After the monumental game on Wednesday, someone caught the most Canadian party ever. Jays fans were dancing in the street at Yonge & Dundas square, celebrating the win while the lights were all red, and the walk signs were on for the scramble intersection. As soon as lights turned green, they left the intersection to let cars pass. Only in Toronto. Only in Canada.
Via The Chive
I’ve spent a lot of time in recording studios with artists, and this is easily the closest I’ve experienced to actually being there – it’s incredible. You really don’t know what you’re missing until you hear it. I got goosebumps and teared up when I heard music in 24-bit FLAC hi-res format– including songs I’ve heard a thousand times. Technics Tracks are a game changer.
Canadians take the quality of their entertainment seriously. More than half of Canadians attended a live concert in the past year, most own an HD television, and – as anyone on social media knows – Instagram is regularly flooded with perfect portraiture of high-end culinary experiences. Yet, when it comes to music, nearly all Canadians still access music exclusively from MP3 providers and streaming services, which offer lower listening quality than vinyl once did. In short, Canadians have traded music quality for convenience, because – until now – the two could not co-exist.
Introducing Technics Tracks (tracks.technics.com) – a new, hi-res audio download service that will have
Canada’s largest collection of 24-bit FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) audio tracks. Music lovers can now select from hundreds of thousands of 24-bit/192kHz tracks and millions of 16 bit/44.1kHz songs with no compromises, and all the convenience of digital downloads. We no longer have to choose between quality and convenience. That era is over.
Simply put, hi-res audio delivers clearer, more dynamic sound than other file formats, especially the MP3. The nuances and depth of sound available through hi-res audio is difficult to describe, but some in the industry have compared these two formats to listening to music underwater versus listening to it above water.
Technically speaking, the highest quality MP3 file has a bit rate – a measurement used to assess audio clarity – of 320kbps. Hi-res music files that Canadians can now download through Technics Tracks have a bit rate of 9216kbps, which is approximately 28 times that of an MP3.
Technics Tracks offers consumers the ability to easily download over hundreds of thousands of songs, and albums, from artists that reflect all tastes. If classic rock is your go-to genre, download Neil Young’s 1972 classic Live at Massey Hall, or Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon; if beautiful jazz vocalists are your weakness, search for Diana Krall or Emilie-Claire Barlow; if instrumental solos please your ears, get lost in the piano of Keith Jarrett or the guitar of Jesse Cook; if you just want to dance, bust a move to Daft Punk or Ed Sheeran.
“Listening to music can be an intensely emotional experience,” says Peter Bolte, GM Marketing for Consumer Products, Panasonic Canada. “For the past two decades, consumers have been experiencing a muffled version of music, enjoyed in isolation, and predominately delivered through earbuds. Our vision for Technics Tracks is to bring high-quality audio back to the masses so that they can experience the depth of sound – and connection – that a person feels when they hear clear music, through speakers, in the company of others who share their love of a certain track, album or artist.”
Technics Tracks has been built in partnership with 7digital, a leading global digital music and radio platform operator, to ensure that the store carries tracks from the world’s largest and most important record companies, including all majors, high profile classical and jazz labels, as well as titles from an unprecedented number of independent labels. Technics Tracks is also a rich source of editorial and video content on hi-res audio releases. Hi-res Tracks start from $0.79 CAD and albums from $10.99 CAD.
Along with Technics Tracks, Technics also offers two hi-res stereo systems in the Canadian market: The Premium Class C700 series and the Reference Class R1 Series, which retail for approximately $6,000 and $70,000 respectively. Technics also plans to launch additional audio equipment in early 2016.
“It’s important for consumers to understand, however, that Technics Tracks files can be played on other systems outfitted for FLAC files,” says Bolte. “For example, the Panasonic PMX70, PMX9, and PMX100, which range in price from $350-$600, are equipped to play hi-res audio.”
To browse the catalogue of music available, visit tracks.technics.com.
Comedian Adam Newman has some fun while guy goes to bathroom and finds something he will not forget. Hopefully for the audience member, no cops are in the audience.
https://youtu.be/oiVMTQg43bE
Two Back to the Future icons reunite to discuss the future becoming reality. Chicago Cubs in the World Series? Who would have guessed?
https://youtu.be/eVebChGtLlY
Stephen Colbert has created the greatest political anthem of all time and it’s free for any politician to use. Lincoln Chafee, this could be your moment.
If you ever forget what a comic genius Phil Hartman was, take a look at his SNL audition tape.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Case Western Reserve University will honor R&B and soul legend William “Smokey” Robinson during the 20thAnnual Music Masters™ series, presented by Klipsch Audio. Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a part of the sophomore class of inductees in 1987. The weeklong celebration, Nov. 2-7, 2015, will culminate with the Annual Music Masters concert on Sat., Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. EST at Playhouse Square’s State Theatre.
Tribute concert artists, ticket prices and event details will be announced in the coming weeks. Robinson will attend the tribute concert to accept the award but is not scheduled to perform. Tickets to the tribute concert are onsale now at www.playhousesquare.org
“Smokey Robinson’s accomplishments as a songwriter, performer, and producer are unparalleled. It is particularly fitting that we honor him this year, the 20th year of Music Masters,” said Dr. Lauren Onkey, Vice President of Education and Public Programs for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “The longstanding popularity and impact of his work shows us the power of popular music in our lives, which is what Music Masters is all about.”
