|
|
While 2011 has been a year of challenges for everyone, there is still much to be thankful for, and this coming Thanksgiving, all of us would do well to remember all of those things. Thanksgiving is one of the most awaited and favorite holidays of the year, and this day is often celebrated in basically the same way: good company, good music, and talk of all the things we’re thankful for, shared over a delicious turkey (or Tofurkey for the non-carnivores). But people also add variations to their Thanksgiving celebrations. Some play video games after dinner, others enjoy a chin wag whilst drinking wine, and others enjoy watching a heartwarming Thanksgiving movie. And that, my friends, is where we’re coming in! Below is our top 5 picks for the best Thanksgiving movies to enjoy this year in your Denon home theater system with your family and friends, guaranteed to make you feel just a little more thankful in this holiday!
 image from Warner Home Video
5.) A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973) – This classic TV movie special based on the popular Charles M. Schulz comic strip, Peanuts, is a classic that the children of today will find very much enjoyable, just as you did when you saw it as a child! It tells the story of Peppermint Patty, who invites herself over to Charlie Brown’s house for the holiday dinner, along with Marcie and Franklin, which overwhelms Charlie. His solution? To hold two Thanksgiving dinners: one for his friends, and another with his grandmother at her home. After being disappointed with the simple dinner Charlie threw for his friends, Patty realizes that she invited herself, and apologizes. Things seem to be going as planned until the clock strikes four and he finds himself being late for dinner, to which his grandmother suggests Charlie invite all of his friends over. It is a heartwarming tale for the whole family, and will definitely be a good choice this Thanksgiving!
 image from Entertainment Weekly 4.) Pieces of April (2003) – This comedy-drama starring Katie Homes tells the story of April Burns, the eldest daughter of what many would say is a dysfunctional family, who decides to set up a Thanksgiving dinner for her siblings and her mother, who is dying of breast cancer. But things don’t go easy, as twists and turns from a simple stop at a Krispy Kreme to a funeral service for an animal they accidentally hit, to the mother, Joy, who frequently stops at a restroom or uses a drug to ease her pain, happen all throughout. Even April and Bobby, her boyfriend, encounter major problems, such as Bobby’s quest to find a good suit to impress April’s family, and April’s discovery that her oven is broken! However, with the help of her neighbors and friends, she manages to pull off a good, decent, Thanksgiving dinner, and in the process, learn some valuable life lessons. This movie shows that Thanksgiving dinners can still be pulled off, despite the differences in the lifestyles of people, and than around a nice turkey dinner, things will feel definitely better!
 image from Popstar.com 3.) Home for the Holidays (1995) – Directed by Kodie Foster and starring powerhouse actors Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Anne Bancroft, Claire Daines, and Dylan McDermott, among many others, tells the story of Claudia Larson, a single mom who has just been fired from her job and decides to spend Thanksgiving with at the home of her parents. But things turn bizaare as Claudia’s family’s antics begin to happen, one after another, upon her arrival, which includes her only child Kitt’s decision to make love with her boyfriend while Claudia’s away, her conservative sister Joanne and her two spoiled children, among many others. The dinner eventually reaches fever pitch and becomes an argument filled almost-disaster (much to the viewer’s entertainment!) but at the end Claudia flies home with new insights, and with Leo, Claudia’s gay brother Tommy’s friend, in tow. This hilarious movie is perfect for adults in Thanksgiving (though the kids might have to play video games in another room while the movie’s going on. Luckily, if your home theater has the AVR-3312CI, its multi-zone capability will allow this to happen! )
 image from imdb.com 2.) The Ice Storm (1997) – This Thanksgiving drama set in 1973 is a film that has strictly adult topics, which means that while this might be good for a group of family and friends with mostly adults, the children will have to be in another room while this is playing (see our solution in #3!) For the adults, however, this film, which features an ensemble cast of Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Tobey Maguire, Christina Ricci, Elijah Wood, and Sigourney Weaver, and directed by Ang Lee, is a very touching movie that will definitely be entertaining. It follows the story of the Hoods, a family who’s family members’ lives are spiraling out of control, with Benjamin Hood (Kline) drinking his office troubles away, his wife Elena (Allen) reading self help books to cope with her husband’s troubles, son Paul (Maguire) pursuing an attractive rich girl from his school, and Wendy (Ricci) who is a troubled girl causing mayhem. An ice storm during the party causes a tragedy and accentuates the events leading up to that point, climaxing into the movie’s characters finally reassessing their lives. This heavy drama was initially a box-office failure, but over the years has become a critical success, acclaimed for its heavy story. It is ideal for a touch of drama for Thanksgiving day!
 image from imdb.com 1.) Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) – This comedy movie stars Steve Martin and the late John Candy as Neal Page, an ad exec, and Del Griffith, a jolly yet accident prone salesman, respectively, who gets entangled with one another on their way home to Thanksgiving. Del causes the start of Neal’s trip to be very inconvenient, from causing Neal to trip down, to inadvertently stealing his taxi cab. From that point onward, they go on an error-prone adventure to bring Neal home in time for Thanksgiving, causing even more mishaps along the way. At first, it seems like Neal would give up on Del and leave, but over the course of the story, they begin to bond and pull through together, allowing Neal to get home in time. As they part ways, it is revealed that Del had lost his wife and family, and has become alone and homeless since, at which point Neal invites him to join in his Thanksgiving dinner with his family. It is a heartwarming movie that shows people exactly what it is they have to be thankful for, and the true spirit behind Thanksgiving. It is definitely our top pick for our Thanksgiving movies list to be enjoyed with your Denon home theater system!
