After the rather tragic [or not?] death of my old lousy MP3 player, I started looking for something "good". And by that I mean something that has nothing in any way resembling an iPod. And it's actually both very annoying and very sad that nowadays it's very hard to find a simple MP3 player that both does the job and is not somehow trying to imitate an iPod. =P
A couple of years ago I got my mom a Philips MP3 player which has turned out to be a very nice one, so that's where I started. Trouble though, was that I was looking for something very compact, and with some very specific functions, and Philips doesn't have that. And well, No, I didn't look at Sony Walkman at first. Why? Well because I wasn't hearing a lot of good things about it on one hand, and on the other hand back when I was buying my mom's player, they officially had nothing interesting.
After searching through the catalogues of some of my usual go-to brands and a few others, and not finding what I was looking for, I did eventually end up back at Sony's door. And that's when I come across the "NWZ-B173F". To me it seemed rather perfect. Small, comfortable controls, clippable, with radio and voice recorder and the pretty nice zap-in feature and a tiny but clear screen. But then of course I looked into the reviews and once again it didn't look very good.
The reviews paint a pretty unseemly picture of the Walkman players in general, and this model very much so as well. Main target of criticism is the design of the player, and the USB cap. It's been said for instance that the cap is a loose fit, and starts to fall off after a few uses. And that the controls don't function very well. There's also been criticism on the sound quality and just about everything else.
Reading through the specs and having a closer look at the design, I decided to go with my guts and get the player anyway. And I'm so glad I did!!
It's been a few months now since I started using the NWZ-B173F, and I'm EXTREMELY happy with it. I can't for the life of me understand where all the nonsense comes from. The cap is not loose, the controls are perfect, and the sound quality is superb. I'm a bloody audiophile after all, I would know.
Now this wouldn't be such a big deal on it's own.. but I think I'm starting to see a pattern. In the past few years, Sony has produced some brilliant hardware, all of which have somehow ended up with either unfair, or really terribly unfair reviews. What is going on here? I mean I know that they have also produced their fair share of pure nonsense, but how exactly have their line of Android tablets and ebook readers ended up so underrated? Heck, even the NEX cameras are quite underrated, for what they're capable of.
So well, yes, I am a bit of Sony fangirl I guess. And this is my attempt at exonerating the Walkman MP3 player. I'm also planning on writing about a few more pieces of Sony hardware soon enough…
Of all the versions of Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" that I have seen so far, old and new, classic and modern, my favourite has to be Joss Whedon's! I watched it some weeks ago for the first time, and a few nights ago again. I never thought I'd enjoy a version more than the digital theatre one with David Tennant and Catherine Tate, but I liked Joss Whedon's even more than that! It's just too cute! =D
Of course Joss Whedon and Jed Whedon also created their own version of "Sigh No More", the famous soundtrack of Much Ado [with Shakespeare's own lyrics!]. It's quite nice, definitely the nicest version of it I've heard. =)
A couple of weeks ago there was this years "Winterthurer Musikfestwochen", which I attended for the first time. For some good 10 days there was fantastic open-air concerts in a couple of different venues in Winterthur, a total of 5 – 7 performances every day. I was there with friends as often as I could, and really enjoyed some truly awesome concerts. Here's some of my favourite performances of this year. I must add it's now easier to decide that since I've had time to listen to their albums… =)
Portico Quartet. Modern/Electro Jazz band from the UK. I have no idea how I had not listened to these guys before… I listen to their style/genre rather often, and I seem to know most of their "related" artists. In Wintethur I heard them for the first time, and I had my mind blown. I really truly LUVED their performance, and the guy on Contra Bass took my breath away. I've been listening to their albums since… far too much probably…. ;) [More pictures here.]
Wilber Calver and his Afro Cuban Celtic orchestra. Can you imagine that? Yes, a mix of Cuban Music and Celtic bagpipes! This is definitely among the most creative fusion music that I've heard in my life, and I really enjoyed the performance. I've also been listening to their albums since. [More pictures here.]
Hathors. High energy rock band from Winthertur, Switzerland. These guys shook the venue really. =) Also a first encounter for me, and quite an enjoyable one. [More pictures here.]
Daniel Norgren. Blues/Folk band from Sweden. Great music, great performance, great talent… And then of course at some point during the performance the guy ripped a guitar string, which he actually managed to replace without even stopping the performance! The song continued, probably a little longer than it should have been [;)], with their singing and the drums and the contra bass. And by the end of it, the guitar string was replaced and tuned. =) Way to go confidence! [More pictures here]
So these were my favourites, but there were many more great performances that we attended. Moop Mama, Luca Little, Min King, and many more…..
