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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) -
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 8.7/8.9 - Both recordings are really well done with the clear edge going to the 1975 stuff because it is a little bit more clear, although the synths and moogs and other keys are pushed way out front in the mix which is great because those sounds are otherworldly and mega heavy! A spot of mic dropout can be heard and it could easily have been edited out but it’s kept on the there but thankfully lasts only 2 seconds…otherwise what a show this is! Fantastic and mind blowing! Lard Free Paris, France 1974-09-08 and Paris, France 1975-10-02 Disc 1 01 -Improvisation 1 02 -Improvisation 2 03 -Improvisation 3 04 -Improvisation 4 Disc 2 1. -Improvisation 1 2. -Improvisation 2 -
Audience 8.6 - Both recordings seem to sound quite similar and garner the middle 8 rating but don’t let that dissuade you – these are not bad at all. Considering the scarcity of live Omega recordings I would say these deserve some time in the player, and the ears will adjust and you’ll find them of redeeming value. The material is progressive and at times ventures into more risky territory for a prog band but the band can be forgiven for that as overall I appreciate the adventure. Omega Germany 77-78 Disc 1 Saarbrucken, Germany 1977-10-03 01. -Nyitány (Overture) 02. -A Névtelen Utazó (The Anonymous Traveler) 03. -Éjféli Koncert (Midnight Concert) 04. -Nem Tudom A Neved (I Do Not Know Your Name) 05. -Napot Hoztam, Csillagot (I Brought A Sun, A Star) 06. -Idorabló (Time-Consuming) 07. -A Buvész (The Dude) 08. -A Könyvelo álma (The Accountant's Dream) 09. -Finálé (Finale) 10. -Metamorfózis I (Metamorphosis I) Disc 2 Nijmegen, Netherlands 1978-11-18 01. -Névtelen utazó (Invitation) 02. -Metamorfózis I (Metamorphosis) 03. -Léna (Russian Winter) 04. -Start (Start) 05. -Napot hoztam, csillagot (House Of Cards part I)-Idorabló (Time Robber)-Ablakok (House Of Cards part II)-Éjféli Koncert (Late Night Show) 06. -Nem Tudom A Neved (Help To Find Me) 07. -Metamorfózis II (The Hope, The Bread And The Wine) 08. -Finálé (Finale) -
Soundboard 9.4 - A terrific “live” sound and feel, it’s hard to tell even if it is a board tape because it just has too much “room” and atmosphere. It’s quite astonishing really, it’s a fantastic sound and mix, and feel, and of course there’s the band and their amazing material. What I can say is that you will love this and play it again…it is one of the best. Jethro Tull February 5th 1977 Apollo Theatre Manchester, England Disc 1 01 -Wondr'ing Aloud 2:29 02 -Skating Away 4:53 03 -Jack-In-The-Green 3:43 04 -Thick As A Brick 14:28 05 -Songs From The Wood 5:07 06 -Instrumental - Drum Solo 2:59 07 -To Cry You A Song 2:33 08 -A New Day Yesterday 2:49 09 -Flute Solo 7:18 10 -Living In The Past 1:37 11 -A New Day Yesterday (reprise) 2:49 12 -Velvet Green 6:57 Disc 2 01 -Hunting Girl 6:33 02 -Too Old To Rock'N'Roll 4:01 03 -Beethoven's Ninth Symphony 3:13 04 -Minstrel In The Gallery 5:22 05 -Aqualung 9:16 06 -Guitar Solo 3:05 07 -Wind-Up 4:41 08 -Back Door Angels 4:56 09 -Wind-Up (repise) 2:28 10 -Locomotive Breath 5:46 11 -Land Of Hope and Glory 2:24 12 -Back Door Angels (reprise) 1:34 Ian Anderson - vocals, flute, guitar Martin Barre - guitar John Glascock - bass guitar Barriemore Barlow - drums John Evan - keyboards David Palmer - keyboards, saxophone -
FM Broadcast 9.1 - A board tape that seems to have a more ambient quality to it, meaning it sounds like close mic’ing rather than direct into board. That means you do not hear the audience as is typical of a board tape, but you do get a “room” sound like the quality of an audience tape, albeit a very good one. This is a real good tape but it does sound somewhat dated and thankfully the remastered version (this one) brings more clarity and punch than before. Premiata Forneria Marconi Liberty Hall Houston, Texas, USA November 16th, 1976 Disc 1 01. -Intro & tuning 02. -Out of the Roundabout 03. -Left-Handed Theory 04. -Unknown Title 05. -Story in L.A. 06. -Unknown Title 07. -Jetlag Disc 2 08. -Four Holes in the Ground 09. -Celebration 10. -Interview LINE UP Franco Mussida - guitars Flavio Premoli - keyboards Greg Locke (?) - flute, violin Franze Di Cioccio - drums Jan Patrick Djivas (from Nice, France) - bass Bernardo Lanzetti - vocals -