In a previous blog post, we mentioned that one of the best kinds of music to meditate to is new age music, This is because the messages of new age songs are that of hope, positivity, calm, peace, and tranquility, and all of those things are important in meditating! In addition to the lyrics, the music of new age pieces are just really soothing to the soul, and can truly promote rest and relaxation, especially when you listen to this kind of music either using your Denon headphones, or through a Denon home theater or desktop audio system, like the AH-NC800, the DHT-1312BA, and the RCD-N7 respectively!
Fans of New Age already know which artists to listen to when it’s time to meditate. But for those not too familiar with the genre, it can be a bit challenging (though not difficult at all!) to try and find the ideal New Age artist for meditation sessions.
And so we here at Denon have created a list of some of the best New-Age musicians, to help you start your own meditation playlist!
- Yanni – One of the most well-known New Age musicians of our time, Yanni is a self-taught pianist, keyboardist, and composer with many Grammy nominations, who gained international fame when he released “Yanni Live at the Acropolis” which is known as the second best-selling music video of all time. Though he prefers to call his music “contemporary instrumental”, it clearly has new age elements to it that make it perfect for meditation and relaxation sessions. If you have gone to a spa, a massage parlor, or a yoga studio, chances are, you have already heard Yanni’s music at least once before.
- Kitarō – Kitaro almost never became a full-fledged musician because of his parents’ disapproval of his chosen career. However, his perseverance to achieve his dream drove him to leave his home, support himself by taking different part time jobs, all the while composing songs during the evening. IT worked, and Kitaro has since become one of the most popular Asian new age musicians, especially after composing the soundtrack for NHK’s series “Silk Road”, an internationally acclaimed collection of new age pieces. If you’d like to experience new age music with an Asian twist, Kitaro is the artist for you!
- Enya – Enya has stated on the record that her music does not belong to the new age genre. Nevertheless, her songs and music are known for their soothing, calming, even healing characteristics. Her mezzo-soprano voice has earned her numerous awards including 4 Grammy awards and an Academy Award nomination. She’s known for using simple arrangements that have complex multi-tracking vocals to deliver powerful, beautiful musical pieces. She even sings in different languages to make sure she gets to reach her fans from all over the world.
- Loreena McKennit – A world musician who writes, records, and plays music inspired by Celtic and Middle Eastern themes, Loreena McKennit is a truly successful new age musician. Her warbling soprano voice has brought her from her home in Manitoba, Canada, to the world stage as one of the most recognized new age musicians in the world. Her songs are not just soothing and calming, but they also tell stories, stories that many people may end up relating with, which in turn will help during meditation and self-exploration sessions. Fans of European and Middle-Eastern inspired new age songs would truly enjoy her work.
- Anugama – Known as a spiritual musician, Anugama uses the music he has experienced from all over the globe to create his own collection of music. Born in Cologne, Germany, spiritual voyages in Asia inspired him to create the work he is known for today. Not only does he use Asian music in his pieces, but Hawaiian and African rhythms as well, creating a unique blend of different genres that people who wish to meditate will truly enjoy.
These are just some examples in a very long list of artists whose music can be used in meditation and relaxation. But these artists already have a lot of music out there, and should be enough to get you started on your journey to find inner peace and peace of mind with the help of new age music and Denon gear!
Visit your nearest Denon Dealer to check out the AH-NC800, DHT-1312BA, and RCD-N7 or get them online at these E-tailers today!
This Fourth of July weekend, people all over our country will celebrate in many different ways! From partying with friends and family in a truly American and patriotic fashion, to having a simple dinner with the folks and enjoying a laid back, quiet day. There are some who would spend the holiday listening to the best 4th of July songs, while others, who will find this list really useful, may just be watching some of the best July 4th movies all weekend!
Movies best enjoyed during July 4th can be anything from action movies with lots of explosions and special effects, to simple heartwarming films with some comedy, some drama, and lots of fun. The most important thing about 4th of July movies is that they are patriotic, show a bit (or a lot) about our country’s history, show the true American spirit, and of course, highly entertaining!
And to make sure you enjoy your July 4th movies fully this year, you have to make sure you have one of the brand new IN-Command series of receivers in your home! This new line of Denon receivers offers you unparalleled control over all your digital entertainment needs, and will definitely make your movie watching experience this 4th of July truly memorable!
