Musereo – A Review
Musereo is a mono to stereo converter. I haved tried many over the years and this one seems to be the best I have heard. Any way you look at it mono is mono, but Musereo gives a mono recording the presence of stereo sound. The only problem that I have seen with it is that it takes the bit rate down to 192Khz even if the original recording is at 320Khz. So far I have not seen any options to change that.
Here is a sample of what it can do:
You can check out their website here.
Extra Moments – Jimi Jamison/Jim Peterik
I just received the Extra Moments CD this past week. The CD features Jimi Jamison and Jim Peterik. The CD contains tracks that did not make it on Jimi Jamison’s Crossroads Moment CD and demo tracks with Jim Peterik on lead vocals. With the co-operation of Frontier Records, MelodicRockRecords was able to release the Extra Moments CD.
Most of the songs were written during 2008 – 2009 with the exception of “Cry of the Wild Heart” which is actually one of the songs that Jimi Jamison sung while auditioning for Survivor back in 1983/84. There is also one demo track sung by Jim Peterik that made it on the Crossroads Moment CD, “She’s Nothing to Me”
There are no tracks I disliked or used the ”fast forward button” on as with other CDs I’ve listened to in the past. I’ve listened to the tracks the past 4 or 5 days in the car and they are all great. The quality of the recordings are top notch even the demos are quite good to be considered demos. In a way, both Crossroads Moment and Extra Moments sound like a continuation of Survivor of the 80s which makes sense since Jim Peterik was one of the song writers of Survivor during the 80s. Also the CD contains liner notes from Jim Peterik.
For songs written for, but not contained on the Crossroads Moment CD for what ever reason they are really great. Jimi Jamison, Jim Peterik and all those involved have done a terrific job on this CD. To hear samples of the CD, click here.
Here is a video from Crossroads Moment’s track “When Rock was King”.
Imagicon 2010 Star Wars costume contest
I finally was able to edit all the short videos into one whole video.
A Concert and Sunday Dinner Review – October 7, 2005
A Concert and Sunday Dinner Review
I intended to write a review of a restaurant in Atlanta (Newnan or Peachtree City). Unfortunately I really did not eat anywhere extravagant due to gas prices being as they are, so I decided to write a review of the concert I attended and a review of a home cooked meal.
I attended Petra’s Farewell Tour concert at “The Fred” located in Peachtree City, GA. This concert was held on Friday night (October 7, 2005) and is part of Four Nights in October. Petra has been together for 33 years. Over the years, Petra has received numerous awards including four Grammy and ten Dove Awards.
When Petra announced their retirement from their musical ministry, I searched their tour schedule hoping they would be coming to the Tri-Cities area. The closest was Burlington, NC and Peachtree City, GA. I decided to attend the concert in Peachtree City due to being able to “meet and greet” Petra before the concert. I was also able to visit my relatives that live in the area and see other bands during the weekend.
I have listened to Petra’s music since 1987 when I was introduced to Christian music. I really wanted to say something to both John Schlitt and Bob Hartman. As I got there at 4:00pm, I was able to say a personal word to both of them. Both of them are very nice individuals. Here are a couple of snapshots taken:
Bob Hartman (founder of Petra) and me.
John Schlitt (lead singer) and me.
There were several bands that came on before Petra. The concerts started at 5:00pm and the rain started too. It was just a mist of rain for the first three or four opening bands after that it was a steady rain. The crowd at the stage did not leave. Petra came out at 9:50pm and I was in the dry up until then. Needless to say, I got soaked.
I had not seen Petra in concert for six or seven years, so I was not sure what to expect. The concert was all that I hoped for. All of my favorite songs were played. They played a mixture of their newer music and some their older music. That was a real treat for me. Petra sounded as good as they did when I first saw them in Knoxville, TN in the early 90s. John’s vocals were as if no time had passed since I first heard him. Bob still plays the guitar like no one else.
The coolest part of the concert was when they did an acoustic set. The instruments used were an acoustic guitar, cello and drum. They played their ballad hits or what I call “slow songs” during this time. The concert ended at exactly 11:00pm due to some kind of local ordinance. I was a little disappointed that it ended when it did, but to pull something like this off there will be uncontrollable circumstances that arise. I must give Petra an A+ for their concert performance.
