Surroundablog

Iron Maiden's gonna get ya in 5.1

Iron Maiden has a new DVD package coming out in February. The 3 DVD package will be available with both a discreet 2.0 dvd set and a 5.1 surround pack. Given the attention and time spent on it maybe there'll be some advanced resolution nirvana for us. At the very least....let's hope that the rears are utilized for some actual music or guitar interplay rather than the obligatory asshole screaming "Number of the Beast" over and over.

The package comes out in the UK on February the 6th and crosses over to us on the 7th. Read the entire release here...

Slip of the Lip

December 21, 2005 11:39 AM

by Tjames Madison
liveDaily Contributor

After a relatively quiet 2005, The Flaming Lips (tickets | music) have revealed a slew of upcoming projects that make it clear the band is gearing up for a busy year ahead.

The band is preparing the Jan. 31 reissue of its breakthrough 1999 album "The Soft Bulletin" in a special CD/DVD package. "The Soft Bulletin 5.1" will feature the original album updated to the Surround Sound format, as well as previously unreleased versions of several songs, including "1000 Foot Hands," The Captain" and "Satellite of You."

The package will also include the original videos for "Race for the Prize" and "Waiting for a Superman," as well live recordings taken from the group's 1999 appearances on the BBC.

The band has also made several unreleased songs available online. iTunes, Rhapsody and a variety of other online downloading sites are hosting a selection of rarities including the import version of the band's "Flight Test," as well as all the tracks off the live radio EP "Yoshimi Wins." Two versions of The Flaming Lips' song "Bad Days" are also available, along with two limited-pressing EPs, "Brainville" and "Waiting for a Superman."

The Flaming Lips--who haven't toured since late 2004--have slated two live appearances for the near future. The band will co-headline the New Year's Eve Giant Village festival in Los Angeles, along with The Black Eyed Peas, Death Cab for Cutie and others. The group has also scheduled a March 11 appearance at the Langerado Festival in Sunrise, FL. Wilco, Ben Harper, and The Black Crowes are some of the other acts slated to appear.

Finally, the band has announced details on its upcoming studio album, its first since 2002's "Yoshimo Battles the Pink Robots." "At War With the Mystics" is set for an April release, and the first single off the new album, "The W.A.N.D.," will be available for digital download starting Jan. 10.

Operation Mindcrime 5.1?

Fans of Queenryche are well aware of the upcoming release of "Operation Mindcrime 2" . On a lark, I made contact through their website and discovered an interesting bit of info. Apparently; the album is being prepped for multichannel audio.....! This project would be the band's 3rd multichannel release...both "Empire" and "Tribe" were remastered for DVD-Audio. Vocalist Geoff Tate also put out a solo album in multifun. "Operation Mindcrime 2" is pencilled in for a March the 14th release date and will feature Ronnie James Dio in the role of Dr. X. Stay tuned for more details...

For more Crime-age.....click

Well kick my ass and call me Willy

Our usually accurate editorial team...."me"...is normally on top of this thing. Consider me busted by Nazgul who commented with, "

"What about Porcupine Tree and Beck tying for winning for best release for surround awards?"

You are right sir...they tied in the "Best made-for-surround title".

2005 Surround Music Awards

The winners were announced at last night's 2005 Surround Music Awards. As expected, The Talking Heads "Brick" was the clear darling of the show by capturing 4 honors. As an aside....this writer hopes that Jeff Jampol of The Doors Management team takes notice and speeds up their own efforts to release a Doors retrospective that is "Brick" like in its DualDisc presentation and advanced resolution surround. None of that Dolby Digital crap please. And while we're on the subject of the 2006 awards....hurry up Rush...I need a little somethin' somethin' in the ways of "xanadu". I'm so hip hop I can hardly stand myself...ahem...

It was good to see that Phil Ramone received his proper due. Afterall all is said and done....now he can get back to work on the surround sound remixes of Paul Simon's "Graceland" and "Rhythm of the Saints"...

The awards weren't without controversy. Most disappointing was the omission of Dire Straits 20th Anniversary edition of "Brothers in Arms" on SACD. Another glaring omission was the outright disregard for Jeff Wayne's "War of the Worlds"...an excellent package and terrific mix. Surround Sound fans are also scratching their heads over the honor bestowed on Jackson Browne...a man who's released 1 surround sound recording period. Me thinks this award should've gone to Eric Clapton...whose albums have been reissued on DTS dvds, SACD and has embraced DualDisc for his latest.

John Hiatt's "sonoma-ized" "Master of Disaster" won accolades through a write-in poll on "High Fidelity Review's" listener's choice category. Thankfully the real surround sound fans numbered more votes than the Rob Thomas "but he's so cute" vote..
Most intriquing is the awarding of "Most Adventurous Mix" to N.E.R.D. for their "In Search Of...;" release...a recording hitherto unknown to this surround head. If it is indeed better than NIN "With Teeth" than I'll have to put the studs on my wheelchair and cruise on over to Sam the Record Man...anyways...