Just… Don’t forget to get the right movies! And so, without further ado, here are (in no particular order) our well rounded, top 5 picks for best 4th of July movies!
- Independence Day (1996) – This sci-fi blockbuster has appeared numerous times in our different top 5 movies lists, and with good reason. This movie smashed the box-office when it was first released, and continues to be a truly entertaining movie for those wishing to enjoy a little bit of science, action, aliens, and comedy in their patriotic movies. It follows the story of alien motherships which suddenly appear over the major cities of the world, ready to destroy the human race, and the efforts of thousands of humans, in particular, USMC pilot Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith), David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum), and the US President himself Thomas J. Whitmore (Bill Pullman) who all fight to stop the oncoming onslaught. At first, it seemed like the chips were truly down and humanity would be out for the count, but at the last minute, just like many great American success stories, a solution is found and in a truly magnificent display of bravery and determination, humanity prevails. It is such a blockbuster that before the nationwide release on July 2 of 1996, there was actually a private screening done in the White House first, for then president Bill Clinton and his family. Now if that doesn’t say this movie is truly suited for this year’s 4th of July celebrations, nothing will!
- Air Force One (1997) – Harrison Ford is known for his many iconic roles over the decades, but when it comes to July 4th movies, perhaps his best one is as the President of the United States. But it’s not just that, because in this Wolfgang Petersen action film, Air Force One, the president’s plane, is hijacked by Soviet terrorists led by Egor Korshunov (Gary Oldman). This would normally scare any normal person, but what does the president do in this case? Find the best possible way to take back control of the plane, that’s what! With the amount of security the real president has, this will probably not even happen at all in real life, but there’s something very special about seeing a president (played by Harrison Ford no less!) leading the charge in showing terrorists that they will not be negotiated with, and that the American spirit is not so easily beaten! For action aficionados everywhere, Air Force One is a truly enjoyable movie, especially when seen on a home theater with a Denon IN-Command receiver!
- Apollo 13 (1995) – Conquering space is one of the biggest achievements in, not just American, but world history, and it is the brave men and women of our country who made this possible! However, it wasn’t easy at all, and even when success was at hand, problems continued to appear. And it is during these times that the American spirit truly shines. Such is the case of the story of Apollo 13, a dramatization of the 1970 Apollo 13 lunar mission which almost ended in disaster when the module carrying the astronauts got damaged on the way. With three of the country’s astronauts’ lives on the line (played by Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton), the country’s top minds had to think of a way to make sure that the Lunar Module, and the astronauts inside, come home safely! It is a triumph of the American spirit over almost insurmountable odds, and is definitely a suitable movie to enjoy this coming 4th of July!
- National Treasure (2004) – Our history is already more than fascinating enough, but when Disney decided to add a little bit of a mystery twist to the founding of our country, it proved to be a huge hit! It follows the story of Benjamin Gates (Nicolas Cage), a historian and amateur cryptologist who is the latest in a long line of treasure hunters who are trying to find the fabled treasure of the Knights Templar. This was supposedly hidden by the Freemasons during the founding years of the United States. At first, Benjamin’s father, Patrick Gates (Jon Voight) dismisses it as folly, but when they chance upon a clue that proves to be too important to ignore, Benjamin and Patrick, along with Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) and later, Dr. Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger), go on a whirlwind chase uncovering one clue after another. Their chase leads them to some of the country’s most iconic landmarks and historical locations, eventually uncovering the greatest treasure ever to be found in the country! While some critics saw inaccuracies and wild ideas in the film, this movie still captured the hearts of many fans, and will re-capture yours too this 4th of July!
- The Patriot (2000) – This movie, from its very simple yet powerful title, all the way to the climactic end, is truly a movie that can be enjoyed for the 4th of July. Set in South Carolina during the American Revolutionary War, the Patriot follows the story of Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson), a fictional character loosely based on real characters like Continental Army officer Francis Marion, Andrew Pickens, and many others, who finds himself joining the fight for independence when his family is threatened by the British. At first, all he wanted was peace, fearing for the consequences of a war, but when one of his sons is killed by the ruthless Colonel William Tavington (Jason Isaacs), Martin, along with his eldest son Gabriel (Heath Ledger) joins the fight. They use guerrilla warfare to harass British supply lines, capturing goods and more. Despite garnering many losses on the American side, including the death of his eldest son Gabriel, Martin rallies on, keeping his eye on the prize, eager and determined to succeed to make sure the deaths of many Americans are not in vain, eventually leading to the Battle of Copwens, and soon, the surrender of Lord Cornwallis (Tom Wilkinson) in Yorktown, Virginia. This movie is a must, must see film during this 4th of July, and with the Denon IN-Command receiver at the center of your home theater, you and your guests will definitely be entertained!
This 4th of July weekend, celebrate freedom and enjoy these movies on your Denon IN-Command receiver. Grab one at your nearest Denon Dealer or these E-tailers today!
