RobiNZ Personal Blog

Sony dumps ATRAC, Connect and SonicStage?

Have Sony have finally given up with SonicStage?

UPDATE 03–09–2007: Yep, SonicStage is history! See this press release from Sony NZ

I hope so as their music hardware is great but SonicStage, the software that connected it, was awful. Read their advice to “Connect” on-line store users on how save their content:

“Sony advises all its customers to burn purchased music to CD and re-rip them into MP3s to remove the DRM and enable long term future use.”

Yet another reason to not trust DRM controlled content.

TrustedReviews - Sony Dumps ATRAC & Connect, Adds WMA Walkmans
Sony Dumps ATRAC & Connect, Adds WMA Walkmans

Wired – Sony to Unplug Connect Music Service
Acknowledging its proprietary audio technology was a marketplace flop, Sony Corp. is shuttering its Connect digital music store and will open its portable media players to other formats

Tags: SonicStage, Sony

Raising money for the Big Bang?

My interest in cosmology and music meant this headline from a New Zealand Symphony Orchestra newsletter appealed.

Raising money for the Big Bang - nzso.co.nz
NZSO players and their friends put their shoulders to the wheel in a Wellington concert that will raise money for some new percussion instruments. There should be something for everyone in this eclectic concert spanning music from the Baroque to the present…

Tags: New+Zealand+Symphony+Orchestra, NZSO, Cosmology

David Byrne on cycling

I wonder how much of his music was inspired by cycling… 

David Byrne Journal: 6.18.07: Bicycles in NYC
I have been riding a bicycle in New York City for almost 30 years! For transport, not for sport. At first there were only a few of us. Loners, losers, maniacs and nerds…

Tags: David+Byrne

A band called DRM?

Musicians either love or hate Digital Rights Management, but this Japanese band are DRM!

DRM [CD+DVD] - www.cdjapan.co.jp
Dream returns under their new name DRM with a brand new six-song mini-album! This version includes bonus DVD with music video for the main track and live footage (subject to change). *Unless otherwise indicated, DVDs are region-2 encoded (Japan, Europe, and Middle East), and carry no subtitles.

"Marbecks" no longer Marbecks, sign of the times?

In a world of iThis & Download that it seems strange that a “Record Shop” can be part of your life…

The news that the Marbeck family have sold their “Record Store” (first opened in 1934) made me think about how it, and media, have evolved in a relatively short time.

I remember in the days before interweb shopping and download, when many NZ records were stamped locally, if you couldn’t get something the standard response was “try Marbecks!”. They were legendary for stocking, importing if they didn’t, virtually any title you’d want. The business has evolved changed premises, expanded and contracted, even embraced the Internet. They always led in promoting new media & technology; especially in the early days of CD when they were the place to go. Venturing into that store in downtown Auckland was certain to result in another title, at least, being added to my collection.

I work for The Warehouse (TWL), who have claimed a huge portion of retail music sales, but am still a customer at Marbecks. Large chains cater to mass markets and my, I’ll admit strange, musical tastes are not often satisfied by their range. That means turning to specialists like Marbecks, or nowadays on-line, to find titles that will never be seen in NZ. However I always check Marbecks, and other local sites, before ordering overseas as they generally offer better prices if they have the title (freight is a killer to NZ).

Although TWL have made life hard for retailers all struggle to compete with downloads. That has been hampered by the pain that is Digital Rights but the end of that means the real competition is just starting.

Still nothing on-line compares to the experience of wandering thru a big store browsing and discovering new titles/artists you’ve never heard of before. It appears the new owners are going to stick to the Marbecks formula: 

"They have kept something special in music retailing and we want to continue with that," said Roger Harper, managing director of [new owners] The CD and DVD Store, which has 30 outlets.

That’s good to hear and also that Roger is still in the music business, as owner of Ode Records who have a catalogue of New Zealand, Pacific, World, Classics and Jazz recordings.

Change of tune but Marbecks name stays - 11 Apr 2007 - NZ Herald: New Zealand Business and Personal Finance News
The departure of the Marbeck family from Queen St marks the end of an era for Auckland retailing.
But the new owners of Marbecks Record Shop, The CD and DVD Store, say they will keep the family brand name that has been a part of what was called "The Golden Mile" for more than seven decades…

Tags: marbecks

"The Way Up - Live" DVD hits New Zealand

I should be saying buy it at Amazon so I get some commission or at The Warehouse so helps my salary but if you’re in NZ you can click below to get the local Region 4 DVD version of  "The Way Up - Live".

