Playlist Week of 2015-10-03

* Lost Songs of a Rhineland Harper X & XI Centuries (Sequentia/Bagby) (Harmonia Mundi SACD)

* Boulez: Le Marteau sans maître/Derive 1 & 2 (Ens. Intercontemporain/Boulez) (DG CD)

* Craig Leon: Nommos/Visiting: Anthology of Interplanetary Folk Music Vol.1 (RVNG 2LP)

* Sun Ra: Continuation (Saturn/Universal LP)

* Andrew Hill: Dance With Death (Blue Note CD)

* Don Cherry: Hear & Now (Atlantic LP)

* Chick Corea/David Holland/Barry Altschul: ARC (ECM LP)

* Carla Bley: Heavy Heart (Watt/ECM LP)

* Carla Bley: Night-Glo (Watt/ECM LP)

* The Leaders: Unforeseen Blessings (Black Saint LP)

* Eric Kloss: Doors (Cobblestone LP)

* Kamasi Washington: The Epic (Brainfeeder 3LP)

* Rabih Abou-Khalil: il sospiro (Enja CD)

* John Martyn: Glorious Fool (Duke/Atlantic LP)

* John Martyn: Piece By Piece (Island LP)

* Mothers of Invention: Cruising With Ruben & The Jets (Verve LP)

* Henry Cow: Unrest (Virgin LP)

* Van Morrison: Common One (Warner Bros. LP)

* Hawkwind: Space Ritual (EMI 2CD)

* Cluster: Zuckerzeit (Brain CD)

* Pete Bardens: Seen One Earth (Cinema/Capitol LP)

* Pete Bardens: Speed of Light (Cinema/Capitol LP)

* Steven Halpern: Gifts of the Angels (Inner Peace CD)

* Patti Smith: Horses (Arista CD)

* Patti Smith: Radio Ethiopia (Arista CD)

* Patti Smith: Easter (Arista CD)

* Japan: Quiet Life (Hansa/Carrere LP)

* Gastr Del Sol: Upgrade & Afterlife (Drag City 12”+LP)

* Wilco: Random Name Generator (dBPM/Anti- 7”)

* Buckethead: Colma (CyberOctave CD)

* OM: God Is Good (Drag City LP)

* Grails: Deep Politics (Temporary Residence 2LP)

* Boris with Merzbow: Sun Baked Snow Cave (Double D Noise Industries 2LP)

* Kylesa: Exhausting Fire (Season of Mist LP)

* Pallbearer: Foundations of Burden (Profound Lore 2LP)

* Kadavar: Berlin (Nuclear Blast 2LP)

* Goat: It’s Time For Fun/Relax (Sub Pop 7”)

* Goldfrapp: Seventh Tree (Mute CD)

†=iPod/iTunes

‡=car

Commentary:

I got a new phone.

Actually, I put it off as long as I could. But my old iPhone 5 was getting long in the tooth: most of the buttons no longer worked and it seemed to increasingly struggle with connectivity issues. I managed to keep it going, but it was frustrating. So I pre-ordered an iPhone 6S, which was delivered to my door on release day.

As an old guy, I was pretty proud of myself for managing to backup my old phone, activate the new one and restore all my data -- all by my lonesome! Thank you, Verizon, for making it so easy.

I was not sure how much I would like the larger dimensions of the 6S, having gotten used to the 5's diminutive form factor. But it's actually a big improvement, with much better readability -- while also still fitting  comfortably into my pants pocket (unlike the 6+). And, as usual with Apple products, the ergonomics and overall aesthetic is superb and a pleasure to use.

While there are a number of new features and technology in the 6S, it's the revamped camera that really excites me. At 12-megapixels, it doubles the resolution of the iPhone 5 while adding an upgraded sensor with optical image stabilization -- a real life-saver in low-light situations. The "selfie" camera also gets an overhaul, with 5-megapixel images and a new retina display flash for more natural-looking snapshots. While I don't care much about video, it can also shoot up to 4K with on-board editing possible with the iMovie app. Pretty slick!

I had seriously considered getting a new, small camera to take with me on trips rather than the bulky and heavy DSLR. But none of the options I considered had everything I wanted -- and those that came close were quite expensive. In the end, I decided to just get a new phone, which I needed anyway. I always have my phone with me -- so, why carry another gadget?

After playing around with it a little bit this week, it's obvious how much more capable a camera it is than the old iPhone 5. No, it can't do what my big DSLR can do -- nor what a pricey compact camera could do. But as a general, all-purpose camera, it is more than adequate. I'm looking forward to our next hike!

As for the other new features, the A9 chip does seem noticeably faster and the battery lasts quite a bit longer than the 5, which is nice. The "Touch ID" feature is super-convenient (if a little bit creepy) but the new "3D Touch" technology has yet to catch up with available apps, from what I can tell. I suppose it will also be a useful feature, but I have yet to experience it. Then again, maybe I don't have it set up properly. Whatever.

In all, I would say the 6S is a big step forward from the iPhone 5 and worth the upgrade. The camera companies, however, lost another sale.

+++

Next time: a rant about my desire to upgrade my DSLR and my frustration with Nikon for not making just exactly the camera I want!

