Last night, I was on the Sharing with Shellshock podcast and we talked about the topic of video game music. This was the perfect topic! We talked about many different topics like our favorite game soundtracks, the composers that made them, and a lot more! We even played a little bit of music trivia!
I would recommend checking out the podcast when you get a chance! I’ll put a YouTube link on here once it’s published too!
When they were asking my top songs, I had to think hard. There are so many good ones but I had to pick something that exemplified all the video game music I enjoyed. I then realized there was a perfect song, and it might or might not be where you expect!
It might not be surprising that one of my favorite songs comes from the Banjo-Kazooie series, but perhaps it’s surprising that it’s from Nuts & Bolts?
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, it was an Xbox 360 game in which Banjo and Kazooie make cars and complete challenges to ultimately defeat Grunty (who came back as a head in a jar) for claim on Spiral Mountain. The game is split into about five levels and each level has a bunch of stages.
Banjoland is the third world in Nuts & Bolts. The premise of the world is that LoG (the Lord of Games, the “god” character of the game that apparently makes all games) created a “Banjo Museum” in which parts of Banjo-Kazooie and Tooie are mashed together and some of the landmarks from the games become their own exhibits in the museum. You see Clanker from Clanker’s Cavern, the snowman from Freezeezy Peak, and so many other things.
That brings us back to the soundtrack. The song “Discovering Banjoland” is the main world theme. When the song starts, you hear a clarinet start up with the melody of Click Clock Wood. Oh, did I mention that this soundtrack is FULLY ORCHESTRATED??? Yes, Nuts & Bolts’s soundtrack was recorded by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, which was one of my favorite things when I discovered that a game in my favorite franchise was being fully orchestrated to be put in a video game. There’s nothing wrong with digital music, but keep in mind that I was (and still am) a major music nerd.
So we get through Click Clock Wood as the clarinet has a jaunty walk with the pizzicato strings. Similar to the summer version of the theme in the original? THEN the trumpet comes in and does a counter melody THEN THE ORCHESTRA SWELLS and we’re into Freezeezy Peak. The flutes and french horns go to town in the melody as the sleigh bells keep the beat. The orchestra comes in to finish off Freezeezy Peak (which if you haven’t read my Music Monday on Freezeezy Peak be sure to check it out!)
The music falls and an all too familiar organ starts playing. Mad Monster Mansion is on the horizon. The signature syncopation of Grant Kirkhope comes to life while the theremin gives off that creepy vibe that Rare seems to do so well. Throw in a glockenspiel for the ting noises and before you know it we are now off to Gobi’s Valley! They throw the Oboe in as the melody to give that “snake charmer” vibe and transition SEAMLESSLY into Cloud Cuckooland. The ride isn’t even close to being over yet! I don’t typically think of the music for that level but its inclusion was really well done!
We do another transition and where are we now? OH that’s Mayahem Temple! The xylophones are doing the melody as the brass do their oom-pahs and clarinets take over the melody moving.
WHOA FLUTES WHAT ARE YOU DOING? We’re in Rusty Bucket Bay now! They even have the horns and whistles from the game!
There are some stings and we’re back at Click Clock Wood.
The nostalgic ride that this track takes me on every time I hear it is impeccable. Grant Kirkhope’s amazing arrangements (and I think Robin Beanland assisted on this OST too) show off once again and I’m so excited every time I hear it!
Grant even did his own redone version of the song! Check it out!
