The other day I just had the most peculiar musical experience. It started out with a brief reminiscence of my favorite computer game as a kid, the Monkey Island games I and II, and how that pirate themed point-and-click adventure from the 90's was not only superb entertainment for its jokes, puzzles, and general game play, but also for its catchy musical theme. Of course, we're talking about a game of a few megabytes in total, running on a 386 or 486 PC, still for its time the MIDI melody sounded perfectly fine to me. In fact, I remember liking it quite a lot!
Curious as to whether I could locate that tune, I typed it into YouTube, and found the most amazing surprise: Apparently I was not the only one fond of this weird little pirate song. The band Disco Cactus seemed to like it at least as much, enough to record their own interpretation of it:
And what an amazing version they managed to put together! Not only is it well performed on numerous instruments, from electric strings to brass winds, as well as xylophone, violin, flute, and more, but the musicians even dressed up as pirates ... sort of. I couldn't help laughing various times throughout the short clip, and got excited about finding more. And there was a lot more to come, for sure:
Music from the Scumm Bar
The next clip on the list was this rendition of the Scum Bar Theme from one of the main locations early in the first game. The recording artist are Banjo Guy Ollie and MariachiMES, and though the group is smaller than Disco Cactus, it's fun seeing the banjo, ukulele, and picolo play this lively song from the first Monkey Island game.
Jojo the Monkey on the Accordion Instead of the Piano
Another cool song I remember from the second Monkey Island game, is Jojo the Monkey. In the game you are supposed to hypnotize him with a banana, and later use him as a monkey wrench (don't ask!) but at your first encounter he is employed at a bar as a pianist. Quite appropriately, the music he plays is a bit staccato, just as one would expect from an actual monkey, trained to hit a certain sequence of piano keys.
This is the song, in its authentic style, reproduced by Finnish musician Janne Lassia on the accordion, recorded at her Bachelors degree concert. I couldn't believe my ears how true it sounded to what I remembered. After the Jojo solo, the whole orchestra chimes into another fantastic interpretation of the main theme.
By the way, for those who got curious about Jojo, here's another piano cover, showing the corresponding clip from the game's playthrough:
Multi Talented Monkey Island Fans
Far from Jojo's staccato sequence is another fabulous video of the Monkey Island main theme, presented by Julia Henderson. Starting out on the piano, she soon adds herself on the flute, guitar, various percussion instruments, as well as some stunning vocalization. Listening to her is a true delight:
Another master of many instruments who's fond of Monkey Island music is Kristofer Yffén, who plays the Woodtick Theme on accordion, flutes, harmonica and clarinet. He even created a cool montage video, where he hangs out with his other two selves in his own music room, with multiple instruments on the walls. My favorite part is the very piratesque vocalizing at the end.
Endless Covers
Eventually I had to realize that there were more Monkey Island covers out there than I expected... or than I could possibly post all. They range from metal to orchestral to a fun busking trio. Oh, and let me not forget about this incredible organist Helena Holmlund, playing several Monkey Island songs on a pipe organ, probably in a church. And I haven't even started searching for any specific songs! My all time favorite, however, must have been this cover by Niversus, just whistling and accompanying herself on the guitar. Check it out, it sure is worth it:
To give proper credits, the Monkey Island theme was composed by Michael Land, Barney Jones, Andy Newell, and Patrick Mundy.
Take a Look at the Previous Posts in my Monday Music Series:
The Sound of the Hungarian Zither
Obligatory Line-Dance at Mexican Parties - El Payaso del Rodeo
Floating Into the Night by Julee Cruise
Classic Canadiana - Stan Rogers
Party Like There's No Tomorrow, Cry Like Everything Is Lost - Hungarian Gypsy Music
The Harder Sound of the Middle Ages - Corvus Corax
The First Hip-Hop I Actually Liked - Things Fall Apart by The Roots
No Prophets in Their Own Land - Rodrigo y Gabriela
Beyond the Boundries of Styles and Genres - King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Accordion-Rock You May Not Know (But Really Should) - Los Tabascos
Songs of the Mexican Revolution - La Adelita
Memorable Weirdness - What Do You Want A Japanese To Do Again?
Gloomy Sunday - The Hungarian Suicide Song
Party Tunes from the Wild East - The "Russendisko" Experience
Folk Songs from Your Home Village - Hungarian Regional Sound Archives
Polynesian Salt Water Music
Images Conjured up by Tom Waits' Music
In Country: Folks Songs of Americans in the Vietnam War
Somebody Tell Me - Translating a Hungarian Song Into [EN] and [SP]
Somebody Tell Me - first trial & live performance [HU] [SP] [EN]
Horst Wessel in Mexico
Playing for Change: Old Favorites Played Around the World
Soothing Tunes and Gentle Rhythms of Mali Music
What Is It About Music? [Ecotrain's Question of the Week]
Halász Judit: Memories from my Childhood
Discovering Rocksteady
The New Generation of Banda
Horrible Music From Hungary: Dáridó or Wedding Rock
[ENG - ESP] 3 Songs From My Youth / 3 Canciones De Mi Adolescencia
Dick Dale: Surfer Tunes from the 60's
Tiny Desk Concert with the Kronos Quartet
Ghymes, Palmetta, Deep Forest: The Love-Hate of Hungarian Crossover
Crossover Styles: Cooking With Many Ingredients
Shady Grove: My First Impression Leading up to Discovering The Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead: Endless Jams and Weird Imagery
Ratatat: Electronic Hip-Hop Beats for Studying and More
Flogging Molly: Irish Music With That Extra Bite
Manu Chao: International Sound of the Revolution
Dead Can Dance: Music for Dreaming of Times Past
Putumayo: Embarking on a Musical World Trip