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Soundboard 9.0 and Audience 8.6 - This is a very interesting document of a period of time in the band’s history where they lost a key member of the band in guitarist Randy Bachman. That did not stop them, as these shows attest. Quality varies but is consistently good across all shows with the first part being Soundboard and the rest very clear and reasonably dynamic Audiences.
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Audience 8.3 - A fine recording all things considered. It’s a big hall, recording comes from somewhere in the middle of the arena but the capture is reasonable albeit without a good definition and some mild boominess. Overall you can be happy with this recording and of course the band has a fine repertoire.
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Audience 8.6 - It’s easy to find board tapes from most of their tours so I can understand why one might take a pass on an audience tape but you do get a different perspective here, it’s a “bouncier” sound, a more kinetic feel to the happenings and you know, the Cure sometimes drones on a bit so I like having a recording that helps keep things moving.
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Audience 8.7 - What you get here is a lot of large stadium ambiance, actual recording is pretty realistic from around the middle of the venue – not overpowering and good, clear, loud enough to get a sense of the event and of actually being there. It’s good – it’s not overwhelming – just good. Not a lot of 2016 tapes out there so I like having yet another one since the band played different songs at every venue.
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Audience 8.6 - With the shortage of recordings spanning 2016 to now, anything is welcome including this rather spacious sounding capture. Bigger on atmosphere than super focused instruments, the vocals ring loud and clear but guitar chimes behind most of it all. Still, rather good, and I will take that!
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Audience 8.8 - Tapers used good gear, because even though they sound middle of the venue somewhere, it is a strong capture giving nice depth and clarity. So, loads of headroom and atmosphere, a bit far back, but strong, clear, with depth all in all very nice. For those who do not know, this band is an offshoot of Roxy Music featuring Phil Manzanera and Brian Eno (Simon Phillips on drums).
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Soundboard?? 9.8 - Hard to tell if it is pro audience or soundboard because, for one thing, it is SUPERB in every respect but the audience is clearly recorded during the end of each song which it would not be if it were a pure sdbrd. That being said, the only other thing it could be is a professional, over the air broadcast, but there is none of the typical radio compression on the tape if that is the case. This is absolutely phenomenal.
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Sale!Soundboard 8.7 - Some hiss present, but otherwise it’s a good board tape.
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Sale!Soundboard 9.3
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Soundboard 8.8 - This is a revelation. I had this tape for years and it was marred by annoying distortion in the low frequencies. This remaster cures a lot of that, and consequently you get a much more enjoyable and fun experience out of this show. You have to appreciate this band, when back in the day we rebelled against it because we hung onto our Rush, Zeppelin, Floyd and Van Halen but this music is a nod and a wink to the 60’s garage groups, just done in a ‘modern” setting. Kudos to The B52’s for having originality and humor too. Luv it.
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Audience 8.0 - A utilitarian tape that captures the action on stage where you clearly get each instrument without much separation or dynamics. The selling point of this show is the set list, some seldom performed numbers including Crossroads which is played with aplomb. Energetic, fresh, all that without any hiccups but lacking clarity and dynamic range.
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Audience 7.7 - If you love very loud and raw recordings, like right in front of the PA stacks, guitars BLASTING, this is your show! A lot of the other acts were also recorded, most of them sound distant and thin, not this! Crank it, but I am warning you, this is a sonic ear blast of epic proportions.
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Audience 8.7 - A lo fi recording that astounds you, how can it be possible? It is like a cassette deck recording with one mic but man, it is VERY hot! Blazing electric guitar runs, manic rhythm section, insane over the top music on a cheap portable deck and it smokes. Wow! Torino show is a strong 7.6