The weeklong celebration begins on Mon., Nov. 2 and will feature interviews, panels, films and educational programs throughout the week, including a keynote lecture at Case Western Reserve University. On Sat., Nov. 7, a conference will also be held at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame exploring Smokey Robinson’s impact on popular music. Sign up for the Rock Hall’s e-newsletter at www.rockhall.com/e-newsletter/ to be alerted about event details and tickets.
Save for founder Berry Gordy, no single figure has been more closely allied with the Detroit-based recording empire known as Motown than William “Smokey” Robinson. In addition to leading the Miracles, Robinson served as a Motown producer, songwriter, talent scout and Gordy’s most trusted confidant and right-hand man.
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles scored twenty-seven pop-soul hits at Motown between 1960 and 1971, including the classics “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” “Shop Around,” “Going to a Go-Go” and “I Second That Emotion.” The Miracles’ brightest moments on record – “Ooo Baby Baby,” “The Tracks of My Tears” and “The Tears of a Clown” foremost among them – still kindle memories for those who came of age in the Sixties.
Robinson also wrote and produced for numerous other Motown artists, including Marvin Gaye (“Ain’t That Peculiar,” “I’ll Be Doggone”), the Temptations (“Get Ready,” “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “My Girl”), Mary Wells (“My Guy,” “You Beat Me to the Punch”) and the Marvelettes (“Don’t Mess With Bill,” “The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game”).
Robinson later turned to a solo career where he continued his hitmaking tradition with “Just to See Her,” “Quiet Storm,” “Cruisin’,” and “Being with You,” among others. In 2004, he released his first gospel album, Food for the Spirit. His most recent album, Smokey & Friends, peaked at #2 on the R&B charts and #12 on the Billboard 200 and included collaborations with Elton John, James Taylor, Mary J. Blige, and John Legend. Earlier this year, Robinson received a BET Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Annual Music Masters series, a co-production of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities at Case Western Reserve University, celebrates the lives and careers of artists who changed the shape and sound of rock and roll music. Each year, the Music Masters series explores the legacy of a pioneering rock and roll figure in a range of events that includes Museum exhibits, lectures, films, a major conference and a tribute concert benefiting the Rock Hall’s education programs. Drawing together experts, artists, fans and friends, these events provide new perspectives on the most beloved and influential musicians of the past century.
The tribute concert brings together a diverse mix of artists and musical styles, and as a result, many magical moments have taken place over the years. In 2012, Chuck Berry took the stage, and during a performance of his song “Reelin’ And Rockin’” he surprised the audience with his signature move – “the Duck Walk.” In 2004, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss performed onstage together for the first time to honor Lead Belly. The pair was awarded the highest honors of Album of the Year for Raising Sand and Record of the Year for “Please Read The Letter” at the 51st annual Grammy Awards. Honoree Jerry Lee Lewis, who was not scheduled to perform at the 2007 concert, was moved to take the stage at the end of the show. Lewis tenderly played the piano and sang “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” At the first Annual Music Masters tribute concert, Bruce Springsteen set the bar high and performed in honor of Woody Guthrie. The most star-studded and unique performance by a trio was Aretha Franklin,Solomon Burke and Elvis Costello paying tribute to Sam Cooke in 2005. In 2008, a 93-year-old Les Paul took the stage with his trio and then led an epic jam with some of rock and roll’s greatest guitarists, from Jennifer Batten to Slash. Janis Joplin was honored in 2009 by Grammy winner Lucinda Williams with a song she composed especially for the occasion, and in 2010, Dave Bartholomew brought down the house with a performance in tribute of honorees Fats Domino and Bartholomew himself. In 2011, Aretha Franklin was not planning to perform, but at the last minute she requested a piano and took the stage to perform Leon Russell’s “A Song for You,” which she recorded in 1974. During the 19th Annual Music Masters honoring the Everly Brothers, Don Everly took the stage with the rest of the cast – that included Graham Nash, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and more – for two run-throughs of the 1957 chart topping hit “Bye Bye Love.”
There are some things I just can’t deal with – standing in the walking lane on an escalator, for one. This corgi puppy feels the same way about mini pumpkins.
Perry had minor success prior to her breakthrough. One of the songs she had recorded for her album with Ballard, “Simple”, was featured on the soundtrack to the 2005 film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. She provided backing vocals on Mick Jagger’s song “Old Habits Die Hard”, which won the 2005 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. SIn 2006, Perry also appeared in the music video for “Learn to Fly” by Carbon Leaf, and played the love interest of her then-boyfriend, Gym Class Heroes lead singer Travie McCoy, in the band’s music video for “Cupid’s Chokehold”.
That same year, she recorded background vocals on P.O.D.’s single “Goodbye for Now” and was featured at the end of its music video. Here she is on Jay Leno’s The Tonight Show, where you can spot her in the back.
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Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.
Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com
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