| Pro FM 9.6 - Sound quality is absolutely spot on but so is the band. They were well rested and rehearsed, and it clearly shows with stunning accuracy and a packed set list too. Get this! |
-
A collection of rare, never before issues tracks originating from Texas during the 1970's. Featuring a handful of demos produced by the group Truck, a band who slipped under the radar and whose music remained undiscovered for decades. The rest of the disc is rounded out by some known and some very obscure acts, some so obscure we do not even know what their name is! These tracks were discovered on an old forgotten multi-track reel that was owned by Ernie Myers (guitarist of Hands out of Dallas, TX.). Studios would frequently reuse reels to save costs, and this particular reel was no exception Tracks were discovered on the end of the reel that was used to record some demos in 1980. All that we know of the band are the first names of the members written on a track sheet inside the tape box. The recordings originated out of a studio called JD&D Sound...and that's it. The music is excellent! -
Audience 8.8 & 8.7 - Same taper for both nights, and thankfully this is someone who knew what they were doing as you can tell they diligently set their levels and position to maximize the end results, and man, what end results these are! More probably for the outstanding performance and great house mix, but the tapes have held up well with just maybe a touch of overload in very loud parts that do not annoy, just you may notice it on occasion. Great performances by the band especially Craig who just rips on the guitar on practically every song and even Grace is in excellent form. A must! -
Audience 8.8 - A historic concert showcasing the full orchestra, this was to be the final evening for them as it was all dismantled due to financial disaster. The recording is quite good though, vocals have marvelous presence, and the music comes through pretty well with some cluttering (we are talking about dozens of instruments here) in the center, but you will appreciate this in many ways. A real find for the collector,...pretty much indispensable. -
Sale!
Audience 9.0 - Ok, so here’s the deal with this one – skip past the first song because it’s toast, the levels were not set and the distortion is off the charts. After that the taper readjusts levels and off we go to a really nice, atmospheric and clear recording of a powerful show. -
Audience 8.8 - A great, atmospheric and electrically charged show! Not a lot of heaviness to the bottom, but there is a roundness there, a pleasant to the ears mid rangy kind of sound with a lot of articulation on the high end (not shrill!) which causes the slide work from Duane to fill the hall and make for tons of electricity. Collectors will love this one. Now, one small thing to report, there is sometimes some minor static on the tape (barely noticeable) but it’s no bother. Get this! -
Sale!
Audience 8.1 - I was expecting the worst when I became aware of this recently surfaced show, but to my surprise it isn’t all that bad. It’s lacking some depth and low end but it is clear, and close, and shows some detail. It’s a fine recording, and if you have a subwoofer, well there ya go. -
Soundboard 9.5 - The evening before this show in Kansas City, the band had just played a stadium with a stacked line-up, so they were probably pretty amped up for this show. They got to showcase some of the Marathon LP material in front of an appreciative, but much smaller crowd than the night before. A great one! -
Soundboard 9.4 - What a great year for Santana, really it all came together 71-72 and they were smart to record a number of shows in preparation for the live album release that became known as "Lotus" (the Japan 1972 show which is great). Any one of these other ’72 shows could have been the album as they are all stellar. -
Sale!
Audience 8.9 - Just the right amount of sonic clarity and separation of instruments with “live atmosphere” to make for a realistic listening experience. Sounds much like what you could have expected having been there. This was also the last show of the tour. Excellent! -
Audience 9.4 - This is just one of those very lucky evenings where all the elements came together for a great result – good taper location, excellent house sound, excellent music performed. Each instrument is articulate and exists within its own frequency so there’s no overcrowding, it’s a joy to listen to! -
Sale!
