-
Audience 8.5 - OK, so the deal here is that the taper seems to be real close to the PA system and his machine is getting bombasted like heck, but the thing is holding up somewhat. Early on, the snare drum is pegging his meters and it’s kind of annoying until he seems to either move a little or dial back the recording levels because it evens out after a couple songs. A very kinetic and wild show and recording that throws you headfirst into the action, a thrill ride of epic proportions I would say. Have fun!
-
Sale!Audience 7.0 - A noisy tape that is to be expected from this time period and from a fan in the audience…that being said, it has something to offer to the collector. It’s a little distorted in the low frequencies which is OK because this band does not live on bottom end anyway. The guitar is pretty clear, so you get treated to the band’s formidable front line with vocals and bass coming in behind the guitars.
-
Aud 7.2 - Thin, like a small transistor cassette deck recording but surprisingly the narrow bandwidth allows Jimi’s guitar to penetrate and come to the center, so you are treated to a Jimi fest on this tape. Lo Fi, yes, but it’s the Jimi show with a cutting guitar sound with that tell tale stadium echo that gives it a nostalgic vibe. I kind of like this tape. Really interesting capture!
-
Audience 8.3 - This recording originates from a very low generation, but probably master tape source and as such it is very clean. The caveat is that it seems to have been recorded from the back of the hall, which is not that bad since the hall was probably not that large. It’s a good recording that needs a volume boost, which thankfully you can crank it and it does not distort.
-
Volume 3: Audience 7.6 - Bass is pumping at the expense of everything else unless the music pauses now and then which makes guitar front and center for a moment. It’s somewhat muddy, but you do hear everything happening, and the ears do adjust. It’s the worst of the three night stand. Good, at times, and worth having nonetheless.
-
Volume 2: Audience 8.2 - Sounds like taper attended the first two nights and had different seats each time because this one, while pretty strong, shows a rather overloaded bass signal that does not distort the tape as much as it crowds the sound field in the middle. This places guitar secondary in the mix, and vocals third. Drums sound good. The overall mix is what I would call decent for 1969 audience but not as clear as the first night.
-
Audience - all shows Berlin Aud 7.2 A reasonably clear tape, Jimi vocals come through and guitar is right up front too. Drums a little buried but you get enough to know what’s going on. Enjoyable! Cologne Aud 7.0 Mono recording without much separation of instruments, guitar being the clearest here. Hamburg Aud 6.6 Very loud and distorted recording. Nuremberg Aud 6.7 Thin, with tape noise present, no dynamics, only Jimi's guitar is heard but it is heard clearly ringing out like he was the only one mic’d up!
-
Aud 6.8 - Overloaded tape, and raucous crowd, but with all that Jimi’s guitar cuts right through and surprisingly is a decent sound and not paper thin. Strange tape, should be horrible but there’s just enough here to suck you right into to this show. I tell you what, you really get a sense of the volume of a Hendrix gig!
-
Audience 8.7 - A fascinating live document that showcases some amazing talents paired with Jack’s keen sense of songcraft on a night where all cylinders are firing. A great way to begin exploring the post Cream Jack Bruce if you have not done so already. The bonus material on disc 2 is equally fascinating, offering a sneak peak into the inner workings of Jack’s mind. Everyone can get into this power-packed set!