For as long as I can remember, the open water has been my quiet place. The solidarity of listening to the waves crash against the shore as the sun slowly dips beneath the horizon has forged lasting memories that are equally somber and renewing. Whenever I have needed to decompress from the stress of everyday life, the escape of the open water has always been nearby.
A similar peaceful respite can be found in The Legend of Zelda series. First introduced in A Link to the Past, the Great Fairy Fountain offers a similar aesthetic to a secluded ocean getaway. As soothing waterfalls trickle down the walls in the background, the fountains provide Link with an isolated reprieve from the challenges of saving Hyrule.
But even more relaxing than the setting of the Great Fairy Fountain is the musical accompaniment. When I first heard the “Great Fairy Theme” in Ocarina of Time, my mind was instantly whisked away to ocean shores. Like a gentle melody at dusk, the light and whimsical tones are a perfect compliment to the location’s tranquility. Earlier in the year, a special guitarist perfectly orchestrated a unique rendition of this special theme.
Better known as Chaos Canine, Steven Shapiro blends acoustic melody with environmental scenery. Recording musical composition in an outdoor setting is not a new concept; however, Steven’s approach is quite unusual. With the sunset draping over the horizon of the ocean, Steven captured his acoustic interpretation of the “Great Fairy Theme” through the inside of his guitar.
Steven’s imagination coupled with the nostalgic harmony perfectly blend two of my favorite things in life: the ocean and the Zelda franchise. The manner in which the sunset dances off the bottom three strings is simply divine, and the seagulls gracing the twilight in the background is a perfect complement to the subtle variety that Steven adds to the melody’s conclusion.
Steven’s creative approach blissfully enhances the beautiful rendition of this relaxing Zelda tune. The Chaos Canine channel has many more variations of video game and movie soundtracks so be sure to check out Steven’s other work on YouTube and follow his Instagram account.