With the 4th of July only a couple of days away, many people are beginning to prepare their very own celebrations and parties. Some are planning massive shindigs with totally American and patriotic themes, while others are planning to simply have a nice spread for lunch or dinner with family and friends, and then watching some 4th of July-themed movies until the fireworks begin. But regardless of the type of shindig you have planned, your 4th of July party will need one crucial element to make it a truly memorable gathering. Music!
 Must-have for your 4th of July Celebration: the AVR-3312CI All parties need music, and of course, July 4th parties are no exception! And while most music will do, getting patriotic, all-American music will be more appropriate! These songs will remind us how far we have come as a country, making July 4th celebrations even more special! But of course, music alone will not do, because you’ll also need the right audio system for the job. And come July 4th, your audio system will definitely do well with the new Denon IN-Command series of receivers!
The IN-Command series, composed of the Denon AVR-3312CI, AVR-2312CI, and AVR-2112CI, are definitely all perfect for all of your party’s music needs. Able to connect to multiple sources of music, from iPods and iPhones, the home PC, internet music sources like Pandora, Rhapsody, and Napster, Universal disc players, and more, the IN-Command series of receivers will make sure that, come party time, you will never run out of 4th of July music to play!
Not only that, all of the IN-Command receivers come equipped with AirPlay, the cutting-edge technology set to change the way we stream our music! Using AirPlay, people can stream music from their iOS device, like the iPhone or iPod, through the Wi-Fi network to be played on the receiver! This means you and your guests won’t need to go to the machine itself to change the tunes. Simply whip out your iOS devices, connect via AirPlay, and a couple of thumb swipes later, voila! You’re in control of the music! In addition to that, practically all of the music streaming services available, like Pandora, SiriusXM Radio, and many others, can also be streamed via AirPlay!
But of course, you need the right music to play first! And this list will help you get started. Here are our suggestions:
- America the Beautiful (Neil Young)
- God Bless America (Martina McBride version)
- America (Neil Diamond)
- On the 4th of July (James Taylor)
- Born in the USA (Bruce Springsteen)
- Red, White, and Blue (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
- America (Waylon Jennings)
- American Soldier (Toby Keith)
- American Tune (Paul Simon)
- Yankee Doodle (The Carter Family)
- Oh Freedom (Pete Seeger)
- Song of the Patriot (Johnny Cash)
- Song for America (Kansas)
- America (Simon and Garfunkel)
- America the Beautiful (Ray Charles)
- God Bless the USA (Lee Greenwood)
- Pink Houses (John Mellencamp)
- Living in America (James Brown)
These are just some of the timeless classics suitable for your 4th of July celebrations. There are many other all-American songs these days, and with a little searching and preparation, you’ll have a really long playlist for your Denon IN-Command receivers by the time your party goes into full swing this holiday! Visit your nearest Denon Dealer or get them online at these E-tailers today!
“Let’s get ready to rummmmmmmble!!!!” as the great Michael Buffer always says before he announces the names of the fighters in a boxing match, is a phrase which is already enough to get the blood flowing in excitement for the fight to come. But nothing beats the actual battle itself! The weaving bodies, the flying punches, and of course, the exultation when a fighter gets knocked down, or knocked out!
Boxing is one of the most exciting sports in history, and the best matches are like well made action movies; good boxing fights have proper ratios of action, drama, even comedy sometimes, resulting in truly entertaining spectacles! But there’s not always a good fight available to watch, which is why, as an alternative, fans of both boxing and movies can turn to watching some of the best boxing movies ever made on their Denon DHT-1312BA home theater system instead!
These boxing movies provide good boxing action, but offer other things as well, like the stories behind the fighters, circumstances surrounding the fight, and more. Whether they be fictional, biographical, or even outright fantastic, these movies, when played on your Denon DHT-1312BA, can turn your living room into an arena, with you sitting right smack in the front row watching the year’s main event! Furthermore, should you decide to take up the sport as we suggested previously, the movies provide an inside look that will, hopefully inspire you to greater fitness heights.
And so, “Let’s get ready to rumble!”
- Million Dollar Baby (2004) – Boxing is not just about the fighters. It’s also about the trainers as well! And this story of an under-appreciated boxing trainer, who takes it upon himself to atone for past wrongdoings by helping out an underdog amateur female boxer, is a testament to that fact. Directed, co-produced, and scored by the legend Clint Eastwood, Million Dollar Baby tells the story of Frankie Dunn, owner of a run-down L.A. boxing gym, who trains waitress Margaret Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) The drama film then takes a turn for the tragic as a sucker punch from Maggie’s opponent sends her head crashing on a stool, leaving her a quadriplegic, making Frankie feel guilt for agreeing to train her to fight. The movie was a critical and commercial success, winning four Academy Awards and being declared a “masterpiece.”
