. Years ago, I already attempted a reggae remix for another track and I thought it would provide a nice foundation for this piece. Because the source track is pretty short, I didn't want to make the same mistake I did with the earlier reggae track (it was too repetitive) and early on decided I wanted to include some vocals to break things up a bit. Inspired by the title (that I came up with early for a chance), I thought it'd be nice to have some of the main characters tell us why their home place is the best, a bit like a rap battle but without the rap.
I was lucky to find some fellow Pixel Mixer QCT members (they evaluate and accept the tracks for the album) willing to try their hand at some voice acting. Rich provided the voice of Zidane, with a nice amount of swagger and nonchalance to it. Cecil signed on for a confused Steiner, and when I was a bit stuck finding a voice for Vivi (who in the game is a 9 year old kid), he suggested his daughter Kathyrn for the part. Finally OCR regulars Earth Kid provided a nice sassy Garnet, and Cyril did a great job glueing it all together with his over-the-top performance as the announcer (a last minute addition but much needed role).
On the instrument side of things, I was happy to feature a number of real instruments again. Regular collaborator John Stacy was able to help out with the brass section again, and Cyril laid down the foundation on the bass. Tibone recorded most of the guitar parts, while I recorded myself on recorders and kalimba and did the simple guitar skanks.
All in all this was a nicely inspired and creative track again, with lots of people involved. Maybe some people would even consider it to be a bit of a joke track because of the genre and the voice acting. While reggae is a bit of an odd genre for a game remix, and spoken word is a bit... divisive, I think we at least succeeded in making a memorable - if not enjoyable - track. Kudos for all the collaborators for stepping in and delivering on short notice, because without them this crazy experiment wouldn't exist!
Lyrics:
Announcer
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today's show! And tonight, our special guests will tell us why their home on Gaia is so special. Let's get started with... Vivi!
Vivi
Now, let me tell you something...
I have been looking for a place to call home for a long time. I felt lost and afraid, coz I didn't know where I came from.
So, when I found my kin at the Black Mage village, it was so cool to learn that we all have lots riddim in us. You'll never see more riddim than at our place!
Announcer
Steiner?!? Uhh... what are you doing here?
Steiner
What on earth is this 'riddim' thing everyone is talking about?
Why will nobody tell me?
And can somebody please tell me why this music makes me want to move?
Announcer
And now, my eager audience, I have the honor to present to you... her royal highness, princess Garnet!
Garnet
Hey guys, listen up! I don't remember the home I was born in. The country I grew up in was destroyed.
But it’s my country now. So we rebuilt it, and better than ever before!
It's totally the best and we got riddim in spades... surely, there ain't no riddim like at my place!
Announcer
And the moment you've all been waiting for, our final guest, here's Zidane!
Zidane
Well, that's all fine 'n dandy, but you are wrong.
Obviously!
Trust me, as a guy who grew up in a world that was not my own, I know what I'm talking about.
One day, you will realize that "home is where the heart is". And my home is with my buddies! They all got dem riddim. So... don't tell me there ain't no riddim like at my place!
Announcer
Ladies and gentleman, thank you for coming to today's show. We wish you a pleasant night. Sleep well, and goodbye!
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