Surround Artist of the Year
Jackson Browne

Surround Pioneer Award
Phil Ramone

Best of Show
‘Brick’ DualDisc Box Set, Talking Heads (Rhino Entertainment)

Best Additional Features
‘Rumor Mill’, The Carl Verheyen Band (AIX Records)

Best Concert Video
‘Live at the Apollo’, Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama (Virgin Records and 5.1 Production Services)

Best DualDisc Release
‘Brick’ DualDisc Box Set, Talking Heads (Rhino Entertainment)

Best Menu Design
‘Brick’ DualDisc Box Set, Talking Heads (Rhino Entertainment)

Best Mix: Non-Orchestral
‘Brick’ DualDisc Box Set, Talking Heads (Rhino Entertainment)

Best Mix: Orchestral
‘Reich at the Roxy’, Alarm Will Sound (Sweetspot Music)

Best Multichannel Reissue
‘Captain Fantastic’, Elton John (UME/Chronicles)

Best Standard Resolution Title
‘One Soul’, E3 (Sweet Spot Music Group/3 Bone Audio, Inc.)

Horizon Award
‘Feels Like Family’, Lauren Ellis (Silverline Records)

Most Adventurous Mix
‘In Search Of…’ N.E.R.D. (Virgin Records/DTS)

High Fidelity Review Listener’s Choice Award
‘Master of Disaster’, John Hiatt (New West)

Phil Ramone To Be Honored at Surround Music Awards

New York, NY (December 9, 2005)--Phil Ramone will be presented with the 2005 Surround Pioneer Award at the 2005 Surround Music Awards, to be held next Thursday, December 15 during the Surround Conference and Showcase 2005. Ramone was one of the first producers to leap into the world of surround sound music, and is responsible for many of the format's highest profile releases, including Ray Charles's Genius Loves Company, which won the Grammy for Best Surround Album.

With 30 Grammy nominations, 12 Grammy Awards, an Emmy, and numerous honors and accolades to his credit, Ramone is acknowledged as one of music's top creative producers. Ramone has also played an integral role in pioneering many of the technological developments in the music industry over the years. He ardently supported the use of the compact disc, digital video disc, high-definition recording and surround sound.

His impeccable list of credits includes collaborations with such diverse artists as: Burt Bacharach, Tony Bennett, Bono, Ray Charles, Chicago, Natalie Cole, Bob Dylan, Gloria Estefan, Renee Fleming, Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Elton John, Quincy Jones, BB King, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Liza Minnelli, Sinead O'Connor, Luciano Pavarotti, Peter/Paul and Mary, Andre Previn, Carly Simon, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, Phoebe Snow, Rod Stewart, Sting, The Rolling Stones, and Barbra Streisand.
Ramone is currently producing the surround remix of Paul Simon's Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints.

Past Surround Pioneer Award winners have included Elliot Scheiner, Frank Zappa, and Herbie Hancock.

For more information on the Surround 2005 Conference and Showcase, taking place December 15-16, and/or the Surround Music Awards, visit www.surroundexpo.com.

Grammy announces nominees for best Surround Sound Recording

The nominations are in for the 48th annual Grammy® Awards a.k.a. Rap/R&B Awards a.k.a. the music establishment's answer to an ASB election. Kanye West, John Legend and Mariah Carey lead the decline of popular music with nominations in eight categories. Of course, they had a wealth of categories to qualify in....but more importantly; they also announced the nominees for Best Surround Sound Recording".

All recordings released during the Eligibility Year October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005

• Brothers In Arms - 20th Anniversary Edition
  Chuck Ainlay, surround mix engineer; Bob Ludwig, surround mastering engineer;
  Chuck Ainlay & Mark Knopfler, surround producers (Dire Straits)
  [Warner Bros.]
  
• The Girl In The Other Room
  Al Schmitt, surround mix engineer; Doug Sax, surround mastering engineer; Al
  Schmitt, surround producer (Diana Krall)
  [Verve]
  
• Honky Château
  Greg Penny, surround mix engineer; Greg Penny, surround mastering engineer; Greg
  Penny, surround producer (Elton John)
  [Universal Music Enterprises]
  
• In Your Honor
  Elliot Scheiner, surround mix engineer; Bob Ludwig, surround mastering engineer;
  Nick Raskulinecz, surround producer (Foo Fighters)
  [Roswell/Sony/BMG]
  
• Mussorgsky/Stokowski: Pictures At An Exhibition - Boris Godunov - Night on Bare Mountain
  Phil Rowlands, surround mix engineer; Phil Rowlands, surround mastering
  engineer; Nick Parker & Phil Rowlands, surround producers (José Serebrier &
  Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra)
  [Naxos]