Hey, let's face it. I'm a main stream guy. Up 'till about 1985, I knew most artists and releases. After that, I lost track of the music business.
So, when I see a list of announced DVD-A's or SACDs, I look for the "mass market" stuff, as opposed to the esoteric high-brow releases.
With that said, of all of the new releases in the past week, these are the two I ordered, and THEY ARE GREAT!
Randy Newman's Little Criminals was his most commercially successful album, with the hits SHORT PEOPLE, BALTIMORE, and RIDER IN THE RAIN. All three of these songs come of exceptionally well in 5.1, with Randy smack dab in the center speaker (and only the center speaker) and the background singers (Eagles, etc.) in the rear, in the great quad tradition. While these songs are great, it is the lesser know songs that excel. THe soundfield is spread throughout the listening area, and it is not gimmicky in the least. This is one for you to get, as it shows off the high resolution DVD-A sound to the max. I cannot help but wonder if this title was scheduled for a CD-4 release back in the '70s, as it came out about the time quad died, much like Hotel California....
Grover Washington's Winelight, another mainstream release, is exceptional as well. Clearly defined, crisp and spread all over the room, this mostly instrumental release sounds better and clearer than ever. The chart topping single sung by Bill Withers, "Just the Two of Us" is a great demo track. Friends will recognize it and be amazed. The title track is also nicely done with a thumping bass and the high flying lead sax.
OK, so I liked them both!
One other thing that is so nice......WB has made these releases play immediately. No menu, no selection, I just popped them in the DVD-A player and they started playing. The new menu's are nice and easy to use, with lyrics and other extras. The Randy Newman release includes the video for Short People, although I have yet to watch it.
So, GO GET THESE TITLES!!!
:-jon
So, when I see a list of announced DVD-A's or SACDs, I look for the "mass market" stuff, as opposed to the esoteric high-brow releases.
With that said, of all of the new releases in the past week, these are the two I ordered, and THEY ARE GREAT!
Randy Newman's Little Criminals was his most commercially successful album, with the hits SHORT PEOPLE, BALTIMORE, and RIDER IN THE RAIN. All three of these songs come of exceptionally well in 5.1, with Randy smack dab in the center speaker (and only the center speaker) and the background singers (Eagles, etc.) in the rear, in the great quad tradition. While these songs are great, it is the lesser know songs that excel. THe soundfield is spread throughout the listening area, and it is not gimmicky in the least. This is one for you to get, as it shows off the high resolution DVD-A sound to the max. I cannot help but wonder if this title was scheduled for a CD-4 release back in the '70s, as it came out about the time quad died, much like Hotel California....
Grover Washington's Winelight, another mainstream release, is exceptional as well. Clearly defined, crisp and spread all over the room, this mostly instrumental release sounds better and clearer than ever. The chart topping single sung by Bill Withers, "Just the Two of Us" is a great demo track. Friends will recognize it and be amazed. The title track is also nicely done with a thumping bass and the high flying lead sax.
OK, so I liked them both!
One other thing that is so nice......WB has made these releases play immediately. No menu, no selection, I just popped them in the DVD-A player and they started playing. The new menu's are nice and easy to use, with lyrics and other extras. The Randy Newman release includes the video for Short People, although I have yet to watch it.
So, GO GET THESE TITLES!!!
:-jon
