Donkey Kong 64 - Gloomy Galleon (cover)

[@ScootLoops616]

Such an eerie yet beautiful song. I just think of sunken ships and the sailors lives ended in such a tragedy. Gloomy Galleon is a ship graveyard, I love this level. Nice cover.

[@zam50]

So glad to see old donkey kong music content still nowdays. This is so good as usual

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks! I'll never outgrow this OST haha

[@zam50]

@@NicoMendozaMusic same man. Such thick atmosphere

[@TW...]

Same my childhood game

[@Purrfect_Werecat]

dk64 has one of the best soundtracks, i still listen to 90% of it today, sometimes just putting the full ost on and letting it play through. Not a lot of games i do that with anymore.

[@_JDFun19]

It's been YEARS since I played this game, but this was one of my favorite soundtracks. I know its random, but I hear this song in my head sometimes if I wake up in the middle of that to check on my kids. It's just in my head.

[@zackmash851]

you make me want to play DK64 again

[@_JDFun19]

All of the music and the worlds matched so well in DK64. But Gloomy Galleon was absolutely perfect.

[@silverdamascus2023]

_Arrr! I had a dream once..._ _I were in this fine game..._ _A bear stole me glory... looked a bit like you, 'e did!_

[@trevorcollins25]

One of my all-time favorites by Kirkhope!! The Orchestration of the Basses and Cellos depicting the flow of water, while the upper strings play arpeggios to depict splashing waves, and the Piccolo representing the wind!! Then He’s always great at using the percussion instruments, like the Marimba, to depict open spacious cave-like atmospheres!! The man just had a natural gift for creating an atmosphere with music!! And I don’t mean to take away from your arrangement, it’s excellent and adds great personality while staying true to the original!! As a self-taught composer, I just have point out how genius this particular piece is in terms of orchestration!! One of my favorites!! Loved it!!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

It’s a timeless composition too! Makes it easy to cover his music :)

[@AdrianeTempest]

Gamers: water levels can't get any worse! DK64: whats that!? a horror overtone in the water world!?!?!

[@MrBlue-mm2vd]

It's PURFECT.... Everything done to the last minute details

[@GraniteStateVictoria]

This has always been one of my favorite songs from Donkey Kong 64. There's something somber, a little eerie, and slightly scary about it. It's also kind of magical at the same time. This is tied with Creepy Castle for my favorite level in the game. The best part being the lighthouse segment. I love lighthouses, I always have. I'd sometimes just watch the lighthouse spin. The cave theme of Gloomy Galleon kind of sounds like music where you have to tiptoe around quietly. This gets the Victoria Kramkowski stamp of approval.

[@jordan8678]

This scratches such an itch in my childhood; you have no idea. Thank you sincerely for making this.

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks! I really love the Galleon world music :)

[@SprongBobbles]

Your covers are perfect. I can’t wait for the (hopefully) eventual DK Isles cover. ❤❤

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks! And yes, I plan on covering them all eventually!

[@Pro245Mc]

So genuinely respectfully played. I wish the composer could hear these babies. He must be retired by now. Boy, I remember playing this game. The expansion pack,... :)

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks! He actually sees a lot of my videos on twitter!

[@Pro245Mc]

@@NicoMendozaMusic Oh wow, that's amazing. You remastering his beauties must be touching. Do you take requests? I have two games with beautiful tracks. If you were to revive them, wow. Conkers bad fur day N64 and Final Fantasy Gamecube. The music is very emotional and the chord structures are simply exquisite. By the way, your ear is very good. I don't know who guides who, but you play each note correctly like it was written. I can hear everything you do. It's very crystal clear. If it's you, really hats off, most can't do it as good. I'm a maniac about them kind of things. (I have a perfect ear too ;)

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

@@Pro245Mc I don't normally take requests but I'm always open to suggestions, especially if it's trending. Normally, I cover music from games I played recently or as a kid. As for my ear, I didn't know how to read music growing up so I learned songs on the guitar purely by ear using the few chord shapes that people showed me in passing before taking any real formal lessons. I ended up realizing I had perfect pitch when I joined a beginning orchestra when I knew what notes were which without any reference. I have had a LOT of music training since then, most recent being graduating from Berklee, where I learned most of my recording techniques and audio production!

