steely dan Gaucho HiRes 96/24

One of the most famous album from Steely Dan, originally released in 1984 and remastered in 2000. Sound quality of this album is superb from the original release and compare to hear with CD edition, HiRes one got greater, wider range of sound frequency at the 1st hearing you can recognize.
I confirmed that it means this kind of HiRes source requires higher audio equipments, probably the most important element is a pair of speakers, then small powered (5w each will be enough) amplifire.
So if you don't have the certain grade of audio equipments, it'll be difficult to play HiRes files efficiently to bring out the whole potential.
Anyway, I do recommend to play HiRes files via certain grade of speakers, not via headphones and play as loud as possible.
If not, it'll be just wasting your money in the end.

BTW, I noticed some of HiRes albums maybe available for a certain period only.
For example, I can't find following HiRes albums no more @ HDtracks I purchased in the past;

Lush Life by John Coltrane
Relaxin' by Miles Davis Qualtet

So if you find HiRes albums, it's better purchase it while it is available.

Happy Holidays!

KEITH JARRETT The Köln Concert HiRes 96/24

One of the most famous jazz piano solo album in the world released in 96/24 HiRes from HDTracks.
In my memory, sound quality of this album was not so good probably because it's a live recording, but I found it's totally wrong.
When I hear the tracks, I found the definite difference between HiRes and 44/16 is harmonic overtone, HiRes edition got more of it, how I can describe, rather very sensuous and I just feel better to hear HiRes tracks anyway.
This is the one of the best sampler to feel the difference of the sound quality between 44/16 and 96/24.
I always tend to turn volume up in case it sounds comfortable and this is it!

Mameshiba Xmas!

Rumer ARETHA (Single)

Finally arrived.
The reason why I purchase is that this CDS contain following 2 non album tracks,
"The Warmth Of The Sun (The Beach Boys)"
and "Come Saturday Morning (The Sandpipers)"

I think "Aretha" is the best song released by Rumer so far.

Following is Lyrics of "Aretha";

I got Aretha in the morning
High on my headphones and walking to school
I got the blues in springtime cuz I know that I'll never have the right shoes

Momma she'd notice but she's always crying
I got no one to confide in, Aretha nobody but you
Momma she'd notice but she's always fighting
Something in her mind and it sounds like breaking glass

I tell Aretha in the morning
High on my headphones and walking to school
I got the blues in springtime cuz I know that I'll never have the right shoes

You got the words, baby you got the words (x2)

Aretha
Aretha, I don't want to go to school
Cause they just don't understand me and I think the place is cruel
Child singer, raise your voice
Stand up on your own, go out there and strike out

I tell Aretha in the morning
High on my headphones and walking to school
I got the blues in springtime cuz I know that I'll never have the right shoes
But I got the words

Here's Rumer: How I wrote ... Aretha @ gurdian.co.uk, worth watching it!

Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010

This is it! I've been waiting for this video for so long! Though I don't agree with the aim of EC (I mean I don't regard this one is a charity) and don't care royalties from the sale of this product will benefit Crossroads Centre Antigua , I enjoyed this video very much.
Although this video contain lots of performers with many songs, I'm not bored totally since every single performance is so good enough to keep watching & hearing.
I have previous shows in DVD, this one will be the finest one so far.
I'm lucky to purchase BESTBUY 3 disc edition, it's hard to purchase in Japan.

