I think its a great album, but definitely not for all fans of the first two. I didn't like it as much as the first two on my first listen, because it felt so different. But, after a few listens it began to grow on me and I can now appreciate all of the tracks found here, but for different reasons than the first albums. In the end though, I like it less than the first two albums, just because its not what I was looking for from the Black Mages. Hopefully, Nobuo was just getting some of this stuff out of the way so that he could really throw down with a solid 4th album that brings back the huge guitar pyrotechnics and heavy riffs!

I bought the first album a while ago and loved almost every song. Especially the Boss Battle theme from FFVII (which to this day I still think is Nobuo's best song ever written) and was exciting to see he created a sequal album. I'm happy they put songs from IX which weren't in the first album (especially Vamo' Alla Flamenco), but am saddened that he didn't put any more of the awesome tracks from FFVII. The guitars are crunchy as hell and have incredible melody. My only beef with this album.. which was my only beef with the old album.. is the synth sound just gets so cheezy and annoying sometimes.. but it's easy to get over.

If you love the music of Final Fantasy, especially the battle music, then you will love this album. Being a musician myself, I always wished I could do something akin to this album: get a bunch of my friends together and play rock-band arranged versions of Final Fantasy music (video game music, in general). Geeky, I know. Anyway, the arrangements are excellent and the recordings are really high quality. If for no other reason, this album is worth it for "Dancing Mad", the final battle music from Final Fantasy VI (III in the US). A great album that I definitely recommend.

This album is remarkable not only in performance, but also in the quality of arrangement from such a risqué game album. At the first wind of this recording, most of the gaming community was stunned. The soundtrack from which this collection derives is so unpleasing that it might take several aspirin to finish it. The tracks from the Original Soundtrack were so non-musical, that we were left in disbelief that piano arrangements could be made. However, we were proved wrong upon hearing this masterpiece of piano arrangement.

Tour de JAPON music from FINAL FANTASY is a concert tour featuring music from the Final Fantasy video game series that toured Japan from March 12 to April 16, 2004. The concert was built upon the success of 20020220 music from FINAL FANTASY and featured numerous unreleased tracks during its tour.

The Yokohama performance (March 12, 2004) was recorded and released exclusively on DVD to fanclub members residing in Japan. It is the only source of unreleased arrangements, "Bombing Mission", "Zanarkand", "Ronfaure", "Not Alone", "Main Theme" (Final Fantasy V), and "Opera 'Mario and Draco'".

After taking the "Dear Friends" tour all around Japan, Uematsu and crew showed up in the US to kick off E3 2005 in Los Angeles. This show, entitled "More Friends", featured a full orchestra, the rock group "The Black Mages", Rikki, Emiko Shiratori, some opera vocalists, and a big choir from a nearby college. The production was a big deal.

This CD is a magnificient presentation of Uematsu's earlier work. The original synthesized songs have been combined and organized for professional symphonic performance by the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. This is a must-have for any game music library. In my opinion, it is the only collection of Nobuo Uematsu's music before the FFVI soundtrack that is truly worth owning. Not because the others are particularly bad, but you this one brings what they have to offer and more.

Release of live footage from the "Final Fantasy" orchestral concert held at the Pacifico Yokohama in February of 2006. Includes complete footage from the show including performances from Emiko Shiratori, RIKKI, Izumi Masuda, Angela Aki, The Black Mages, the acapella group Mogleys, and more. Limited edition includes bonus DVD with documentary footage and interview with Nobuo Uematsu and Arnie Ross.

Japan exclusive album recorded live at Tokyo International Forum on February 20, 2002. Guest artists include Eimiko Shiratori, Rikki, Aki Kuroda (pianist), et al. Also includes MC parts with Mayuko Aoki (voice of Yuna from FFX) & Seiichi Morita (voice of Tidus). It's virtually a best-of Final Fantasy compilation, incorporating tracks from Final Fantasies I through X. 2004.

Final Fantasy Song book compiles songs ranging from Final Fantasy III all the way to FF IX. It's a great collection of Nobuo Uematsu music and a must have for any Final Fantasy fanatic. I also suggest the Final Fantasy Potion series for anyone looking for FF mix CDs. The diiference between this CD and the potion series though, is that 'Song Book' contains vocal tracks as opposed to all instrumental. Nobuo Uematsu composed all of the tracks and the vocals are performed by Manami Kiyota.

Love Will Grow is the second installment in the Final Fantasy Vocal Collection, an Uematsu series that, based on the misguided execution of previous FF anthologies, could've been quite horrible but actually turns out to be quite a fulfilling listen. It's richer than the other FF arranged CDs; the tracks may not make as strong or immediate an impression at first, but their beauty is far deeper - you discover more and get more out of the CD with each play.

Final Fantasy: Pray features some incredible arrangements of favorite FF melodies using real instruments, synthesizers, and sung by vocalist Risa Ohki. Some of the songs are from the FF games that never made to the US. The familiar arrangements include Terra's theme (from FF3) and Theme of Love (from FF2). Risa sings in four languages: English, Japanese, French, and Portuguese. Track list: 1. Prelude, 2. The Promised Land, 3. Mon P'tit Chat, 4. Japanese Title, 5. Japanese Title, 6. Esperanca Do Amor, 7. Voyage, 8. Au Palais De Verre, 9. Once You Meet her, 10. Pray, 11. Nao Chora Menina

Ever since I played Final Fantasy IX, I've wanted to buy a soundtrack of it. I thought of buying the Original Soundtrack, but it cost more than $25, and i didn't have that much money. So I decided on this CD and it was worth it. Most of the songs on this CD are even better than the originals, and I wasn't going to listen to most of the songs on the original so… It's worth every penny.

I've been listening to the orchestrated version of the FFVIII OST soundtrack for more than a year. I've always found myself tremendously immersed in the music whenever I play it.

A while ago I decided to purchase the piano version. I've also wondered how much this version compares with the orchestrated version, given that that the latter is pretty much "complete" in everything a game soundtrack should be in my opinion.