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Audience 8.8 - Thrown into the middle of the action, surrounded by hyper excited Japanese teenagers, you are REALLY going to experience what this evening felt like on many levels – not least of which was the super-electrified performance of a Queen band riding the crest of a popularity wave that would last many more years. Audio quality is good enough to warrant serious investigation of this offering. Queen Budokan, Tokyo, Japan March 22nd, 1976 Disc 1: 01. Opening 02. Introduction 03. Bohemian Rhapsody 04. Ogre Battle 05. MC 06. Sweet Lady 07. MC 08. White Queen 09. MC 10. Flick Of The Wrist 11. MC 12. Bohemian Rhapsody 13. Killer Queen 14. The March Of The Black Queen 15. Bohemian Rhapsody 16. Bring Back That Leroy Brown 17. MC 18. Brighton Rock 19. Guitar Solo 20. Brighton Rock 21. Son And Daughter Disc 2: 01. Band Introduction 02. The Prophet's Song 03. Stone Cold Crazy 04. MC 05. Doing All Right 06. Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon 07. Keep Yourself Alive 08. Drum Solo 09. Keep Yourself Alive 10. Liar 11. In The Lap Of The Gods... Revisited 12. Now I'm Here 13. Big Spender 14. Jailhouse Rock 15. God Save The Queen -
Studio Quality 8.8 - Not quite ready for prime time, but very very good and nice to have in the collection. Some really good playing, and if you are a fan of Lou Reed, good singing…but that’s all pretty subjective isn’t it? Berlin Acetate Morgan Studios London, England 1973-06-22 - 07-17 01.Caroline Says I 02.How Do You Think It Feels 03.Looking Thru The Eyes Of Hate 04.Oh Jim 05.Birthday 06.Berlin 07.Berlin outro 08.The Kids 09.The Kids II 10.Caroline Says II 11.Caroline Says III 12.Sad Song -
Audience 8.7 - I gave this a good rating for the combination of very good audience tape with not the best live stage mix (vocals kind of buried), excited audience (but respectful during performance) and a powerful performance (drums are wailing, Leslie is on point). Mountain Dates: 25 August, 1973 Venue: Budokan City: Tokyo Country: Japan Track: 01: Introduction 02: Never In My Life 03: Theme For An Imaginary Western 04: Blood Of The Sun 05: Nantucket Sleigh Ride 06: Guitar Solo 07: Crossroader 08: Mississippi Queen 09: Silver Paper 10: Roll Over Beethoven Lineup: Leslie West: Guitar, Vocal Felix Pappalardi: Bass, Vocal Allan Schwartzberg: Drums Bob Mann: Keyboards, Guitar -
Record Plant 1974 Studio Quality 9.6 - Great way to listen to the artistry of Steely Dan – a great band live and in the studio. St. Louis 1974 Soundboard 8.7 - A little on the slightly muffled side but being a board tape you do hear everything. It will sound much worse than it is if you listen to disc one first (normal operating procedure) but I have to say this recording is still worth having for fans of Steely Dan as they did not tour much and so there's only so much from 1974. Steely Dan 1974-03-20 The Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA Pre-FM (KMET-Live) master recording Disc 1 01 - Stalling for time - Intro 02 - Bodhisattva 03 - The Boston Rag 04 - Do It Again 05 - Any Major Dude 06 - King Of The World 07 - Rikki Don't Lose That Number 08 - tuning 09 - Pretzel Logic 10 - Your Gold Teeth II (Jam) 11 - Reelin' In The Years 12 - This All Too Mobile Home 13 - Announcer outro Lineup: Donald Fagen – piano, vocals Walter Becker – bass Jeff Baxter – guitar Denny Dias – guitar Jim Hodder – drums Jeff Porcaro – drums Royce Jones – percussion, backing vocals Michael McDonald – electric piano, backing vocals Disc 2 Ambassador Theater St. Louis, MO. April 29, 1974 01 -Bodhisattva 02 -The Boston Rag 03 -Do It Again 04 -Brooklyn (Owes The Charmer Under Me) 05 -King Of The World 06 -Rikki Don't Lose That Number 07 -Pretzel Logic 08 -My Old School 09 -Dirty Work 10 -Do It Again The Band: Donald Fagen - piano, vocals Walter Becker - bass Jeff Baxter - guitar Denny Dias - guitar Jim Hodder - drums Jeff Porcaro - drums Royce Jones - percussion, vocals Michael McDonald - electric piano, vocals -
