http://www.audaud.com DVD Reviews, CD Reviews, SACD Reviews - Audiophile Audition en-us http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4769 Coby HDR-650 HD Tuner About $96 online • Receives HD Radio signals as well as analog FM & AM • RCA stereo out jacks • Attached wire FM antenna, separate loop AM antenna • Tiny multi-function remote • Ten-station memory preset buttons • LCD display with backlight • 3.5mm headphone jack on front • Small wall-wart power supply Coby Electronics Corporation 1991 Marcus Ave., Suite 301 Lake Success, NY 11042 www.cobyusa.com www.ecoby.com Intro First, some background on thi... 09/06/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4768 The Forbidden Kingdom, Blu-ray Digital Copy 2-disc set (2008) Starring: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Liu Yifei, Li Bing Bing. Michael Angarano Studio: Lionsgate Video: 2.40:1 anamorphic/enhanced for 16:9 1080p HD Audio: English DTS 7.1 HD Master Audio, DTS 2.0 Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish Extras: Picture-in-picture feature; Featurettes on: The Kung Fu Dream Team, Dangerous Beauty, Discovering China, Filming in Chinawood, Monkey King and the Eight Immortals, Previsualization with commentary by... 09/06/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4767 The Nightmare Before Christmas: Collector’s Edition, Blu-ray (1993) Directed by: Henry Selick; Produced by Tim Burton Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment Video: 1.66:1 Enhanced for 16:9 Widescreen; 1080p HD Audio: English 7.1 Dolby TrueHD Surround; English, French, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround; Portuguese Dolby 2.0 Surround Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese Supplements: Audio commentary with Producer Tim Burton, Director Henry Selick and Music Composer Danny E... 09/06/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4766 Randy Newman - Harps and Angels - Nonesuch 400057 *****: Newman fans have waited about nine years for another album from their cutting singer-songwriter, and in this one he shows his recent careful study of the New Orleans piano style, giving a bit of additional interest to this keyboard work along with his small combo. The title song which launches the album is a wonderful tale which while satirizing good ‘old boy  philosphy gives the most cynical something to think about in the spiritu... 09/05/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4765 Carla Bley Big Band - Appearing Nightly - ECM WATT 33, 68:40 [Release date: Sept. 9, 08] *****: (Carl Gardner/Lew Soloff/Giampaolo Casti/Forian Esch - trumpets; Beppe Calamorsa/Gary Valente/Gig Grata/Richard Henry - trombones; Roger Jannotta - soprano & alto sax & flute; Wolfgang Puschinig - alto sax & flute; Andy Sheppard, tenor sax; Julian Arguelles - baritone sax; Carla Bley - piano & conductor; Karin Mantler - organ; Steve Sawllow - bass; Billy Drummond - drums) Recorde... 09/05/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4764 BRAHMS: Hungarian Dances, WoO 1; Klavierstuecke, Op. 76; Walzer, Op. 39 - Cedric Tiberghien, piano - Harmonia mundi HMC 902015, 71:14 ****: Recorded April 2008 at the Teldex Studio, Berlin, this all-Brahms recital opens with the ten Hungarian Dances Brahms published in 1869, originally for piano four hands but subsequently arranged by him for virtuoso two-hand realization. Having worked with the Hungarian violinist Eduard Remenyi (1828-1898), Brahms became familiar with csardas style and its ... 09/05/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4763 Son of Rambow (2008) Writer-Director: Garth Jenning Studio: Hammer & Tongs/Paramount 35185 Video: Enhanced for 16:9 widescreen color Audio: English DD 5.1, DD 2.0; Spanish DD 5.1 Subtitles: English, French, Spanish Extras: Commentary track by Director, Producer & Cast; “Aron” - orig. short film by Jenning that inspired Son of Rambow, “The Making of Son of Rambow;” Theatrical trailer Length: 95 minutes Rating: ***** A light and delicious family film that makes some worthwhile... 09/05/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4762 Scarlet Home Theatre Introduced in Arabia - The partnership of South Korean manufacturer LG Electronics and longtime audio guru Mark Levinson has brought about the HT953TV flagship home theater system for 2008, introduced so far only in the UAE.  Five 1000-watt RMS speakers feature multiple drivers in parabolic housings with tapered integrated pedestals. Using LG’s exclusive Virtual Sound Matrix Pro technology, the five speakers produce a virtual 10.1-channel sound effect, without distortio... 