Assembly 2012 I'm afraid did not really excite me that much in regards to the quality of the demos, to be completely honest. But at least there was a ton of excitement to be had for the release of Metamorf II, the new Satori demo. Check out the pure awesomeness! ;)
Exciting news everyone: New ASD demo! =) Personally I should say I totally love it... the 80s style really works for me. It's happy, upbeat and makes me smile. Check it out: Mito Chondrio by ASD on Pouet.net
YAY there's a new Satori demo, and it is as usual awesome! =) In addition to the usual Satori goodness, there's the soundtrack by Chaser to make things even more interesting. [If you've been reading, you've probably seen posts here about a couple of tracks by Chaser in the past... my favourite being "Petarda" so far!] So, check out the demo's Pouet page here.
Earlier tonight, I received an email from the wife of a very dear, very special friend, Jack D. Logan, informing us [his friends] that Jack has passed away. I'm still in shock. I thought he was pretty much through his health problems and well on his way to recovery... I have no idea how this happened. All I know is that I'm sad, and shocked, and cold, and..... *sob*
My heartfelt condolences go to his family and friends, and everyone who was lucky enough to know him.
On a bit of a personal direction... Gosh, this thread of me losing friends has to stop. 2011 has been gloomy in this way thus far... first a childhood friend of mine passed away, almost at the same time someone I thought of as a friend turned out to be anything but, then another friend passed away and now this..... *sight*.... =(
Jack will be sorely missed. I will most of all miss the music he shared with me....
Wow, SinQ's new track just took my breath away! I've been listening to this non-stop since morning... check it out, and if you like it make sure to visit his FB page here for more.
Don't ask me how this happened but here comes a 2nd new ASD demo in less than a month. And honestly I like this one even better than the previous. "Spin" was just released at Assembly 2011, and so not surprisingly won 1st place. =) This is certainly one of my favourites ASD demos. Download the exe here.
I am spinning out of control Drinking my dark side on a moon patrol Dropping an anchor on a concrete floor The links are dragging me out of the door
Can I close my eyes and see? Can I disappear and be? Can I play the absentee, In this cage I built for me?
Can I stand up where I fell? Can I spiral in my shell? Can I cast a binding spell, On this winding road to hell?
I am spinning against the wall Grabbing on corners when I feel so small Give into impulse as I drop the ball Breaking the habits I cannot recall
Can I close my eyes and see? Can I disappear and be? Can I play the absentee, In this cage I built for me?
Can I stand up where I fell? Can I spiral in my shell? Can I cast a binding spell, On this winding road to hell?
I am spinning and the world is still Pointing the finger on the things I feel You find me exhausted and crawling uphill To colourful nightmares against my will
Can I close my eyes and see? Can I disappear and be? Can I play the absentee, In this cage I built for me?
Can I stand up where I fell? Can I spiral in my shell? Can I cast a binding spell, On this winding road to hell?
Can I burn my wings and fly? Can I justify a lie? Can I turn my back and cry? Can I be there when I die?
TaaDaaaaaaaa! From ASD's magic vault, comes out yet another work of wonder! =) Check it out and enjoy! As always I suggest you download the executable from here. Below the video you can see the lyrics to the soundtrack, which by the way I find quite brilliant.
Who would you rather kiss on the very first date if you had to chose? How big a bet you'd make on your very first game if you couldn't lose? What would you rather wear on the very first dance with the one you like? And how would you really sing on a difficult song with a broken mike?
Small decisions, life incisions, big in retrospect Bracing gently, consequently, the butterfly effect.
Where would you rather go on your very last June that you spent apart? What would you leave behind on your very last smile before you depart? Who would you rather kiss on your very last chance of another start? And how would you rise again on a difficult slope with a broken heart?
Small decisions, life incisions big in retrospect. Scopeless seeding, always feeding, the butterfly effect.
And of course here's the new fabulous Satori demo, which totally made my week. I must say this was specially a breath of fresh air seeing that out of about a good 30 or so [recent] demos that I watched in the past week, this was one of the very few [about 3!] that I actually enjoyed.
As it is the usual case with Satori, this is demo is quite a mental trip. One unusual side effect was that the first time I saw it, after I finished watching the demo I noticed that my heart beat had risen quite a bit. Part of that might be due to the unusual and very effective soundtrack. Check it out! =) Of course it's best if you download the real time from here and watch that. ;)
A friend of mine with an awesome taste in both music and visuals just shared this piece of perfection on my Facebook wall. =) The clip totally blew my mind, mainly due to the brilliant effect of the right combination of audio and visuals. The track is called "Fear" by µ-Ziq. I completely love it. This is the fist time I hear the name of this musician, and now I'm surely going to get my hands on his albums.
The video, seems to be a part of the process of building a robot that can simulate emotional responses among other things. I have a feeling that I've come across this team's work before... I have to dig it out of my archives. It's pretty fascinating work.
I have no idea how I didn't already know about this. It's horrible... bad bad bad bad news for the world of music. =((( No more E.S. Posthumus... that's a real pain. Franz Vonlichten of E.S. Posthumus passed away last May. Today I was looking to see if there's any new albums from them, and I landed on this note written by Helmut Vonlichten, announcing the passing of his brother. =""(( It does not mention what happened though...
