The first 2 albums just sound so much better in my own opinion. There also seems to be more background noise than in the other albums. Even the repeat tracks seem to suffer.

Like Vamo' alla Flamenco in Return sounds no where near as good as the one in the 1st album even though theoretically they're the same piece.

Or am I just being too judgmental?

That's probably because the first two albums were actually recorded in a studio, where as the third album is a live recording of the actual concerts (the DW concerts performed in Japan, hence the 'Returning Home' subtitle).

To be honest, some of the tracks were a real surprise - the FFXIV ones especially (the orchestral arrangement of Navigator's Glory ~ The Theme of Limsa Lominsa sounds even better than it does in the actual game, and I had to laugh listening to Answers when I heard the audience applaud before the song had actually finished (I presume it was it's premiere performance prior to FFXIV's release and hence the audience was unfamiliar with it.). :p

There was a couple of low points though - FFVII's Fighting in particular is just the Piano Collections version performed live (rather than a full orchestral arrangement which I'd love to hear), and the FFI-III Medley 2010 Version is just the old one from the 2002002 concert album, with simply the Chocobo Theme replaced by a bland rendition of the Prologue/Final Fantasy theme.

But I admit - half the reason for this album is simply for three tracks - FFVI's Dancing Mad, FFVII's J-E-N-O-V-A, and FFV's Battle With Gilgamesh. And the orchestra really does these tracks justice, even if J-E-N-O-V-A is just the Black Mages arrangement performed by an orchestra. Dancing Mad in particular is finally completely orchestrated - including the difficult final tier, something I'm grateful for Arnie Roth for revising (apparently he wasn't satisfied with the earlier arrangements which retained electronic rock instruments for the 4th tier, and he did a fantastic job.). As for Battle With Gilgamesh, finally the greatest battle theme ever has been given the treatment it deserves - definitely the best track on the album.

So yeah, overall I'm very impressed with this release, and hope that the next one will include an orchestrated version of Fighting, which would make me a happy White Mage. :D

That's probably because the first two albums were actually recorded in a studio, where as the third album is a live recording of the actual concerts (the DW concerts performed in Japan, hence the 'Returning Home' subtitle).

To be honest, some of the tracks were a real surprise - the FFXIV ones especially (the orchestral arrangement of Navigator's Glory ~ The Theme of Limsa Lominsa sounds even better than it does in the actual game, and I had to laugh listening to Answers when I heard the audience applaud before the song had actually finished (I presume it was it's premiere performance prior to FFXIV's release and hence the audience was unfamiliar with it.). :p

There was a couple of low points though - FFVII's Fighting in particular is just the Piano Collections version performed live (rather than a full orchestral arrangement which I'd love to hear), and the FFI-III Medley 2010 Version is just the old one from the 2002002 concert album, with simply the Chocobo Theme replaced by a bland rendition of the Prologue/Final Fantasy theme.

But I admit - half the reason for this album is simply for three tracks - FFVI's Dancing Mad, FFVII's J-E-N-O-V-A, and FFV's Battle With Gilgamesh. And the orchestra really does these tracks justice, even if J-E-N-O-V-A is just the Black Mages arrangement performed by an orchestra. Dancing Mad in particular is finally completely orchestrated - including the difficult final tier, something I'm grateful for Arnie Roth for revising (apparently he wasn't satisfied with the earlier arrangements which retained electronic rock instruments for the 4th tier, and he did a fantastic job.). As for Battle With Gilgamesh, finally the greatest battle theme ever has been given the treatment it deserves - definitely the best track on the album.

So yeah, overall I'm very impressed with this release, and hope that the next one will include an orchestrated version of Fighting, which would make me a happy White Mage. :D
What about Giglamesh's theme for Final Fantasy XII? I honestly think that one's better.

Why? It's just the same track rendered with synthetic instruments by Hitoshi Sakimoto - it's a good rendition, but pales next to the actual orchestral version. But I'm on my soapbox again. :p

Why? It's just the same track rendered with synthetic instruments by Hitoshi Sakimoto - it's a good rendition, but pales next to the actual orchestral version. But I'm on my soapbox again. :p
If FF12 really is all synthetic, then I'd like to what programs they used. By personal opinion I think its the best OST in the series.
And I guess I'm all for synthetics and studio recordings than the Live stuff.
But back to the point of DW I&II > III

I'd like FF8's Force your Way, The Landing, The Stage is Set, and Moving to see their orchestral day.

I was also disappointed with FF7's Fighting.

I agree with those FFVIII tracks needing the orchestral treatment, although I'd also add The Legendary Beast (Ultimecia's initial battle theme) to that list. :)

I do prefer the original track list. But new songs is always a good thing. They gave you more so i don't really feel disappointed.

The only thing is the Dancing Mad performance didn't have the rock style in it. But this was interesting to hear a different version. So i wasn't really disappointed.

As far as adding new songs. Well you could do an ff8 medley with the organ playing Ultimicas Castle, Force Your Way and The Extreme.