- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Butterfly lovers
There are many versions of the violin but some has said that Takako Nishizaki's interpretation is one of the best!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I have a date with Spring
I remember watching the movie a few years back and was enchanted by the songs..
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
New fashioned love songs?
I have been busy with work and my vintage watch collection that I have less time to update my hifi blog.
YOU KNOW THAT AGE IS CATCHING UP WHEN YOUR FAVOURITE SONGS BECOME THE NEW Fashioned love songs.
I have found this 1990 the best of cd this afternoon and the songs were my favorite songs during the 80s with Bangles, Shakin Stevens, Bonnie Taylor, Spandau Ballet, Kansas, Wham, Sade, Paul Young, Miami sound machine, Dan Fogelberg...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
YOU KNOW THAT AGE IS CATCHING UP WHEN YOUR FAVOURITE SONGS BECOME THE NEW Fashioned love songs.
I have found this 1990 the best of cd this afternoon and the songs were my favorite songs during the 80s with Bangles, Shakin Stevens, Bonnie Taylor, Spandau Ballet, Kansas, Wham, Sade, Paul Young, Miami sound machine, Dan Fogelberg...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Friday, May 06, 2011
My new dog
This is my new dog, a beagle... Sleeping after watching tv.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Julio : my life!
This afternoon, after a short boat ride in the morning, i have found some time to listen to the Digitally remastered by Vlado Meller using 24-bit technology (Sony Music Studios, New York, New York) Julio My Life cd.
A good review from the net:
For those with a yearning to know Julio Iglesias beyond the U.S. celebrity duet hits with Willie, Diana, Dolly, Stevie et al., this two-CD retrospective makes for an excellent introduction. Throughout his career Iglesias has employed the same producer and engineer--Ramon Acusa and Carlos Alvarez respectively. For nearly two decades this team has perfected an ultra-sleek yet restrained Europop that travels extremely well. As might be expected it is the original Spanish language tracks comprising most of disc two on which Iglesias can unwind and really strut his stuff. Unlike most international singers, say Cesoria Evoria or even The Gipsy Kings, Julio is not a niche artist. And because he is a real popular singer, he can communicate genuine romanticism in a song, whether Spanish or English, that Placido Domingo, never mind the Three Tenors, can only dream of.
Includes liner notes by David Wild.
2 Cds; 4 New Tracks
Personnel: Sting (vocals, guitar).
Liner Note Author: David Wild.
Photographer: Jason Ware.
MY LIFE: THE GREATEST HITS includes several previously unreleased tracks.
Producers include: Richard Perry, Ramon Arcusa, Rudy Perez, Albert Hammond, Phil Ramone.
Julio Iglesias (born September 23, 1943-) in Madrid is Spain's best selling singer in history and one of the best selling hispanic singers of all time. Julio Iglesias has sold 250 million records and released nearly 80 records. He has performed approximately 5,000 concerts during his career
Early career to 1978
He was a professional soccer player with Real Madrid, where he played as goalie. During this time, he also enrolled in law school. He had an accident that dashed his hopes of becoming a great soccer player, but during his period in bed, he started to compose songs. He received a certificate as a lawyer from Cambridge University a little later.
In 1968, he won a songwriter's contest in Spain and signed a contract with an Columbia Records Latin music label, Discos Columbia. He entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970 for Spain finishing fourth behind Irish singer Dana and Mary Hopkins of England. He sand the song "Gwendolyne" which as the name of his first record. During the 1970s, he married the half Spanish-half Filipino girl Isabel Preysler and they had three children: Chabeli Iglesias, nowadays a former show host who is a news reporter in Washington D.C., Enrique Iglesias, now a world-famous singer who followed his father's steps, and Julio José Iglesias, a model who has released 2 CDs. It was during the 1970s that the Iglesias family's private life became of public knowledge, with Julio and the rest of the family on the covers of various international magazines many times.
Peak of success 1978-1990
In 1978, he signed a contract for CBS International, propelling him to add English, French and Italian to his language repertoire, because he recorded in those languages also under his new management. He achieved his first hit in English with a cover of "Begin The Beguine" and a compilation album Julio in 1983 building his reputation.
In 1984, he released the smash hit album 1100 Bel Air Place, which gave him considerable fame in Engkish language markets. The album sold three million albums in the US alone with the first single "To All The Girls I've Loved Before", a duet with Willie Nelson reaching top five on the Billboard Hot 100. The album also featured "All Of You", a hit duet with Diana Ross.
In 1985, his father was kidnapped but found well and alive after two agonizing weeks. This prompted Julio, who had already divorced from Preysler, to move his family to Miami, where they settled in a mansion at Miami Beach. That year he also made duets with Diana Ross and Willie Nelson. It was rumored in 1986 that Julio, perhaps seeking to get away from all the fame and hoopla for one week, was found walking around the streets of Cayey, Puerto Rico after disappearing for seven days. Julio feels there is a deep connection between him and Puerto Rico because one of his grandmothers was from there.
