Sharing MP3 cover versions
Posted on: May 20, 2007I had some complementary requests recently asking where some of my old MP3 cover versions went — short answer, the links broke! So if you want them again or missed them the first time around, here they are:
Original by Aphex Twin. I turned the already-cheery source into something bordering on happy hardcore, complete with sine wave whistles, piano counterpoint, high school marching band rolls, and even a halftime breakdown section. Why it's so happy despite the sad name, I don't know. But yes, the bassline is cribbed from an alternate reality version of Underworld's "Jumbo"!
Original by James Holden. Seminal trance (what a loaded word) classic gets a downtempo rubdown from yours truely (not sic). I took the key melodies and worked it into an æmotional lather. If you like pretty chording with vaguely nostalgic underpinnings, you'll dig this. What's even better, the man himself enjoyed it.
» Simple & Clean (Kingdom Hearts theme)
Original by Yoko Shimomura and Utada Hikaru. One of my all-time fave melodies, I rearranged this masterpiece to put the piano front and center, and warmed it with supplemental instrumental lines: ambient pads, music boxes, and even a classical guitar-thing join the fray. Really delicate and beautifully romantic.
» Star Wars (Techno Jedi Master remix)
Original by John Williams. You know the theme. Fun voice samples and over-the-top house piano hammering. LOTS of changes. I had a such good time with it, and this was done almost a decade ago. :D
Yes, that Avril Lavigne song. Must've listened to it 100s of times on my boombox before jumping atop my piano to comp the chords and play along.
Aaaand as a contemporary bonus,
Original by Depeche Mode. One of my wife's favorite songs, and when you can play piano, you quickly realize the value of serenading your lover with sweet sounds. I played shortly after Valentine's Day 2007, and hope it'll help you bring forth more love in this world. 'Cuz as David Helfgott said, "If music be the food of love, play on."
Usual disclaimer that these are for fun and not profit applies. Enjoy!
Related Posts
Be my friend!
Stay up-to-date
Enjoyed this article? Subscribe to me and be auto-updated when new stuff is out!
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:29 AM PDT
I love your rendition of Somebody. I was listening to it a lot so i thought I had better download it to save your bandwidth lol.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:13 AM PDT
Love your edition of Boy Loses Girl, it's all "Sims-2-like", just the way i like vocal/lyrics-less songs ^.^
-Smiles.
May 27th, 2007 at 8:13 AM PDT
@Jo: Awww thanx! You a big Depeche Mode fan?
@Smiley: Thanks a lot! One of my fave pieces of Sims 2 machinima is this one of Avril Lavigne's "Sk8r Boi", it has so much energy:
» http://youtube.com/watch?v=X-IQMNrNV1g
June 8th, 2007 at 2:31 PM PDT
I thought Simple and Clean was simply amazing. Are there sheet music for any of the Games We Played medley pieces?
June 11th, 2007 at 7:04 PM PDT
@Jake: Thankyou! Sadly, no sheet music for those. I've an open request inviting anyone who wants to transcribe it to go ahead and feel free…
October 24th, 2007 at 7:46 PM PDT
hello, this is my first time posting a comment. i just recently stumbled on this site looking for "The Games We Played" music, but a further investigation into this site amazed me. Torley i've fallen in love with your music, especially that Utada song. (OMG love her) and…well thanks for making my night.
October 27th, 2007 at 11:45 AM PDT
@Danny (the Champ): Glad you stumbled here, and thanks even more for letting me know! It's muchly appreciated… enjoy the tunes!
November 29th, 2007 at 1:26 AM PST
I love your techno star wars. i've been listening to it for the past 3 years and was adding artwork to itunes so i went to the website in the metatags. just wanted to say THANK YOU for a great TECHNO VERSION!!! I'd love a newer version of DUEL OF THE FATES…
December 2nd, 2007 at 9:47 AM PST
@dito: Awwww thanks for sharing this with me! I don't have any plans to remix "Duel of the Fates" but I agree it's a wonderful choral epic… so damn catchy.
