West Coast Seattle Boy: The Jimi Hendrix Anthology

I regard this box set is not for beginners, lots of previously unreleased tracks included, but I basically prefer OFFICIAL takes released on the albums.

Disc 1 is a compilation of session works before Jimi went to solo, not so attractive tracks (but beautifully remastered, superior sound guaranteed).
So for me, this is like "The Anthology" series of The Beatles, I mean it's just like I can't recommend it for beginners of the Beatles fan.

Disc 1 is OPENDISC format, you'll be able to access member restricted pages,

THE OUTSKIRTS OF INFINITY – OFFICIAL JIMI HENDRIX BONUS AREA

to place it to PC/Mac and register your account.
You can find several video, Video Player - Vault, mainly interview of Eddie Kramer, Janie & Bob Hendrix.
and Ask The Axis to send a question about Jimi via mail and then answered on the web.

TRACK LISTINGS:

DISC 1:
1. Testify (The Isley Brothers)
2. Mercy, Mercy (Don Covay)
3. Can't Stay Away (Don Covay)
4. My Diary (Rosa Lee Brooks)
5. Utee (Rosa Lee Brooks)
6 I Don't Know What You Got But It's Got Me (Little Richard)
7. Dancing All Around The World (Little Richard)
8. I'm So Glad (Frank Howard & The Commanders)
9. Move Over And Let Me Dance (The Isley Brothers)
10. Have You Ever Been Disappointed (The Isley Brothers)
11. Help Me (Get The Feeling) Part One (Ray Sharpe)
12. (My Girl) She s A Fox (The Icemen)
13. That Little Old Groove Maker (Jimmy Norman)
14. Sweet Thang (Billy Lamont)
15. Instant Groove (King Curtis)

DISC 2:
1. Fire (previously unreleased alternate recording)
2. Are You Experienced? (previously unreleased recording)
3. May This Be Love (previously unreleased alternate recording)
4. Can You See Me (previously unreleased alternate recording)
5. The Wind Cries Mary
6. Love Or Confusion (previously unreleased alternate recording)
7. Little One (previously unreleased recording)
8. Mr. Bad Luck (previously unreleased alternate recording)
9. Cat Talking To Me (previously unreleased alternate recording)
10. Castles Made Of Sand (previously unreleased recording)
11. Tears Of Rage (previously unreleased recording)
12. Hear My Train A Comin (previously unreleased recording)
13. 1983 (A Merman I Shall Turn To Be) (previously unreleased recording)
14. Long Hot Summer Night (previously unreleased recording)
15. My Friend (previously unreleased recording)
16. Angel (previously unreleased recording)
17. Calling All The Devil s Children (previously unreleased alternate recording)
18. New Rising Sun (previously unreleased alternate recording)

DISC 3:
1. Hear My Freedom (previously unreleased recording)
2. Room Full Of Mirrors (previously unreleased recording)
3. Shame, Shame, Shame (previously unreleased recording)
4. Messenger (previously unreleased recording)
5. Hound Dog Blues (previously unreleased recording)
6. Untitled Basic Track (previously unreleased recording)
7. Star Spangled Banner [LIVE] (previously unreleased original mix)
8. Purple Haze [LIVE] (previously unreleased original mix)
9. Young/Hendrix (previously unreleased alternate recording)
10. Mastermind (previously unreleased recording)
11. Message To Love (previously unreleased alternate recording)
12. Fire [LIVE] (previously unreleased recording)
13. Foxey Lady [LIVE] (previously unreleased recording)

DISC 4:
1. Stone Free [LIVE] (previously unreleased recording)
2. Burning Desire (previously unreleased recording)
3. Lonely Avenue (previously unreleased recording)
4. Everlasting First (previously unreleased alternate recording)
5. Freedom (previously unreleased recording)
6. Peter Gunn/Catastrophe (previously unreleased alternate recording)
7. In From The Storm (previously unreleased alternate recording)
8. All God s Children (previously unreleased recording)
9. Red House [LIVE] (previously unreleased recording)
10. Play That Riff (previously unreleased recording)
11. Bolero (previously unreleased recording)
12. Hey Baby (New Rising Sun) (previously unreleased alternate recording)
13. Suddenly November Morning (previously unreleased recording)

DVD is titled Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child, directed by Bob Smeaton, narrated by Bootsy Collins of Jimi's own words, filled with footage of his greatest performance and referring lots of Jimi's letter to his father, memos and more rare materials to describe Jimi's history along them, very interesting.