Playlist Week of 2013-03-30

* Handel: Organ Concertos, Op.4 (Academy of Ancient Music/Egarr) (Harmonia Mundi SACD)

* Handel: Organ Concertos, Op.7 (Academy of Ancient Music/Egarr) (Harmonia Mundi SACD)

* J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations (Hewitt): Royal Festival Hall, London 2009-04-29 (FM CDR)

* Christine Plubeau/Arnaud Pumir: Église Saint Nicholas, La Hulpe 2009-03-30 (FM CDR)

* Sun Ra: We Travel The Spaceways (Saturn LP)

* Sun Ra: When Sun Comes Out (Saturn LP)

* Sun Ra: The Mystery of Being: The Voice Studio Sessions 1978 (Horo/Klimt 3LP)

* Keith Jarrett: The Impulse Years 1973-1974 (d.1-3) (Impulse! 5CD)

* Mary Halvorson Quintet: Bending Bridges (Firehouse 12 2LP)

* Mary Halvorson Trio: Jazz Studio Nuernberg 2012-09-26 (FM CDR)

* Secret Keeper (Stephan Crump/Mary Halvorson): Super Eight (Intakt CD)

* Ingrid Laubrock Sleepthief: The Madness Of Crowds (Intakt CD)

* Ingrid Laubrock Anti-House: Strong Place (Intakt CD)

* Frank Ocean: Channel Orange (Island/Def Jam CD)

* Miguel: Kaleidoscope Dream (RCA CD)

* Grateful Dead: De Doelen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands 5/11/72 (selections) (GDP/Rhino 4HDCD)

* Grateful Dead: Dave’s Picks Vol.5: Pauley Pavilion 11/17/73 (selections) (GDP/Rhino 4HDCD)

* Grateful Dead: Go To Heaven (Arista/Friday Music LP)

* Can: Ege Bamyasi (Spoon/Mute SACD)

* Can: Future Days (Spoon/Mute SACD)

* Big Star: #1 Record (Ardent/Classic LP)

* Yo La Tengo: That Is Yo La Tengo (City Slang CDEP)

* Yo La Tengo: May I Sing With Me (Alias CD)

* Yo La Tengo: Painful (Matador CD)

* Yo La Tengo: “Shaker” (Matador CDEP)

* Yo La Tengo: “From A Motel 6” (Matador CDEP)

* Guided By Voices: Propeller (Scat LP)

* Wilco: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (Nonesuch 2LP)

* Lambchop: Mr. M (Merge CD)

* Porcupine Tree: In Absentia (Lava/Atlantic CD)†/‡

* Steven Wilson: The Raven That Refused To Sing And Other Stories (KScope CD/DVD/BD)

* Opeth: Ghost Reveries (Roadrunner HDCD/DVD)†/‡

* Opeth: Watershed (Roadrunner CD/DVD)†/‡

* Opeth: Heritage (Roadrunner CD/DVD)†/‡

* Katatonia: Brave Yester Days (Avant Garde/Century Media 2CD)

* Katatonia: Last Fair Deal Gone Down (Peaceville CD/CDEP)

* Katatonia: Viva Emptiness (Peaceville CD)

* Katatonia: The Great Cold Distance (Peaceville CD)

* Yob: Atma  (Profound Lore/ 2LP)

* The Sword: Aprocryphon (Razor & Tie LP)

* Ray LaMontagne: Trouble (RCA LP)

* Ray LaMontagne: Till the Sun Turns Black (RCA LP)

†=iPod

‡=car

Commentary:

I resisted the whole “smart phone” thing for a long time—a “dumb phone” served my purposes just fine. I generally dislike talking on the phone and I certainly did not want to become one of those people who spend all day with their eyes glued to its tiny screen, even when having dinner with their friends and spouses—or driving down the interstate. For me, a cell phone is a necessity for safety reasons: being able to summon help and communicate with loved ones when out and about is the greatest gift this technology bestows. But their ubiquity (and humanity’s general stupidity) has made them a pernicious danger—particularly on the roadways. Whenever I see someone driving erratically—too slowly or weaving in and out of lanes—they are almost inevitably talking (or texting!) on their “smart phone.” That’s not smart; it’s dumb. And it scares me! It made me hate the things on principle.

Well, my old flip phone was starting to fall apart: bits of plastic flaking off, it’s battery unable to hold a charge; it was becoming more of a liability than an asset. I liked its small size and simplicity but it was definitely time to upgrade. Moreover, both Lizzy and I were dissatisfied with AT&T, whose cell coverage was spotty at best and almost nonexistent at our home, which is less than thirty miles from downtown Nashville. She was going to be traveling to a remote area of Northern California to visit her dad, where her current cell phone would be useless. That was enough reason for us to make the switch to Verizon—and move up to a “smart phone.”

I went for the iPhone 5—mostly because I had heard such good things about the built-in camera and the various apps you can download for it. I love my cameras but I do not have them with me at all times like I do my phone. After only having the thing less than a week, I am blown away by the camera’s capabilities. The photograph above was taken handheld in almost complete darkness and processed in Snapseed, an app developed by Nik Software. I’m not saying it’s a great photograph (I was just messing around with the phone) but I think it shows how powerful this little 8MP camera is. I’ve been having a lot of fun playing with it and have barely begun to explore all the possibilities.

With its slightly larger screen and glossy Retina display, the iPhone 5 also gives it the edge over the 4 for photographic purposes and, as with all Apple products, the interface is mostly intuitive and easy to use. Of course, all this stuff is purpose-built for interaction with social media, with the apps integrated seamlessly with email, Facebook, Twitter, etc. As a result, I have been posting more to Facebook than ever before. I’m not sure if this is a good or bad thing—I do not want to be one of “those guys” who can’t put down the phone. But I can see how addictive it can be. 

I’m sure after a while the novelty will wear off and it will go back to being just a cell phone. But I will always have a nice digital camera in my pocket and I’m looking forward to taking more pictures than ever.