[@linkshield1347]

This is incredible I love that you cover the soundtrack of DK64 literally has some of the best songs and your crazy talented it sounds the exactly same but with more fluid sounds.

[@Purrfect_Werecat]

dk64 definitely one of my top favorite soundtracks, grant knocked it out of the park in that game.

[@SyncytheShredESP]

Are you sure that you’re not the original composer on the game? Because holycrap is this accurate to the bone and just by far phenomenal!!!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Haha thanks! I really strive for the exact sound!

[@StevenHigbee]

This turned out so great, I love the mix on it! Thanks for inviting me to play on this arrangement 😄

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks so much! You killed it!

[@StevenHigbee]

@@NicoMendozaMusic nou

[@ACappellaVGM]

This was such an easy listen, I immediately repeated it when I got to the end. You remained faithful to the style but brought new life to the track. Great work!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks so much!

[@heroknaderi]

This performance is a masterpiece I enjoyed it.

[@triggeredcat120]

My word I got goosebumps from this. The original gives me that too because it sounds cold, isolating and perilous. You guys have a new sub.

[@Sylaphy]

Dang, this cover goes hard! I love the Donkey Kong 64 soundtrack! Very nice!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks so much!

[@VRonMediaMusic]

Gotta love big epic collabs! I’ve never even played the original DK games and somehow this is nostalgic for me, which I think speaks to how much love and care goes into your covers ❤

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks so much! It's definitely a memorable one fs. Glad you like and appreciate it :)

[@Purrfect_Werecat]

this is probably my top pick out of the dk64 tracks, as hard as it is to pick a favorite

[@koyayasen]

ガリオン灯台再現度高！もっと再生されてほしい・・・ 前半が外で後半が洞窟の中か～！ 1:15 ここ好き

[@EndOfTheSeaVGM]

So atmospheric, so nostalgic, so.. gloomy What an absolutely crisp mix and what a glorious cast of musicians - Grant will love this one. Also feel you've done a really great job on the video editing, tying all the difference sources together with the colour grading was a nice touch, almost looks like you're all in the same room! Don't even get me started on the mechanical fish.

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks so much! I really wanted to see if the colors could capture the feel of the level. And yes, when I replay the game on twitch that'll be a hoot when I get to that part

[@EndOfTheSeaVGM]

@@NicoMendozaMusic yeah, I appreciate that not only are you not afraid to tackle the variations in Grant's music, but that you also changed up the feel of the video to match Well now you've done it, you got me started on the mechanical fish - turns out if you go for that banana after you get the sniper scope from Funky, having the scope filter on screen messes with the timer and makes it about twice as fast making that mission genuinely impossible. My childhood file will forever be stuck at 200/201 golden bananas because of that cursed fish

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

@@EndOfTheSeaVGM bookmarking this to prevent hair pulling and controller smashing hahaha

[@jessicafonseca7034]

I am happy that I've found this masterpiece! Congratulations!

[@kotlolish]

Man this sounds amazing! I loved DK64's sound track alot.. but this puts it on a new level!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks!!

[@nickparfait8179]

if they made a remake, they should make this a part of the official soundtrack, this is straight gold

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks! That would be so cool

[@hddbdbsbzb4026]

That bass is angry!😁

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Should’ve had Andy on Angry Aztec too! Haha

[@hddbdbsbzb4026]

@@NicoMendozaMusic Haha good one!🤣 Again this is amazing, I hope your channel grows way bigger. You deserve it :)

[@KBBeats]

liked it as soon as I heard the cello 😁

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Chromatic Apparatus did great!!

[@Soundole]

The production on this is so professional - everything just pops and speaks so cleanly! Amazing work!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks so much!! I'm quite happy with how everything turned out :)

[@KorenRedLotus]

Amazing! You've all perfectly recreated the creepy yet mournful and nostalgic feeling of that sadly way underrated theme. Not to mention the variations of atmosphere depending on the place. Great work!!