George Harrison ALL THINGS MUST PASS 40th Anniversary Edition 96/24 HiRes Download

I just can't wait HDTracks will release flac version, I purchased the album from Official site (= Topspin).

Paid by Paypal (same method as BOTR purchase), waiting about 1.5 hours to complete 3.9GB zip file download. I noticed XLD can convert wav to aiff directly, so I did it and import to iTunes.

Zip file contain both mp3 (320kbps) and wav (4608kbps) files as HiRes, but surprisingly, no digital booklet included :(

BTW, I wonder who conducted this release and who's in charge, Olivia?
The background of this release is something obscured... Very different situation compare to BOTR at this point.
Considering George had released 30th anniversary edition in 2001 to make it clearer sound + some previously unreleased tracks, I thought his main aim was to eliminate "The Wall Of Sound" that Phil Specter made for ATMP at that time, so I'm not very sure the reason why to release the original sound version again in vinyl & HiRes.
At least, I believe George himself would never dream of the back of "The Wall Of Sound" again for ATMP in the future.

P.S. surprised limited vinyl edition seems sold out and no CD release, this indicates audiophile goes analog or PC audio, no CDP will be required soon and no real CD shops will be able to survive in the very near future.

Jimi Hendrix Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year (Single)

I decided to play this songs for this Xmas!
This CD contents the followings;

Little Drummer Boy/Silent Night/Auld Lang Syne (4:28) Recorded direct to 2track @ Band of Gypsy Rehearsal Session, Baggy's Studios, NY on December 19, 1969 Three Little Bear (4:13) Recorded @ Record Plant, NY on May 2, 1968, during sessions for Electric Ladyland Little Drummer Boy/Silent Night/Auld Lang Syne (Extended Version) (7:25)

Jimi: Guitar, Billy Cox: Bass, Buddy Miles: Drums, Backing vocals
Mastered by Eddie Kramer & George Marino
Sterling Sound, New York

Rumer SEASONS OF MY SOUL

Excellent album and I understood why this one is so popular in UK.
Nearly perfectly matched the tone of voice, songs and arrange, superb harmony you can feel when you play this album.
Pretty nostalgic sound with the recommendation of Burt Bacharach.
I feel she represents not only "oldies but goodies", but also does "evergreen" at the same time.
Rumer said 'If Burt Bacharach says you're good, it's time to start believing in yourself', what a wonderful and encouraged advice she's given!
I recommend this album to everyone who like The Carpenters, as lots of critics stated, I agree Rumer reminds me Karen Carpenter very much.
All songs are in smooth, silky and some jazzy atmosphere with her distinctive voice and pretty good for listening in winter @ home, would be a nice Christmas present.















Here's bonus tracks downloads for you!
You can also download "Long long day (cover of Paul Simon's song)" from her official site.

1. Vertigo
2. It might be you (Theme from the film: TOOTSIE)
3. Come Saturday Morning

Audio Equipments I currently use

I use Primare's Amplifier (I30), CD player (CD31) and JBL 4428 Speakers w/ Stand for core audio system.

I purchased them in 2005 and almost done nothing for sound tuning.
Just to place insulators (pure magnesium made) under all equipments.

In addition, for PC audio playback, I use Apogee Mini-DAC w/Firewire IF,  iFi-Audio nano iDSD, iPhone and MacBook Pro.

I connect Amp - Mini-DAC( van den Hul The INTEGRATION HYBRID) with XLR.
Speaker cable is SP-1 by Mitsubishi Cable Inc.
Power cords are by Nordost (Vishnu, Shiva) and Zu Audio.
Oh, I've got more from PS Audio, Ultimate outlet & Juice Bar! and DC adapters from AY Denshi.

George Harrison ALL THINGS MUST PASS 40th Anniversary Edition

Out November 26th, 2010.

This is certainly much bigger news for me than Beatles on iTunes.
Not only remastered complete restore of vinyl edition box set as 1970 release, but also Hi-Res (96/24) download is available from Topspin (yep, the same as BOTR!).
At this moment, you can download "Wah Wah" as a sample, file size as 186MB in wav format if you just entry your email address and submit @ official site to get the link.

I guess it's probably supplied not only from Topspin, but also from HDtracks as well (same as BOTR), I'll wait and see what's going on since I'd like to have files in flac, but Topspin will only supply them in wav format. I hope HDtracks will release them in flac format.
Will keep update.