Gosh... it's not as if good music is easy [heck, or even possible!!] to come by nowadays. E.S. Posthumus was a real gem, and definitely one of my favourite bands of the current era. I really love their music so much... *sigh*... what a talent... *siiiiigh*... this is a real tragedy... *snifff*....
Now I only hope that at some point we will hear something new from Helmut Vonlichten.... *sigh*.....
Loreena McKennitt's version of Alfred Lord Tennyson's "Lady of Shalott" is my favourite so far. The story of Lady of Shalott has always been one of my favourite Arthurian myths, and I think Loreena McKennitt's voice and style of music goes perfectly with the general feel of the story.
On either side of the river lie Long fields of barley and of rye, That clothe the Wold and meet the sky; And thro' the field the road run by To many-towered Camelot; And up and down the people go, Gazing where the lilies blow Round an island there below, The Island of Shalott.
Willows whiten, aspens quiver, Little breezes dusk and shiver Thro' the wave that runs for ever By the island in the river Flowing down to Camelot. Four grey walls, and four grey towers, Overlook a space of flowers, And the silent isle embowers The Lady of Shalott.
Only reapers, reaping early, In among the bearded barley Hear a song that echoes cheerly Down to Tower'd Camelot; And by the moon the reaper weary, Piling sheaves in uplands airy, Listening, whispers "Tis the Fairy The Lady of Shalott."
There she weaves by night and day A magic web with colours gay. She has heard a whisper say, A curse is on her if she stay To look down to Camelot.
She knows not what the curse may be, And so she weaveth steadily, And little other care hath she, The Lady of Shalott.
And moving through a mirror clear That hangs before her all the year, Shadows of the world appear. There she sees the highway near Winding down to Camelot; And sometimes thro' the mirror blue The Knights come riding two and two. She hath no loyal knight and true, The Lady of Shalott.
But in her web she still delights To weave the mirror's magic sights, For often thro' the silent nights A funeral, with plumes and lights And music, went to Camelot; Or when the moon was overhead, Came two young lovers lately wed. "I am half sick of shadows," said The Lady of Shalott.
A bow-shot from her bower-eaves, He rode between the barley sheaves, The sun came dazzling thro' the leaves, And flamed upon the brazen greaves Of bold Sir Lancelot. A red-cross knight for ever kneel'd To a lady in his shield, That sparkled on the yellow field, Beside remote Shalott.
His broad clear brow in sunlight glow'd; On burnish'd hooves his war-horse trode; From underneath his helmet flow'd His coal-black curls as on he rode, As he rode down to Camelot. From the bank and from the river He flashed into the crystal mirror, "Tirra lirra" by the river Sang Sir Lancelot.
She left the web, she left the loom, She made three paces thro' the room, She saw the water-lily bloom, She saw the helmet and the plume, She look'd down to Camelot. Out flew the web and floated wide; The mirror crack'd from side to side; "The Curse is come upon me," cried The Lady of Shalott.
And down the river's dim expanse Like some bold seer in a trance, Seeing all his own mischance-- With a glassy countenance did she look to Camelot. And at the closing of the day She loosed the chain, and down she lay; The broad stream bore her far away, The Lady of Shalott.
Heard a carold, mournful, holy, Chanted loudly, chanted lowly, Till her blood was frozen slowly, And her eyes were darkened wholly, Turn'd to tower'd Camelot. For ere she reach'd upon the tide The first house by the water-side, Singing in her song she died, The Lady of Shalott.
Under tower and balcony, By garden-wall and gallery, A gleaming shape she floated by, Dead-pale between the houses high, Silent into Camelot. Out upon the wharfs they came, Knight and burger, lord and dame, And round the prow they read her name, The Lady of Shalott.
Who is this? And what is here? And in the lighted palace near Died the sound of royal cheer; And they crossed themselves for fear, All the knights at Camelot; But Lancelot mused a little space He said, "She has a lovely face; God in his mercy lend her grace, The Lady of Shalott....
When the dark wood fell before me And all the paths were overgrown When the priests of pride say there is no other way I tilled the sorrows of stone
I did not believe because I could not see Though you came to me in the night When the dawn seemed forever lost You showed me your love in the light of the stars
Cast your eyes on the ocean Cast your soul to the sea When the dark night seems endless Please remember me
Then the mountain rose before me By the deep well of desire From the fountain of forgiveness Beyond the ice and the fire
Cast your eyes on the ocean Cast your soul to the sea When the dark night seems endless Please remember me
Though we share this humble path, alone How fragile is the heart Oh give these clay feet wings to fly To touch the face of the stars
Breathe life into this feeble heart Lift this mortal veil of fear Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears We'll rise above these earthly cares
Cast your eyes on the ocean Cast your soul to the sea When the dark night seems endless Please remember me... Please remember me... Please remember me...
This weblog is a
collection of my random thoughts. It's as simple as that. What I write here
is for my friends, or anyone else who might find it worth reading. This is
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if you have any thoughts about something that you read here please drop me a
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Friday, May 09, 2014
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