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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. -
Audience 8.7 - Actually not bad but it’s very close to the main PA and thus loud and noisy. There’s an annoying frequency somewhere between the mid and high that needs to be compressed. At first I thought this was a soundboard, it might be mistaken for one. It’s so close to the speakers, I mean this recording puts you in the front row. I do like it despite my concerns. -
Audience 7.4 and 8.4 -
CD 1 - Soundboard 8.6 - Sounds very low gen but the tape seems somewhat compressed, but very clean, and thankfully can be turned up loud without breaking up. CD 2 - Soundboard 8.6 - A lot like disc one, occasional phasing on one or two tracks, but again it is pretty clean and a mix that reveals how good each player is in this band. CD 3 - Soundboard 8.4 - A step down from the first couple of discs but it has a little more brightness to it, and a little more noise and a strange sort of echo on the guitar which does not bother me, it is just different than the other discs. All in all, collectors will find much to like here. -
Audience 8.7 - A little noisy but man what a great gig! Everything is clear and well mixed. -
Audience 8.8 - This is a really nice one, pretty atmospheric without being reverby and hollow and the live sound mix is pretty right-on. The sound separation here presents itself as what feels like stereo to me, whether or not taper used two mics I do not know but it does sound like it. The band is really hot! -
Soundboard 8.8 - A good and clear tape. -
Soundboard 9.4 -
Audience 7.4 - A very thin recording, now it does come from a master source so it is as clean as it will ever be. I mean, I suppose you do hear it all, just do not expect much bottom end. -
Audience? Hard to tell if this is an audience or soundboard, it is really good. If it is audience, then it was done very close to the mains but no distortion at all, but I doubt that because there is very precise stereo panning on some of the effects (such as intro to 2112). If it is a soundboard, it is a good one because it allows some bleeding in of the crowd and atmosphere. -
Soundboard 8.7 - An oldie but goodie – tape does show some age but it is a classic nonetheless. Bonus here is a rip from the first single released, quite rare actually. -
Audience 7.5 - What saves this is a rich bottom end that is surprisingly warm without overt boominess. Guitar is present but sometimes hides behind the noise. Sound tends to come in and go slightly out in a wave like fashion but it’s subtle. Sometimes this gets clear and decent and then sometimes it seems to be brittle and cluttered in the lower end of the midrange. The rating is pretty accurate. It’s not atrocious – it’s for collectors though. -
Audience 7.9 - Low levels but pretty clear when you turn it up. Some lack of distinction, but a straightforward audience recording with nothing to offend but not going to blow anyone away. -
Audience 9.3 - Some might not agree with my super high rating here, but a rating in my opinion should combine not only fidelity (which is great here) but also performance and atmosphere. This is a must have to my ears. -
Audience 8.1 - A low generation tape used for this source helps immensely, as it sounds maybe recorded from middle of the floor, but it is actually quite good, a recommended addition to your collection. -
Audience 7.8 - A must have for any serious Rush fan. One of the best early shows you will ever hear, and I mean on many levels not just sound quality – this one is good but not great – but man oh man, just get this and you will know why I rave about it.