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FM Broadcast 9.5 - Both shows are professional radio broadcast recordings and are excellent. -
Audience 8.2 - This is not the source used on Massed Gadgets, and ranks similar although each source features slight differences which are up to the listener to decide which they prefer. This source has more in the higher frequencies, but consequently slightly more hiss. It’s still very decent. -
Soundboard 9.1 and Audience 8.5 - Beautifully mixed, with some tiny over-sizzle on crash cymbals at times, which seems to get worked out on the mix, but more problems with vocals getting distorted, mostly is the “ssss’s” which isn’t a deal breaker because the problems are not a large percentage of the music. The second show is an audience recording that sounds a little distant until the guitars begin and then it sounds practically right next to you! Strange. -
Audience 8.5 - Taken from the master source, this high energy show reveals a band on the rise. Captured from the balcony, the sound is pretty much what came from the house P.A. system and is, as could be expected, insanely loud and therefore not clear and distinct but certainly forceful and once the ears adjust, is pretty realistic. Coming from a master source, it is free of tape noise and other artifacts. DVD - Shot on Hi8MM, the picture looks great! The angle is from the balcony, which was not that high or far from the stage so even though you are looking slightly down on top of the band, you see the entire stage and most of the audience on the floor without any interference. Camera occasionally zooms in, pans slightly, and at brief intervals goes slightly too high missing the front of the stage but I suppose that may have been due to the filmer trying to adjust. -
Audience 8.1 - A shaky start to this recording, but it smooths out and becomes listenable with clear vocals that rise up and out of the depths. The interesting thing about this show is that Pete is nailing all his solos with precision, a rare thing to be honest. The band is in fine form, they even play “However Much I Booze” which was only done a handful of times on this tour. -
Pro FM 9.1 -
Audience 8.3 - A pretty clear recording that would benefit from some boosting here and there but that’s not to say you can’t just crank this one up a little. Very worthwhile! -
Audience 8.3 - Do not let the “average” sound rating prevent you from selecting this AMAZING rarity. I could write paragraphs on why this is a must have for any self-respecting Priest fan, but suffice it to say that this is why I even collect live music. The details of the recording are but one small part of the equation, but I will note that the tape suffers from two main problems – it’s a little muffled and it’s a little hissy. There is also an unfortunate cut where the solo begins in Victim of Changes (could it not have happened on any other song?), I think this is the tape flip. The quality worsens a bit after that, but there’s also good news to report: The tape has been remastered, revealing much more music that was probably buried under muck and noise for decades. What you end up with is a very intense show, and an audience absolutely being blown to smithereens. I can imagine after having to deal with mediocre top 40 and disco music, new wave, etc. having a band like Judas Priest I mean, that had to be like a sledgehammer to the skull because let’s face it, for 1979 these guys were way heavy, and not in a punkish Motorhead heavy but a very competent, sinister kind of heavy. That does come through on this tape. Without a remastering it would have been tough to listen to it, but it’s actually not hurtful on the ears, the actual frequency range is comfortable, and there are times where it is even very decent. Overall it is simply one of those you really have to just get and appreciate for what it is because it quite simply is DEVASTATING. -
Sale!
Soundboard 9.8 - One of the best board tapes I have heard, I love where each instrument sits in this mix. It also helps that the gig is exceptional, therefore I must categorize this one as a must have. -
Audience 8.4 - This is the August ’72 show and the sound is pretty decent with clarity, average depth and dynamics but regardless it’s a very enjoyable listen. Perhaps it could be said this is one of the better ’72 tapes in circulation. -
Soundboard 9.7 - One of the most interesting concerts by Prince I have heard. It’s an after show gig, and Prince is cutting loose with some amazing guitar solos, to the point where it is hard to believe it is actually him playing. Certainly one to add to your collection, and one that will get frequent plays. -
Audience 8.7 - a good recording with some signs of age, and a minor buzz that occurs only occasionally which is not related to the stage sound. Thankfully it’s not prominent during the actual music. The show itself is very tight, Beck is in good form. Very worthwhile! -
Soundboard 9.6 - A professionally recorded and mixed affair that was actually broadcast on the radio and it’s obvious as nobody would take the time and care to produce such a convincing live tape unless they had a good reason. The performance is marvelous, and the recording shimmers. A must have for Spirit fans! -
Audience 8.4 - A solid tape that sounds like it has been remastered to remove hiss, but artifacts remain. I imagine though that it sounds better than before, because it is clear that there is something to work with here. -
Soundboard 9.7 - A pure unadulterated masterpiece of classic Prince music that ANYONE can appreciate. Rediscover this amazing talent, this is a packed set and well worth exploring. -
Soundboard 9.6 - This guy literally can play Happy Birthday and make it sound sexy and groovy (proof is available). Too bad I was so hard-headed and never went and saw him live. I could have on many occasions, but I just never saw myself as one of the “beautiful people” I guess. What a shame I would have loved it. (Soundchecks, Rehearsals and Jams)