All Things Must Pass 40th Anniversary edition in audiophile quality digital format, 96Khz/24 bit. Audio mastered at Abbey Road Studios from the original analogue master tapes. 23 tracks; all files are 100% DRM-free.

view tracklist

Tracklist

1. "I'd Have You Anytime"
2. "My Sweet Lord"
3. "Wah-Wah"
4. "Isn't It a Pity (Version 1)"
5. "What Is Life"
6. "If Not For You"
7. "Behind That Locked Door"
8. "Let It Down"
9. "Run of the Mill"
10. "Beware of Darkness"
11. "Apple Scruffs"
12. "Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)"
13. "Awaiting On You All"
14. "All Things Must Pass"
15. "I Dig Love"
16. "Art of Dying"
17. "Isn't It a Pity (Version 2)”
18. "Hear Me Lord"

(‘Apple Jam’)
19. "Out of the Blue"
20. "It's Johnny's Birthday"
21. "Plug Me In"
22. "I Remember Jeep"
23. "Thanks for the Pepperoni"

Regarding this information, please note this is slightly different contents compare to 30th anniversary edition.
That means no additional tracks (include different mix) as follows included with 40th anniversary edition.
I live for you
Beware of darkness
Let it down
What is life
My sweet lord (2000)

So I recommend you should keep 30th anniversary edition!
Continue to this post.

The Beatles. Now on iTunes.

I felt it's probably the greatest achievement Steve Jobs done, but it's just a self-contentment of him for a long time dispute between Apple & Apple Corps. 

Rather bored with it, one of the most rubbish news ever announced from Apple I've ever heard.

Anyway, streaming video of Live at the Washington Coliseum, 1964 is interesting and recommend to watch (at this moment, too much access cause green-out or digital block noise..).

BTW, I wonder who buy the beatles music @ iTunes music store?
SUPER DIE HEARD BEATLE MANIA? Anyway not ME of course!

But wait, for someone who just want few songs (maybe just one, possible!) maybe exist somewhere in the world, it's a big, incredible news!

P.S. I'm sure Apple will on sale iPod with the entire Beatles songs contain as it was happened with U2 in the past.

Ryuichi Sakamoto PLAYING THE PIANO NORTH AMERICA TOUR 2010 VANCOUVER

This instant live album is exclusive for Japan market (regarding contract with DECCA) and is available via iTunes Music Store only.
This show is the 2nd one and other 3 shows (Seattle, San Francisco & Los Angels) were all streamed on live via USTREAM on the net. I heard last 3 shows connecting Mac to my audio via Apogee Mini-DAC.
Sound quality was so good and encountered almost no interruption while streaming.
I was very moved not only this was made possible by 2 volunteers (thanks Furukawa-sa and Hirano-san) with incredibly small equipments they used to accomplish this event successful, but also the play itself since I never heard RS played so emotional and aggressive solos, especially last 3 songs (behind the mask, tibetan dance and thousand knives).
It's a pity non Japan residents can't buy this instant live.

concert review
official site
tour report by hirano-san (japanese only)

DIANE BIRCH bible belt

I purchased this album more than a year ago, not have a chance to introduce here but also Diane happened to start following my twitter account, I suppose I'd like to write something about this one for her to represent her my thankfulness.
Although She's now very famous concerning it's celebrity, she's still an artist with the common touch, thus we all can't stop loving her anyway (^.^)
The most adorable element of her talent for me is her distinctive voice (yep, we know she has lots of adorable elements, ie, beauty, songwriting, fashion and so on).
I missed her gigs in Tokyo last December, so I definitely attend next time!
Regarding the album, the best song is "Nothing But A Miracle", but all songs are in beyond average anyway.

Track Listing:

1. Fire Escape
2. Valentino
3. Fools
4. Nothing But a Miracle
5. Rewind
6. Rise Up
7. Photograph
8. Don’t Wait Up
9. Mirror Mirror
10. Ariel
11. Choo Choo
12. Forgiveness
13. Magic View

Following the links I searched and useful regarding Diane on the net;

Official Site
Blog
Yamaha
New York Magazine
Vogue UK
Justin tv
Live from Daryl's House
Forum
myspace
twitpic
plixi
twitvid
myYearbook
AOL radio Blog
Free People Blog
youtube
twitter
Mad about Diane Birch

According to her tweet, new EP will be out on December 7th @ iTunes Store.

Following is the photo archive from Melodie McDaniel (who took official photos of Diane) just lovely!

CROWDED HOUSE INTRIGUER deluxe edition

Been a fan since their debut back in 1986.
I bought deluxe edition (w/ DVD) since it contains studio live of 8 songs of this album,  2 live tracks @ Auckland Town Hall and PV of "Saturday Sun".
I can say it's just a miracle the band survived more than 20 years with no rubbish album.
I especially like the song "Either Side of the World" & "Saturday Sun", but of course, all songs are good enough.
I hope they'll come to Japan or I'll go to the show in US or Europe.

