B
BiggerzBetter
Guest
Got my copy today of Kitaro's live daylight, moonlight SACD. Was pleased that Domo Records in Los Angeles was able to get it out to me so quickly.
Let me state right up front that I'm not a big fan of live recordings; the sonics are often limited, and while some music can benefit from the energy of live audiences, I'm often left with the impression that live recordings frequently ill serve the original. I opted to order this title because (a) I'm trying to support the release of New Age titles in hi-rez, and (b) this is the only Kitaro hi-rez title currently available that features a multi-channel mix.
With regard to the merits of live recordings, I certainly don't think that any of the music presented here (almost two hours in total) benefits from the live setting. Perhaps befitting the location (Yakushiji Temple in Japan), most of the performances have a sedate quality to them -- though I guess you'd never use "rollicking" to describe Kitaro's music. Even so, the feel of the music is very different that the artist's studio efforts.
With regard to the quality of live audio, this SACD very nearly overcomes my reservations -- nearly. The skimpy liner notes state that this was recorded in "HD Audio" -- really narrows it down, doesn't it? -- and it's clear that this title sounds better than a lot of live recordings. But that's not really much of a recommendation, is it? The audio never really dazzles; it's great but not demo-quality. Some of the pieces surprised me with their display of bass; most tracks failed to impress, however.
In the same vein, the m/c mix doesn't merit any special praise. It does a good job of recreating the feel of a live recording; the rear channels definitely carry their weight in that regard. Discrete effects are mostly limited to a few "whiz" effects, though (electronic wind sounds, for instance). The mix is front-heavy, which isn't all that surprising given that it's a live recording. The clarity is good, but I wouldn't say that the mix offers much in the way of audio distinctiveness.
Again, this is probably colored to a great degree by my general dislike of live discs. Am I pleased with this SACD? Well, sort of (though mainly because it's a Kitaro title). Would I recommend it as a SACD title? To Kitaro fans, yes; to general hi-rez fans, probably not. This isn't a disappointing disc; it just doesn't light up the sky (or your speakers).
P.S. I hate the fact that this 2-disc set comes in a single jewel box (the kind with the fatter spindle so that disc 1 sits on top of disc 2).
Kitaro daylight, moonlight
http://www.domo.com
Hybrid m/c SACD
2-disc set (single Super Jewel Box case with extended spindle)
Disc 1
Monk's Introduction
Jamimari/Sozo
Caravansary
Silk Road
Magma
Mercury
Disc 2
Water of Mystery
Estrella
Koi
Wa
Free Flight
Heaven and Earth
Let me state right up front that I'm not a big fan of live recordings; the sonics are often limited, and while some music can benefit from the energy of live audiences, I'm often left with the impression that live recordings frequently ill serve the original. I opted to order this title because (a) I'm trying to support the release of New Age titles in hi-rez, and (b) this is the only Kitaro hi-rez title currently available that features a multi-channel mix.
With regard to the merits of live recordings, I certainly don't think that any of the music presented here (almost two hours in total) benefits from the live setting. Perhaps befitting the location (Yakushiji Temple in Japan), most of the performances have a sedate quality to them -- though I guess you'd never use "rollicking" to describe Kitaro's music. Even so, the feel of the music is very different that the artist's studio efforts.
With regard to the quality of live audio, this SACD very nearly overcomes my reservations -- nearly. The skimpy liner notes state that this was recorded in "HD Audio" -- really narrows it down, doesn't it? -- and it's clear that this title sounds better than a lot of live recordings. But that's not really much of a recommendation, is it? The audio never really dazzles; it's great but not demo-quality. Some of the pieces surprised me with their display of bass; most tracks failed to impress, however.
In the same vein, the m/c mix doesn't merit any special praise. It does a good job of recreating the feel of a live recording; the rear channels definitely carry their weight in that regard. Discrete effects are mostly limited to a few "whiz" effects, though (electronic wind sounds, for instance). The mix is front-heavy, which isn't all that surprising given that it's a live recording. The clarity is good, but I wouldn't say that the mix offers much in the way of audio distinctiveness.
Again, this is probably colored to a great degree by my general dislike of live discs. Am I pleased with this SACD? Well, sort of (though mainly because it's a Kitaro title). Would I recommend it as a SACD title? To Kitaro fans, yes; to general hi-rez fans, probably not. This isn't a disappointing disc; it just doesn't light up the sky (or your speakers).
P.S. I hate the fact that this 2-disc set comes in a single jewel box (the kind with the fatter spindle so that disc 1 sits on top of disc 2).
Kitaro daylight, moonlight
http://www.domo.com
Hybrid m/c SACD
2-disc set (single Super Jewel Box case with extended spindle)
Disc 1
Monk's Introduction
Jamimari/Sozo
Caravansary
Silk Road
Magma
Mercury
Disc 2
Water of Mystery
Estrella
Koi
Wa
Free Flight
Heaven and Earth