- Cinderella Man (2005) – This movie is a close up look at the life of one of boxing’s greats, heavyweight champion James Braddock, a hard-nosed Irish-American boxer from New Jersey, whose nickname is the title of the film. The movie starts off showing the fact that James almost lost his boxing career after breaking his hand in the ring, opting instead to do manual labor during the Great Depression to make ends meet. But when a chance cancellation by a boxer in a fight opens up an opportunity for Braddock to fight again, Braddock, considered to be the underdog in the fight, stuns the crowd by defeating his opponent, the number 2 contender in the world, and continuing his rags-to-riches rise (hence the nickname “Cinderella Man”) inspiring the American public all along to his heavyweight championship victory against then champion, Max Baer. While not as big a commercial success as our #5 pick, Cinderella Man was a critical hit with fans, especially fans of boxing, and is a must have for your home theater!
- Ali (2001) – Muhammad Ali, “The Greatest”, without a doubt. These are big shoes to fill in a film, but Will Smith, as shown in this movie, Ali, does so without missing a beat. The result is a stunning performance as Muhammad Ali, providing the audience an engaging close-up look at the life, trials, tribulations, and triumphs of boxing’s greatest warrior. The movie follows the life of Muhammad Ali from 1964 to 1974, beginning with his Olympic gold medal victory, to his winning of the heavyweight title from Sonny Liston, his conversion to Islam, his banishment and eventual return to boxing fighting Joe Frazier, and finally, the epic battle in The Rumble in The Jungle with George Foreman in which Muhammad Ali reclaimed the title. It is, without a doubt, a good movie for Ali fans. It is also a great movie for boxing fans in general, as it also depicts the style and moves of Ali, providing a glimpse of what it must have been like watching the great fighter battle during that time.
- Raging Bull (1980) – This film is about Jake LaMotta, a middleweight boxer troubled with jealousy, and an animalistic rage that destroyed his relationship with his wife and family. It is a dark story that can only be put on screen by a truly magnificent director, and whose main character could only be played by an equally magnificent actor. Such was the case with Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, who directed and starred in the movie Raging Bull, respectively. It tells the story of LaMotta, who starts off practicing a comedy routine then flashbacks to 1941 to show his first loss against another boxer. The story then continues showing his rise and fall, both as a person and as a boxer, in a truly dramatic, dark, and gritty fashion that will engage the audience and grip their hearts the whole time. It is a look at the possible dark side boxers may end up with, and at first critics didn’t like the idea of the violence of the film, but eventually, it has grown to become one of the greatest films ever made.
- Rocky (1976) – Everybody loves an underdog story. And when the underdog story is about an uneducated but kind-hearted club fighter who gets a shot at the world heavyweight championship against the best fighter around, it’s unbeatable. This is the story of Rocky, our top pick for best boxing movie for your Denon home theater system. It is a critical and commercial hit, earning over $225 million even though the film was made with a budget of just $1 million! It follows the story of a small-time fighter, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), who is given a chance to fight the heavyweight champion Apollo Creed when the opponent of the champ is injured. Recognizing it is the chance of a lifetime, Rocky trains with Mickey Goldmill with the help of Paulie, Rocky’s friend. As he trains, the story splits into that of love when Rocky begins to date Paulie’s sister Adrian. While Rocky initially didn’t expect to actually win against Creed, his determination to at least “go the distance” with the champ is truly inspiring, especially since no fighter before him has ever done it. This movie has drama, comedy, and of course, boxing, and is truly a must-see movie for boxing and movie fans everywhere!
Visit your nearest Denon Dealer to check out the DHT-1312BA today!
Many of us listen to rock songs for the lyrics, to understand the meaning of each line, each word, and the message that the piece was supposed to convey, in addition to just satisfying the need to rock (and let’s face it, we all need to rock sometimes). For most of us, this means playing your favorite rock song at full volume, via either a full sound system with awesome speakers, like our Denon RCD-N7 system or a music player and some kick-*ss headphones, like the Denon AH-D1100 Advanced Over-Ear Headphones.
There are, however, just as many people that listen to rock songs for that one crucial section, where, for just a few seconds (sometimes, minutes), devoid of all lyrics, we could just indulge in the electrifying sound of what is arguably rock music’s most important musical instrument: the guitar. This is the guitar solo.
There are, literally, dozens of top guitar solo lists online, some made by guitar authorities themselves! But we here at Denon decided to create our own top 5 guitar solos list, based not just on the acknowledged masterpieces, but also on their impact to music lovers of all types, past and present. As usual with our other top 5 lists we invite you to tell us what your top guitar solo picks are!
