Daryl's Library - Final Fantasy CDs

Final Fantasy Vocal Collections:
Pray

All translations by Tomo (unless otherwise specified)
All translations have been edited by the webmistress to correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and paragraphs added to break up blocks of text.


Liner notes from Mr. Uematsu

Praying makes people content. Praying makes people calm. People pray for what they don't have. It could be health, love, or even money.

Writing music is praying for me. I present myself the love, care, and other forgotten feelings which I must give myself. I am balancing my feelings by doing so. Praying is any harmony directed outward. When people harmony backwards, praying turns into cursing. Why should we go backwards? Look forward. Don't be afraid to pray for what you want. Pray for your own self. Everything starts in that moment.


Alternate translation by Kei Eng

Praying makes people happy. Praying makes people peaceful. One prays for a desire to have something. It can be health, love, or even money.

For me, composing is praying. I present myself the love, care, and other forgotten feelings which I must give to myself. I might even be taking the balance of my heart by doing so. Whatever the object is, the desire of postive harmony must be praying. Why should we go backwards from here? Look forward... forward to a bright future. And don't be afraid to "want" something. Everybody must start to pray for themselves. The story can begin only when you do so...


Liner notes from Mr. Kakehi

There are a lot of instruments that generate a variety of beautiful sounds. Also, the same instrument will be played very differently by different players. Yet there is no other instrument that can be so different for each person than voice. When a charming voice is trained with skills and feelings, the outcome is tremendous. Miss Ohki is the archetype of a "great voice" trained by the singer himself or herself. She is not only a singer, but she has variety of talents such as composing, writing, and arranging. When I imagined the outcome of her and Nobuo together, I couldn't hide my excitement. It was a great time, seeing every note being constructed carefully, being woven into others in the studio. The result has exceeded our imagination. It is my greatest pleasure to present this album, and I hope you can "feel" something by listening.


Alternate translation by Kei Eng

There are a variety of instruments, and each one has a different sound. Likewise, two different players will generate two different sounds on the same instrument. Yet, there is no other instrument that can be so different for each person than a voice. When a charming voice is trained with skill and feelings, the outcome is tremendous. It's amazing how such a voice like Risa Ohki's is trained with such sensibility. Her voice is a masterpiece instrument, which was polished by her own efforts. She is not only a wonderful vocalist, but she is also a composer, poet, and an arranger. When I imagined the outcome of her and brilliant composer Nobuo Uematsu, I couldn't hide my excitement. It was fascinating how each and every sound was constructed, woven, and implemented into this recording. The result is far beyond the imagination. And so, it is with my greatest pleasure to present this album, and I hope you will find something in it, too.


Liner notes from Risa Ohki

Before I knew it, I was collecting all sorts of spider-shaped accessories. There were glass, gems, earrings, pendants, brooches... The spiders reincarnated into sparkling golds and silvers.

When I was a small child, there were many spider webs in my house and the yard. I was astonished at the mystical beauty of those webs. When I accidentally witnessed a spider creating its own nest, I even forgot time and continued watching. The delicate strings were woven very carefully, until a large network was made. Who could get bored? It was a magnificent artist's work. I was moved by the concept of creating. I wanted to create something. What could I create? My young heart was anxious.

Soon, I drew pictures, wrote poems, and composed melodies. I made necklaces out of beads while weaving mittens out of wool. Creating is joyful. Creating is interesting. When I became an adult, I created music. I connected each note one by one, just like spiders weaving their nests.


Risa Ohki biography

Born: Osaka, Japan, 2/16
Blood type: O

Graduated Osaka College of Music, created the rock band "Pagent." She joined the band "Mr. Silius" after debuting in 1986. She put her hands on singing, keyboarding, and composing while doing jazz, rock, shanson, flamenco, classic, punk, and musicals. She has a wide range of pitch, dynamics, and emotions.

CM: Menard, Yuri Takano, House American Popcorn

CD: Pagent ("Dream Paycheck," "Sensational Mirage," and "Smile of the Mask")
Mister Silius ("Barren Dream" and "Dage")
Strawberry Dance Band ("New Story of Glen Miller") Image Album ("Nari Akino of the Spiritual Commercial Incorporated")



Translations by Tomo (unless otherwise specified)

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