N’sanity beach Ahoy! Being based around a pirate adventure finally paid off in this vacation that comes early for the bear and the bird when they visit this tropical island that serves as the second… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Treasure Trove Cove
Overt fairy tale The most difficult decision Grant Kirkhope had when it came to musicalizing this unambiguously good natured fairy godmother was a matter of choosing between the harp or the celesta (same goes for… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Brentilda’s Theme
The importance of musicality for a banjo and a kazoo A new success, a new fanfare. And not any success but one of the great successes on the game since you are either actually getting… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Musical Notes / Note Door Fanfare
Feeling kind of blue “The blues is a low-down, aching chill; if you ain’t never had ’em, honey, I hope you never will” Following on the steps of the other mascot platformers from Rareware, Grant… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Lose Life / Game Over
Jinjo! Da Dun Din The fair folk of the Banjo-Kazooie series, the pixie-like creatures known as Jinjos (alongside their mean counterparts, the Minjos) cohabit this wonderland with the bear, the bird and the witch. Just… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Collect Jinjo
A portal to new harmonies Another event, another overture commemorating the occasion. But since the opening of a new world is a one time special event seldom heard, the standard success cue is extended and… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – World Door Open
The Sorceress’ Picnic ‘Spiral mountain and the opening might be the main themes but Grunty’s Lair is where the true game begins accustomed to this song you’ll be since it has the most repeats’ Anyway.… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Gruntilda’s Lair
Campy October As the bear and the bird make their way to the entrance of the castle, the tried and true Halloween tropes keep pilling as we are treated to a new cutscene involving the… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Grunty’s Beauty Steal Machine
Life affirming tunes Of course ever since the days of arcades, gamers have had the need to notice when their characters get harm and then when something good, like replenishing health, happens. In many video… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Collect Extra Honeycombs / Extra Life
Deep south bear When it comes to the music of the main gameplay levels of Banjo-Kazooie—or any other mascot platform for that matter—There is less emphasis on the cultural connotations since the mission statement for… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Spiral Mountain
Once upon a time And so the fable begins in a most sinister and mysterious fashion, way more than what the subject matter calls for. A story based on the fairest of them all trope… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Overture
Sublime profundity Who is to say that the weird harmonic language of Grant Kirkhope is only suited to be in the service of wackiness or the playfully sinister style? The man can clearly reach for… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Tooie – Atlantis