Soundboard 9.0 - Nothing inherently wrong with this board tape, it’s very much what you should expect, but there is some atmosphere that captures some of the room excitement. You won’t strain to hear anything on this recording as everything is right up front. Bass is very well rounded and tight, drums are in the pocket and guitar is blasting as only Rory can. So, it is highly suggested you grab this, ‘cause you’ll dig it. Rory Gallagher City Hall, Sittard, Holland 1979-10-18 Disc 1 01 Wayward Child 02 Tattoo'd Lady 03 I Wonder Who 04 Follow Me 05 Bought & Sold 06 Keychain 07 Secret Agent 08 Bad Penny Disc 2 09 Out On The Western Plain 10 As The Crow Flies 11 Going To My Hometown 12 Moonchild 13 Shadow Play 14 Bullfrog Blues 15 Sea Cruise 16 Too Much Alcohol Rory Gallagher - Guitar, Vocals Gerry McAvoy - Bass Ted McKenna - Drums -
Soundboard 9.4/9.0 - Overall really great, I especially loved the stuff on disc 2 with Buddy Miles. Prince - 1993-04-12 Prince And The NPG (New Power Generation) - Starlight Lounge DNA & Cabaret Aftershow SBDs 1993-04-12 1993-04-12 (am), DNA Lounge, San Francisco, CA 1993-04-06 (am), Cabaret Metro, Chicago, IL 1993-08-02, Arena, Sheffield, UK Disc 1 Act I Tour Aftershow DNA Lounge, San Francisco 12th April 1993 (am) 1. The Sacrifice Of Victor 2. Race 3. Come 4. Peach 5. Black MF In The House 6. Starlight Lounge - Glam Slam Boogie 7. I'll Take You There 8. Sexy Dancer 9. Let's Get Satisfied (including I Got My Mind Made Up) 10. Papa 11. 777-9311 12. Hair 13. What Is Hip? 14. When You Were Mine 15. Sexy MF (including Love 2 The 9's) Disc 2 Act I Tour Aftershow Cabaret Metro, Chicago 6th April 1993 (am) [with guest Buddy Miles*] 1. Gold Nigga 2. Them Changes* 3. Little Red Rooster* 4. Peach 5. Papa 6. When You Were Mine (Aborted) 7. Bambi 8. Call The Law 9. Johnny 10. Partyman (including Loose - Partyup) 11. 1999 12. Baby I'm A Star 13. Push - Daddy Pop Act II Tour - Arena, Sheffield : 2nd August 1993 14. Let's Go Crazy 15. Kiss 16. The Cross 17. Purple Rain 18. Sign O' The Times 19. The Beautiful Ones 20. Girls And Boys 21. 1999 Band: Prince (vox, guitar) Michael B. (drums) Sonny T. (bass) Levi Seacer, Jr. (guitar) Tommy Barbarella (keyboards) Morris Hayes (keyboards) Tony M. (dance, rap) Damon Dickson (dance, vox) Kirk Johnson (dance, percussion) Michael Nelson (trombone) Brian Gallagher (tenor saxophone) Kathy J. (baritone saxophone) Dave Jensen (trumpet) Steve Strand (trumpet) Mayte (dance) -
Audience 8.7 - A very clean tape recording, sonically it is extremely good for the time period. I only notice maybe vocals being a little bit underneath the music which is not a bother when you consider that most of this is instrumental anyway…however that is a minor quibble, this is a great recording for 1970. Pink Floyd Circus Crone Munich, Germany November 29, 1970 Disc 1 1. -Astronomy Domine 2. -Fat Old Sun 3. -Cymbaline 4. -Atom Heart Mother Disc 2 1. -The Embryo 2. -Green is the Colour 3. -Careful with that Axe, Eugene 4. -Set the Controls 5. -tuneup 6. -Saucerful of Secrets -
Audience 8.8 - A tape that does NOT suffer at all from narrowness as it is truly wide open and atmospheric… but at the expense of separation of instruments. Does that mean it is bad or not worth hearing? Hell no – this is a VERY GOOD tape recording, I think for myself I always want to hear distinct bass notes because I am such a big fan of Chris Squire, and here he is mainly the “bottom” for the sound, and occasionally you get to hear his notes ring out and float above the sound but not always. I am spoiled though, because not all tapes are going to be Cleveland ’78! However, since this is a 1980 show, I think it is one to get as I find this period of the band extremely interesting to listen to especially live. Good stuff! Yes De Montfort Hall Leicester, UK Nov. 24, 1980 Disc 1 1.01 -Young Person's Guide Intro - Close Encounters Intro 1.02 -Does It Really Happen 1.03 -Yours Is No Disgrace 1.04 -Into The Lens 1.05 -Clap 1.06 -And You And I 1.07 -Go Through This 1.08 -Man In A White Car Suite Disc 2 2.01 -We Can Fly From Here 2.02 -Tempus Fugit 2.03 -Amazing Grace - The Fish 2.04 -Machine Messiah 2.05 -Starship Trooper 2.06 -Roundabout -