Iglesias won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album in the 1988 Grammy Awards for the album Un Hombre Solo or "A Single Man". He also recorded a duet with Stevie Wonder on "My Love" from his Non Stop album which achieved crossover success in 1988.
Stories of Julio's expensive private jets, boats and houses became legendary during that decade, and his world tours took him to such places like Indonesia and Malaysia.
Career 1990-today
In the 1990s, Julio went back to his Spanish music roots and in 1996, he released the CD nicknamed Tango. He is slowly stepping out of the limelight now and enjoying his son Enrique's popularity, together with his long time companion Miranda and their baby daughter.
Julio is very amenable to sign autographs, although he can be a little difficult to reach sometimes, due to his and his family's security detail, which they have had since the 1985 kidnapping of Julio's father.
Iglesias returned to the headlines in October, 2003, when he went to Argentina and kissed show host Susana Gimenez three times on her mouth during a live telecast of her show.
Discography
This list contains all albums of original material plus notable compilations.
Gwendolyne (1970)
Julio Iglesias (1972)
Un Canto a Galicia (1973)
A Flor de Piel (1974)
A Mexico (1974)
El Amor (1975)
En El Olympia (1976) recorded live at the Paris Olympia
Si Mi Lasci (1976)
Yo Canto (1977)
A Mis 33 Anos (1977)
Sono Un Pirata, Sono Un Signore (1978)
Soy (1978)
The 24 Greatest Songs (1978)
A Vous Les Femmes (1979)
Aimer La Vie (1979)
America (1979)
Emociones (1979)
Innamorarsi Alla Mia Eta (1979)
Hey! (1980)
Sentimental (1980)
Fidele (1981)
Zartlichkeiten (1981)
From A Child To A Woman (1981)
Minhas Cancoes Prefidas (1981)
Moments (1982) also Momento or Momenti
Por Una Mujer (1982)
In Concert (1983)
Pelo Amor di Uma Mulher (1983)
Julio (1983)
1100 Bel Air Place (1984)
Libra (1985)
Un Hombre Solo (1987)
Tutto L'Amore Che Ti Manca (1987)
Non Stop (1988)
Latinamente (1989)
Raices (1989)
Starry Night (1990)
Ein Weinachtsabend Mit Julio Iglesias (1992)
Calor (1992)
Crazy (1994)
La Carraterra (1995)
Tango (1996)
My Life: The Greatest Hits (1998)
Noche de Cuatro Luanas (2000)
Una Donna Puo Cambiar la Vita (2001)
Ao Meu Brasil (2001)
Personalidad: 20 Exitos (2002)
Divorcio (2003)
Love Songs (2004)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
A good review from the net:
For those with a yearning to know Julio Iglesias beyond the U.S. celebrity duet hits with Willie, Diana, Dolly, Stevie et al., this two-CD retrospective makes for an excellent introduction. Throughout his career Iglesias has employed the same producer and engineer--Ramon Acusa and Carlos Alvarez respectively. For nearly two decades this team has perfected an ultra-sleek yet restrained Europop that travels extremely well. As might be expected it is the original Spanish language tracks comprising most of disc two on which Iglesias can unwind and really strut his stuff. Unlike most international singers, say Cesoria Evoria or even The Gipsy Kings, Julio is not a niche artist. And because he is a real popular singer, he can communicate genuine romanticism in a song, whether Spanish or English, that Placido Domingo, never mind the Three Tenors, can only dream of.
Includes liner notes by David Wild.
2 Cds; 4 New Tracks
Personnel: Sting (vocals, guitar).
Liner Note Author: David Wild.
Photographer: Jason Ware.
MY LIFE: THE GREATEST HITS includes several previously unreleased tracks.
Producers include: Richard Perry, Ramon Arcusa, Rudy Perez, Albert Hammond, Phil Ramone.
Julio Iglesias (born September 23, 1943-) in Madrid is Spain's best selling singer in history and one of the best selling hispanic singers of all time. Julio Iglesias has sold 250 million records and released nearly 80 records. He has performed approximately 5,000 concerts during his career
Early career to 1978
He was a professional soccer player with Real Madrid, where he played as goalie. During this time, he also enrolled in law school. He had an accident that dashed his hopes of becoming a great soccer player, but during his period in bed, he started to compose songs. He received a certificate as a lawyer from Cambridge University a little later.
