I've now listened to the DVD...wich is also showing some great pictures to every one and each of the tracks.
My first impression of TSJMJ DVD is this:
Warm sound and realistic 5.1 mix. The rear speakers delivers allmost the same kind of resonances you can expect to hear bouncing between the walls of i.e. The Royal Albert Hall.
Only for a few moments it becomes confusing...choirs that's singing from behind et.c. If it's to blame on my equipments or the disc I will leave for the judge. In some cases the electronic sounds are rotating around in all the channels.
I found some surprises in some parts when I was expecting a strong "lift" (or peek?) in the music nothing happened...the orchestra can even play those parts weaker in some cases and in other cases it surprises me with an unexpected "twist", so I must say I have great fun listening to The Symphonic JMJ!
I have allready some personal favorites: Chronologie 1, Equinoxe 4,
Industrial Revolution 2, Eldorado and Acropolis.
Chronologie 1 - The violines are actually "playing" the delays...that impresses on me. The choir is doing a great job. Just beatiful!
Equinoxe 4 - Glochenspiel, trumphets and flutes in a nice harmony and
the sequenzer circulating around in the surround bubble.
The music is rising step by step into its final and almost throwing me off the chair.
Industrial Rev. 2 - I don't know yet why I like part 1 aswell as part 2.
It's simply powerful...the sub allmost took off from the floor and rock the
ceiling so that it threatening to fall into the room.
A distorted guitar helps bringing some extra dirt and a "mechanical" feeling at the ending grand finale.
For me I.R. -Overture is a little too incorrect in the Glockenspiel part. Outside of that detail, not bad at all.
Chronologie 2 - A "mexican/spanish" touch with the trumphet at the beginning lead. At the breaking part the synth is "fooling around" a bit between the surround channels.
Chronologie 3 - Also a trumphet at the lead then violins taking over
and maybe some flutes. Still it gets pretty boring.
Gloria L.B. - No comments. ZZZzzzzzzzz!
Some really deep tones though. I have a sub that can speak down to 20 Hz and below...
here it proves it by shaking the walls and punch me in the chest.
FJAS - Something doesn't feel quite right at the beginning solo...no, more
like totally off the walls and it sounds a little strange too.
Maybe I should add why I fell in love with this piece of music in the first place. It was because of the interesting meeting between old chinese acoustic instruments and Jarre's (at that time) up to date electronic instruments...so, for me one half of this basic elements of Fishing Junks At Sunset are gone in this version. So there is theoretically no point left for me to like this version. Maybe I have to get more use to it.
MF 1 - My thoughts about MF 1 didn't change. I know many people like this one. I don't know what's the matter with me but I just can't stand it or maybe understand it. All that is happening in this version is...
nothing! I simply want the original...period. A personal thing I guess.
Oxygene 4 - A very nice try. I think it is funny because when I hear it I can see those dancing and sliding Penguins from the video has become soldiers marching in unison to this version of Oxygene 4. A totally different feeling and rythm that's all.
RV 2 - It has been more or less "symphonic" before...not very surprising.
Just enjoying the sound quality and the fantastic choir.
RV 4 - I can't help thinking about the musical theme to some episode of the TV-show Mr Bean. Hillarious!
Eldorado - This is amazing. I think they make it much more interesting
than the original...I vote for this one. Also a very clever use of the guitars.
Acropolis - THE CHOIR!!! Fantastic, MAGNIFICENT!
Computer Weekend - What is this...Flamenco? A Carneval?
Anyhow...If I have forgotten some track I haven't picked it up yet and my judgement will most likely change thru time...some of the tracks has to grow on me. Tadlow doesn't even have to be ashamed of the HDCD's. They aswell sounds clear as a bell.
. I'm now very short by money so I'll have to wait until next week.
...
Yes, but I've got for 25 euro's of cd-cheques (or how do you call that in english). And they don't take them!