Mari Boine and Chrono Cross

[Giobbi]

Good evening Mr. Mitsuda.

One thing came to my mind the first time I saw the in introduction/main theme of Squaresoft game Chrono Cross, and it was that the arrangiament was cut pasted from Mari Boine's song Gilvve Gollat (from album "Lehakastin").

At the time Chrono Cross came out in US I was agent for Mari in Europe, and possibly one of the few people that had the possibility to notice this.

As that song in many videogame forums came considered as one of the best.. maybe you could credit Mari Boine Band for this part ;)

A few links:

Intro to Chrono Cross: http://www.gamespot.com/users/thefjk/video_player?id=dSBhwmSs5b8IvjQ

Mari Boine's original song: http://www.arvmusic.org/gilvve30sec.zip

Who is Mari Boine:
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mari_Boine (German)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mari_Boine (English)

If feel you can contact me directly by email or through our site: www.arvmusic.org

Best regards.

[Jormungand]

Given the same key, a similar rhythmic upbeat at the end of the phrase and same chromatic change in the strings, yeah, I'd say this artist of yours was probably a direct influence on Mitsuda (who has confessed many times his love for a range of contemporary ethnic folk music).

But copy and pasted? Nah.

[Giobbi]

Well, it is not about melody or chords...

But about the way the arrangiament is made: the way violin, percussions (exactly same pattern) and fretless bass are put together.

In Chrono Cross I refer obviously to the part of the video starting with big creatures

Also notice that the way this song is made was quite new and particular at the time (mid '90).

Would be interesting hearing an answer by Mitsuda on this matter anyway :)

[gasto]

I don't think Mitsuda's intention was to mimic Mari Boine's song, it is quite different, the instrumens used are somewhat similar and the tempo and rythm... but once she sings the whole thing changes.

Perhaps he exagerated on inspiration by that song, or maybe it is a total coincidence.

Time's Scare is without a doubt one of the best songs ever composed, independently if the song ressembles any other.

[Giobbi]

I don't think Mitsuda's intention was to mimic Mari Boine's song, it is quite different, the instrumens used are somewhat similar and the tempo and rythm... but once she sings the whole thing changes.

Perhaps he exagerated on inspiration by that song, or maybe it is a total coincidence.

Time's Scare is without a doubt one of the best songs ever composed, independently if the song ressembles any other.

I am a composer myself, too many elements.
It cannot be a coincidence ;)

[Tomtom]

Of course, there's no way to know unless we were to ask him directly. It does sound very similar, right down to the fill before each phrase. I know Mitsuda was/is really into Celtic music in general, so I'd say there's a good chance that he knows the piece.