-
Soundboard 9.0 - Aside from a weird high frequency buzz that lasts for a few minutes at the beginning, and one or two minor tape faults this is a crisp, airy recording that EVERYONE is going to LOVE! Good bite on the guitar which seems to have a lot more “space” in the recording, yet maintains definition when it isn't too buried. Keyboards are really pronounced which helps this tape. Several cuts exist here and there, but it’s still a very interesting tape!
-
Audience 8.7 - I think this is an onstage recording, the audience sounds distant from the atmosphere as opposed to the band which sounds VERY close to the mic. It sounds like the mic is placed near the drummer and Roy’s amp, not the house mains (vocals are very low). This could also actually be a board tape, sometimes you get all the instruments and vocals are nonexistent because they are pushed exclusively through the main P.A. and the instruments usually have their own amplification. It’s hard to tell – sometimes you will swear this is a board tape, and other times a stage recording. It’s pretty good, a little muck in the middle when loud but mostly very good on your ears.
-
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)
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 9.6 - 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!
-
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 9.7 - 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 8.5 - 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!
-
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
-
Audience 8.5 - This recording has a lot working in its favor by mainly allowing the listener to hear each instrument clearly. The tape does have sonic limitations in that it sounds like the taper wisely dialed down the levels so as not to overload the signal, especially as JP was probably quite loud. This means that you will want to turn the volume up a little even though it may mean that you also bring up some background noise, which is present but not invasive. It’s a very good tape, I believe that this has been re-mastered too, so I consider it an upgrade to other versions that may be out there, although I was unfamiliar with this show until recently.
-
Audience 8.1 - A shaky start to this recording, but it smooths out and becomes listenable with clear vocals that rise up and out of the depths. The interesting thing about this show is that Pete is nailing all his solos with precision, a rare thing to be honest. The band is in fine form, they even play “However Much I Booze” which was only done a handful of times on this tour.
-
Audience 8.5 - Taken from the master source, this high energy show reveals a band on the rise. Captured from the balcony, the sound is pretty much what came from the house P.A. system and is, as could be expected, insanely loud and therefore not clear and distinct but certainly forceful and once the ears adjust, is pretty realistic. Coming from a master source, it is free of tape noise and other artifacts. DVD - Shot on Hi8MM, the picture looks great! The angle is from the balcony, which was not that high or far from the stage so even though you are looking slightly down on top of the band, you see the entire stage and most of the audience on the floor without any interference. Camera occasionally zooms in, pans slightly, and at brief intervals goes slightly too high missing the front of the stage but I suppose that may have been due to the filmer trying to adjust.
-
Audience 8.8 - A historic concert showcasing the full orchestra, this was to be the final evening for them as it was all dismantled due to financial disaster. The recording is quite good though, vocals have marvelous presence, and the music comes through pretty well with some cluttering (we are talking about dozens of instruments here) in the center, but you will appreciate this in many ways. A real find for the collector,...pretty much indispensable.
-
Audience 8.6 - This is a very fine recording that has recently surfaced, a tour that had the band displaying their absolute mastery of the ultra complex progressive rock extravaganzas that sometimes took up nearly the entire side of an LP. Audiences back then were fully engaged with such performances, unlike today.
-
Audience 9.1 - Crisp and clear, rowdy audience that thankfully do not intrude into the music that much. It is strange to hear it put this way, but the nature of these funky songs lends itself well to having a sort of background of people whooping it up. It works in this case to great effect. A really fine one to enjoy whenever you need your fix of his Royal Purpleness.
-
Sale!Audio - Excellent! - Sporthalle, Cologne, Germany (April 14, 1988) This is the first of 4 shows recorded in Germany during the 1988 Tour. The sought after, complete set (all 4 shows) as well as each individual show is extremely rare and a must have. You can also purchase all 4 shows together as a complete set for a slight savings.
-
Sale!Audio - Excellent! - Carl-Diem Halle, Wurzburg, Germany (April 22, 1988) This is the second of 4 shows recorded in Germany during the 1988 Tour. The sought after, complete set (all 4 shows) as well as each individual show is extremely rare and a must have. You can also purchase all 4 shows together as a complete set for a slight savings.
-
Sale!Audio - Excellent! - Rudi-Diem-Halle, Munchen, Germany (May 9, 1988) This is the third of 4 shows recorded in Germany during the 1988 Tour. The sought after, complete set (all 4 shows) as well as each individual show is extremely rare and a must have. You can also purchase all 4 shows together as a complete set for a slight savings.
-
Sale!Audio - Excellent! - Mozartsaal, Mannheim, Germany (May 25, 1988) This is the fourth of 4 shows recorded in Germany during the 1988 Tour. The sought after, complete set (all 4 shows) as well as each individual show is extremely rare and a must have. You can also purchase all 4 shows together as a complete set for a slight savings.