FM Broadcast 9.3 - Terrific all around, for fans who haven’t heard much of these guys live, this is a real good place to find out about them. Good, solid, tight, nobody can deny them their status on the FM airways during the late 70’s. Firefall Amazing Grace July 4th, 1978 Illinois FM Broadcast 1. Nickel And Dime A Day 2. Diamond Cut Diamond 3. My Turtledove 4. Playing That Believing Game 5. You Can’t Make It Alone 6. No Way Out 7. Colorado 8. Two Lovely Women 9. Mexico 10. Cinderella 11. Living Ain’t Easy Runtime - 51 Minutes 27 Seconds -
Audience 8.4 - An uneven mix is the fault, other than that it’s fine. Sounds like taper was on one side of the P.A. and got a lot of one guitar, and it sounds great, very menacing tone, but we lose some other elements that sort of appear and then disappear. The recording is not hard to enjoy even with that issue, for me it was because of the good live tone and having that guitar so close it made me feel like I was seated with the taper hearing what he was hearing. Also, I look forward to certain songs live, with Opium Trail being one and it is present here on this tape. THIN LIZZY Orpheum Theater Boston MA. October 23rd 1977 THE BAND Phil Lynott bass vocals Scott Gorham guitar Brian Robertson guitar Brian Downey drums John Earle saxophone SET LIST 1 -Intro 2 -Soldier of Fortune 3 -Jailbreak 4 -Emerald 5 -Still In Love With You 6 -Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed 7 -Warriors 8 -Dancing In the Moonlight 9 -Opium Trail 10 -Southbound 11 -Cowboy Song 12 -The Boys Are Back In Town 13 -Johnny 14 -Bad Reputation 15 -Are You Ready 16 -Me and the Boys 17 -Baby Drives Me Crazy -
Soundboard 9.7 - As crystal clear as it could possibly get. Why it doesn’t get a 10 rating? Because in my opinion a perfect recording is not just crystal clear but has numerous other elements that separate it from just another clear board tape. Not to denigrate this at all, because it is great – but a crystal clear near perfect board tape is just that, a near perfect board tape that does not reflect ambience, atmosphere, vibe (although not always), and other elements of a live concert. Still, you will love this anyway it’s Prince after all and these kind of fly on the wall type recordings are super cool. The Spectrum Philadelphia, PA. 11-22-84 Disc 1 1. Bass Try Out #1 2. Let's Go Crazy #1 3. Let's Go Crazy #2 4. The Dance Electric #1 5. Mic Test 6. The Dance Electric #2 7. Bass Try Out #2 8. Little Red Corvette #1 9. Little Red Corvette #2 10. Little Red Corvette #3 11. Little Red Corvette #4 12. Little Red Corvette #5 13. Guitar Try Out 14. Temptation #1 15. Let's Pretend We're Married #1 16. Temptation #2 17. Let's Pretend We're Married #2 18. Temptation #3 19. Let's Pretend We're Married #3 20. Temptation #4 21. Let's Pretend We're Married #4 22. International Lover 23. Let's Go Crazy Disc 2 Memorial Auditorium Buffalo, NY. 12-17-84 1. Instrumental Jam in B Flat 2. Strange Relationship 3. Erotic City #1 4. You're Ruining My Bad Reputation 5. Bodyheat 6. Blue Limosine 7. Get On The Good Foot 8. Instrumental Jam In A 9. Erotic City #2 10. Another Lonely Christman #1 11. Another Lonely Christman #2 12. Another Lonely Christman #3 13. Guitar Solo 14. Let's Go Crazy 15. Delirious -
FM Broadcast 9.6 - Beautifully preserved, this recording sparkles! A Must Have if you are into high level jazz fusion. Al Di Meola Paramount Theatre Seattle, WA May 21st 1978 KZAM FM Broadcast THE BAND Al DiMeola electric and acoustic guitars Phillippe Saisse keyboards and marimba Vlodek Gulgowski keyboards Tim Landers bass Eddie Colon timbales and percussion Robbie Gonzalez drums SETLIST 1 -KZAM Phone in Interview with AL 2 -KZAM Intro 3 -Egyptian Danza 4 -Chasin' the Voodoo 5 -Dark Eye Tango 6 -Short Tales of the Black Forest 7 -Fantasia Suite 8 -Señor Mouse 9 -Midnight Tango 10 -The Wizard 11 -Thank you Goodnight -
FM Broadcast 9.7 - Superb in every way, just a joy to listen to and a MUST have if you are even remotely interested in these guys. Doobie Brothers 1972-01-16 Pacific High Recorders SF, CA KSAN-FM CD 1 01-KSAN Intro 02-Jesus Is Just Alright 03-Disciple 04-Talk (Feelin' Down Farther intro) 05-Feelin' Down Farther 06-Nobody 07-Slippery St. Paul 08-Talk (Greenwood Creek intro) 09-Greenwood Creek 10-Road Angel 11-Talk (Going Down intro) 12-Going Down CD 2 01-Talk (Tilted Park Crud Hunchery intro) 02-Tilted Park Crud Hunchery 03-KSAN announcer + Tom Johnston intro to jam 04-Jam 05-Morning Blues * 06-unknown title * Tom Johnston Guitar Pat Simmons Guitar Tiran Porter Bass John Hartman Drums *with Gregg Rolie of Santana (keyboards) and Mike Wilhelm of the Charlatans (guitar). -