09/05/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4761 CLEMENTI: 3 Sonatas, Op. 9; 2 Sonatas, Op. 10; Sonata in E-flat, Op.11 No. 1; Toccata in B-flat, Op. 11 No. 2; Four Sonatas, Op. 12 – Howard Shelly, piano – Hyperion CDA 67717, (2 discs) 138:05 **** [Distr. by Harmonia mundi]: Clementi was born before Mozart and outlived Beethoven. As such you might expect a corresponding change in the temperament of his music. You don’t get what you are expecting. Though the composer of the famous Op. 36 Sonatinas, the staple of virtually every piano student... 09/04/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4760 Songs of An Other - Savina Yannatou, soprano/ Primavera en Salonico – ECM 2057, 52:15 ****: ECM continues its programs of presenting folk songs with a contemporary twist in this lovely and unusual recital of music from the Mediterranean and environs. I have been suspect of some of these albums in the past - not always convinced by the results which often sound contrived. This one is different; Soprano Savina Yannatou brings a versatile and satiny voice to this music that is easily able to con... 09/04/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4759 Everything You Wanted to Know About Harpsichord, But Were Afraid to Ask - Works by SHOSTAKOVICH, KHACHATURIAN, MENDELSSOHN, SCHUBERT, CRAMER & SCHUMANN - Olga Martynova, harpsichord - Caro Mitis Multichannel SACD CM 0102006, 61:08 ***** [Dist. by Albany]: I would have jumped to cover this SACD just from its wonderful title even if I didn’t own a harpsichord myself.  Ms. Martynova is a leading harpsichordist in Russia as well as Europe and has appeared on other Caro Mitis releases.&nb... 09/04/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4758 The Art of Dimitri Mitropoulos, Vol. I = BERG: Violin Concerto; BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37; VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Fantasy on a Theme of Thomas Tallis; CHAUSSON: Symphony in B-flat Major, Op. 20; STRAVINSKY: The Firebird--Suite; SCHUMANN: Symphony No. 1 in B-flat Major “Spring”; R. STRAUSS: Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64; MOZART: Overture to Idomeneo; BUSONI: Indian Fantasy; Two Sketches for Doktor Faustus; Violin Concerto in D, Op. 35; Bonus: Joseph Szigeti speaks on Busoni - Jos... 09/04/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4757 The Baltimore Consort Live in Concert – Dorian DSL 90801, 71:03 **** [Release date: Sept. 9, 08] : Just for information’s sake, this album is in pre-release only, and is not scheduled to hit the shelves until October 14, 2008. Dorian has of course issued a plethora of Baltimore Consort albums, and this is, I think, the first live release of their work, recorded at the First Scot Presbyterian Church in Charleston, S.C. during the 2007 Piccolo Spoleto Festival. The sound is rather lively, perha... 09/03/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4756 SCHUMANN: Myrthen, Op. 25; Poems by Mary Stuart, Op. 135 – Nathalie Stutzmann, contralto/ Michel Dalberto, piano – Warner Classics 2564 69659-1, 62:07 ****: Nathalie Stutzmann is becoming somewhat of a Schumann expert these days. In fact, I count more CDs of his music than by any other performer in her catalog, many on RCA, but now evidently under new management at Warner. The repertory here consists of music composed at the beginning and the end of his career. Myrthen is a cycle whose 26 ... 09/03/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4755 BACH: Goldberg Variations, with Goldmine Variations by Jukka Tiensuu - Denis Patkovic, accordion - Haenssler 98527 [Distr. by Allegro], 74:47 *****: Just when you think Bach’s Goldberg Variations has suffered every possible sling and arrow of outrageous fortune, along come Denis Patkovic and Jukka Tiensuu to clean out your ears and show that there’s more in Bach’s innocent 30 variations than he ever dreamed. The bottom line is that it’s such a brilliantly startling blend of the old and the ne... 09/03/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4754 Vince Mendoza – Blauklang – ACT Music & Vision ACT 9465-2, 63:36 ***: (Vince Mendoza: conductor; Nguyén Lè: Guitar; Markus Stockhausen: Trumpet; Lars Danielsson: Bass; Peter Erskine: Drums; WDR Big Band -- Claudio Puntin, Steffen Schorn: Clarinet, Saxophone; Frank Sackenheim: Saxophone; Arkady Shilkloper: French Horn; Jon Sass: Tuba; Ulla Van Daelen: Harp; Christopher Dell: Vibraphone; String Quartet RED URG 4) Composer/arranger Vince Mendoza performs a homage to the many facets of bl... 09/03/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4753 Loudon Wainwright III – Recovery – Yep Roc Records YEP-2181, 48:01 ***1/2: (Loudon Wainwright III: Guitar, Vocals; Joe Henry: Guitar, Producer; Greg Leisz: Guitar, Mandolin, Pedal Steel, Mandola, Lap Steel Guitar, Weissenborn; Bill