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Tommy
Tallarico is a veritable video game industry icon. As one
of the most successful video game composers in history,
he has helped revolutionize the gaming world, creating unique
audio landscapes that enhance the video gaming experience.
As a well-recognized on-air television personality, Tommy
brings his in-depth knowledge, years of experience, and
love of multimedia and video games to the masses. |
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An
accomplished musician, Tallarico has been writing music for
video games for more than 15 years. In 1994, he founded Tommy
Tallarico Studios, the multimedia industry’s largest audio
production house. In video games, television, film, radio, soundtracks,
toys and even on floats in the New Year’s Day Rose Parade
in Pasadena, California, Tallarico’s music has been heard
by hundreds of millions of people around the world. In 2002
Tallarico’s music was used as the opening song for Aerosmith’s
“Girls of Summer” world tour. His top titles include
The Terminator, Earthworm Jim, Disney’s Aladdin, Cool
Spot, Metroid Prime, Maximo, Tomorrow Never Dies, Tony Hawk
Pro Skater and Spider-Man as well as top selling popular game
franchises such as Madden Football, Blitz Football, Pac-Man,
Knockout Kings, Unreal, Mortal Kombat, Twisted Metal & Time
Crisis. Tommy recently finished designing the audio for the
multi-channel DTS theatrical trailer logo appearing soon in
movie theaters and homes across the world... (continued
on tallarico.com)
Mazedude's
Comments:
Bizarrely enough, I think the Tallarico soundtracks
that stood out most to me as a kid were Prince of Persia, Cool
Spot, and Clayfighter. I never really played Earthworm Jim all
that much, although I was aware of it. Anyways, I got the chance
to meet Tommy at a G.A.N.G. Party in L.A, and it was pretty
cool. Once he started taking me around the room, introducing
me to everyone as "Mazedude," I knew I was in with
some good people. He's a cool dude. And his house is freakin'
sweet too. Methinks I was the only one that used the pool though,
for the one party I went to there...
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Having
established himself over the past few years as one of the
prime movers of the videogame music industry, Jack Wall
has built a track record and an international reputation
as an A-List composer and music producer in the interactive
entertainment sector. He also brings an unmatched depth
of experience, credibility and knowledge in the production
of records, working with mainstream artists and major label
artists. |
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His
work spans full-length albums, live concert recordings, videogame
soundtracks, film soundtracks and other projects that demand
an exacting ear and vast library of musical and technical knowledge
and know-how... (continued
on jackwall.net)
Mazedude's
Comments:
I also got the chance to meet Jack at the G.A.N.G.
party, as well as other events around L.A. When Mustin first
mentioned him to me as a potential candidate for the American
Album, I honestly didn't know who he was... so I went and bought
the Myst 3: Exile album. I was blown away. The way this guy
can fully utilize an orchestra, choir, world instruments, electronics
and more... it's just amazing. And he's a very nice guy too.
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The
George Alistair Sanger, aka
The Fat Man |
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The
Fat Man, George Alistair Sanger, has been creating music
and other audio for games since 1983. He is internationally
recognized for having contributed to the atmosphere of over
200 games, including such sound-barrier-breaking greats
as Loom, Wing Commander I and II, The 7th Guest I and II,
NASCAR Racing, Putt-Putt Saves the Zoo, and ATF. He wrote
the first General MIDI soundtrack for a game, the first
direct-to-MIDI live recording of musicians, the first redbook
soundtrack included with the game as a separate disk, the
first music for a game that was considered a "work
of art," and the first soundtrack that was considered
a selling point for the game.
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On
a 380-acre ranch on the Guadalupe River, The Fat Man hosts the
annual Texas Interactive Music Conference and BBQ (Project Bar-B-Q),
the computer/music industry's most prestigious and influential
conference. One of his current projects, GamePlayMusic, is aimed
at redefining the business and creative models of music for
games, to benefit users, developers, and musicians alike...
(continued
on fatman.com)
Mazedude's
Comments:
Now I haven't had a chance to meet the guy,
but I'd sure like to; his music for the 7th Guest is one of
the first ever game soundtracks that really grabbed me. I'd
play the game, then go over to the piano and try to figure out
the notes to the music I was just listening to. That, and he
wrote the music to the game "Shannara," based on the
novels by Terry Brooks, my favorite author. Interesting connection
there.
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A
critically acclaimed composer and musician, Jeremy Soule
heads Artistry Entertainment, a distinguished leader in
music production for the interactive entertainment industry.
According to 2002 figures furnished by www.NPD.com, Artistry
Entertainment is the most distributed provider of original
"film-quality" music for the games industry. This
accomplishment includes over ten major releases and as many
as six top-sellers composed for five of the world's largest
publishers. |
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Jeremy's
award-winning, orchestral soundtracks have elevated the standard
of music in the interactive entertainment industry to a level
previously limited to the motion picture genre. His dynamic
compositions reveal a natural ability to create powerful and
engaging music using both fine instruments as well as an unsurpassed,
proprietary library of synthesizers that successfully emulates
the sound and feel of a 100-piece orchestra. Soule's creativity,
technological expertise and cutting-edge approach to composition
has placed him at the top of the composer A-list in the entertainment
software industry, and his work has been applauded time and
time again by some of the world's most prominent music and entertainment
industry professionals... (continued
on jeremysoule.com)
Mazedude's
Comments:
Heck, even back in the SNES days this guy was
making movie-quality music - just listen to the Secret of Evermore
soundtrack! I highly recommend this guy's music if you're into
the whole symphonic thing; I am from time to time, and it was
an honor delving into just a taste of it for this tribute. Good
work dude.