Audience 8.7 - A raucous affair this one, the music is recorded very well, on excellent gear, but the stage mix is not ideal, but I am going to be critical mainly because I don’t like where the guitars are in the sound mix. The music is hot, not only performance wise but also on the tape itself, it’s pushing the meters to the breaking point…but it doesn’t break…much. There’s some “noise” somewhere in it, it’s not bad, it’s not a deal breaker, but I can tell it is there and I think it’s just some minor breakup in one band somewhere in the mid range. All in all, this is a pretty good one to get. Van Halen Selland Arena Fresno, CA September 5, 1982 Disc 1 Total Time: 59:08 1. -Romeo Delight 4:15 2. -Unchained 4:00 3. -Drum Solo 3:00 4. -The Full Bug 3:40 5. -Runnin' With The Devil 3:20 6. -Dave Raps 4:07 7. -Jamie's Cryin' 3:30 8. -Little Guitars 4:30 9. -Where Have All The Good Times Gone 3:31 10. -Bass Solo 4:04 11. -Hang 'em High 3:20 12. -Cathedral 1:54 13. -Secrets 3:15 14. -Everybody Wants Some 12:36 Disc 2 Total Time: 56:44 1. -Dance The Night Away 3:14 2. -Somebody Get Me A Doctor - I'm So Glad 6:00 3. -Ice Cream Man 9:41 4. -Intruder 1:54 5. -(Oh) Pretty Woman 3:06 6. -Guitar Solo (Pt. I) 7:03 7. -Guitar Solo (Pt. II) 2:23 8. -D.O.A. 3:51 9. -Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love 7:00 9. -Bottoms Up 4:20 10. -You Really Got Me - Happy Trails 8:06 -
Audience 8.7 & Radio Broadcast 9.4 - Both of these are amazing, even the audience tape which is frighteningly intense manages to deliver a wallop. So, let me prepare you best I can, what you know about this band probably comes from their mid to late 70’s FM radio hit singles but my friend this stuff ain’t that…no not by a long shot. This is balls to the wall heavy prog tinged acid rock. There are plenty of moments where you can’t tell where the guitars and keyboards are coming from because they bob and weave almost as one instrument…brilliant! MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND 1972-06-19 Volkshaus Zurich, Switzerland Disc 1 1. -PRAYER 2. -CAPTAIN BOBBY STOUT incl.Glorified Magnified 3. -ASHES TO THE WIND 4. -HAPPY BEING ME 5. -QUINN THE ESKIMO (The Mighty Quinn) Disc 2 GOLDERS GREEN HIPPODROME LONDON, ENGLAND NOVEMBER 20, 1973 01. -Introduction 02. -Mercury, The Winged Messenger 03. -Buddha 04. -Messin' 05. -Father Of Day, Father Of Night 06. -Captain Bobby Stout 07. -Mighty Quinn (The Eskimo) Musicians MANNFRED MANN- Organ/Synthesizer/Vocals MICK ROGERS- Guitar/Vocals COLIN PATTENDEN- Bass CHRIS SLADE- Drums/Percussion/Vocals -
Audience 8.4 - This tape was made by a very sincere taper, you can clearly tell the person tried very hard to make it work. I think, if I had to guess, the problem was not him, it was more than likely improper microphone type and simple passage of time, because this is a clear and strong tape that falls a little short in some aspects making it a little above average where it could have been amazing. The tape struggles through The Lamia, where you get the effects of age and degradation. The audio quality suffers a little bit because of distance, and that robs some dynamics and clarity, but here’s the thing: The equipment was good quality and that comes through as you do get a certain realism, a sense of the venue and atmosphere that the open mic captures. The stereo field on this tape is pretty wide, so my guess is that microphones were hoisted above the audience somewhere middle of the arena. I think I like this tape in some regards, and I definitely do not consider it rubbish and neither will you. One last thought – I found this recording did slowly improve as the show progressed, perhaps dipping a bit at the end of disc one but not catastrophically. Genesis Palace Theater Providence, RI December 8th, 1974 Disc 1 01 Introduction 1:15 02 The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway 4:59 03 Fly On A Windshield 2:31 04 Broadway Melody Of 1974 2:10 05 Cuckoo Cuckoon 2:14 06 In The Cage 8:01 07 The Grand Parade Of Lifeless Packaging 3:05 08 The Story Of Rael -Part I 2:45 09 Back In N.Y.C. 5:53 10 Hairless Heart 2:24 11 Counting Out Time 3:46 12 Carpet Crawlers 5:38 13 Chamber Of 32 Doors 5:49 Total Time 50:30 Disc 2 01 The Story Of Rael -Part II 3:08 02 Lilywhite Lilith 2:53 03 The Waiting Room 5:48 04 Anyway 3:24 05 Here Comes The Supernatural Anaesthetist 2:27 06 Interlude 1:16 07 The Lamia 7:04 08 Silent Sorrow In Empty Boats 3:28 09 The Colony Of Slippermen 8:34 10 Ravine 1:42 11 The Light Dies Down On Broadway 3:31 12 Riding The Scree 4:26 13 In The Rapids 2:06 14 It 4:53 15 The Story Of Henry And Cynthia 2:33 16 The Musical Box 13:12 17 Watcher Of The Skies 8:17 Total Time 78:52 -
