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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. -
NEW SOURCE Audience 8.7 This is a major upgrade to the previous version (see old review below for comparison) and as such we felt that it had to be offered here as a replacement. If you purchased the previous version (the artwork is untouched, only the music has been replaced in this set) than you are entitled to receive replacement discs without charge (pay postage cost only). Just reach out to us and we will take it from there. If you have never bought this title, than consider this one worthy of the collection. I will offer this caveat though - it is a recording that still shows its share of shortcomings, such as maybe a touch of overload during more bombastic passages (not nearly as bad as previous!), and the last track is incomplete (better an incomplete but listenable track than a totally un-listenable mess). OLD SOURCE Audience 7.2 This one is rather mediocre, although it is not “unlistenable” at all, but compared to other 1977 recordings it is what I would classify as “for completists only”. That being said, I can point out a few moments of this concert that I found interesting in a lot of ways. Like, during Pigs On The Wing Pt.1 you hear large explosions from the audience (possibly fireworks or maybe PA problem?) and you immediately think of Roger and how he’s probably disgusted with the whole thing by this time. Pink Floyd Spectrum Theater Philadelphia, PA, USA 29 June 1977 Disc 1 01 Sheep 02 Pigs On The Wing, Part 1 03 Dogs 04 Pigs On The Wing, Part 2 05 Pigs (Three Different Ones) 06 Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-V) Disc 2 07 Welcome To The Machine 08 Have A Cigar 09 Wish You Were Here 10 Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI-IX) 11 Money 12 Us And Them -
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Audience 7.3 - A tape new to the collectors, it is not without its limitations but it is audible. Without the re-mastering I would not recommend it on any level but for its rarity, however, it is now listenable (as if a layer of grime was wiped away). -
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Audience 7.5 - Technology has done wonders for the collecting world, this tape is a classic example of going from unlistenable muck to actually hearing what the band was doing. You will still place this one in the “fair to average” category but in the pantheon of Sabbath shows this is one hell of a barnburner. I wish we had something a little better, but this tape is MUCH better sounding now than it was 10 years ago. -
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ALL Soundboard 9.7 - Dive right into this amazing collection of sonically superb live offerings and get a totally new appreciation for Eddie Money and his super-tight band. -
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Soundboard 9.7 - Perfection in every way, and let me tell you, you will be completely engrossed in this concert and in the songs themselves. RIP Eddie Money. -
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Soundboard 9.8 - Another example of why collectors consider these two shows (this and the previous night) as Zeppelin at the absolute top of their game. Thankfully captured from the board in mind numbingly good quality both sonically and mix-wise. -
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Soundboard 9.8 - You can’t do much better than these, mainly because the board tape itself is full of life and expertly mixed in contrast to other more sterile boards. The other is because the band is firing on all cylinders, and taking improvisation to dizzying heights as evidence by the No Quarter, Dazed and Confused marathon improve sections. -
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. -
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Audience 8.7 - This is from the Royal Albert Hall, so be prepared for a lot of atmospherics as the sound dances around almost right above your head. The music is very present though, so there’s no harm in having some ‘verb which is probably exactly how you would have received the sound at the venue anyway. -
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Audience 9.1 - Truly an immersive listening experience, literally you are in the crowd close to the stage but the sound is probably better than what your ears were hearing at the show simply because massive volume tends to ruin your ability to decipher anything remotely close to “music”. This tape allows you to hear the actual music, and mayhem too! Sounds like it was a real blast to have been there. -
Audience 8.5 - A recording that leans towards brassy but presents the concert in a way that you get a pretty clear representation of the evening, in a slightly better than average way. The band, at times, seems to be feeling the songs out rather than be fully committed to them but that gives the show an edginess that some might find more interesting. For instance, Stairway to Heaven, the band must have played this a thousand times yet here Jimmy can’t figure out the solo! -
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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. -
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Audience 8.8 - This recording was made with obviously good gear, the sound on occasion will lead you to believe it is a pro-job but it really isn’t. What may give it away is the slightly buried guitars, and I mean slightly. The vocals are soaring and direct at the same time – just lovely. Good band, good recording, the magical 1970’s. -
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 tape that finds balance even with the somewhat squashed sound, because it is pretty clear regardless. Fills a lot of gaps in my Alice Cooper collection as these Lace And Whiskey tour shows seem few and far between compared to other tours. -
Audience 8.9 - A very bright and lively recording with plenty of electric atmosphere. The band is “tight but loose” and quite frankly I don’t hear the weariness in Steven Tyler at all, in fact the whole band seems very comfortable here. A really really good one! -
Audience 8.1 - A tape new to circulation and it is decent sounding. It has some force behind it, although lacks some definition but with only a very few ’73 era Barnstorm tapes out there, this is a most welcome find. -
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! -
Audience 8.8 - One of those recordings where the taper must be right in front of the house P.A. system but he knows how to adjust the levels and so gets a super high energy recording with minimal audience interference. This is one that just goes right to your brain, it’s super exciting and heavy! -
Audience 8.5 - Slightly low recording levels meaning go ahead and turn up the volume on this one, and thankfully there’s no distortion. Recording is clear, not overly dynamic (it is metal after all) but you’ll probably enjoy this immensely if you understand that it’s really about the lyrics and the stage banter. Always fun, and it’s two discs so you get a lot of songs! -