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Peter
Mc has composed music for games and interactive media
for over 15 years, including nearly a decade as Sound
Development Supervisor at LucasArts Entertainment. His
credits span numerous titles from LucasArts, Sony, EA
and others and include the scores to Psychonauts (Majesco,
2005) and Sly II: Band of Thieves (Sony, 2004) as well
as the award-winning score and CD soundtrack for LucasArts'
Grim Fandango. With its eclectic mix of sounds, prominently
featuring original works for small jazz ensemble, the
music of Grim Fandango has won both critical and popular
acclaim.
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Peter's
command of instrumental styles includes classic film underscoring
ranging from the epic to the whimsical, swing jazz, ambient,
industrial and roots rock. Among his influences are Bernard
Herrmann, Raymond Scott, Carl Stalling, Lalo Schifrin, Frank
Zappa, Enio Morricone and Danny Elfman... (continued
on petermc.com)
Mazedude's
Comments:
I freakin' LOVE this guy's music. Ever since
playing Day of the Tentacle back in my youth, I was hooked.
The way this guy can write so many styles, with such rich chord
and chromatic structures, and still be catchy and fitting to
the game... it really wakes one up to the power and potential
of music. In fact, it was the music to Grim Fandango that I
heard before I ever played the game, and it was directly because
of the coolness of the soundtrack that I went and got it...
and loved it.
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Alexander
Brandon has been working in the game industry for over
ten years, starting with Epic Games in 1994. He has written
music for games such as "Unreal", "Unreal
Tournament", "Deus Ex", and "Gauntlet:
Seven Sorrows". He has written the book "Audio
for Games: Planning, Process and Production", is
the columnist for Game Developer magazine's audio column,
and is on the board of directors of the Game Audio Network
Guild.
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Mazedude's
Comments:
Okay, I gotta admit, the real reason I wanted
to tribute Alexander is because he was one of my favorite trackers,
back in the Scene days. He went by the name "Siren"
then, and was a true inspiration to little Mazedude... back
before I was any good. You can find a few of his older tracks
on Hornet.org
- "Carpe Diem" is by far my favorite. Years later,
it still gives me chills.
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Robyn
is the composer behind the moods of Myst, Riven, and others
in the series.
Originally
the games weren't designed to have any music at all. Legend
has it that the first theme they wrote for Myst was just
for kicks, to see if it would make the game any better.
To everyone's surprise, it instantly took the game environment
to a whole new level... and then suddenly Robyn was forced
to compose an entire soundtrack. And then another one.
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Mazedude's
Comments:
I can't very well tribute the music to Myst
3 without going back in time to Myst 1 and 2, now can I? And
besides - just like many others on this tribute, those are decidedly
landmark games, setting new standards and paving
the way for the future. The music is no exception. It established
the grounds for ambient music in games; how subtle weavings
of melodies and themes into a very quiet world could elevate
the games to a whole new level, without the listener even being
consciously aware that there was music playing. Good
stuff. Tricky to remix, but a challenge I enjoyed.
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Joe
McDermott has been a member of Team Fat (led my George
Sanger the Fat Man) for several years, starting off with
a stunning Zombies Ate My Neighbors debut, and later helping
George with such titles as Putt Putt Saves the Zoo, Shannara,
and more.
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Mazedude's
Comments:
It's funny, the first time I ever played Zombies
Ate My Neighbors was at Mustin's house, in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
I loved it... and the music too. Good job Joe.
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Robert
Prince is best known as the composer to the classic first-person-shooters
by ID Software: Wolfenstein 3D, Doom 1 and 2, Duke Nukem
3D, and more. While simple, and at many times based off
of a simple blues riff, the music always fit the games
to a T, and has been loved by millions.
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Mazedude's
Comments:
Last but not least, eh? Everyone knows I'm a
big fan of this guy's music. Again, the games he scored were
landmark, paving the way for hundreds and hundreds
of clones. I don't know how many hours I spent playing Wolfenstein
and Doom 2, but man, years later those games still stand alone
as the best in the genre. And the music! It's dark, it's catchy,
it's simple; the potential it creates for killer remixage is
unmatched, and so much fun to play with.
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The
Others Yes,
I know there are many great American Composers that I left out. Michael
Land, Michael Giacchino, Clint Bajakian, Bill Brown, Frank Klepacki,
Jake Kaufman and others - please accept my apologies. I only had so
much room on the album. Perhaps I can tribute you in Volume 2, if you
would like.
If
I make a Volume 2.
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