I’ve been watching an imported disc for months, which cost way up more than the local version, and it’s brilliant. If you like Pat Metheny Group you’ll love it!

Pat Metheny Group – The Way Up – Live - Marbecks DVD
Release Date: Monday, 12 February, 2007
Pre-order your copy NOW

Pat Metheny is one of the most original and distinctive guitarists of modern times. Together with long-time collaborator and keyboards player, Lyle Mays, he founded the Pat Metheny Group in 1978. Instantly successful, they have established themselves at the forefront of jazz-rock fusion with a succession of best-selling albums and sell-out world tours. This show, filmed in late 2005, features the full concert version of his album 'The Way Up', which earned Pat Metheny Group their 10th Grammy Award and Metheny personally his 17th.

Tags: The+Way+Up+-+Live

5 things that people don’t know about me?

Hobie tagged me to blog 5 things that people don’t know about me, Hmmm….

1. My musical career did not progress beyond Grade 1 Piano. I now only play the CD’s…
2. As a kid I did, and liked, small boat sailing. I still like it but not enough to bother having a boat.
3. My dad is a talented mechanical engineer & machinist/toolmaker. I did not inherit this skill at all.
4. I’ve been to Las Vegas twice and never gambled. Not because of any anti-gambling conviction, just not interested. It’s actually possible to like visiting Vegas without gambling!
5. I like cycling but haven’t touched either of my bikes since getting home from a cycling holiday in APRIL   It’s now December and I have to change that as have another trip booked for next March.
6. I hate, and bin, chain letters and chain emails but don’t mind these blog tag things. Perhaps it’s because there is no claim it will result in illness, tragedy, riches, poverty if you do/don’t participate…
7. I can’t count!

The Mindjet Blog » Tony Tagged Me

Tony Goodson just tagged me and four other people to blog 5 things that people don’t know about me. Thanks, Tony.

And I tag Marc Orchant (oops, someone already tagged him!…nearly a year ago. Hmmm, I guess this is a bit of an old meme. Who cares, it’s a cool one!
OK, I will tag Nick Duffill (who, by the way, will hate being tagged. Sorry, Nick! ), Jamie Nast, Robin Capper, Jason Dorko and Chuck Frey.

Tags: 5+things, Five+things

I Missed The Way Up!

This arrived today but nobody was home

So it sits in the courier depot overnight  

It’s a long weekend 

The weather forecast isn’t great

Perfect DVD watching weather…

Saturday delivery is a wonderful thing!

Tags: The+Way+Up, Pat+Metheny+Group

Pat Metheny's Flash New Home Page

Pat Metheny Group have a new home page and it’s great. Loads of content but by far the best feature: 

Pat Metheny Radio – All Pat Metheny music, Streaming all day!

Pat Metheny: Home Page - www.patmetheny.com

Tags: Pat+Metheny+Group

J.B. Spins "The Way Up Live" DVD - Pat Metheny Group

Back in February 2005 I seriously considered flying to Tokyo, Seoul or San Diego just to see a concert. At that stage I hadn’t seen Pat Metheny perform other than on DVD. Pat Metheny Group’s “The Way Up” tour was getting rave reviews and that was the nearest it would get to New Zealand.

Since then I’ve seen Pat Metheny (Trio) perform in New Zealand and also, unexpectedly, have visited Seoul but not to see PMG. The Seoul performance I would have seen, funds allowing, has just been released on DVD. J.B. has a great review which is some comfort while I wait for the courier to deliver my copy. It’s been on pre-order from the day I found out about the release & it’s not far away…

J.B. Spins: The Way Up Live
One reason The Way Up was such an important recording when it was released, is that it seemed to synthesize everything the guitarist has previously explored, into a coherent, album-length statement. It was also great music, so The Way Up Live, featuring the Pat Metheny Group performing this extended piece in Seoul, is a welcome DVD arrival.

The Simpsons meets Star Trek

This is so cool, a mix of The Simpsons & Star Trek themes performed on a Rhodes piano, Theremin and Funnel!

