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)
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