- Through the Fire and Flames: Herman Li/Sam Totman, Dragonforce – Now, if you’re a guitar solo fan who’s memorized many of the top guitar solos lists online, you’re probably shaking your head right about now at the inclusion of this song on our list. However, even if it hasn’t been listed before, we just had to include the guitar solo of Dragonforce’s Herman Li and Sam Totman in this list, for one simple reason: it’s just insane. The speed and sound of this guitar solo is just unbelievable, and has even gained popularity in pop culture, because of the inclusion of the song in the Guitar Hero series of games. It is said to be the most difficult song to beat on Expert mode (a title even supported by the Guinness World Records). The guitar solo is also known having some funky, unique sounds, like the unmistakable use of the Pac-Man noise. While the band itself was criticized before, earning the nickname “Studioforce” (referring to their sound as only good when edited in the studio), this solo is undeniably cool, and just had to be included on our list.
- November Rain: Slash, Guns n’ Roses – Guitar solos don’t need to be technically good to sound amazing. And this is one perfect example. Slash is, without a doubt, one of the most recognizable guitarists of the late 80s/early 90s, and his artistry, not just his guitar skills, are very much audible (and in the music video, very visible) in this song. The song “November Rain”’s story is a sad one, and it is reflected in Slash’s amazing guitar work during his end solo (yes, there’s more than one), so much so that many critics, not just Guns n’ Roses fans, say that it is perhaps the most emotional solo of Slash’s career. It’s able to convey the very sadness and frustration that the song is singing about, and yet still manages to remind the listener that this is, after all, still a rock song. Sad yet electrifying, tragic yet amazing. This guitar solo definitely deserves to be on this list.
- Bohemian Rhapsody: Brian May, Queen – When talking about the greatest rock songs of all time, one name absolutely always pops up, and this is it. Bohemian Rhapsody is one of, if not the most, famous rock song ever made (a title shared by another entry in this list), and this is because of the combination of the song’s lyrics, tempo, melody, and of course, instrumentation, a big part of which is, you guessed it, the guitar. Bohemian Rhapsody’s guitar solo, as performed by Brian May, has become one of the most recognizable guitar solos of all time, and unlike other guitar solos, which only true fans will be able to recognize when played independently, Bohemian Rhapsody’s guitar solo is very familiar to almost all music fans, and is easily remembered as part of the song. A true masterpiece!
- All Along The Watchtower: Jimi Hendrix – Guitar solos can be very different in style and execution. All of them, however, have to be one thing: cool. And Jimi Hendrix’s solo in “All Along The Watchtower” is arguably, one of the coolest. It may not be as technical, or fast, or emotional as the other solos on the list, but it just oozes cool. Listening to it independently just makes you want to sit back and remember why you enjoy listening to music in the first place. True to other Jimi Hendrix songs, “All Along The Watchtower”’s guitar solo will truly transport the listener to another world, be lost for hours, even days on end, and still be happy about it. The solo showcases the guitar god’s insane capabilities, displaying influences from soul, blues, and rock, to deliver one guitar solo that’s truly marvelous to listen to. Oh, and did we mention the song was written by yet another god of music, Bob Dylan?
- Stairway to Heaven: Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin – Hailed as perhaps the best rock song, if not the best song in history, “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin set the standard for what good rock music should be. From start to finish, the guitar work is superb, which is why when the solo comes along, it’s just really a perfect blend of tender, beautiful, soulful, emotional playing, and power, strength, and undeniable rock. It is the best display of artistry and musicianship from one of rock’s best guitarists, Jimmy Page. Many have hailed it as a true rock anthem, one of the cornerstones of the rock music industry, constantly being included in top rock songs lists both online and in print, and is considered by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the top songs that shaped Rock and Roll. No surprise then why Jimmy Page’s guitar solo has been ranked #1 in many of the best guitar solos lists around. Including ours!
Check out the RCD-N7 here and get your AH-D1100 headphones at these E-tailers.
Almost everyone would agree, that when it comes to making sacrifices for the betterment of their loved ones, dads are pretty much on top of the list (of course, moms are the same, and are in fact just as awesome.) Whether he’s a fireman, a cop, a member of the Armed Forces, a lawyer, a construction worker, a chef, or even the President of the United States, these men do what they do for their families without much complaint.
This is why today, Father’s Day, let’s show these great men just how much we love them by celebrating the one day devoted to their efforts as husbands and fathers! And while there are many ways to do this, like our “Treat Dad Like A King Day” suggestion, perhaps the simplest way is to just sit down, relax with dad and enjoy some Father’s Day movies on your Denon DHT-1312BA home theater system!
We’ve highlighted the new DHT-1312BA before and how it’s the best system for many movie moments today; the marriage of the Denon AVR-1312 A/V receiver and a Boston Acoustics speaker package makes this easy-to-setup, complete home theater system ideal for Father’s Day celebrations, perhaps even as a Father’s Day gift!
But of course no Father’s Day movie day would be complete without, what else, the movies! And because fathers out there have differing tastes and preferences, our top 5 will include, in no particular order, comedy, action, suspense, drama, and fun movies that will surely make you appreciate your father more, and make your father truly feel loved on his special day!
So! Without further ado, here are our top movie picks for Father’s Day!
