As for Kimi o Nosete, I just edited the mp3 to fade in after the instrumental opening finishes

I can’t decide whether I like “Kimi o Nosete” better when played by an orchestra or sung by Azumi Inoue.

Sorry if I misinterpreted your review; I was just very happy to see a review which compliments this rescore. I meant to say that it was very nice to see it well written. Yeah there are a few mechanical moments from the Seattle Music orchestra and some of the extra cues were a bit unnecessary, but overall I definitely really like the new score, and I’m glad you do too. And yeah, sometimes the original DID sound a little too synthy.

(Incidentally, I also wrote a review for this rescore on SoundtrackCentral.com. I have the original OST covered there too. Here’s my links:

http://www.soundtrackcentral.com/cds/laputa_ost.htm

http://www.soundtrackcentral.com/cds/laputa_usavst.htm

I think you’ve misinterpreted my review! I do in fact enjoy the rescore as a product in its own right, and think it very much improves the film in some ways – particularly when the original score was too gratingly synthy. At the same time, I wonder if some of the charm of the original film is lost with this modern update (it doesn’t help that the Seattle Orchestra sounds a little mechanical at times throughout).

The only part which I outright dislike is that *addition* of music where silence carried scenes before (such as the aforementioned air-flying). I think it really disrupts what was a very noticeable quirk to the original. That, and various little things like the Pazu’s fanfare addition.

I also notice you have a post in your blog about the dislike of dubs. I admit, I personally dislike watching dubs – however, I *completely* understand their need. I would be very upset if dubs didn’t exist and so many people were cut off from being able to enjoy the Ghibli films.

As for the ending song, don’t worry, it IS included on the Disney dub; the only thing that is different about it is that it has some extra instruments cleverly mixed into it. I don’t understand why it wasn’t included on the soundtrack album either, as I really liked the music enhancements to this version.

My only two quibbles with the rescore were the accompanying lyre in “Pazu’s Fanfare” and an extra cue for the scene where Pazu and Sheeta pass through the stormcloud (where the former utters “Father?”–I know, an extra line, but it really doesn’t harm the film for me that much), which isn’t terrible, but just not particularly necessary. Other than that, however, the rescore is superb.

I feel that both Disney’s dub and this rescore are both grossly underrated, even though I know you prefer the original, but it still pleases me to see you give this rescore a second look. A lot of so-called “reviews” have blasted this rescore (although there were several exceptions), and I really don’t understand why; it works well for the movie and as a terrific listening experience. Glad to see your review is an exception to that.