HDTV Etc. Online Is Live; Porcupine Tree's Newest DVD-Audio

Been hard at work for the past few weeks. Hopefully the lengthy update will make up for the radio silence...

HDTV Etc. Online is now live. I'm working on a pretty fabulous interview with Charles de Lauzirika, the gent behind the outstanding Blade Runner Blu-ray set and many other decadent DVD special editions. Software reviews will also be forthcoming.

Just received Porcupine Tree's new CD + DVD-Audio re-release of their album from 2000, "Lightbulb Sun." Simply amazing. Rock fans and surround music aficionados should pick up this title asap, along with last year's DVD-Audio release of PT's newest album, "Fear Of A Blank Planet."

Also received Telarc's forthcoming SACD, "Bolero & Others." Sonically, a top-notch affair; however, the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra (under the baton of Erich Kunzel) tears thru the piece at near breakneck speed - under 13 minutes if memory serves. I prefer a slower performance of "Bolero," approaching Ravel's documented preference of about 17 minutes (ironically discussed in Telarc's liner notes). But if you like your Bolero fast and breezy, check it out.

Linn Records recently sent me a couple of new classical releases that are real winners. First, we have "Mozart Symphonies 38-41." The Scottish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras, is truly up to the task; the performances are sublime. The other release - "Bach's Matthew Passion," performed by the Dunedin Consort - is also a winner; nonetheless, the Mozart disc has the edge, sonically: the surround mix is a bit more enveloping, and the clarity is striking.

When HDTV Etc. Magazine slipped into hiatus during the transition to an online format, a few software titles fell through the cracks. I will try to backtrack and cover them during the coming weeks.