The Simpsons vs Star Trek - www.youtube.com

Update 01–09–2006; Fixed the link

Pat Metheny Group "The Way Up" Live DVD due in October

I found the following item at CDJapan and thought you might be interested in it… 

IT’S THE DVD OF THE CONCERT OF THE BEST PAT METHENY GROUP RECORDING EVER RELEASED* 

c h a n d r a s u t r a: Pat Metheny Group The Way Up Tour Review
“Even James Joyce, music lover that he was, couldn't help me come up with the adjectives to describe the experience of seeing Pat Metheny Group, on tour”

Pat Metheny Group – "The Way Up" Live DVD
Release Date:2006/10/18
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=VABG-1216

Running Time: 90mins, NTSC Format, Layers: single-sided/dual-layered,

Aspect Ratio(s): 16:9LB, Regional Encoding: 2, Color, Encoding: MPEG-2, Subtitles: Japanese ,

Audio Track : DTS 5.1ch &  Dolby Digital 5.1ch

 

* Until the next one

 

Track & more details at the Pat Metheny Group MySpace Blog

Pat Metheny - Are You Going With Me

Another Pat Metheny masterpiece, thanks to jazzmannl for sharing these. Compare this, more faithful to the original on the album Offramp, with Anna Maria Jopek's impressive vocal version.

Pat Metheny - Minuano with the Metropole Orchestra

Pat Metheny - Minuano - with the Metropole Orchestra (Live from North Sea Jazz 2003) is just awesome. It’s one of Pat’s best tracks and works nicely with the orchestra. Can you buy this on DVD somewhere????

For comparison, there is a clip of the original Minuano (Six Eight) from the album Still Life (Talking) at Amazon.

42 strings, not an orchestra, just a guitar

Over on “A Welsh View” Robert Gale asks “Think you can play this?” (42 string guitar).

Well, no, but I’ve seen someone who can!  One the highlights of Pat Metheny’s recent New Zealand concert was a solo on the 42 String Pikasso Guitar. You can see a brief clip of it in action, not sure where it was filmed, below…

The joys of SonicStage - there are none, it sucks

A tale of a Sony Player and Sonicstage. No matter how sexy the hardware, and it is, Sony still screw it all up with crap software. I posted about this way back in 2004 and still they persist. It appears Apple aren’t any better.

Carito's Pics ;-p: Don't buy Sony music players !
What I didn’t know at the time, and they didn’t tell me either, is that you needed a software to start your "Sony experience".

As somebody said, Sony: Please feed better the monkeys that code your software.

Vivaldi, the rocker?

Far from the conventional arrangement, by Jean Michel Jarre, but it works!

Hello? It's for me

It’s here so this classic is only a click away…

At the end of any war... Why not at the beginning?

I was reading Jack Yan’s attempt to make sense of the Middle East conflict(s) but I think it’s a futile task. When I see or read war coverage the all I hear is the wise words of a WW1 Veteran:

“At the end of any war, everyone sits around a table and comes to some agreement.
Why dont' they do that before the war instead?”
Alf Razzell, Royal Fusiliers, WWI

Who's right, who's wrong... that quote sums up the futility of war for me.

I first heard Alf’s voice in “The Ballard of Bill Hubbard” (link to Lyric); the first track on Roger Waters album Amused To Death. The vocal is an extract from a BBC documentary interview which, by chance, I have also seen. It was a moving collection of interviews with the last of the WW1 veterans, all in their late 80’s/90’s, still coping with the emotional and psychological effects decades later. His was just one of many heartbreaking stories.

www.rogerwatersonline.com/amused/

The Ballad of Bill Hubbard, features the genuine voice of Alf Razzell as he describes his failings in saving a colleague Private William Hubbard, from death and possibly never being found in the trenches of the First World War. The album carries the poignant dedication, Dedicated to Private William Hubbard (1888-1917), Eighth Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, City Of London Regiment.

A Tribute to RAZ and Bill - www.rogerwaters.org

Say hello to "Anyone Can Say Goodbye" - Greg Johnson

Ask me to name my favourite kiwi artists and Greg Johnson tops the list. I haven’t heard the full CD yet but the samples on his site indicate his latest, "Anyone Can Say Goodbye", is the usual high standard.

It’s out today, so I’ll be stopping off to the Red Shed to get a copy, after all I have 12 hours free to listen to it!

Greg Johnson - Anyone Can Say Goodbye
Anyone Can Say Goodbye has all the hallmarks of what we have come to know as Greg Johnson's quintessential sound. A master of soulful tunes, a witty raconteur, Greg is ready to beguile and seduce us with his latest work. Anyone Can Say Goodbye is full of songs that are waiting to bewitch you. Laden with delicate pop craftsmanship and superb vocals, the record is full of tales of love gone wrong, love gone right, and all the feelings in between.