Soundboard 9.7 - From the very beginning you know you are in for quite a thrill ride with this one. As good as it gets, highly recommended! -
Audience 7.8 - A little bit rough but its incredible nonetheless…see, truth be told it took me 10 years to finally acquire this show. I have a special interest in it. I will say that, actual audio fidelity, while not hi-fi, is not lo-fi either – it has some power to it (without distortion!) and I LOVE the audience reactions throughout. A fiery gig! -
Soundboard 9.6 - This rating reflects what I feel about this recording in the way that the guitar and bass come across in the mix. So, what you get is a well rounded, brassy bass sound that is articulate and not lost in the low end wastelands or overshadowed by Pete. It sounds like two guitar players playing in perfect harmony, and a lot of Who recordings you do not get that effect so much as just a wall of power and volume. This one is just so good in that sense and deserves a special acknowledgement. -
Heyoka - The Spirit of Revelation 2-LP. Gatefold cover colored vinyl limited edition double album filled with incredible late 70s progressive hard rock from this unheralded Texas group. Mention the name Heyoka to any self respecting rock music aficionado in the state of Texas and chances are they remember this legendary 70s hard rock band. Without a doubt this band was one of the greatest unsigned bands ever to originate from Texas. Opening for every major touring act that passed through San Antonio, including Rush’s first tour of America, this band even had a song featured on MTV in the early 80’s, before it got unceremoniously banned. They featured two guitarists, a singer that played flute, keyboards, and a crack rhythm section. The music is reminiscent of Jethro Tull and Kansas, but retaining a unique quality all its own that will take the listener on a musical journey evoking Native American imagery under the mystical guide of Black Elk. All tracks recorded between the years 1977 and 1986, almost all previously unissued. For those into classic era Rush, Kansas, Jethro Tull, Thin Lizzy and the like. An absolute must-have release! This double album collection features bonus tracks not found on the CD version! Also comes with a 12 x 24 color poster! (m/m/m) THIS RECORD IS NOW OFFICIALLY OUT OF PRINT! This copy (on the website) is the last. TRACKS: Side A: 1. Thunderdreamer 2. Wooden Birds 3. The Quest 4. And The Pessimist Fled Side B: 1. Metamorphosis 2. The Monotony of Change 3. Change My Ways 4.Danger Stranger* Side C. 1. The Trilogy: I Passage II Restrictions III Revelations Side D. 1. Taking Notes/Feel It* 2. It’s All Gonna Be Alright 3. Video Madness 4.Disco Sux * bonus tracks only on vinyl version -
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 7.5 - Two complete shows from 1984 that see very limited trading and as far as I know there’s been no CD release for either. There is good reason for this – these recordings sucked ass. Unfortunate too, because both gigs are screamers. Now, the good news! Both shows have been re-mastered using the best technology available (whatever they did 35 years ago obviously did not do much) and the results are that you can hear music now, you can hear what Eddie is doing and you can hear the band. No, it is not going to be sonically superior, but it is sonically better than any previous versions, and that is saying an awful lot! Best way to enjoy these is to listen to the original recordings and then pop these discs in, and THEN you will understand the work that went into saving these gigs from obscurity. The packaging on this title is superb by the way. -
Audience 7.8 - I can handle an average audience tape as long as the guitar is clear, and this one thankfully showcases guitar in the mix and man, I am glad because he is TEARING it up here! At times even the mix gets really good and clear, like the taper is maneuvering for better position so this is a strong 7.8. -
CD 1-2 - Audience 8.7 - Most Who collectors may already be familiar with this set, sounds like a good tape source is used and it is complete (hence the title) . But wait a minute – we have the second show now too – how is it? CD 3-4 - Audience 8.2 - Somebody tried heroically to remaster this and I have to say, knowing what it used to sound like, they did a great job. Still some noise artifacts present, but man they did bring out a LOT from this unappreciated recording. Kudos to the sound guy! Worth having this set now. -
Audience 9.0 - Fantastic recording really, in fact I can only try and be real nitpicky to try to find anything outright bad about it. It’s close up, warm, atmospheric (I don’t mean echo or reverb either), and pretty good separation of instruments. Kick drum is even present, so it is also detailed. Good One! -
Soundboard 8.8 - Another strange board tape, probably because they used different effects in their live performance that had to be run through the board. Sometimes you also get a little over-driving when the kick drum pedal hits. It’s a blasting board tape, extremely kinetic and strange at times but a lot of fun too.