- Taken (2008) – Most of us may think our dads are these gentle, loving men who care for their children and wife. That is, until, someone tries to do harm to his children and loved ones, at which point he suddenly turns into a super dad capable of doing extraordinary things! And this is displayed perfectly in this action thriller film starring Liam Neeson, who plays Bryan Mills, a father who allows his daughter to travel to Paris with a friend, only to be kidnapped soon after. It turns out, however, that Bryan is an ex-CIA officer, who then goes halfway around the world to kick butt in an effort to find and rescue his daughter! While this movie might have a dark theme to it, it clearly shows the lengths a father will go through to make sure his children are safe, and is definitely a perfect movie for any dad who loves action!
- The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) – Fathers don’t need to be secret agents or have super powers to be heroic, as this biographical drama film based on Chris Gardner’s almost one year struggle with homelessness shows. A good father will do anything and everything to raise his child, and this movie shows this perfectly, as it tells the story of Gardner, an on-off homeless salesman struggling with poverty while pursuing his dreams for the benefit of his son. After struggling with living in homeless shelters, working long hours, and fighting off despair, Chris gets accepted into a company and soon after, forms his own multi-million dollar brokerage firm. It is a story of struggling for the family’s welfare that most, if not all fathers will relate to, and is definitely ideal for this day!
- Father of the Bride I and II (1991, 1995) – It is a nightmare all fathers who have daughters have to face someday. That is, letting go of the once little angel who has now grown up to be a woman, and soon-to-be wife! These two movies, however, make light of the situation and will definitely keep any father’s worries at bay. Starring the ever funny Steve Martin, it follows the story of George Banks, owner of an athletic shoe company whose daughter Annie is soon to be married to Bryan, whom she has only known for three months! Struggling with the thought of life without his precious princess, he goes on a quest to make the process as inconvenient and horrendous as possible, much to the disapproval of his wife, Nina. This movie will definitely be a fun film for not just the dads, but the daughters and wives as well!
*An alternative is to also watch the original, 1950 version, a movie which also spawned a series!
- Mr. Mom (1983) – As we mentioned earlier, dads make a lot of sacrifices, but without a doubt moms go through just as much, if not more, than dads do! And this movie is proof that no dad should take their wife’s responsibilities lightly, because they might get more than they bargained for should their roles be switched! Starring Michael Keaton, this movie tells the story of Jack and Caroline Butler, a middle class couple with 3 kids who find their roles reversed when Jack, the breadwinner, loses his engineering job and Caroline, a housewife, is hired by an ad agency, forcing Jack to stay home with the kids. Being clueless about what to do, Jack is soon overwhelmed, but quickly gets help from the other housewives of the street. This comedy-drama will definitely put things in perspective for dads everywhere!
- The Incredibles (2004) – Many of us see our dads as super men who, just like in our first pick, would be capable of doing great, superheroic things when it comes to their children. What happens, however, when a superhero father is forced to be ordinary? Well, you can find out in this CGI action-fantasy-comedy film that tells the story of Mr. Incredible, the world’s most famous and greatest superhero who, after a government act that forced the “Supers” into hiding, has become an average joe struggling to live a normal life. His superhero instinct kicks in, however, when the world is faced with evil, turning from ordinary dad, to super dad! A fun movie that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, The Incredibles will definitely make Father’s Day with your Denon DHT-1312BA truly a family event!
Visit your nearest Denon Dealer to check out the DHT-1312BA and AVR-1312 or get them online at these E-tailers.
In case you haven’t heard, the IN-Command series of Denon, the next generation of receivers from the company’s experts, is coming very, very soon. It is set to change the way receivers are used in the home, and most importantly, the way you control your digital entertainment. And of this series, it is the AVR-3312CI that’s leading the way. As the flagship receiver of this line, the AVR-3312CI carries with it the very best of the best of the IN-Command series.
AVR-3312CI
Here are the top 5 things you should look forward to with the AVR-3312CI:
- Vivid and stunning 3D Visuals – 3D media is fast becoming the future of digital home entertainment, and pretty soon, it will be the standard. Which is why the AVR-3312CI comes 3D ready, able to pass through 3D signals from your Blu-ray player to make absolutely sure that the 3D effect doesn’t get lost or distorted, whatsoever. That’s not all, it also recognizes signals from 3D television broadcasts, making sure you’re able to enjoy 3D entertainment from virtually all sources. With the AVR-3312CI, your home entertainment system will definitely be ready for the future.
- Wide array of connectivity options – Staying connected, not just online, but also with other digital devices is the name of the IN-Command series’ game. And with Ethernet, USB, Phono, and seven HDMI inputs available, there’s definitely more than enough connection options available. In addition, the AVR-3312CI is DLNA v1.5 certified and compatible with Windows 7, allowing for audio and photo streaming and convenient web control, as well as connection support for Pandora, Flickr, Napster, and Rhapsody, to add more variety to your digital entertainment options.