Audience 9.6 - This sound is so real, so present, and SO LOUD but thankfully hangs together without shredding the tape it is stored on…mostly. On occasion there’s some minor breaking up in a certain frequency due to the sheer volume and proximity to the microphone but to be honest that is kind of what makes this recording such a revelation for me. I just never predicted that King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table would be as heavy and manic as it is here in an expertly recorded live setting. Rick Wakeman is a badass! Rick Wakeman Convention Center Anaheim, CA November 11, 1975 Disc 1 01 Intro 02 The Journey 03 Recollection 04 Catherine Howard 05 Lancelot & The Black Knight 06 Down And Out Disc 2 07 Anne Boleyn 08 The Forest 09 Arthur & Guinevere 10 Merlin The Magician 11 Catherine Parr 12 Hungarian Rhapsody 13 The Battle -
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 -
Audience 8.9 - The great thing about this band is that most times a relatively normal tape machine can capture them cleanly and a really good machine captures them gloriously. This is a very good tape, almost approaching a dirty glory. King Crimson Arts Centre Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA September 28, 1973 Disc 1 01. Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part One 02. Bob’s MC 03. Book Of Saturday 04. Lament 05. Improvisation 06. Exiles 07. Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part Two 08. 21st Century Schizoid Man Disc 2 01. Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part One 02. Bob’s MC 03. Book Of Saturday 04. Lament 05. Improvisation 06. Exiles 07. Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part Two 08. 21st Century Schizoid Man Bill Bruford-Drums, Percussion David Cross-Violin, Viola, Mellotron, Electric Piano Robert Fripp-Guitar, Mellotron John Wetton-Bass Guitar & Lead Vocal -
Audience 8.8 - This is an interesting recording because while the guitar is very close and defined, the rest of the band is kind of floating above you. It’s as if the taper’s mic was placed in front of Jeff’s guitar cab and at the same time he was able to capture the rest of the sound through the main P.A. so it’s kind of strange. It’s decent though, it’s a good capture just a strange placement of instruments but I really love being able to soak JB in when he’s having a great night as he is here Beck, Bogert, & Appice Shi-Kokaido Nagoya, Japan May 16, 1973 Disc One 01 - Superstition 02 - Livin' Alone - I'm So Proud 03 - Lady 04 - Morning Dew - Drum Solo 05 - Sweet Sweet Surrender 06 - Lose Myself With You - Bass Solo Disc Two 07 - Black Cat Moan 08 - Why Should I Care 01 - Goin' Down - Jeff's Boogie 02 - Oleo - Boogie 03 - Plynth - Shotgun Jeff Beck - guitar, vocals Tim Bogert - bass, vocals Carmine Appice - drums, vocals -
Soundboard 8.8 - A welcomed board tape that I knew nothing of previously before discovering it. It’s fine, it’s not a “pristine” or sterile tape by any means and it does sound…dated a bit but it’s the mighty ‘Halen in all their splendor and it’s great! Van Halen 1979-10-02 Tucson, Az. Convention Center Disc 1 01) Light Up The Sky 3:39 02) Somebody Get Me A Doctor - Drum Solo 6:59 03) Running With The Devil 4:39 04) Dance The Night Away 3:07 05) Beautiful Girls 3:22 06) Dave's Everybody Wants Some Intro 4:43 07) I'm On Fire 3:05 08) Bass Solo 2:05 09) You're No Good 3:01 10) Jamie's Cryin' 4:09 11) Fools Intro - Gypsy Woman Story 2:55 12) Feel Your Love Tonight 6:21 Disc 2 13) Outta Love Again 4:35 14) Ice Cream Man 6:12 15) Ain't Talkin''Bout Love 12:57 16) Eruption 5:11 17) You Really Got Me 10:56 18) Bottom's Up!! 6:31 19) Atomic Punk 1:26 -
Audience 8.7 A real surprise here because when I first came across this one I assumed it would be crap. Why had I not heard of it before if it was good? Well, sometimes stuff just slips through the cracks I guess. Anyway what I am saying is that this is quite good, I began listening and made it through to the end and was thinking “this is a real find”. Van Halen Market Square Arena Indianapolis, IN. July 6th, 1984 Disc 1 - 62:37 1. Unchained 4:35 2. Hot For Teacher 8:03 3. On Fire 3:09 4. Running With The Devil 6:19 5. Little Guitars 4:48 6. Cathedral - House Of Pain 12:03 7. Jamie's Cryin' 3:24 8. I'll Wait 4:44 9. Everybody Wants Some 15:32 Disc 2 - 51:37 1. Girl Gone Bad 6:15 2. 1984 0:53 3. Jump 4:33 4. Guitar Solo 16:12 5. Pretty Woman 3:02 6. Panama 5:25 7. You Really Got Me 9:16 8. Ain't Talkin''Bout Love 6:01