FM Broadcast 8.9 - This recording was done from the radio broadcast even though most people think it is from the reels (it is from a reel to reel, but a recording made from the broadcast). However, once the live over the air sound mix is sorted out, it becomes pretty darn good and even if the tape has some signs of age, it’s a great document and well worth getting. Yes Madison Square Garden NYC, NY Sept. 6, 1980 Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Alan White, Geoff Downes, Trevor Horn cd1 51:30 01. Yours Is No Disgrace 5:01 02. Into The Lens 8:23 03. Clap 4:26 04. And You & I 10:08 05. Go Through This 4:27 06. Man In A White Car 6:17 07. We Can Fly From Here 6:44 08. Tempus Fugit 5:49 09. The Fish (11 seconds) 0:11 cd2 43:21 01 Machine Messiah (Mono) 11:24 02 Starship Trooper 11:55 03 Roundabout 7:42 Bonus: 04 - We Can Fly From Here Studio-Demo - 5:56 05 - We Can Fly From Here 6:23 1980-04-18 (later mix 1980-04-18) -
Audience 8.7 - A very good tape for the time, and what a good time it is for the Stones. What I really enjoyed the most about this recording is how clear Mick Taylor is in the mix. It’s not a super bright sounding tape, and it is not muddy, it is better than average but it shines in atmosphere, performance, and vibe. The band is clearly enjoying the show as much as the audience is. A keeper! The Rolling Stones NICARAGUAN BENEFIT CONCERT FOR THE VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKE The Forum, Inglewood, Los Angeles, CA on January 18th, 1973 Disc 1: 01. -Introduction 02. -Brown Sugar 03. -Bitch 04. -Rocks Off 05. -Gimme Shelter 06. -Route 66 07. -It's All Over Now 08. -Happy 09. -Tumbling Dice 10. -No expectations Disc 2: 01. -Sweet Virginia 02. -You Can't Always Get What You Want 03. -Dead Flowers 04. -Stray Cat Blues 05. -Live With Me 06. -All Down The Line 07. -Rip This Joint 08. -Jumpin' Jack Flash 09. -Street Fighting Man -
Audience 9.7 - Opening for ELP, this is the short lived Robert Fleischman period just before the arrival of Steve Perry. Hard to find anything about this recording to complain about, it’s amazingly life-like and extremely dynamic – about the only fault is how short it is. Taper arrived late, but makes up for it with a stellar recording. Journey Long Beach Arena Long Beach, CA August 14, 1977 01 Of A Lifetime 02 She Makes Me (Feel Alright) 03 Look Into The Future 04 On A Saturday Nite 05 It's All Too Much (The Beatles cover) > Drum Solo 06 Guitar Solo > You're On Your Own -
Audience 8.6 - Taped by the same person using the same gear so there is only minor differences between these shows which are related specifically to position, and it sounds like taper was in roughly the same general position for each show. Very consistent throughout, although just to be super detailed I have to prefer the second show which seems to be slightly closer to my ears. The quality is very clear, leans towards the upper end of the sound spectrum but not too harsh, only to the point I think you could add some bass and that would really allow these shows to satisfy. They are all very good, bass would put them into the great category. Rush May 15, 1983 National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England DISC 1: 01 - 3 Stooges Intro 0:43 02 - The Spirit of Radio 4:44 03 - Tom Sawyer 5:12 04 - Freewill 5:28 05 - Digital Man 6:46 06 - Subdivisions 5:29 07 - Vital Signs 5:16 08 - The Camera Eye 7:01 09 - Closer To The Heart 3:18 10 - The Analog Kid 4:50 11 - Broon's Bane 1:33 12 - The Trees 4:24 13 - Red Barchetta 6:19 DISC 2: 01 - The Weapon 8:14 02 - New World Man 4:00 03 - Limelight 4:37 04 - Countdown 6:00 05 - 2112 Temples Of Syrinx 6:22 06 - Xanadu 2:31 07 - La Villa Strangiato 3:28 08 - In The Mood 3:17 09 - YYZ / Drum Solo 10:47