[@weifrommusiclah7597]

Been awhile since I am here, the production both visually and musically is crazily high quality. Incredible work you all!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks so much!

[@LensTutorial]

I love yours covers, reminds me my childhood, hello from Mexico

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks!!

[@mr.imcool4951]

My favorite track!! And thanks for including the caves part too! 👏👏👏

[@FrogSkinner101]

The quality is SSOO good!!

[@Titanandenceladus]

My favorite level of DK64. Thank you for doing this. You guys did an outstanding job on this

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks so much! This one came out great!

[@Titanandenceladus]

@@NicoMendozaMusic can you the mermaids theme?

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

@@Titanandenceladus I love that theme! Sometime in the future for sure

[@omega1156]

This is so good! Well done to everyone involved! And thanks for keeping the memory of this wonderful game alive!

[@Bledoston]

This was absolutely amazing! Thank you!

[@reedmixes]

Love this cover! So faithful to the original, and it's really cool seeing all of the instruments played live. The effort and quality here is superb!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks so much! You’ll definitely like my video coming out next week ;)

[@reedmixes]

@@NicoMendozaMusic Awesome! I look forward to it then 👀

[@makesomething4093]

Absolute perfection. Wowza

[@RyanZPianoGuy]

Wow I love how professional this sounds! Greta work!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks!

[@madalynmusic9288]

Thanks for having me on this! Really love how well the strings blended together and how clean everyone sounds on all the parts!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

So glad to have you! You sounded so great :)

[@madalynmusic9288]

@@NicoMendozaMusic always happy to help!

[@RyuMatrix]

Clean arrangement! I sure get that gloomy, perhaps treacherous mood there

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks!

[@MoundN]

Man. I absolutely love you covers. i'm glad i stumbled upon the hideout helm cover.. I really love that you guys play the main theme and one of its many secondary themes, really neat addition!

[@mariposa6413]

Wow. Incredible job. I love it!

[@fernandom.6534]

This is epic

[@abrahansantil6489]

Beautiful.

[@Metalizationer]

Don't recall how i first found this channel but these have all been bangers. Great work! Subscribed 👍

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

It can definitely feel like a deep cut! Thanks though :)

[@nintendoboomer1095]

Another great collaboration! It's interesting to have a viola, violin, cello, and bass all in one screen like that. I kept wanting to hum to the song, but I also wanted to actually listen to each instrument. The flute at the end sounds beautiful. And I swear, I will never get tired of that marimba playing. Not a single note in this melody gets left behind. It makes me appreciate Grant Kirkhope even more, because the detail in his songwriting shines in renditions like this. Nico Mendoza not only keeps the right rhythm, but also the right sound. In other words, it's like an upgrade but still keeps the memorable similarities without altercations. A brass sound in the original isn't suddenly altered into techno here or something. And the marimba sounds aren't simply changed into a piano. Examples like that. Everything you hear from this cover, stays true to its original sound from the game's actual music. Absolutely astonishing. And who can forget another great part of Grant Kirkhope's personal style. Taking literally any song and making 9 or 10 different versions. x) Most people ignore the other versions and stick to what is heard the most in the game. But Nico Mendoza revises several versions, not just one. Everyone did so great on this! What an amazing display of teamwork! :D

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks so much! My low string collaborators are dream team no doubt! I definitely have a love so deep for these tracks that I just have to style it like an HD remake of some sorts! The variations are definitely cool and underrated. Glad you liked it!

[@_JDFun19]

Absolutely love this one!

[@Linkthehero22]

👏Bravo to all of you! It sounded very magical. I love it!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks!

[@Sean081799]

Really nice arrangement and playing from everyone here! I don't think I've seen a chamber group of this instrumentation before.