Tracks(CD)

Saturday Sun Archer's Arrows Amsterdam Either Side of the World Falling Down Isolation Twice If You're Lucky Inside Out Even If Elephants Tracks (DVD) Either Side of the World (Upstairs at Home) Amsterdam (Upstairs at Home) Saturday Sun (Upstairs at Home) Twice If You're Lucky (Upstairs at Home) Elephants (Upstairs at Home) Falling Dove (Upstairs at Home) Isolation (Upstairs at Home) Archer's Arrows (Upstairs at Home) Either Side of the World (Live at the Auckland Town Hall) Don't Dream It's Over (Live at the Auckland Town Hall) Saturday Sun (PV)

jamiroquai Rock Dust Light Star

Long time anticipated album.
1st single "White Knuckle Ride" was really nice "JK" taste and all I can say is that I simply like this album very much.

Track listing:

1. Rock Dust Light Star
2. White Knuckle Ride
3. Smoke And Mirrors
4. All Good In The Hood
5. Hurtin’
6. Blue Skies
7. Lifeline
8. She’s A Fast Persuader
9. Two Completely Different Things
10. Goodbye To My Dancer
11. Never Gonna Be Another
12. Hey Floyd

As I bought the deluxe edition, so extra 6 bonus tracks included as follows;

1. all good in the hood (acoustic version)
2. angeline
3. hang it over
4. rock dust light star (live at paleo)
5. white knuckle ride (alan braxe remix)
6. blue skies (fred falke remix)

Price is slightly higher than normal edition (about 3.5 bucks).

COME AND GET IT THE BEST OF APPLE RECORDS

Nice Artwork, isn't it?
This album is basically a collection of songs released as a single record and non album tracks.
Following artists probably released only single record on Apple Record,
The Black Dyke Mills Band, Trash, Ronnie Spector, The Hot Chocolate Band, Chris Hodge, Sundown Playboys, Bill Elliot & The Elastic Oz Band and Lon and Brute Force.
Put aside this, for example,  Lon and Derrek Van Eaton, they release the album from Apple, but it is never released on CD for a long long time.

This time, Apple released box set, but it isn't a complete set anyway concerning still more unreleased recording they have not yet released mot sure the reason.

Tracks included on this albums are as follows;

1.	Those Were The Days / Mary Hopkin  /1968
2.	Carolina In My Mind / James Taylor /1968
3.	Maybe Tomorrow / The Iveys /1968
4.	Thingumybob / The Black Dyke Mills Band /1968
5.	King Of Fuh / Brute Force /1969
6.	Sour Milk Sea / Jackie Lomax /1968
7.	Goodbye / Mary Hopkin /1969
8.	That's The Way God Planned It / Billy Preston /1969
9.	New Day / Jackie Lomax /1969
10.	Golden Slumbers-Carry That Weight / Trash /1969
11.	Give Peace A Chance / Hot Chocolate Band /1969
12.	Come And Get It / Badfinger /1969
13.	Ain't That Cute / Doris Troy /1970
14.	My Sweet Lord / Billy Preston /1970
15.	Try Some Buy Some / Ronnie Spector /1971
16.	Govinda / Radha Krishna Temple /1970
17.	We're On Our Way / Chris Hodge /1972
18.	Saturday Nite Special / The Sundown Playboys /1972
19.	God Save Us / Bill Elliot & The Elastic Oz Band /1971
20.	Sweet Music / Lon & Derrek van Eaton /1972
21.	Day After Day / Badfinger /1972

I think this is the nice compilation, although I felt this is the good Apple sampler, not the best.
I just can feel the atmosphere of that era listening to this album.

Paul McCartney BAND ON THE RUN High Resolution (Cont.)

It's now available @ HDtracks as below in flac format.
According to the explanation of the site,  following is the difference between 2 editions.

Compressed (Limited) Albums - reduces the difference between the loudest and softest sound for playing music in noisy environments like cars or radios. However in this project compression was used very sparely.

No Compression (Unlimited) - is truest to the master tape, has wider dynamic range, and more impact.

So I'm sure that No Compression edition is enough to buy.
  
Regarding an instant download advertised @ official site for purchaser, I sent a question to Topspin customer support and they sent me the time-sensitive links for download 2 files, BOTR and No words (live in Glasgow 1979) in 320kbps mp3 format.

