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Audience 8.1 - Do not be dismayed by this sound rating, in fact this has been re-mastered and is vastly superior to all other versions out there. The lineage of this recording was the cause of some confusion for decades – it was believed to have been from Rotterdam but is in fact Amsterdam. Why this show has been overlooked by collectors is beyond me, it’s a marathon concert and should be in the collection. Maybe it was the marginal sound quality of previous versions? Oh well, now we have this. -
Audience 8.8 - This is the exact kind of audience tape I love the most. It’s taped from pretty close to the stage, is not overloaded, but it is overloaded with manic energy and intensity. Steve Vai brought out the best in Frank, you can hear it on full display here. A wonderful show (open air), a great tape, a must have. Also there are fewer 1982 shows recorded than you might think. -
Soundboard 9.3 - The venue is unknown as is the exact date, but here’s what we do know – the show smokes! It captures the imagination, and is what I love about collecting. Do you remember what you were doing in May of 1973? I am sure the band played this gig and quickly forgot about it as they traveled to the next town, but it never ceases to amaze me how here they are in some college town probably, completely engaged and engulfed on this tour, yet manage to produce exemplary performances over and over again like it’s no big deal. Then, move on to whatever is next…it’s almost a little melancholy. -
Audience 9.1 - Now, we all know how Zappa felt about bootlegs, so it begs the question – how come there are so many fantastic audience recordings from every tour? Well, here’s yet another one, a very well balanced and clear (and bold!) tape. Love it! -
Pro Soundboard 9.6 -
Radio Broadcast 9.7 -
Audience tape of mediocre quality, about a 5.4 rating - maybe, but here's the thing - there are a handful of live tapes of this band from this vintage or thereabouts - until the band release what they have, this is all we will ever get. It's two discs worth of vintage ZZ Top before they made it big - I can deal with the mediocre sound. -
Audience 7.2 - Not a well defined sound, I think drums are fine with a nice staccato sound. The guitar has a particular bite to it though, I am probably too harsh of a judge here since 70’s ZZ Top recordings are few and far between. -
Audience 7.8 - This is well worth getting if you want to know what was happening before the big time. Good big hall sound, not overly echoey or boomy at all. -
Audience 7.8 - What I like about this tape is that the guitar is not only right up front, but the tone is present, you can hear that lush Les Paul phatness! Not a spectacular mix for the bass and drums but if you want Billy you got him. -
Audience 7.4 - 8.3 - Don’t let the ratings dissuade you from this one – for one thing, the material is all remastered and sounding as good as possible, which in most cases you will find it sounds better than most of the mid 70’s Top audience tapes out there. The never before circulated 1969 material sounds particularly good, in fact you might be quite astonished at how good it is. -
Audience 8.3 - Whenever you come across any 70’s ZZ Top, your instantly going to ask “how does it sound”? because we all know how rough most of them are – but this one reveals layers of the band previously lost in a dense fog of distortion and volume – an articulate bass. Billy’s tone is lovely as ever but only his solos soar above the rhythm section who are LOUD but not distorted. One to pick up! -
Audience 8.5 - This band, while known as a blues band, played at rock and roll volume. That is why most of their 70’s recordings are either muddy or distorted. This one is creeping up to the very edge of distortion but it does not cross over – it does max out the headroom of the tape though. Look at the rating, it’s a very, very good recording considering the scarcity…and the amazing set list! Come on, if you are a fan, dive into this one! -
Audience 8.5 -
Audience 7.4 - Thin, AM radio like but good AM radio. -
Pro radio broadcasts 8.8 some age showing but very clear.