Sunday Dinner Review
When I visit my Aunt Madge, I know I will be well fed on Sunday. Her children and grandchildren (my cousins) get together on Sunday for dinner. Everyone brings a dish and or desert. There were several that could not be there due to illness or being out of town.
There were three meats served including – thick juicy plump pork chops baked to perfection on top of breaded stuffing, oven baked chicken breasts baked in a delectable creamy sauce and sliced roast beef roasted to perfection. There were of course vegetables including corn, green beans and fresh salad. There was also a fruit salad which included fresh watermelon, tangy pineapple, seedless white grapes and other fruit. Needless to say, I had everything on the table and an extra pork chop and sliced roast beef. I was extremely stuffed. That was the best meal I have had in a long time.
A couple of hours later, a dessert were served. It was a Chocolate type of cheese cake. The cake was served with a flavorful vanilla ice cream. After I was finished with dessert, I headed out for the 4th night of 4 Nights in October. If I had to rate this meal, I would give it an A+++.
First Baptist Church, Church Hill, TN – May 22, 2004
First Baptist Church – Church Hill, TN
Located in down town Church Hill in First Baptist Church’s Activities Building.
Pork Chop Dinner Review:
The Pork Chop Dinner came with two sides, baked beans and cole slaw. The baked beans was simply grand. I am not much for cole slaw. That was a bit of a disappointment, but the Pork Chop made up for that. The Pork Chop was cooked to perfection. It had a distinct flavor reminiscent of Ye Olde Steakhouse’s steaks. This Pork Chop was the biggest, “baddest”, thicket and most tender Pork Chop I have ever seen or tasted. It must have been five to six inches thick. It would simply melt in your mouth like butter in a frying pad. It was just absolutely scrumptiously delicious. Each bite of the plump Pork Chop was tantalizingly succulent. That was probably the best Pork Chop I have ever had.
I would have to rate this dinner an A-. If it was not for the cole slaw, it would have been rated an A+.
The Outback Steakhouse – Feb. 16, 2003
The Outback Steakhouse – Bristol, VA
http://www.outback.com
This Outback Steakhouse is new to the Bristol area and a very good place to go for Dinner if your out in the Bristol area. It is located off of Exit 7 on I-81.
Victoria’s Filet Dinner Review:
{9oz. Beef Tenderloin filet served with a choice of Walkabout soup or salad and choice of potato, or fresh steamed veggies.}
I chose the Grilled Shrimp On The Barbie for the appetizer. The Shrimp was seasoned and served with Outback’s own Remoulade sauce. The Shrimp was plumb and succulent. The shrimp was seasoned to perfection and was irresistible. This made way for the Walkabout Potato soup. The Soup was thick and creamy. It was filled with potatoes and cheese. It was topped with crisp bacon and chives. It was simply delectable. For the Main course, I chose the mouth watering Victoria’s Filet with steamed vegetables. The vegetables were simply grand. The steak was prepared medium well as requested. The steak was plump, juicy, tender and would melt in your mouth like butter. It was seasoned with Outback’s own blend of seasoning. It was just absolutely scrumptiously delicious. It was one of the best steaks I have had at the Outback Steakhouse.
I would have to rate this dinner an A+. I also had sweet tea to drink.
Ye Olde Steakhouse June 6, 2002
Ye Olde Steakhouse – Knoxville, TN
http://www.yeoldesteakhouse.com/
The Steakhouse is rather large and has an upstairs area for private dinning. The staff is friendly and courteous. The dress is casual – no tie required.
Fillet & Chicken Dinner Review:
{8oz. Beef Tenderloin fillet and a Chicken breast fillet both uniquely seasoned with steamed vegetables and and a twice baked potato.}
Instead of the normal salad I chose the fresh steamed vegetables. The vegetables included , cucumbers, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and peppers. The vegetables were cooked and seasoned to perfection. I chose the twice baked potato as a side item which was simply superb. It is the best twice baked potato I have ever tasted so far. It just makes my mouth water just thinking about it. The Chicken breast was plumb and tender. It had a unique taste to it which makes it irresistibly succulent. The steak was prepared medium well and it was plump, juicy and would just melt in your mouth. It also had a unique, mouth watering taste which made it scrumptiously delicious.
I would have to rate this dinner an A+. They did have sweet tea.
This dinner was followed by Charlie Daniels in concert.