- The most advanced audio/video technology available – From its proprietary Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit-HD and AL24 Plus processing technology, support for high-definition audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, Audyssey DSX, MultEQXT, to Deep Color and x.v. Color Support, FLAC HD Decoding, and much, much more, the AVR-3312CI is the most cutting-edge of cutting-edge receivers.
- Apple AirPlay Ready – Like everything else about the AVR-3312CI, Apple AirPlay technology is poised to set the new standard in wireless media sharing and connectivity in the near future. And as such, the AVR-3312CI has, you guessed it, Apple AirPlay. With this technology you can send music straight from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or PC/Laptop with iTunes, over the wireless network, allowing for unprecedented control over the sounds that’ll play over your home audio system.
- Unparalleled cost-to-quality ratio – With the amount of technology and power within this beautiful, sleek machine, people would think that it’d have a very big price tag. Well, nothing could be farther from the truth. Because the AVR-3312CI has one of the best cost-to-quality ratios, due to its MSRP of just $1099.99.
These are the five key elements you can look forward to with the AVR-3312CI. But you’ll quickly discover, once you get one for your home, that there are a lot more surprises in store for you. So be sure to grab your own AVR-3312CI once it hits the shelves soon. Visit your nearest Denon Dealer and pre-order one today!
Flag Day is here! This simple yet very, very significant day is one that commemorates the most important symbol of everything we stand for. Our flag! There are many ways to celebrate Flag Day, and one of them is by throwing a Flag Day party. Flag Day parties, however, need some key components: good food, good company, and of course, good Flag Day music to play on your Denon audio system!
Songs that make for good Flag Day celebrations have lyrics and messages that celebrate patriotism, love of country, the land, and of course, the flag! Sounds like a tall order to fill? They are more common than you think, but in case you’re still wondering where to start, here are some of our Flag Day song suggestions.
- Star Spangled Banner (Francis Scott Key)
- God Bless the USA (Lee Greenwood)
- Born in the USA (Bruce Springsteen)
- America, the Beautiful (Ray Charles)
- Ragged Old Flag (Johnny Cash)
- Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (Toby Keith)
- Only In America (Brooks & Dunn)
- Appalachian Spring (Aaron Copland)
- With God on Our Side (Bob Dylan)
- Proud To Be An American (Lee Greenwood)
- You’re a Grand Old Flag (George M. Cohan)
- I Am A Patriot (Little Stevens)
- American Girl (Tom Petty)
- Some Gave All (Billy Ray Cyrus)
- This Land Is Your Land (Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen)
- Stars and Stripes Forever (Boston Pops Orchestra)
This quick list should be enough to get you started on your Flag Day playlist. Make sure you’re ready so your Denon audio system will never run out of songs while celebrating the flag!
Most of us would think that turntables these days are only reserved for DJs in clubs or radio stations that play classic or old-school music. But nothing could be farther from the truth, because as we’ve already mentioned before, the turntable is alive and kickin’, because a lot of people still enjoy listening to their vinyl records! And for many of these people, the turntable of choice is the Denon DP-200USB!
 DP-200USB
What makes the DP-200USB so popular is the fact that it can easily convert your favorite vinyl records to modern MP3 digital audio format. Its internal MP3 encoder and the front panel USB port make the transition from vinyl to storage device effortless! This makes it perfect for those who have very rare vinyl records, want to listen to the music within, but don’t want to risk damaging them by having to keep on removing the cover and placing it back in. Just pop your favorite rare vinyl, convert your songs to MP3 format, and voila, you can listen to your classic songs without risking your vinyl’s integrity! This is one of the biggest reasons why the DP-200USB is a favorite among vinyl record owners.
But the DP-200USB is capable of much, much more! And with these simple optimizing steps, you’ll be able to maximize your DP-200USB experience!
First, the DP-200USB is equipped with PC software that features Audio Waveform Recognition. Most people may be too excited to try or even notice this, but this important software can help organize your newly encoded vinyl tracks! The Audio Waveform Recognition software checks the first 15 seconds of each track, and connects to the Gracenote Internet music tracks database to get the track’s meta-data, which includes the title of the song, the artist name, and so on, removing the need to do it manually. On top of that, the software also has the Auto Track Divide feature which takes note of the silent breaks between tracks and inserts a new track tag for each new one, again removing the need to do it manually!
Next, you can connect the DP-200USB to various devices, like a Denon receiver, or a Denon audio component, through its conventional stereo outputs. This will then allow your DP-200USB to truly be part of the home audio or entertainment system. While it is alright for the DP-200USB to just be connected to a standard stereo setup, it’s much better to connect it to a much more advanced Denon audio system!
And lastly, to truly customize and optimize your DP-200USB, you can opt to get one of our many, state-of-the-art phono cartridges and install it in your turntable to get the sound you truly desire! There are many options available, making sure you can turn your DP-200USB into your very own!
So whether you already have a DP-200USB, or are thinking about getting one, don’t forget these optimization tips to make the most out of your amazing turntable. Audition it at your nearest Denon Dealer today!
|
|