Anna Maria Jopek & Pat Metheny

The beautiful Anna Maria Jopek with Pat Metheny  -  Are You Going With Me?

Quote from Anna Maria Jopek interview by Marco Losavio  about making UPOJENIE

“This was the most rewarding and beautiful time in our lives, yet at the same time the most exhausting, we hardly survived the tension and the suspense. When Pat eventually arrived in Warsaw for a week in October 2002 it all vanished – and the purest joy of making music with your greatest hero of all time remained. How he works is another story. It would be wise to publish a book on that one day. It's unlikely we will ever meet someone like him again. He's from another world.”

Greg Johnson: Anyone Can Say Goodbye : Coming soon

First sign, for me, of Greg’s new album was a listing at Marbecks.

Greg Johnson :– Anyone Can Say Goodbye - Marbecks

Greg Johnson Official Website

Greg Johnson - My Space Page (with audio)

Lyle Mays – Lyle Mays

Not sure what prompted Marty to do this review of Lyle Mays solo album “Lyle Mays” now, it was released back in 1998, but it’s a nice summary of a great disc. The opening track is a favourite but by far the most memorable is “Track 7 – Alaskan Suite: Ascent”.

Lyle Mays – Lyle Mays - Marbecks - More Detail

Pat Metheny Group Podcast

Seems like today is podcast discovery day as discovered the Pat Metheny Group podcast. The first discusses the re-mastered SONG X and there are iTunes and RSS subscriptions for future editions.

I have to admit I tried to like SONG X when it was released but never really got it. Perhaps it’s time for another attempt.

Pat Metheny Group Listener Network - Podcasts
Celebrating the Twentieth Anniversary of the historic recording SONG X featuring Pat Metheny, Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden, Jack DeJohnette & Denardo Coleman

Greg Johnson has a blog

My favourite Kiwi musician, Greg Johnson, has a new My Space music page/blog with a few sample tracks from his latest CD “Here comes the Caviar”. He’s now resident in Santa Monica, a move to find the fame, fortune and caviar he deserves, but returns home to perform occasionally.

Keep an eye on the page for details of Greg’s upcoming performances: Boston.. Wilmington.. St Louis.. NYC.... all coming up soon.

http://www.myspace.com/gregjohnsonmusic

Pat Metheny Trio rocks in Wellington

This isn’t a comprehensive review, I was far to busy enjoying the performance to remember all the detail required to document a stunning event but here goes with a few memories…

Pat Metheny walked onto the stage of the Michael Fowler Centre and began his first ever New Zealand performance with a baritone guitar solo. I didn’t recognise the tune at first, he later said was an improvisation, but it evolved into a variation of Last Train Home that set the scene for an awesome evening. I was sitting close enough to see the delicate finger-work & complex techniques that result in that unique Metheny sound. As much as I enjoy the DVD’s it was wonderful to finally see Pat perform without a director intruding!

From intimate solo’s, including one on the 42 String Pikasso Guitar, to powerful electro-acoustic tours, accompanied by the excellent Antonio Sanchez (Drums) and Christian McBride (Acoustic Bass), every aspect of this Trio’s combined talents were revealed. The performance ranged from some of Pat’s earliest works, Bright Size Life, to “group tracks” like So May It Secretly Begin, from Still Life (Talking), artfully rearranged for the Trio.  I was rapt when they played Always and Forever, a favourite of mine from Secret Story. Pat mentioned a new track, as yet unnamed other than “No 13”, was written for the Trio & maybe a new CD “if they get time in the studio”. I hope they do.

I was expecting a more “traditional jazz trio” sound, which was there at times, but this combination also rocked with sound levels that threatened to blast open the theatre doors! A standing ovation led to a blues’ey encore, with Christian on electric bass for the first time, followed by another standing ovation as a happy looking Trio left the stage. It appeared they had a good time, it was apparent the audience certainly did.

I chose to drive down to Wellington for the weekend. Monday was a stunning day and the nine hour drive home, with a Metheny soundtrack all the way (Travels, One Quiet Night, The Way Up, First Circle and more), was a memorable end to a wonderful weekend (just look at Mt Ruapehu right).

Live, the Pat Metheny Trio was electrifying, just as the festival promotion promised – now we have to lure him back to New Zealand with the group!