December 10th, 2007 at 4:40 PM PST
I have been absolutely bemused with the music you have created on here.
I just couldn't stop listening to them, especially Hikari.
Glad I managed to find this website. <33
-Peep
P.S: You have great piano skills. ^^
December 16th, 2007 at 5:48 PM PST
@Peep: Aw! *big smile* By "bemused", I hope you mean in a likably mystical way!
Thanx for your comment!
February 16th, 2008 at 8:28 PM PST
I'd stumbled upon your site from Youtube after following the link to your videos from the Valentine's day "Tip of the Week" article on the SL Blog, and WOW… the tips & hints, the textures, the link to those cool photo tools, and the music… so many things to thank you for! (especially the "Simple & Clean" cover, I love it. Your version is getting added to my MP3 player with Hikaru's two versions I had already) [runs off on a downloading spree]
February 17th, 2008 at 9:40 AM PST
@Smiley: Why thanx for visiting and sharing this with me! I appreciate you letting me know and am happy to provide these resources! Woohoo!
"Simple & Clean" still ranks up there as one of my fave songs.
More video tutorials to come.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:42 PM PST
ahhhh your version of simple and clean is soooo lovely ^^
awesome awesome ^^
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:25 AM PST
Simple and Clean was absolutely stunning! It is by far the best piano rendition I have heard. I had shivers! How do I download it?
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:37 AM PST
Your rendition of "Simple and Clean" was absolutely stunning! I've yet to hear anything like it. I'm inept when it comes to downloading, so could you please tell me how to download it? I can't think of anything I'd appreciate more!
February 24th, 2008 at 7:42 AM PST
@Wolffie: Ah, you just right-click the title and save to disk… or just use this link: http://torley.com/files/mp3/kingdom-hearts-piano.mp3 Happy ya like it, thx for listening!
February 24th, 2008 at 7:47 AM PST
@synnesai: Thank you! *bows*
April 12th, 2008 at 4:39 AM PDT
Well, I just got here. Always loved the video tuts and was intrigued by the musical bgm. Wow, is there no end to your talents? If I may, I'll download some (a lot) melodies from here. Thanks for sharing your talent, I learned so much from the videos, and now I have soul music for relaxation *^_^*
Enjoy your First Life, Torley!!
今後ともよろしくお願いします。
April 13th, 2008 at 11:10 AM PDT
@Dithean: I suppose I keep growing, evolving, learning, sharing. Thanks a lot and I wish I could read Japanese better! Enjoy your lives too!
May 7th, 2008 at 11:48 PM PDT
i heard your version of simple and clean on a vid today…
and was awestruck!!
it's the best version i've heard so far…and probably will ever hear
can't wait for more from you…especially if it's piano vids or sheet music xD
May 11th, 2008 at 8:23 AM PDT
@Unagi: Thanx a lot! I'm still looking for people who can help transcribe, I'm appreciative of help I can get. ^_^
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:24 PM PDT
Think you'll ever do a Metal Gear Solid cover? xD
June 8th, 2008 at 10:04 AM PDT
@Julia: Heck yes, did it!
» http://youtube.com/watch?v=weoSw5Ev1qI
Enjoy. =D
June 28th, 2008 at 1:53 AM PDT
Oh my gosh the first one i ever heard was Simple and clean and i was absolutely amazed!! i loved it so much so i downloaded it…then i got to thinking well if that was so good what about the rest. so i gave a listen and wow… i love them! im not so much into classical music type stuff so normally i would hate piano music but you have such a talent!
June 29th, 2008 at 10:45 AM PDT
@Arielle: Thrilled you like 'em so much! Thanx for taking the time… to listen… and enjoy!
September 28th, 2008 at 7:14 PM PDT
Hey Torley, I came here from searching for Simple & Clean Piano, I LOVE your arrangment! You probably get asked alot, but do you have any sheet music? Also, do you plan to do other Kingdom Hearts songs? Or have you already made some?