Shenmue Christmas Promo Single, as it is aptly called is a 2 track promotion CD that was released back in 1997. Despite being only a 2 track single, the quality is exceptional. Both songs are fully orchestrated.
Shenmue Main Theme, the first of the two tracks, is a lovely blend of Japanese wind instruments played over a stomping string orchestra and magnificent Japanese War Drums. The piece drips of epic battles and journeys, but with a tint of sadness throughout, and the downbeat piano ending emphasises that. For some reason this song reminds me of Final Fantasy X's People of The North, probably due to the same type of instruments being used.
The b-side as it were, is Shenfa's Theme, which is where the Christmas appeal comes across a lot heavier than the Main Theme. Tubular Bells, Piano's and Sleigh Bells open the theme in distinctively festive fashion, before taking on Asian undertones again, with Asian drumbeats and instrumentation. The combination of the two seemingly opposite ends of the scale in music works incredibly well, and uplifts you for a nice ending.
Although this single is now out of print, it is definitely a worthy purchase from any second hand music sites and an essential download but you must remember the songs are available on the OST so if you already have that, there's no reason at all to grab this.
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