Related Links:

NZ Performance discussion, and “kiwihead”s posting of Tyler Hersey’s much more comprehensive review, at the Pat Metheny Group Listener Network.

Pat Metheny Trio Bio

Finally, Pat Metheny Live in New Zealand!

First there was a circle….

About 20 years ago I picked up a CD in the library. CD’s were still fairly new, & expensive in New Zealand, so it was a good way to audition before buying. I’d never heard of the artist but liked the design of the cover. It’s not the best way to choose music but a brief audition showed Pat Metheny was no ordinary musician and there began a lifetime of pleasure.

Not, it must be said, always instant pleasure as Pat’s music can be “challenging” at times. However, some tracks I’ve not liked at first later became long term favourites. I now own most of his catalog, CD and DVD, and listen to them all, often.

Pat Metheny Group has won an unprecedented 10 Grammys beginning in 1982 for the record, OFFRAMP, to last years release “The Way Up”. Pat, himself, has won 17 Grammy awards in 10 different categories ranging from Best Instrumental Composition to Best Rock Performance.

This weekend I’m heading to Wellington to hear the Pat Metheny perform, for the first time ever, in New Zealand!

Pat Metheny Trio - NZ International Arts Festival 2006
Pat Metheny with Christian McBride and Antonio Sanchez
12 Mar, 8:00pm, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington

http://www.patmethenygroup.com/ (official Website)

Which MP3 Player?

I’m thinking of getting a MP3 Player to replace my Minidisc Player but cant find one that:

• Has enough capacity to take a reasonable amount of stuff – 1 or 2 gb is fine
• Stores any kind of files – drag n drop – USB connection
• Has a long battery life – 30 hours –  or runs from replaceable batteries.
• Is rechargable independently – not carrying a computer to recharge a USB mp3 player!
• Has a radio tuner – when travelling I like listening to local radio
• Can record would be nice, not essential

I don’t care if it isn’t an iPod. The whole “iPod” thing is a bit lost on me, I don’t want to carry a trillion CD’s on a fragile hard-drive that I know I’ll drop.

So far the best bet is the Sony NWA608S MP3 Walkman (2GB with FM tuner) + some sort of recharger as it’s USB only. Have also thought of a combo mobile phone/player but my contract has a year to go and my provider doesn’t offer the Sony ones that look like the best bet here.

Any recommendations?

Pat Metheny Group wins a Grammy for "The Way Up"

My favourite Pat Metheny Group album wins a Grammy!

The Way Up wins Best Contemporary Jazz Album. That’s the 17th Grammy for Pat, 11th for the group!

Can’t wait to see Pat in his first ever New Zealand performance next month!

Best Contemporary Jazz Album ~ www.grammy.com

Pat Metheny Group Listener Network.

Root out the Rootkit - SonyBMG DRM Customer Survival Kit

Freedom to Tinker have posted a SonyBMG DRM Customer Survival Kit.

Freedom to Tinker » Blog Archive » SonyBMG DRM Customer Survival Kit

SonicStage 3.3 - An improvement, at least it installs and works!

Given the enormous trouble I’ve had upgrading Sony’s SonicStage in the past I was rather nervous when an email arrived suggesting an upgrade to SonicStage 3.3.

Given all the justifiably bad press Sony have had recently with the whole rootkit thing I wondered what sort of havoc SonicStage would cause this time. It took a week to recover from last attempt to upgrade and trashed my SonicStage music database. From the traffic and response to that blog post I was not alone.

The dilemma is that I need SonicStage to use my Net-MD player…

So, after a careful review of the install instructions and backup of the old database I started the upgrade. After a very slow download, despite a broadband connection it arrived at dialup speed, removal of the previous version and installation worked perfectly finishing with a request to reboot. On restarting the old database was upgraded and I now have a seemingly happy SonicStage 3.3 installation. I’ve added a CD and transferred some tracks to/from a Mini disc with no problems at all. That might not seem startling but in comparison with the pain of the other upgrades it’s a miracle.

I don’t have a download link as SonicStage is localised, visit www.Sony.com to find the correct version for your combination of hardware/location.

From Sony;

SonicStage Version 3.3 is now available for consumers with compatible Sony Hi-MD Walkman, Net MD Walkman, Network Walkman, ATRAC CD Walkman, CD/Radio Cassette Players.

SonicStage 3.3 includes a number of step-up features…

Pat Metheny Trio - NZ International Arts Festival 2006

Pat Metheny, in New Zealand!

