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Audience 7.3 - While not quite as good as the Messina show, this still presents a powerful representation of the live Il Rovescio Della Medaglia. A little of the distinction and separation of instruments not coming through as well but I found plenty to appreciate on this one as well as the other -
Audience 8.5 - Good levels, not the best separation of instruments but it is very live and active, really kind of sounds accurate to what you may have heard if you were sitting center about 20 rows back. -
Audience 7.5 -
Soundboard 9.2 and Audience 9.0 -
FM Broadcast 9.6 - This recording is beautiful, but not without a fair share of hiccups, and I don’t mean in the recording itself, but in the happenings on stage. This was a large and complex production (featuring an orchestra) and there were bound to be some technical problems. Now, if you can appreciate that, and you understand shit happens, then I highly encourage you to dive into this one because when it is good, it is extremely powerful and intoxicating. I will say that even though sometimes the equipment fails (bad mic cable, etc.), it just reinforces the appreciation for the efforts that go into a live stage production and broadcast. Renaissance Academy of Music, NYC 1974.05.17 Disc 1 01. -WNEW-FM intro 02. -intro music 03. -Can You Understand 04. -Black Flame 05. -Carpet of the Sun 06. -Cold Is Being 07. -Things I Don't Understand 08. -Intro To Running Hard Disc 2 09. -Running Hard 10. -Ashes Are Burning 11. -Mother Russia 12. -Prologue -
Various sources ranging from 9.0 to 9.7 - High quality live and studio. -
FM Broadcast 9.4 - This could be considered as one of the best live documents of the band I have ever heard. While there is the faintest amount of FM static in the background during quiet parts, this does not distract in any way the absolute mastery of music that this band delivered. Just stunning, and I can imagine how many young musicians must have been inspired after hearing this band live. Do yourself a favor and grab this, it’s phenomenal. My Father’s Place, Roslyn, NY 3rd April, 1974 1. -Can You Understand 2. -Let It Grow 3. -Kiev 4. -Things I Don’t Understand 5. -Ashes Are Burning 6. -Prologue -
Soundboard 8.9 -
Soundboard 9.1 - You can hear some bleed through during quiet times and when band is not playing but when they are playing it is loud and punchy, good mix. -
Audience 9.5 - This is what happens when professional equipment is brought in by an audience member who knows what he is doing. Could be released officially, it’s so good. -
Audience 9.0 -A sparkling audience tape that captures a band that is firing on all cylinders in frightening precision and dexterity (all members). Good bass presence here, no rumble just nice and solid which helps give clarity to everything else. Return To Forever Jahrhunderthalle Frankfurt, Germany 1976-03-21 Disc 1 101 Medieval Overture 6:01 102 Band Intros 2:19 103 Sorceress 12:25 104 The Magician 6:41 105 The Duel Of The Jester And The Tyrant 12:59 Disc 2 201 Lenny White Acoustic Set Introduction 1:20 202 The Romantic Warrior 12:20 203 Chick Piano Solo - Trio (Stanley, Lenny) On Green Dolphin Street, La Fiesta 9:22 204 Al Acoustic Guitar improvisation - RTF 11:37 205 Stanley Acoustic Bass improvisation incl. Bass Folk Song - RTF 10:52 206 Lenny White Drum Solo 10:39 207 Space Circus - Lopsy Lu - Coda 15:47 -
Pro 9.6 - Sharpness, precision, dynamic, and beautifully clear. A tiny amount of tape noise barely perceptible unless the room is silent and trust me, that is just me looking for something to be critical of…there are no faults with this recording. RETURN TO FOREVER CALDERONE CONCERT HALL, HEMPSTEAD,NY,USA NOVEMBER 22,1975 CD1 1-INTRO 2-VULCAN WORLDS 3-TALK 4-SHADOW OF LO 5-TALK 6-ROMANTIC WARRIOR CD2 1-CHICK'S SOLO > LA FIESTA 2-AL'S SOLO 3-STANLEY'S SOLO 4-LENNY'S SOLO 5-OUTRO Chick Corea Al DiMeola Stanley Clarke Lenny White -
Audience 9.1 - Great sound and atmosphere, just as good as you want it to be. Some tape hiss present during quieter passages, which is being nitpicky though. This recording shines with just the right amount of headroom and the atmosphere is special as the crowd is LISTENING to every note you can clearly tell. Return To Forever Civic Auditorium Santa Monica, CA April 8, 1977 Disc 1 01 The Endless Night 02 The Musician 03 Hello Again 04 So Long Mickey Mouse 05 Musicmagic 06 Do You Ever Disc 2 07 Come Rain Or Shine 08 Serenade 09 The Moorish Warrior and the Spanish Princess 10 Spanish Fantasy 11 On Green Dolphin Street 12 Musicmagic (Reprise) -
Stockholm 1972 SDBRD 9.1 - Some minor tape hiss present but otherwise it’s quite good for its age. It was recorded well, I mean, the sound to me is very organic and that suits this style of music. Princeton 1973 SDBRD 9.3 - First thing you’ll notice is the lively, massive drums, and a good, round, full bass followed by sharp and clear guitar tone. A very very nice board tape! Nottingham 1975 SDBRD 8.7 - A somewhat subdued sound (tape age?) but pretty clear and could maybe just use a little EQ to bring out the frequencies…and also a little volume boost but other than that it’s a good tape that could be great. There’s a lot of communication with the crowd, more so than usual. Return To Forever Dramaten Stockholm Jazzdays Stockholm, Sweden September 17, 1972 FM Disc 1 01 -Band intro by Chick 02 -Spain 03 -Children's Song 04 -500 Miles High 05 -Noon Song 06 -Matrix 07 -Radio Announcer Chick Corea - Fender Rhodes and Acoustic Piano Joe Farrell - Flute and Soprano Saxophone Stanley Clarke - Acoustic Bass Airto Moreira - Drums Disc 2 Princeton University Princeton, NJ 1973-11-30 01 -Theme To The Mothership 02 -Bass Folk Song 03 -Children's Song 1 04 -Space Circus 05 -Captain Senor Mouse 06 -The Game Maker Chick Corea -keys Stanley Clarke -bass Lenny White -drums Bill Connors -guitar Disc 3 University of Nottingham Nottingham, U.K. February 22, 1975 1. -beyond the 7th galaxy 2. -song to the Pharoah kings - Vulcan worlds 3. -the shadow of Lo 4. -talk Disc 4 5. -Vulcan worlds 6. -talk and tuning 7. -no mystery 8. -talk 9. -celebration suite Chick Corea: keyboards Al Di Meola: guitar Stanley Clarke: bass Lenny White: drums -
Audience 9.0 - Warm, inviting sound quality, with maybe my only gripe (and it’s a minor one) being that the guitar sits just behind the keyboards in this mix, still audible, but I am a guitar guy so… -
Audience 9.1 - Small club with great sound. One of those recordings that completely envelopes you with good, clearly defined sound that occasionally swirls above you giving you additional atmospherics. Killer!