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

It's a unique one indeed! I'd love to play this live with a large string section someday

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

This cover is now available on streaming services! song.link/s/5qkfvXuvSg79dvqdmsYfc0

[@lizleart]

Man fist the insaneintherain album gets announced AND YOUR ON IT (massive W) then the fist song gets released and it’s instantly one of my favorite songs (you killed it on there, the slap part was especially bumpin) and now this? Bro I feel like I’m dreaming, this is fantastic. Amazing orchestration here! Also I love the marimba part; you can really tell that a percussionist was behind it, super musical!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks so much! I love being able to dabble in so many different styles of music, it really keeps it fresh

[@marcovagt7222]

These DK64 covers are soo great. Thank you a lot :)

[@blakeharvard5841]

Magical. Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie, and Donkey Kong 64 sounds about the same at times.

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Definitely! I've heard people say this theme could easily work as Grunty's theme etc

[@melindawood3644]

Everything sounds wonderful! I really enjoyed the flute on this one! 🎶🎶❤️❤️

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thank you so much!

[@womp6338]

This is so cool. I can imagine a sea shanty going along with this tune as well

[@RebeccaETripp]

That was just spectacular, you guys! It's lovely how you did the cave and underwater variations as well!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks!

[@Nijipoop]

Great cover and arrangement as always! You always put so much effort into making these covers sound as close as possible to the original themes, it's like they're coming alive, all new with acoustic instruments. And a salute to all the collaborators aswell!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks so much! They're so fun to play on live instruments. Grant truly is a great orchestrator for writing with midi.

[@galeghini2432]

Such an underrated channel. I really hope you get the attention you deserve. Greetings from Mexico.

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks!!

[@Duhemsounds]

I like a lot your rendition of that theme Nico

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks! It’s so good!

[@sithlordmikeyp]

Great game, great level, great song, GREAT cover! I'm back in 1999, baby.

[@PhantomV13]

This music's atmosphere was always something. Awesome cover y'all! Just the other day I complimented Carlos Eiene on Forward, and said his partners will provide my N64 Grant Kirkhope fix now that he doesn't do covers. That was quick!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Haha yes, the timing worked out! Glad you liked it!

[@kfan8823]

I love it! Great work!

[@deliciousblueberry94]

WOW!!!!! This is absolutely perfect! loved it

[@joshuaiyer1434]

Love love love! The orchestration is so good with full strings, little pops of color for woodwind solos, and everything in-between! The water dripping sound adds to the ambiance, and I love the cinematic approach to some of the camera angles on the instruments. Lovely job to all!! (Also, I think Steven has the exact same keyboard as me in the background… haha!)

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks Josh!! I definitely had fun o the sound design aspect as well as the angles. Always worth trying to show more ya know?

[@joshuaiyer1434]

@@NicoMendozaMusic Absolutely! It's always great to see more details to add to the whole project!

[@YellowstoneKevin]

Captain Blackeye brought me here. Great cover!

[@pablocepedaserrano469]

The cover i needed

[@MarimbaMatt913]

As good as always Nico! Seriously impressed with how good your “Kirkhope” sound is! Oh, and your playing is pretty darn good too.

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks!! Love his work and bringing it to life is so fun

[@ravenwulf8]

I love this!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks!

[@Geoffroditis]

Amazing cover! You guys should try Angry Aztec - temple theme.

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

I actually did that one! :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5e1aYSwitaShas

[@Geoffroditis]

@@NicoMendozaMusic haha I’ve actually seen that one! Didn’t realize it was you, great work!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

@@Geoffroditis Thanks!

[@HuruSaitama]

It’s also from a forgotten game called Project Dreams

[@jasonvance2245]

Damn!! This is a dope collab!!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks Jason!!

[@Hip-Gnosis1134]

Absolutely love it! Just discovered your channel, and this is definitely sub worthy!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks!!

[@abigailharterth8169]

I really wish your stuff had more attention. You all deserve it.