Nothing more to say other than see you in Wellington!

Pat Metheny Trio - NZ International Arts Festival 2006
Pat Metheny with Christian McBride and Antonio Sanchez, United States
12 Mar, 8:00pm, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington

Van Morrison's Contractual Obligation Album

This is great…

WFMU's Beware of the Blog: Van Morrison's Contractual Obligation Album

In order to fulfill his obligation to his early solo label Bang Records,Van Morrison sat down in 1967 or so and cranked out 31 songs on the spot, on topics ranging from ringworm to wanting a danish…

Sony SonicStage dies?

Are Sony are finally getting serious about the attack of the iPod? Probably too little too late but their latest line of Hard-drive/Network Walkman look nice.

I went to a “My Sony” preview hosted by Sony New Zealand last month. A, previously dealer only, product preview was opened to customers registered through the My Sony site. The focus was a new LCD TV range but the full product range, including Walkman, was on display. I was impressed with the 1 Gb solid-state Network Walkman and asked if they still used SonicStage to manage content.

I was disappointed to find they do as have found SonicStage an awful application to use, maintain and upgrade. “SonicStage Horrors” is one of my most visited posts found by people searching for help with corrupted data, upgrades gone bad and other problems. I will never purchase DRM content on-line and trust it to SonicStage, or other similar software, after seeing a simple software upgrade corrupt an entire content database. All I lost was time as the content was all from CD’s I own but imagine the pain, and cost, if it had meant losing downloaded content.

There was some hope in the response as was told “there are some big changes coming for SonicStage”. If the report on Engadget is correct it appears that SonicStage may die . I hope so as Sony make great audio hardware then ruin it with awful software.

The latest chapter in Sony’s sea change — SonicStage dies - Engadget

Robert Moog RIP

Electronic music pioneer Robert Moog, RIP.

Bob's Body Leaves Us :::::: MOOG MUSIC ::::::

Pat Metheny at Festival International de Jazz de Montreal 2005

A review of Pat Metheny Group’s outdoor performance of The Way Up at the Montreal Jazz Festival. It was filmed, hopefully there will be a DVD of this.

Festival International de Jazz de Montreal 2005, Day 11, July 10, 2005

Jean Michel Jarre's 'JARRE IN CHINA' DVD

Thanks to Amazon U.K. I received Jean Michel Jarre's latest DVD “JARRE IN CHINA“ only a few days after it’s release in Europe.

I first posted about it when I placed the order in November last year. The release was delayed and at one stage there was going to be a cut down version.  Thankfully it’s been well worth waiting for as this version includes the full concert, DVD extras + CD audio disc version.

After an initial viewing and watching the “making of” documentary my first impression is if you have an interest in Jarre, China or AV production you just have to see it. It looks and sounds fantastic:

• Originally shot for high definition TV, the DVD transfer looks fantastic.
• A 5.1 surround sound system was used at the concert venue and is on DVD in both DTS and Dolby Digital formats. The music was written, or older pieces re-arranged, for surround sound. The sound you hear is what the audience heard live as they set up a surround sound system at the venue.
• The DVD uses THX Mastering, a first for a music DVD, and the results are superb.

The main concert was held in Beijing’s Forbidden City with a shorter second performance in Tian’Anmen Square. In the intermission you see JMJ being transferred between stages in a motorcycle sidecar. The  Tian’Anmen Square location is poignant as some of the artists featured in the concert, and one planned to perform but later prevented from appearing or even attending, were involved in the 1989 Student Protests. JMJ comments, in the “making of” video, that China today is very different to the China he visited 25 years ago but it’s apparent there is still a long way to go. The heavy hand of the government and military are still evident (this article has more on that).

My favourite tracks are reprises from the 24 year old “Concerts In China” album. “Fishing Junks at Sunset” and “Souvenir of China” combine JMJ electronic sounds with the 260 strong traditional Chinese and Western orchestra. The opening, from Aero, is an acoustic barrage from the orchestra which has just become my surround sound demo disc…

The staging includes inflated fabric structures acting as screens for video art related to the music while complex lighting illuminates the stage and surrounding buildings. No fireworks, unusual for Jarre, I presume because of the venue. The total budget was reported to be 4 million euros. The size of the venue limited the live (invited) audience to 16,000 but one billion watched the live TV broadcast!