Frisell: Guitar; Jay Bellerose: Percussion, Drums; David Piltch: Bass;  Patrick Warren: Piano, Chamberlin, Pump Organ, String Arrangements, String Conductor; Daphne Chen, Eric Gorfain: Violin; Richard Dodd: Cello; Leah Katz: Viola; Hank Stockard: Radio) Si... 09/03/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4752 Outsourced (2008) Director: John Jeffcoat Studio: Ocean Park 1060 Video: Enhanced for 16:9 color Audio: English & Hindi DD 5.1, DD 2.0 Extras: Behind the Scenes featurette, Music Video, Storyboard featurette, Audio commentary by director, Interview with director, Theatrical trailer Length: 103 minutes Rating: ***** A charming and sweet film which is certainly not your typical Bollywood film even though most of it takes place in India. With more and more American companies doing&n... 09/03/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4751 JANACEK: String Quartet No. 1 “The Kreutzer Sonata”; String Quartet No. 2 “Intimate Pages”; DVORAK: Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81: Dumka - Elisabeth Leonskaja, piano/Alban Berg Quartett EMI Classics 2 08282 2, 57:05 ****:
 Recorded 1993-1994 (Janacek) and 1987 (Dvorak), this disc still provides scintillating musical experiences generated through the most auspicious meetings of synchronized talents. In the case of Leos Janacek (1854-1928), his natural penchant for modally stringent... 09/02/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4750 MAHLER: Symphony No. 7 in E minor - London Symphony Orchestra/Valery Gergiev - LSO Live Multichannel SACD LSOO665, 72 min. **** [Distr. by Harmonia mundi]: This is the second in a new Mahler Symphony series from the always-interesting Russian conductor.  My review of the initial LSO release will be found here.  The live 5.0-channel DSD recording was made just this March at London’s Barbican. I should probably reveal that the Seventh is my personal favorite Mahler symphony.  It... 09/02/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4749 D-BOX Motion Code™ System D-BOX Technologies Inc. 2172 de la Province, Longueuil, Quebec J4G 1R7, Canada Toll free (Canada/US Only): 1-888-442-3269 ext: 225 http://www.d-box.com You may have noticed recently that some Blu-ray DVDs make reference that they are D-BOX Motion enhanced.  If you are unfamiliar with D-BOX, then this review may prove to be rather enlightening as I examine this cutting edge technology and how it impacts the home theater experience. What is D-BOX? ... 09/02/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4748 FAURE: Sonatas for violin and piano - Isabelle Faust, violin/ Florent Boffard, piano - Harmonia mundi HMA1951741, 60:41 *****: Forty-one years separate the composition of the two violin sonatas on this CD. During that lengthy interval the old regimes of Europe collapsed and a more bourgeois middle-class Europe replaced them. A new world of music was created as well. Faure's languid and refined aesthetic sensibility was not immune to these influences. But even with such a broad gulf of time se... 09/02/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4747 Toshiba Introduces “Hi-Res” Standard DVD Playback - After their financially painful loss with HD DVD in the hi-res format war, Toshiba America Consumer Products has bounced back with what they call XDE Technology for standard DVDs - “eXtended Detail Enhancement.”  The hope is to provide greater detail,  more vivid colors and stronger contrast to bring standard DVD quality closer to the HD experience, since a large part of the public now own HDTV displays but no HD disc players.  I... 09/02/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4746 Poolplayers - Way Below the Surface - Songlines multichannel SACD SGL SA1569-2, 57:52 *****: (Arve Henriksen - trumpet, vocals, electronics; Benoît Delbecq - piano, bass station; Lars Juul - drums, electronics; Steve Argüelles - Usine, delays, Sherman Filter) Another maverick trumpeter, Jon Hassell, made music something like this almost a decade ago with his brilliant Water Lily Acoustics SACD release, Fascinoma, featuring the piano of Jacky Terrasson, the bamboo flute of Ronu Majumdar, an... 09/02/2008 http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4745 Dennis Wilson - Pacific Ocean Blue - Caribou/Epic/Legacy 88697 07916 2,  (2 CDs) 54:14 & 57:53 *****: (Dennis Wilson - keyboards, drums, percussion, harmonica, vocals; plus about 65 other instrumentalists and vocalists) This deluxe reissue edition of Beach Boys’ founding member and drummer Dennis Wilson’s classic solo release of 1977, Pacific Ocean Blue, takes its place among the great lost or forgotten rock classics.  These include such records as the Beach Boys’ Smile, whi... 09/02/2008