[Chritopher]

For some unknown reason nobody mentions one more problem Ayumi has always had: her passages (or note transitions - dunno how to say correctly) were always TOO sharp. I mean when notes change (for example, A-RI-GA-TOU tte in Together When...) she kinda breaks the words, like she's making effort to hit every new note (her voice sounds like it's cracking), her singing isn't smooth at all and that's a real bad point for professional singer. I don't know why she's doing so, if it's strictly forbidden by vocal couches and considered to sound bad and amateur. I think it's because it's just easier that way, at least it's easier for me but I forbid myself to sing like that :-) I hope you got what I mean :-) I think her recent You were lives are relatively good comparing to for ex. Step you. She may be shouting sometimes BUT she manages to hit most of the notes!! She HAS to improve anyway, she's number 1 singer and should be more responsible.