Paul McCartney BAND ON THE RUN High Resolution (Unlimited)

I've been wondering I may buy CD edition, but as a PC audiophile, I decided to buy High Resolution Edition, but I found there're 2 editions, Limited and Unlimited.
Buying both is somehow able to obtain discount, but reading the explanation , I decided to buy unlimited edition only just for saving money.

limited, which is comparable in volume to the remastered CD, and un-limited, which in comparison with the limited version will sound quieter, but retain the dynamic range of the original master recording.

Paid via Paypal and it took nearly an hour (2.8GB, it's slow), zip file contain both mp3 (320kbps) and wav (4608kbps) files as HiRes. I'm not sure why it's not flac, I suppose they should be flac as THE BEATLES USB Remastered did, I complain just because wav can't add cover flow for iTunes anyway.
This is not a serious issue, but  should have been aware before its release.

Remastered Album Tracklist:
1. Band on the Run (5:11)
2. Jet (4:08)
3. Bluebird (3:22)
4. Mrs Vandebilt (4:39)
5. Let Me Roll It (4:49)
6. Mamunia (4:51)
7. No Words (2:35)
8. Picasso’s Last Words (Drink to Me) (5:49)
9. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five (5:30)

Total Running Time 41:06

Bonus Audio Tracks:
1. Helen Wheels (3:45)
2. Country Dreamer (3:08)
3. Bluebird [from One Hand Clapping] (3:26)
4. Jet [from One Hand Clapping] (3:55)
5. Let Me Roll It [from One Hand Clapping] (4:23)
6. Band on the Run [from One Hand Clapping] (5:13)
7. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five [from One Hand Clapping] (5:57)
8. Country Dreamer [from One Hand Clapping] (2:14)
9. Zoo Gang (1:59)

Total Running Time 34:19

This is the 1st time I can hear tracks from "One Hand Clapping", really nice studio live version, but not know very details. Check the net and found it's recorded as a documentary on August 15th, 1974 @ Abbey Rd. Studio.

Regarding the sound quality, compare to the older release, quite similar to the other Beatles related remaster (Apple records reissues as well) , very clear, base emphasized, very dynamic sound ever, feels like analogue record sound without any noise.
BTW I have DCC version (24 gold plated with nice replica of the poster) of this record, I'll keep it just because I'd like to own this record in my hands, not as a data!

Continue to this post.

View from Negishi Forest Park

Just taken this morning by iPhone3GS with Pano.
You can see Mt. Fuji far away left, US NAVY (Yokosuka fleet)  base residence in the middle and MM21 far right.

Jackie Lomax IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT?

This is the one I've been missing from the 1st reissue on CD.
I finally got the copy this time and I found this record has been packed the atmosphere of that era very correctly. Probably remaster make this record clearer sound with bass emphasized as well (like every Apple release).
BTW, I feel the song "Is This What You Want?" is somehow quite resemble to "I'm the Warlus" anyway.

BONUS TRACKS
Of the six Bonus Tracks, three are from Jackie’s post-album Apple singles and three are previously unreleased.

‘New Day’ was Jackie’s only self-penned Apple single, issued in May 1969. It was co-produced by Mal Evans and is presented here as the original UK mono mix.

‘How The Web Was Woven’ and ‘Thumbin’ A Ride’ were both covers and made up both sides of Jackie’s last Apple single, issued in February 1970. The coupling is unique in that the A-side was produced by one Beatle, George Harrison, and the B-side by another, Paul McCartney.

‘You’ve Got To Be Strong’, ‘You Make It With Me’, ‘Can You Hear Me’ are all Lomax originals and previously unreleased mono recordings dating from after the release of Is This What You Want? Doris Troy covered the first tune on her self-titled Apple LP. “This is the sound I love best,” says Jackie today. “Soul meets R&B with horns.”

Tracks as follows;

1.	Speak To Me
2.	Is This What You Want?
3.	How Can You Say Goodbye
4.	Sunset
5.	Sour Milk Sea
6.	Fall Inside Your Eyes
7.	Little Yellow Pills
8.	Take My Word
9.	The Eagle Laughs At You
10.	Baby, You're A Lover
11.	You've Got Me Thinking
12.	I Just Don't Know
13.	New Day (CD Bonus)
14.	Thumbin' A Ride (CD Bonus)
15.	How The Web Was Woven (CD Bonus)
16.	You've Got To Be Strong (CD Bonus)
17.	You Make It With Me (CD Bonus)
18.	Can You Hear Me (CD Bonus)