Track-listing:
Disc 1
-Bill Murray Introduction with Eric Clapton
1. Sonny Landreth with Eric Clapton - Promise Land
2. Sonny Landreth - Z Rider
(I saw Mr. Landreth playing live while I stayed in Springfield, Il, August 2007)
3. Robert Randolph and the Family Band - Traveling Shoes
4. Joe Bonamassa & Pino Daniele with Robert Randolph - Going Down
-Bill Murray introduces Robert Cray
5. Robert Cray, Jimmie Vaughn & Hubert Sumlin - Killing Floor
6. Jimmie Vaughn, Robert Cray & Hubert Sumlin - Six Stings Down
-Bill Murray introduces ZZ Top
7. ZZ Top - Waiting For the Bus
8. ZZ Top - Jesus Just Left Chicago
9. Doyle Bramhall II - Gypsy Blood
10. Doyle Bramhall II - In My Time Of Dying (Jesus make up my dying bed)
11. Gary Clark Jr - Bright Lights
12. Sheryl Crow with Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Doyle Bramhall II & Gary Clark Jr - Long Road Home
13. Sheryl Crow with Eric Clapton, Doyle Bramhall II & Gary Clark Jr - Our Love Is Fading
(EC played really impressive and effective guitar solo during the song, much better than studio take!)
14. Bert Jansch Blackwaterside
(This is the 1st time I saw the legend playing live!)
15. Stefan Grossman with Keb Mo - Mississippi Blues
16. Stefan Grossman with Keb Mo - Roll And Tumble Blues
-Bill Murray introduces Vince Gill
17. Vince Gill, Keb Mo, James Burton, Earl Klugh, Albert Lee - One More Last Chance
18. Vince Gill, James Burton, Albert Lee, Keb Mo, Earl Klugh - Mystery Train
19. Vince Gill, Keb Mo, Albert Lee, James Burton, Earl Klugh & Sheryl Crow - Lay Down Sally
20. Earl Klugh - Angelina
21. Earl Klugh - Vonetta
-Bill Murray as ELVIS! introduces John Mayer
22. John Mayer Trio - Who Did You Think I Was
23. John Mayer Trio - Ain't No Sunshine

Disc 2
-Bill Murray introduces Derek Trucks
1. Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band - Midnight In Harlem
2. Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band featuring Warren Haynes - Coming Home
3. Warren Haynes - Soulshine
4. David Hidalgo and Cesar Rojas featuring Derek Trucks - Don't Keep Me Wondering
5. Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band featuring Warren Haynes, David Hidalgo, Cesar Rojas, Chris Stainton - Space Captain
-Bill Murray introduces Buddy, Jonny & Ronnie
6. Buddy Guy with Jonny Lang & Ronnie Wood - Five Long Years
7. Buddy Guy with Jonny Lang & Ronnie Wood - Miss You
-Bill Murray introduces Jeff Beck
8. Jeff Beck - Hammerhead
9. Jeff Beck - Nessun Dorma
-Bill Murray introduces Eric Clapton
10. Eric Clapton - Crossroads
11. Citizen Cope & Eric Clapton - Hands of the Saints
12. Eric Clapton - I Shot The Sheriff
13. Eric Clapton & Jeff Beck - Shake Your Money Maker
14. Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood - Had To Cry
15. Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood - Voodoo Chile
16. Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood - Dear Mr. Fantasy
-Bill Murray introduces BB King
17. Finale: Eric Clapton, BB King, Robert Cray, Jimmie Vaughn, Joe Bonamassa, and others - The Thrill Is Gone 

BEST BUY EXCLUSIVE EDITION BONUS DISC (common for DVD & Blu-Ray):
1. Gary Clark Jr. - Don't Owe You A Thang
2. Sheryl Crow - Everyday Is A Winding Road
3. Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Band - Love Has Something Else To Say
4. Citizen Cope - Son's Gonna Rise
5. Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood - Glad
6. Eric Clapton Interview

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Mini

I purchased this when I stayed in NYC this September @ Apple Store Soho.

Price was $299.95 + tax and the reason why I bought this is just because it's a huge bargain price compare to buy it in Japan (depends on currency exchange rate, but nearly the double you have to pay in Japan).

I like the sound with enhanced bass - mid range focused, but found the bottom is bit unstable and need stable (flat) place to install.

According to the official site, I found following 3 features;

1. This one can process iPod data digitally.

2. Flowport @ rear side can produce emphasized bass sound despite the size of speaker like so small.

3. Can use this one as the external speaker for PC/Mac via USB cable.

External DC adapter and equipped with remote control unit.  

If you want to see 360 degree view click here.

The great trial subscription offer of society of sound that B&W provide for registered owner for 3 months (no, it's actually 2 months), you can download unlimited high resolution music data (mainly classic, London Symphonic Orchestra is a popular one).
As I found not much interested music data they provided, I didn't renew the subscription, but I admit £33.95 for a year subscription fee could be a huge bargain for a certain users.