-"Ayumi Hamasaki Live Photo Book 2008-2009"-
After some very long delay, the live photo book announced back in February 2009 now has a new release date i.e 03.20.10, with updated contents from Ayu's 2009 concerts. This revised photo book will include photos from her hugely successful Asia Tour '08 held in Japan, Hong Kong, Taipei and Shangai as well as the finale of ARENA TOUR '09 in Japan.

Ayumi Hamasaki Live Photo Book 2008-2009 Release Date: 20 March 2010 Size: TBA Page: 160 pages Buy online from Yesasia: US customers: Japan version Global Customers: Japan version

-"ayumi hamasaki Countdown Live 2009-2010 A ~Future Classics~" Photos and Goodies-
Check out all the Countdown Live 2009-2010 A ~Future Classics~ official merchandises available via Mu-mo.net online shop! Overseas collectors might want to head straight to Yesasia (US or Global) to secure these limited goodies.

-"BALLAD" PV-
The anticipated second PV "BALLAD" has been finally aired as we approach the official release date of "You were.../BALLAD single". Crammed in a slightly under 6-minute long PV, BALLAD visually tells a simple touching story, with a rather interesting twist towards the ending. Do check out screenshots and downloadable full length PV below.

• Download PV "BALLAD" (Password:divineayu) Format: MP4-AVC, VLC Player recommended, Playstation3 compatible. *Remember to support Ayu by purhasing "You were.../BALLAD" single if you liked this video.

-"You were..." Music Station Live Performance-
Ayu's live show promo routine for her upcoming single "You were/BALLAD" debuted with her Music Station appearance! Check out screenshots as well as downloadable video clip below.

• Download Music Station Live Performance "You Were... " (Password:divineayu) Format: MP4-AVC, VLC Player recommended, Playstation3 compatible. *Remember to support Ayu by purhasing "You were.../BALLAD" single if you liked this video.

-"You were..." PV-
"You were..." PV has been finally aired! Check out screenshots and downloadable video clip (low quality) below.

• Download PV "You Were... " (Password:divineayu) Format: MP4-AVC, VLC Player recommended, Playstation3 compatible. *Remember to support Ayu by purhasing "You Were.../BALLAD" single if you liked this video.

-"You were.../BALLAD" Official Site Theme-
Ayu's official site has been updated with her upcoming CD single "You were.../BALLAD" theme. Apparently the "TOP" page is now using very high resolution photos alternating between different covers of the single (upon browser refresh). Additionally, it is also stated that Ayu will perform on Music Station 12.11.09 and the 60th Kouhaku 12.31.09.

-Hamasaki Ayumi 2010 Calendar Scans-
Check out these magnificent scans of Ayu's large B2 size 2010 calendar released last month. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge. Ultra high resolution is available on AHS LostHeaven's thread.

-"You were.../BALLAD" Covers!-
Revealed on Ayu's official site and many other major Japanese news site moments ago were the covers of Ayu upcoming Disney & NHK double tied up single, "You were.../BALLAD" dated to hit stores 12.29.09. According to Barks.jp, Ayu expressed joy and honor for her first song on the single "You were..." to be selected as the theme song for Disney movie "Tinkerbell and the Moon Rock". She also hoped that both the movie and her song will be well received in this collaboration. Additionally, Disney mentioned that the only icon suitable for this collaboration and whom shares fame like Tinkerbell is none other than Ayu. The second song "BALLAD" on the other hand is tied up with NHK's serial "Soukyuu no Subaru", a fictional historical drama based on Jiro Asada's book.

Aritcle: Mainichi, Eiga, CinemaToday, Natalie, MSN, Sanspo

Jacket A CD+DVD+Poster Pre-order ar Yesasia US Customers: Japan version Global customers: Japan version	Jacket B CD+DVD+Poster Pre-order ar Yesasia US Customers: Japan version Global customers: Japan version	Jacket C CD only Pre-order ar Yesasia US Customers: Japan version Global customers: Japan version

-Ayumi Hamasaki ARENA TOUR 2009 ~NEXT LEVEL~ Finale-
Reported by Mainichi, Ayu performed a total of 25 songs and changed 10 outfits at the final national tour concert in Tokyo yesterday.

More articles: News24, Sanspo, Nikkansports, Barks, Yomiuri, Bounce

*10.24.09: Added concert video coverage uploaded by ayuayu.

-Ayumi Hamasaki 47th Single: "You were.../Ballad"-
Finally the year end Ayumi Hamasaki single is announced! This long-awaited double A-side 47th single is scheduled to hit stores 12.16.09 12.29.09 and will be available in 3 variants. Expect cover art and previews to surface very soon! Check out more details and do note the slight difference in tracklisting highlighted below:

Jacket A CD+DVD Buy online from Yesasia US Customers: Japan version Global customers: Japan version Jacket B CD+DVD Buy online from Yesasia US Customers: Japan version Global customers: Japan version Jacket C CD only Buy online from Yesasia US Customers: Japan version Global customers: Japan version

You were.../Ballad Jacket A (CD+DVD): AVCD-31799 Jacket B (CD+DVD): AVCD-31800 Jacket C (CD only): AVCD-31801 Release Date: 12.16.09 12.29.09 Price: ¥1,890 for Jacket A & B, ¥1,050 for Jacket C Jacket A track listing: [CD] 01. You were… (Original mix) 02. BALLAD (Original mix) 03. RED LINE ~for TA~ (Original mix) 04. You were… (Music Box mix -retake version-) 05. You were… (Original mix -Instrumental-) 06. BALLAD (Original mix -Instrumental-) 07. RED LINE ~for TA~ (Original mix -Instrumental-) [DVD] 01. You were… (video clip) 02. BALLAD (video clip) 03. You were… (making clip) Jacket B track listing: [CD] 01. BALLAD (Original mix) 02. You were… (Original mix) 03. RED LINE ~for TA~ (Original mix) 04. Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~ (Orchestra version) 05. BALLAD (Original mix -Instrumental-) 06. You were… (Original mix -Instrumental-) 07. RED LINE ~for TA~ (Original mix -Instrumental-) [DVD] 01. BALLAD (video clip) 02. You were… (video clip) 03. BALLAD (making clip) Jacket C track listing: [CD] 01. You were… (Original mix) 02. BALLAD (Original mix) 03. RED LINE ~for TA~ (Original mix) 04. You were… (Music Box mix -retake version-) 05. Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~ (Orchestra version) 06. You were… (Original mix -Instrumental-) 07. BALLAD (Original mix -Instrumental-) 08. RED LINE ~for TA~ (Original mix -Instrumental-)