There are some video snips and information at www.jeanmicheljarre.com

Amazon.co.uk: DVD: Jean Michel Jarre - Jarre In China (2 DVDs and Live CD Album)
NOTE: The disc supplied was PAL Format, Region 2,3,4,5.

Pat Metheny talks...

c h a n d r a s u t r a found this interview with Pat Metheny in which he discusses the creative process and  “The Way Up”:

“It's a reaction, he says, to a world where things are getting shorter, dumber, less interesting, less detailed and more predictable.”

c h a n d r a s u t r a: Pat Metheny talks about his music and form on NPR

Pat inspires many, including a Porsche Designer;

“Some years ago I asked Porsche’s Tony Hatter about the mysterious source and said modern sculpture and animal forms, getting a high while running, basketball shoes, running shoes, ski boots, sports gear in general, the peak train in Hong Kong, the strong plastic smell from car seat covers, elevators, escalators, and the album As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls by Pat Metheny.

Artistic inspiration is a source of wonder and awe…”

Stephen Bayley writing in Car Magazine ~ March 2005

The Pat Metheny Group Is A Jazz Dynamo

I found another review of PMG’s The Way Up tour, this time from Houston, which I hadn’t seen listed on the PMG.com site.

After reading Chandrasutra’s review of the Toronto performance and now this one I’m almost tempted to max out the credit card and buy a ticket to Europe where the remaining performances are scheduled. The nearest tour venue was 9,000km away but there is no other way to see it unless more Asia Pacific performances are planned.

Other than that my only hope is that there will be a DVD. It’s not like being there but better than nothing. Please release a “The Way Up tour DVD” Pat!

Jazz Concert Review - The Pat Metheny Group Is A Jazz Dynamo @ jazzreview.com

"The Way Up" down to New Plymouth

It sounds like a nightmare; a 5 hour solo drive and only one CD. Recently I drove from Auckland to New Plymouth, about 360km (220m), and for the entire trip listened to only one disc – Pat Metheny Group’s new CD “The Way Up”

As I left Auckland it provided a sound-track for Friday “motorway” traffic that rarely exceeded 60–80km/h due to people cruising along in all the lanes – brain in neutral. With no choice other than to follow (keep left is a concept not commonly understood it seems) at least I had stimulating music to pass the time.

I don’t really feel I’ve escaped until crossing the one-way bridge at Rangiriri, 70km south of the city. Here you leave “State Highway One” for country roads and finally feel free.

It still puzzles me why so few people do this but the roads that run down the west bank of the Waikato River are generally empty and free of the painful road improvement works that currently blight State Highway One on the other side.

By this time I had heard the disc once and as I crossed the river “Opening”  faded into “Part One” (trk2) for the second time. Flat straight roads pass by dairy farms and fields of maise ready for harvest. By now up to a more comfortable 100 km/h the scenery rolled by as if it part of a great road film. The mood of the music ebbs and flows and seemed to match the road as it follows the river through Huntly and Ngaruawahia before heading inland to Pirongia.

You leave the river valley and travel over rolling farm county towards Otorohanga and Te Kuiti. As I rounded a corner or crested a hill another variation of the scenery unfurled and the music seemed to match with an appropriate change of pace or tone. By this time it was probably on its third play but with the CD on infinite repeat it had become one long virtuoso performance.

The track markers on this disc are superfluous as it should, no it demands, to be listened to as a whole. Break it into tracks and you loose an essential aspect that an uninterrupted session provides. That it is rich and varied enough to stand five repeats without becoming repetitive yet still hangs together as a cohesive piece is a tribute to both the writing and performance.

The trip down the Awakino Gorge was fun, stunning scenery and nice clear roads, until near the end where I caught a line of traffic behind a cattle truck. It was empty, so light, and as the road straightened near the coast was travelling reasonably quickly. However, rather than follow it I decided a pit-stop was due and diverted to explore Mokau.

Its a delightful “old fashioned” holiday settlement where the “baches” (Northern Kiwi term for holiday homes, they are “Cribs” in the South) are just that and not the pretentious mansions that form “suburbs by the sea” in some other places. Its good to know the traditional Kiwi holiday atmosphere survives somewhere.

The Tasman Sea was unusually calm and the evening sun made for stunning views. At the end of “Point Rd” Part Two (tk3) played softly while taking I was photos and two surfers debated where, if anywhere, it would be possible to get a wave. I suspect thats a rare problem on this coast!

