^Or maybe it's because she kept her original winter songs while cutting the two covers and the encore-esque section? She didn't mind uploading that Christmas photo where you could see that her belly has grown due to pregnancy.

People are too cruel for that. For months after she gained weight for a short time, Google automatically suggested "Hamasaki Ayumi fat," and "Hamasaki Ayumi weight" alongside the always popular "Hamasaki Ayumi decline." She'd be up against months--at best--of daily comments from Twitter insulting her to comedians laughing at her. It's easy for us to say not to worry, but just thinking of people treating me that way makes me ill. I'd probably be careful too.

Anyway, this was gorgeous. It's much simpler than many of her concerts, and while I love the big concerts, the simple elegance of this suited the music she chose perfectly!

Maybe when she gets to Matsuda Seiko's age she can do the dinner shows like Seiko-san does too, beautiful and intimate (and hella expensive) shows. The atmosphere would suit her so well.

The show was cute but... it would have been better with a live band, and very appropriate. It is my only negative remark (and... evolution unite was not good) I enjoyed all the rest.

I'm glad they uploaded this version with edited vocals. Much more pleasant to listen to.
The instrumental part after Appears is so cool.

I hope this live will not be the bonus for A Ballads

^ now they’ve put in work editing the vocals, that’s a real possibility. Alternatively, I just watched the countdown live 2016-2017 from youtube, and they worked miracles with those vocals, would love if they had that as the A Ballads 2 bonus, but I doubt it. If it’s a concert they include id wager it’s Pom 2018 or JtB part 2 (or now possibly Xmas live)

I would say it isn’t. Remember, originally it wasn’t meant to be recorded and the A BALLADS 2 release was most likely planned before that.

The 2nd video disc could just be the live performances of the songs or the making offs 😙

Google translation of TA blog

YT link^^
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz_U2ichZx4

thank you!
Not much value in this "behind the scene" video IMO, but it's nice to see

Whoever is responsible for applying that awful filter to the video needs to reconsider their choices.