Review by aedon

"10th Anniversary Celebration" is Kahara Tomomi's ultimate fest, there're no distracting back dancers, just Tomomi and her amazing live band. The concert is hold in a smaller venue, so the atmoshpere is almost intimate. I was impressed how well Tomo-chan could sing with minimal acoustic back-up, she surely has come a long way from gravure idol to mature songstress. Kahara performs her 90's hits and brand new songs from her latest album "Naked", you also get an exclusive concert version of 2006 single "Hana" that is trully special as the lyrics and arrangement are different. Bonus contents: backstage & interview videos; pretty booklet. Must have DVD for the fans, nice introduction to Tomo-chan for mature music lovers.

"VISUAL WORKS 2004~2006" is truly the best PV collection of Hitomi Shimatani! It includes 11 videos: from her spring single 2004 "Viola" to the most recent "Harumachibito/Camellia". Let's briefly look at the tracklist: "Viola" is a very Asian-esque video, with beautiful backgrounds & petals flying in the air. "Jewel of Kiss" is a slower song with a touching video, but it's my least favorite track. "Angelus" is a hot upbeat song with a surprising ending, but don't worry, the next video "Tsuioku+LOVE LETTER" reveals what happend. "Garnet Moon" is a great fast song that made me a Hitomi fan. "~Mermaid~" is probably the most unique Shimatani song, it's one of those classical crossover numbers, the PV was shot in a beautiful landscape, so you see Hitomi's natural beauty emphasized by nature. "Falco" PV, on the other hand, is fully CG-ed. "Mahiru no Tsuki" is Shimatani's 20th single which is a ballad, so the video is simple but it's still very pretty. In "Harumachibito" we see Hitomi in kimono, with a sakura tree behind her. "Camellia" is another crossover track, piano is mixed with dance beat in it. Bonus: short version of "Sky High" & TV-CMs; booklet with lyrics.

Dome Tour 2001 has already become a legend for all Ayumi Hamasaki fans as they pass the word of it being the best Ayu tour ever! If you haven't seen it yet, you've missed a fantastic show that 55,000 people saw only in Tokyo (at least it is capacity of the Tokyo Dome, impressive, isn't it?). You'll see Ayu perform her best songs (my favorites are "vogue" and "Endless sorrow") with her superb guitar players Yoshio & Enrique, "A" Special Strings & large dancing troupe, she'll change costumes & wigs, show purest emotions and make fans applaud like crazy. You'll also get an intro & outro in English, and a touching ending & encore, so prepare your tissues. This limited edition comes in jewel (CD) case, but you get all the bonus contents (off shot, MC's and 2nd angle on encore with more backstage footage). Don't miss your chance and buy it now!

"Endless sorrow" is a very special song, the song after releasing which Ayumi Hamasaki considered leaving the showbiz, however, she stayed for good. The original mix of this song is composed by Ayu herself and it is only available on this maxi single, that is why it is a must buy for every Ayumi fan, even though you can find a much calmer and layed back version on Ayu's 4th (and best imho) original album "I am...". It also contains a summery remix of "vogue" - Kirari Natsu Ayu Mix - theme song to Kose Visee commercial in which Ayu stars as a mermaid. Also, the cover of this single is simply gorgeous: one winged angel Ayu observing dark megalopolis. Overall, if you must choose only a few singles from Ayu's 30+ collection, choose this one among them and you won't regret it!