[@DaBraxMan]

I'm still doing that 365 Days of Music challenge, and since you uploaded another DK64 cover...well, it went straight in that list. xD Figured I'd share the usual blurb! Day 253: "Gloomy Galleon (cover)" Gloomy Galleon has grown on me in recent years. It's the water level of DK64, but the water controls in DK64 aren't bad when you get used to them, and getting to transform into Enguarde is a fun change of pace. It's not my favorite level, but I wouldn't say it's my least favorite. I don't even know that I'd say it's the worst. The nautical theme is lovely -- the level takes place at what appears to be sunset or early morning, and there's a lighthouse and a mermaid palace and a sunken ship and a sailing ship and caves with treasure and cannons to fire and...honestly, the level isn't that gloomy in and of itself. If it was rainier or cloudier, maybe, but really it's not that gloomy...pirate-y, though, for sure. And I do like pirate motifs! The music is definitely on the gloomy side, though. The outdoor sound is grandiose and even foreboding, like a storm is approaching and waves are going wild as you sail on...even though this doesn't really happen. The melody, for the most part, maintains a minor key, with a switch to a major key a little later on to emphasize what I imagine is the relaxing, lighthearted fun of DK64 in general. By contrast, the indoor sound is quiet and slower, with pizzicato strings and low marimba sounds and not too much going on to emphasize the simplicity and mystery of the surprisingly well-lit caverns. I'm thrilled that Mendoza and the gang here covered not only the grandiose outdoor theme but also the mysterious indoor theme. Both are covered very faithfully, polishing the glory of the original piece by implementing several live instruments, all of which are played wonderfully. This list has a lot of DK64, Animal Crossing, and Sonic music, doesn't it? Well...expect more! :D

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks for your analysis. Never realized the exterior doesn’t really paint that “gloomy” picture haha. Glad you liked it, I really had fun recreating all of those musical elements :)

[@LyneaFlynn]

That baaaaass! Great work, everyone! ^-^

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Andy is so good!

[@breel5584]

Incredible

[@mayro4803]

Wow spot on 👏👏👏

[@lonely3752]

This one's the most accurate to the original

[@1Samuel1524]

A bass clarinet is on my list. I love the sound. But... I'll never use it professionally so I don't know if I should make the investment.

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

I know the feeling of investing in a secondary instrument like that, weighing the cost vs amount of use. Borrowing one never hurts-best of luck!

[@Th3ForgottenOne]

Realmente de lujo, felicidades por tremendo trabajo!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Gracias!

[@Starlightuniverse91]

Wow really great! 🎶💖

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks!

[@Beberle675]

I dont care what anyone says gloomy galleon gets way more hate than it deserves

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

we all just have mechanical fish trauma 😭

[@ZergSmasher]

The level isn't very fun, but the music, like most of the music in DK64, is a total bop

[@coolaliengaming2446]

Great job 👍

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks!

[@coolaliengaming2446]

You're welcome!

[@e.b6956]

bravo teacher

[@nostaljoey2519]

GREAT WORK PEEPS!

[@Kevbro180]

@NicoMendozaMusic first off Awesome Music it sounds exactly like Donkey Kong 64 one of my favorite games to play. Just curious will you and your crew do the Boss Music remix

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Thanks! One day in the future possibly

[@Kevbro180]

​@@NicoMendozaMusic sweet! Looking forward to it

[@Vic_714]

GOATS 🐐

[@javiercamachomorales]

Superb!!! Amazing!!! 👏👏👏👍👍👍🙌⭐🌟🙋

[@Cheesygrill]

Do the Jack in the Box boss battle if it's possible for the Toy Factory owo

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

possibly in the future! You'll like my upcoming video this weekend in the meantime :)

[@ErgortanguperPolice]

Have or will you do Golden Eye?

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

Probably not in the near future, I want to prioritize the rest of the Kazooie/Tooie tracks

[@ErgortanguperPolice]

@@NicoMendozaMusic Those would be good too. I’m currently listening to your cover of Grunty’s Lair.

[@The921109]

Increíble ✨🙌🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@dezsmith9275]

Wow this is really good!! I have a request can you do some Splatoon music please?

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

I got to record some Splatoon here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWSqdod9lth3apo

[@dezsmith9275]

Nice its in my favorite now. I really like the final boss music in Splatoon 3.

[@佐藤さん-e5x]

美しい

[@troypetrova4833]

I hate this world and its mini boss