Similar bands/music

[GezaBlade]

Hey, first of all, GF is the best game with the best music.

I'm looking for music that is extremely similar to GF's soundtrack. I'm looking for bands, artists, anything that is similarly melancholic, slow kinda loungy and whatnot. (Songs on the soundtrack like: Hi-tone Fandango, High Roller, Domino's in charge, Rubacava, Manny's office, Coaxing Meche) I've downloaded 9GB 's of jazz so far that was supposed to be like GF, but no luck so far..... thanks in advance for trying to help

[King Dando]

Did you go for Jazz as one general genre, or have your tried splitting it down into some of its more well know sub genres, and then going form there?

For example:

Dixieland/Trad Jazz - Dixieland was the first true type of Jazz, starting in New Orleans in 1910's and later spreading to Chicago and NY, influenced primarily by Ragtime and Blues music. Trad, or Traditional Jazz came later in the 40's and 50's and is a recreation of the Dixieland Sound.

Swing - Also known as Big Band became popular around the time of World War II, it sounds fairly similar to say, Casino Calavera. Some well known artists include: Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller (one of my favs) and Artie Shaw.

Bebop - Came in popularity in the mid to late 40's. It's mostly pretty fast, tempo wise, and improvised, it also focuses on structure rather than melody. A good example from the game would be Blue Casket Bop.

Now all that Lounge Jazz I don't know so much about, in fact, I even tried searching for music similar to the tracks you've listed with no luck, granted I think I gave up not long into my search

Hope this helps in some way, if not, I still think its quite an informative post

[GezaBlade]

Hey thanks for the help, helped to close out some genres . But eyah I guess theres just not much melancholic slow lounge jazz out there, or it just doesnt have its own genre..... Anyways, thanks again, and if you or anyone finds similar songs from bands let me know and I will bow down to thee.

[Thrik]

It might be worth point out the last tracks in the Corpse Bride soundtrack are distinctly similar to some of GF's music, which (un?)coincidentally accompany a skeleton band in the film.

[Du Man]

I'm not knowledgable in jazz music, or much music for that matter, but here's some similair jazz noir music I know.

The Blade Runner soundtrack has some jazz hindin in there mixed with it's electronic ambient stuff, rather melancholy/peaceful jazz.

When I downloaded the A Archieve torrent at #gamemp3s (bottom of page), I came accross an album in there made by this guy Norihiko Hibino called "AKASHI" that has some heartmelting, romantic jazz alternating with some more upbeat stuff. My wish someday is to walk through a rain soaked or snow covered city while listening to the peaceful parts of this album.

As for a general source of jazz, I've been trying to look through SoundClick for the same type of jazz you're looking for, but no particular band or artists stands out for me yet.

Are you also interested in some of the Spanish, Mexican music they play on the soundtrack too?

[Thrik]

I am. Compañeros is clearly excellent.

[Iannu]

try this: steely dan east st. louise toodle-oo
it's just like one of the songs on the soundtrack

[Matteo_K]

lannu is right, East st. Louise Toodle-oo sounds just like some songs from soundtrack, but the version of this song i have is played by Duke Ellington so it's definitely earlier than Steely Dean's and I think that lot of other songs by Duke Ellington is simillar to those on GF soundtrack, so mayby try listening to his compositions? I recommend a set of cd's called "Duke Ellington Masterpieces 1926-1949" and especially cd named "Mood Indigo" from this set, you'll find "East st. Louise Toodle-oo" there. Unfortunately I don't know any other artists which play music similar to this from GF. Those lounge tracks are just great but I don't know anything about this genere and ony of artists playing such music.

[King Dando]

Can anyone provide a link to this East St. Louise Toodle-oo?

I have yet to listen to it Thanks

[Matteo_K]

http://www.archive.org/details/EastStLouis
on this page you can listen to this song via player in upper right corner.
have fun

[King Dando]

Originally Posted by Matteo_K

http://www.archive.org/details/EastStLouis
on this page you can listen to this song via player in upper right corner.
have fun

Just listened to it and I love it!

Thank you very much

[Matteo_K]

Great that you like it I recomend listening to other songs by Duke. Few of them are for sure on a soundtrack from Cotton Club movie. By the way whole soundtrack is great, because it is whole jazz/swing form late ninteen-twenties

[Screwball]

I recommend a jazz band called Squirrel Nut Zippers. Especially one of their song, "Hell", fits perfectly in the world of Grim Fandango.

"In the afterlife
You could be headed for the serious strife
Now you make the scene all day
But tomorrow therell be hell to pay".

[VampireNaomi]

I second Screwball's comment. I bought one of their albums based entirely on "Hell" and haven't had a moment of regret. Brilliant music! The song "Put a Lid on It" gives me some GF fibes, too. Same goes for most of "The Ghost of Stephen Foster". When I first heard it, I felt like it could have been straight from GF.

You can find some of their songs at YouTube, but I recommend bying them. The music is too good not to own.

[King Dando]

I seem to remember that there is a Grim Fandango video on Youtube with a Squirrel Nut Zippers song playing in the background, or am I just plain wrong? I'll check thme out anyway

[stewlil]

It's odd. I have the GF soundtrack on my iPod but i dont imagine myself listening to anything of the genre other than that. I mean im into fast metal music. So its like almost the complete opposite.

[Thrik]

GF has a few distinct genres, but the real magic comes from the composer -- most people can enjoy pretty much any genre if the person behind it can craft melodical magic. It's more a case of finding the gems in a particular genre rather than just finding genres GF happens to use.

You'd probably find a lot of the metal artists you listen to could dabble with other genres quite successfully if their core music writing is superb. Lord knows, plenty of them have been playing with orchestra in recent years.

[Shuz]

Anyone know of any particularly good Bebop artists? I love Blue Casket Bop and am basically looking for anything similar

[Rubacava]

Originally Posted by King Dando

I seem to remember that there is a Grim Fandango video on Youtube with a Squirrel Nut Zippers song playing in the background, or am I just plain wrong? I'll check thme out anyway

Yes there is! I made it. XD I've loved Squirrel Nut Zippers since I was a small child, and I'm so happy I could introduce other people to that awesome band.

[King Dando]

Originally Posted by Rubacava

Yes there is! I made it. XD I've loved Squirrel Nut Zippers since I was a small child, and I'm so happy I could introduce other people to that awesome band.

Oh wow! I see they are described as Swing Revival. Are they anything like The Brian Setzer Orchestra? As that's the only band in the genre I actively listen to.

[Matteo_K]

Talking about good jazzy music which fits good into GF world I reccomend Charles Mingus - Track A - Solo Dancer. It is from his "The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady" album (quite long title it is :P). I really don't know much more of his music except for this album but this one is a pice of very good jazz, it is not swing, but it's quite similar at times to those slower jazz tracks from GF soundtrack, so if you happen to see this album somewhere give it a listen, at least the first track And also if you like those lounge tracks from soundtrack try checking out Combustible Edison, they got some nice tracks, just like taken straight out of casino or sth

[urluckyday]

While it may not be an exact match, make sure that you check out Maynard Ferguson (my personal favorite is 'Round Midnight), he makes some great jazz, and some of his stuff can be compared to Peter Mconnell's music that's in GF.

[stewlil]

Originally Posted by Thrik

Lord knows, plenty of them have been playing with orchestra in recent years.

Yeah Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, but still a metal version of grim fandango song would be.. interesting.. Might give it a go with my band!