In 1968, he won a songwriter's contest in Spain and signed a contract with an Columbia Records Latin music label, Discos Columbia. He entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970 for Spain finishing fourth behind Irish singer Dana and Mary Hopkins of England. He sand the song "Gwendolyne" which as the name of his first record. During the 1970s, he married the half Spanish-half Filipino girl Isabel Preysler and they had three children: Chabeli Iglesias, nowadays a former show host who is a news reporter in Washington D.C., Enrique Iglesias, now a world-famous singer who followed his father's steps, and Julio José Iglesias, a model who has released 2 CDs. It was during the 1970s that the Iglesias family's private life became of public knowledge, with Julio and the rest of the family on the covers of various international magazines many times.
Peak of success 1978-1990
In 1978, he signed a contract for CBS International, propelling him to add English, French and Italian to his language repertoire, because he recorded in those languages also under his new management. He achieved his first hit in English with a cover of "Begin The Beguine" and a compilation album Julio in 1983 building his reputation.
In 1984, he released the smash hit album 1100 Bel Air Place, which gave him considerable fame in Engkish language markets. The album sold three million albums in the US alone with the first single "To All The Girls I've Loved Before", a duet with Willie Nelson reaching top five on the Billboard Hot 100. The album also featured "All Of You", a hit duet with Diana Ross.
In 1985, his father was kidnapped but found well and alive after two agonizing weeks. This prompted Julio, who had already divorced from Preysler, to move his family to Miami, where they settled in a mansion at Miami Beach. That year he also made duets with Diana Ross and Willie Nelson. It was rumored in 1986 that Julio, perhaps seeking to get away from all the fame and hoopla for one week, was found walking around the streets of Cayey, Puerto Rico after disappearing for seven days. Julio feels there is a deep connection between him and Puerto Rico because one of his grandmothers was from there.
Iglesias won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album in the 1988 Grammy Awards for the album Un Hombre Solo or "A Single Man". He also recorded a duet with Stevie Wonder on "My Love" from his Non Stop album which achieved crossover success in 1988.
Stories of Julio's expensive private jets, boats and houses became legendary during that decade, and his world tours took him to such places like Indonesia and Malaysia.
Career 1990-today
In the 1990s, Julio went back to his Spanish music roots and in 1996, he released the CD nicknamed Tango. He is slowly stepping out of the limelight now and enjoying his son Enrique's popularity, together with his long time companion Miranda and their baby daughter.
Julio is very amenable to sign autographs, although he can be a little difficult to reach sometimes, due to his and his family's security detail, which they have had since the 1985 kidnapping of Julio's father.
Iglesias returned to the headlines in October, 2003, when he went to Argentina and kissed show host Susana Gimenez three times on her mouth during a live telecast of her show.
Discography
This list contains all albums of original material plus notable compilations.
Gwendolyne (1970)
Julio Iglesias (1972)
Un Canto a Galicia (1973)
A Flor de Piel (1974)
A Mexico (1974)
El Amor (1975)
En El Olympia (1976) recorded live at the Paris Olympia
Si Mi Lasci (1976)
Yo Canto (1977)
A Mis 33 Anos (1977)
Sono Un Pirata, Sono Un Signore (1978)
Soy (1978)
The 24 Greatest Songs (1978)
A Vous Les Femmes (1979)
Aimer La Vie (1979)
America (1979)
Emociones (1979)
Innamorarsi Alla Mia Eta (1979)
Hey! (1980)
Sentimental (1980)
Fidele (1981)
Zartlichkeiten (1981)
From A Child To A Woman (1981)
Minhas Cancoes Prefidas (1981)
Moments (1982) also Momento or Momenti
Por Una Mujer (1982)
In Concert (1983)
Pelo Amor di Uma Mulher (1983)
Julio (1983)
1100 Bel Air Place (1984)
Libra (1985)
Un Hombre Solo (1987)
Tutto L'Amore Che Ti Manca (1987)
Non Stop (1988)
Latinamente (1989)
Raices (1989)
Starry Night (1990)
Ein Weinachtsabend Mit Julio Iglesias (1992)
Calor (1992)
Crazy (1994)
La Carraterra (1995)
Tango (1996)
My Life: The Greatest Hits (1998)
Noche de Cuatro Luanas (2000)
Una Donna Puo Cambiar la Vita (2001)
Ao Meu Brasil (2001)
Personalidad: 20 Exitos (2002)
Divorcio (2003)
Love Songs (2004)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Western Electric 124 amp at eBay
Recent Western Electric 124 amplifier, single unit sold for US$12,600 at eBay.. Wow!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Apartment lease renewed
My landlord has sold his apartment and I was forced to prepare for moving and need to search for a new places. Luckily, my pa has managed to help negotiate with my new landlord for a renewal of lease, with increment of rental though. Nevertheless, it has reduced my stress of moving and down sizing of my vintage gears..