Mokau has an interesting history and is worthy of a longer visit. There is a river cruise on a classic boat that looked interesting and nearby walks to the Tongaporutu “White Cliffs” and “Three Sisters” coastal features. Unfortunately time was short and I had to drive on to New Plymouth – something for next time.

It wasn’t intended to provide the sound-track for a trip down south in New Zealand but nice drive was dramatically enhanced by the best Pat Metheny Group album to date – “The Way Up”.

Mark Knopfler - Shangri-La Tour - Bowl of Brooklands NZ

Everyone I spoke to before going to New Plymouth said the Bowl of Brooklands was a wonderful venue. I hadn't been before but after a stunning day walking up through the park and into the venue I found that the descriptions were no exaggeration.

In a natural bowl surrounded by Pukekura Park “The Bowl” has open covered stage with a small duck pond in front complete with an ample population of ducks! 

Beyond the pond is an area of shallow tiered seating in front of the stage (where I was) and then grass banking forms a natural amphitheatre (the photo below was taken early as the crowd arrived). Although the strong southerly wind, that was a pain and pleasure on my earlier bike ride, was still blowing it scooted over the top of the bowl so wasn’t a problem.

At 8:00pm Mark Knopfler and the band walked on stage and launched into the Geordie tribute Why Aye Man. The arrival was so low key (no announcement) that many were still buying drinks and food but soon headed to where they could see the performance.

It was the start of a magical show that was a mix of Dire Straits classics and his solo music. The mood swung from high-energy tracks like Walk of Life to subtler such as What It Is and Sailing To Philadelphia.

Classic Dire Straits tracks like Romeo & Juliet and Sultans Of Swing had subtle changes that made them fresh even though performed many times before. Of the solo work I was pleased to hear two of my favourites, Done With Bonaparte & Rüdiger live after enjoying both on the DVD “A night in London”.

It was funny to have ducks in the front row (!) and even the thunderous bass & drums during Speedway At Nazareth seemed not to worry them much. Occasionally you’d see a few flying across the top of the stage in the moonlit clear sky, a first for any concert I’ve attended!

The finale was a trip all the way down Telegraph Road. It was great to hear this live; for me the first time.

After a brief break the encores began with Brothers in Arms. Then Money For Nothing & So Far Away had the place jumping followed by Our Shangri-La from the new album. 

The final encore was from my favourite sound-track Local Hero. Beautiful low key versions of Mist Covered Mountains & Going Home (just guitar & keyboard, no drums) ended the show nearly 2 1/2 hours after they walked on stage.

A magical end to the evening was a walk back through the park now lit by the TSB Festival of Lights (below).  Thanks to Mark, the band and New Plymouth for a wonderful weekend.

Other links
Local-hero.org Concert details page 
David Boyes' page for NZ concerts (lots of photos, some audio)
Guy Fletcher 2005 Tour Diary 

Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth, NZ Saturday 19 March 2005:

• Set List:
• Why Aye Man
• Walk Of Life
• What It Is
• Sailing To Philadelphia
• Romeo & Juliet
• Sultans Of Swing
• Done With Bonaparte
• Song For Sonny Liston
• Donegan's Gone
• Rüdiger
• Boom, Like That
• Speedway At Nazareth
• Telegraph Road
  
• Brothers In Arms
• Money For Nothing
• So Far Away
• Our Shangri-La
• The Mist Covered Mountains/Going Home
• Lineup
• Mark Knopfler (Guitar / Vocals)
• Guy Fletcher (Keyboards / Musical director)
• Chad Cromwell (Drums)
• Glenn Worf (Bass)
• Matt Rollings (Piano / Organ / Accordion)
• Richard Bennett (Guitar)

crikey.......it's Greg Johnson in New York!

From Greg’s newsletter today:

Indirect from New Zealand to New York

One of the most celebrated songsmiths from down-under comes up-over

..after 3 years in LA, we need some culture like a monkey needs bananas.

Live @ The Bitter End this Friday 25th 7pm 147 Bleecker Street (between Thompson and LaGuardia) with Ross Copperman..cheers mate www.BitterEnd.com

Live @ new club "17" Tue March 29th 8pm This show has moved from Suite 16 to this brand new venue at 37 W. 17th St between 5&6th Aves.

back in LA @ Hotel Cafe Fri April 1st 9pm we were only kidding about LA, honest...the Hotel Cafe is VERY cultured. www.hotelcafe.com