• Soundboard 9.5 - 4 Disc Set, 2 Shows (Early and Late show) It doesn't get better than this one  (in my top 10)  Killer! Also listed both shows (individually) under "Upper Darby" 1980.  
  • Audience 8.0 - A good reference recording, does not deliver a palette full of dynamic sound colorization or anything like that but it is a pretty clear, one-dimensional recording. One thing I can say is that collectors will want this, as any 1972 show is well worth having in my opinion and this one is very decent even if it lacks a solid low end (not necessarily thin, just not a lot of bottom).
  • Audience 9.2 - Sweet “in the pocket” sound makes this a great listen!
  • Audience 9.3 - Extremely vibrant and dynamic recording.
  • Audience 9.3 - This is Chris Squire’s show! Bass sounds rad!
  • Audience 9.5 - Flawless audience capture!
  • Soundboard 9.5 - Right here, this is the one to get from this tour. Sparkling! Note: Of all the Yes shows I have heard, and I have heard many, although there are many close seconds, for some reason this is my all time favorite. The Audio is superb and the vibe is present with both the audience and the band. Stunning!  
  • Audience 7.8 - A MAJOR upgrade here folks! This recording used to suffer a horrible low mid range boom and muddiness that killed an otherwise decent tape and really good performance capture. Now, even though it is still roughly an average tape, it is minus that deal-breaking boom/mud in the middle. Apparently, the recording being in stereo, while mastering they found by moving it wider (stereo panning) they got the affected channel muted enough where it was crap sounding, but saved what music was there. It worked wonders. Now this tape is worth your time, so rediscover it today.
  • Soundboard 8.8 - A loud board mix, with a little crispiness in the ultra high frequency but what this actually translates to as the show plays is CRUNCH factor which helps liven up what could have been a flat, lifeless board tape. The remastering helped because the levels were kind of low, and the bass needed to be dialed back just a tick, but just that light touch really made this tape a whole point better. Fantastic prime era Halen comin’ out yer speakers like lightning bolts. MUST HAVE!!!
  • Audience 7.8 - Stadium sound all the way. Boomy and loud and CRAZY audience but damn, it’s hard not to love it. The good news here is the drums are defined and not just a sloppy boomy mess, the guitar slices through the mud and lands on your ears in the right spot, then Dave yelps, and does his thing. The end of Hot For Teacher when the drum solo starts the whole place goes bananas.
  • Audience 8.4 (both shows) - I absolutely love this set. A must for fans.
  • Early Soundboard 8.6 - High energy; it does get a little "hot" as far as the mix but it doesn't detract from the experience of hearing Van Halen in a small club playing their asses off before they hit the big time. Dave is in fine form, as always. A great gig, a very good recording, a great band at a great time. Highly recommended.
  • Audience 8.7 - Really loud and up front sound but no distortion makes for a real thrill ride. I love this recording. I think it captures the manic energy happening on stage. Wonderful
  • 5.1 - Sounds like it was recorded on a cheap old cassette recorder. No low end, squeaky sounding...but, historically significant recording. Bonus tracks sound excellent.
  • 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.
Go to Top