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Chung Cheung Rd,,Hong Kong
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Elekit with JJ Blue EL 34 tubes
Just tried using the Blue JJ EL 34 tubes with the Elekit.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Julie London : London by Night
For those who like to enjoy an evening of relaxation, Julie London is at ease here with the London by Night where she mixed a bit of soft and sweet along with her cool, emotional and sexy voice. Pete king and his orchestra is not overstated as the vocalists are heard in harmony with the orchestra.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
ABBA
Being an ABBA fans, I have managed to consolidate all the main ABBA . When you listen to their music, you will know the meaning of timeless as their songs are still relevant and updated even after all these years!
Ring Ring (1973)
Waterloo (1974)
ABBA (1975)
Arrival (1976)
The Album (1977)
Voulez-Vous (1979)
Super Trouper (1980)
The Visitors (1981)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Ring Ring (1973)
Waterloo (1974)
ABBA (1975)
Arrival (1976)
The Album (1977)
Voulez-Vous (1979)
Super Trouper (1980)
The Visitors (1981)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, April 01, 2011
Chai chin
Have just bought the latest Chai chin's CD. I was told that the first batch of the cd was being produced in Germany. There are two CDs making this a value for money CD. Recording wise was "natural and smooth without the high mixing or "hifi" sound. As this was a life recording, the music is not as sharp as those from the recording studio. If you like to listen the mood of the music and the concert, this is it.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday, March 17, 2011
「温柔的慈悲 :林良乐
当年林良乐以穿着皮衣、带着墨镜的中性前卫装扮，颠覆了当时一般女歌手形象。而她的外型虽然粗犷，却以深重多情的歌声，唱红了这首「温柔的慈悲」，当时不知有多少女心房被她深情的歌声给深深打动。
Using my newly bought Elekit to listen to 林良乐 songs. 林良乐's singing really made me understand what is the essence of hifi. It's about listening to songs that touches the heart. Read from the net that she is not doing so well lately and has disappeared.
If any one out there know her, please let her know that there are still fans out there listening to her songs, even after so many years! Cheers and be happy
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Elekit power amplifier for the room
I am on leave today. I have been looking for a mini tube amplifier for the room use for a while. Under consideration was the Unison research simply two or the Elekit TU 879s. Getting the simply two was a torture as the seller is only wiling to trade at far away outskirts. In the end, I have managed to find the last brand new Elekit set from a hifi shop in Mongkok together with my son Keith.
Another reason why I have chosen the Elekit was it's ability to use different power tubes ( 6L6' EL34 or KT 88 tubes) owing to it's auto bias capability, making it a fun tasks. One can now have different sound without the need to change the amplifier. All you need is to change the tubes. In addition, The Elekit is very popular in HKG as it is made in Japan plus it's price quality ratio is fantastics.The kit set is of course cheaper. However, the Japanese kit set is 110v. In addition, since I am bad at DIY, it will be a smart decision to let the expert assemble, rather then creating a mess out of it!
Upon reaching home, I immediately put all the tubes in and do my audition using the normal tubes that comes with the set, the sound is nice even using the normal tubes. Will try different tubes at a later stage,, enjoy!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Another reason why I have chosen the Elekit was it's ability to use different power tubes ( 6L6' EL34 or KT 88 tubes) owing to it's auto bias capability, making it a fun tasks. One can now have different sound without the need to change the amplifier. All you need is to change the tubes. In addition, The Elekit is very popular in HKG as it is made in Japan plus it's price quality ratio is fantastics.The kit set is of course cheaper. However, the Japanese kit set is 110v. In addition, since I am bad at DIY, it will be a smart decision to let the expert assemble, rather then creating a mess out of it!
Upon reaching home, I immediately put all the tubes in and do my audition using the normal tubes that comes with the set, the sound is nice even using the normal tubes. Will try different tubes at a later stage,, enjoy!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, March 06, 2011
林良乐 (Jessey Lin) - another good cd
林良乐 (Jessey Lin) has a wonderful voice. I have managed to find another of 林良乐 (Jessey Lin) cd from Taiwan. The vocal is very touching and emotional! Listening to her singing is the very reason for our effort in setting up our hifi system!
Even though Jessey is no longer performing in public, her music is with us even after the many years. I first heard her song was more then 20 years ago. Times flies but good music stay...
Thanks Jessey for the good music!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, February 26, 2011
The Shadows 20 golden greats
I took out the Shadows 20 golden greats this morning to listen again and I must say that even though the music is from the early 1960s, even before I was born, the music still sound great! Good music is really timeless!
My favorite is the Apache, you can hear the build up of momentum... : )
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
My favorite is the Apache, you can hear the build up of momentum... : )
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Taiwanese cd
This is a great vocal cd. Very emotional and captivating,
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, February 04, 2011
Happy Lunar new year
Today is the real Chinese lunar new year! I have been doing some house keeping with regards to my hifi gears and I have let go some to make space for my vintage watch collection.
Wishing everyone a happy new year!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wishing everyone a happy new year!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)