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Audience 6.8 to 7.0 - You get mainly Roger and Keith crashing cymbals and his kick drum, then Pete shows up in the mix. Interesting atmosphere though, because the audience must be large but you can’t hear them much on this tape, possibly mic was elevated above the crowd. The sound changes a little as it goes and gets better to my ears. Hence the kick up to 7.0.
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Audience 8.2 - A tape with some good qualities despite being technically average. For instance, I like the vocals on this tape, and Pete’s guitar is in a better spot than on most average audience recordings, it comes through ok, with great atmosphere! Roger sounds great, and the bass is a nice fat, round sound that gets a little pushy but also gives the show its darker vibe. Interesting moment in the show, during the pause in Young Man Blues (the one right before the jam) where Keith traditionally tosses the sticks and catches them, the audience really reacts so it must have been a spectacular one by Keith. Pete shines on guitar throughout this gig.
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Audience 7.1 - Another upper mid band to high range tape in a one dimensional spectrum, guitars kind of low, Roger is up front followed by The Ox, and Keith brings up the back. Not horrible, not great. If you turn up the volume and add some mid boost it would help a lot, because the instruments are all there, as is Roger. It is not a goopy mess.
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Audience 7.2 - I love this, for many reasons beyond sound rating. This is one of those shows to me that rises above all other shows of better quality. It is not bad, it is actually a good, fun listen with nothing that annoys or distracts. It is not overly dynamic with crystal highs and deep lows, but the space it occupies does not offend. A good one, while he’s away!
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Audience 7.5 - Overloaded tape, but surprisingly isn’t distorting, it just can’t contain the power of The Who in 1970. That being said, I bet even the casual fan will find something redeeming here – a loud concert whereby at least you can hear everything – loudly! I kind of got into it, by the time Young Man Blues kicks in, you are in this for the duration.
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Audience 7.2 - A low rating but at least .5 points higher than the original version. Someone did a Remaster which it desperately needed because it was flawed. Mainly, it’s surface noise from the vinyl source (original tape source never located). It wasn’t great to begin with either. If you needed to upgrade this for your collection – get this one .... Bonus is the great artwork and packaging.
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Audience 8.8 - This is a significant recording mainly from a historical sense, but for all the wrong reasons too. Yes it is the infamous gig where 11 people died outside the venue waiting to get in. The band were not informed until after the show, so they play their set oblivious, and it is a fine set. It’s eerie now to hear this knowing what transpired earlier, thankfully it is actually a very fine recording. This is one of those things I have to encourage everyone to check out for all the RIGHT reasons though…but yeah there’s that.
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Audience 8.9 - A fine recording that seems to originate from John’s side of the stage because guitar, while there, is kind of behind the action which allows you to pay attention to the bass work, and really will surprise you just how much of a second guitar that bass was at times. I also like the slight change of "Can’t Explain" they do here – this is a great show. This is also a very good recording so get it!
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Audience 6.9 - Well, here's the rub: Great band, great time (1971), great place (Bern, Switzerland), but not great recording. I mean, what you really need anyway is the guitar here, and at least you get some of that! The problem is mainly a lo-fi experience but to be fair to this capture you do hear it all on stage. I am too harsh really, I think if you just give it a chance it gets better to your ears. I mean, it's TOAD man! How many live recordings are there? Two? Whatever it is this is still essential.
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Audience 8.3 - A little thin and some tape hiss present. Tape starts off, maybe the first 45 minutes or so, is very good but later there is a sound glitch on stage, with the guitar amp, and the band is thrown off. The sound is similar maybe during the second half but the band is not quite the same imho. Still, a good one for collectors – very decent, can enjoy!
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This is an Audience recording, my rating is a 7.3 quality, not a bad show. It's got one thing I can appreciate, a lively atmosphere without being obnoxious and intrusive although I got to tell you, sometimes the audience makes the performance...want proof? Listen to the Madison Square Garden 1984 show - you can honestly say that the loud, obnoxious, and totally over the top crowd and atmosphere is what totally makes that show. I found myself more interested in the crowd believe it or not. I must offer that show in the future - seriously the audience is the best part even though the band is on fire and inspired by the crowd. This one is close to that mania, but nothing compares to that MSG show.