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! -
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. -
CD 1 - Audience 8.8 - Direct into face, a driving and persistent intensity, very clean, very clear. CD 2 - Audience 8.3 - A more open spaced recording where you lose some of the dynamics, and vocals tend to get muffled and placed further back but guitar and drums are prominent and clear…bass is present but not as articulate or deep. A good tape and collectors will be happy to hear it since it is not widely circulated. -
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) -
Soundboard 9.7 - Sparkling, and I mean all facets – the sound quality, the performances, the musicianship, everything! Get it now, you won’t regret it. -
Audience 8.6 - A gem of a show, and a recording that thankfully is pretty decent although it does highlight Halford at the expense of the rest of the band. That actually works well here because Rob is just killing it, hitting every high note and wowing the audience. The musicianship is as always a cut above the rest, hence the reason this band lives on to this day. A keeper! -
FM Broadcast 9.2 - A professionally recorded and mixed production that does not seem to have much in the way of compression so it has a good spaciousness to it, it is crankable. -
Audience 8.6 - A “crisp” sounding tape, emphasis on drummer and vocals in the mix but you also can really hear the background keys which is nice. Not saying Joe is buried, just that this house mix seems very democratic in allowing all players to have a presence. I appreciate hearing how much the piano and keys helped shape this material. The audience is very respectful, and they love their Joe, that’s for sure. -
Audience 8.5 - A real surprise this old tape, it sounds pretty darn good! The sound is warm, rounded, and has great atmosphere without losing the immediate punch of the music. Even at full tilt volume, the tape manages to hang together and not get overly saturated. Good job early tapers! -
Audience 8.4 - Not super dynamic but pretty clear, a decent ’74 tape where you can hear and enjoy everything (including the crowd) quite clearly but without a wide palate of audio spectrum. Not saying it is thin, not saying it is one-dimensional either, just that from highs to lows you aren’t going to have much depth although you can EQ and probably adjust to your specific needs. A good tape. -
Audience 8.8 - Another great tape made by someone obviously knowing what they were doing. There are a couple of cuts here and there, not deal breakers by any means but full disclosure. Anyway, a solid, in the pocket recording of a sizzling gig with great interplay between Jobson and Beck. -
CD 1 - Audience 8.4 - A lively, jumping tape that is a fun listen but the limitations include some minor over-saturation which surprisingly does not ruin anything, but keeps the rating in the mid 80’s technically speaking. I like this recording personally, I find it exhilarating! CD CD 2 - Audience 8.8 - A very well made recording with a great balance to it, a warmth and tone that is pleasing to the ears. Lovely! CD 3 - Audience 8.2 - A tape with a preponderance of low end, to the point where you can’t ignore it, not that it is particularly muddy, just that it is bass heavy. I do get the other instruments thankfully, but like I said…bass. CD 4 - Same as disc 3, but I will say this much, on songs where the bass work is minimized, it sounds excellent. -
Audience 8.5 - Tape is a little hissy, but it is still a clear recording where you hear a lot of separation between instruments and “air” or “headroom” which allows music a chance to unfold and show peaks and valleys. Very good, not great, but very good. -
Audience 8.6 - A great job by taper to get center mic placement and not too distant from the stage. Good presence, good atmosphere, good tight show. -
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Audience 8.7 - This is a radio broadcast that sounds very good with some minor signs of age and occasionally a dodgy mix in spots that get corrected quickly, at least. The band play pretty much every song that you remember most by them, the set list is thrilling. -
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Audience 9.3 - This recording effectively conveys the power and volume of the gig, with pretty much a direct blunt force to your brain. There’s not a helluva a lot of headroom in the recording meaning the levels are at peak (no clipping or distortion) so if you plan to crank it loud, just be prepared for a lot of neighborhood complaints. -
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Audience 9.5 - When you listen to this, just keep in mind it is taped by someone in the audience…you won’t believe it. Great balance, superb low end, sweet middle band tone, lush and warm with the perfect amount of high end (no sizzle or annoying squeal or cymbal wash). Just terrific, and the band sounds great! -
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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! -
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Audience 8.9 - A really good, solid, and clear tape, showcases the considerable talent of Zappa and the always excellent cast of characters he assembles each tour. This show features a lot of solid horn work, and Zappa plays very nicely with a good tone. There were a couple songs I was unfamiliar with and enjoyed quite a bit. I rather like the song Rollo! Fun stuff. -
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Early and Late Shows - Soundboard 9.1 and Soundboard 8.6 - The late show board tape is slightly problematic in that vocals and to some extent the drums are really prominent in the mix but the rest is pushed back. Acoustic songs come through nicely, they bring up piano and acoustic guitar so you get everything more even. At times it gets a little better, it’s not bad it’s just not as good a mix as the early show. -
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Soundboard 9.4 - As can be expected this is professionally done and the source is low gen as it sounds fresh and crisp with minimal tape noise. -
Audience 9.3 - Did you miss Queen in their prime? Don’t worry, because now you can be there again by listening to this show. I think every English band that plays Boston elevates their game, perhaps it is because Boston feels like home to them…it is kind of quaint and vaguely British I guess. -
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Audience 8.6 - This recording straddles the fence a little. On the one hand, it’s got very defined highs and good overall acoustics but also a pretty rowdy audience that whoops and hollers (this is Texas after all). I can’t really blame them though, this is actually THE best Presto gig I have ever heard as far as the performance. Not all Rush shows are homogenous by the way. Listen to Alex rip on La Villa Strangiato for example. They are firing on all eight (with the lone exception being a marginal effort on the beginning of Xanadu).