Grim Fandango Original Soundtrack by Peter McConnel


Like the game that inspired it, the music from Grim Fandango is a seamless blend of many different styles. And while the soundtrack mostly stayed within the realm of traditional jazz (from swing to be bop), the many influences of the game also found their way into the music, from mariachi (the game was based on Mexican folklore) to surf (for a scene inspired by the '50s hot-rod designs of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth).

Composer Peter McConnell describes the challenge of tying such a wide variety of influences together. "The big challenge with scoring Grim came from the diversity of the game. With settings ranging from a glitzy, Vegas-like gambling city to a temple in the clouds, down to an underwater slave colony, it wasn't easy to come up with a style of music which could bring the whole game together sonically." He finally let the various styles become apart of the larger whole. "I decided on an approach that used a kind of backbone of orchestral music in the tradition of classic film composers like Max Steiner, with sections of smaller ensemble music in different styles, embedded like ribs in the backbone, if you will."

Grim Fandango found most of its inspiration in film noir, and it is fitting that its music did the same. The music evokes not only the scores of famous noirs, but the era as well. McConnell explains his influences: "The single biggest influence had to be Duke Ellington. I studied his music both in recordings and on paper. Max Steiner, too - I got scores to study from Treasure of Sierra Madre, and the Big Sleep, among others. I must have watched those movies, plus The Maltese Falcon (scored by Adolph Deutsch) a hundred times."

Like all soundtracks, though, the most important thing is how well it enhances the game itself. Just listening to the soundtrack alone is not only an enjoyable experience, it is made more so because it reminds you of moments in the game and help evoke the game's strange world where seemingly disparate elements create a unique and enjoyable whole.

Source: Gamespot

Track List:

1. Casino Calavera (1:06)
2. Swanky Maximino (2:15)
3. Smooth Hector (2:00)
4. Mr. Frustration Man (2:19)
5. Hector Steps Out (0:55)
6. Hi - Tone Fandango (1:22)
7. She Sailed Away (0:23)
8. High Roller (1:43)
9. Domino's in Charge (1:02)
10. Trouble with Carla (1:07)
11. Blue Casket Bop (1:10)
12. Manny's Office (1:14)
13. Rubacava (1:07)
14. Blue Hector (1:59)
15. This Elevator is Slow (1:02)
16. Domino (1:07)
17. Don Copal (1:00)
18. Neon Ledge (1:07)
19. Nuevo Marrow (1:27)
20. Gambling Glottis (2:11)
21. Raoul Appears (0:18)
22. Scrimshaw (0:53)
23. Talking Limbo (0:54)
24. Coaxing Meche (1:09)
25. Lost Souls' Alliance (2:13)
26. Los Angelitos (0:59)
27. The Enlightened Florist (1:24)
28. Temple Gate (1:43)
29. Ninth Heaven (1:17)
30. Companeros (1:08)
31. Manny & Meche (2:16)
32. Bone Wagon (1:28)
33. For I am the Grim Reaper (0:51)

Bonus: Compatibility Patch for those who want to play GF with Windows xp.

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