Aud 8.7 - with reel to reel, Jimi recorded numerous private jam sessions throughout his short career. This is one, and it’s decent but there’s a bit of hiss present.

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!

Audience 9.4 - How I never came across this one before is simply a shock because it absolutely SMOKES! Just a brilliant, clear, atmospheric recording capturing the subtlety and nuance of a complex band. Not to be missed!

All Pro Studio Sound 9.8

Radio Broadcast 8.8 - Aww yeah!

Audience 7.6 - This is a tape that you could turn up and add some bass in the Equalizer and it will improve a lot. The sound is a little thin but completely intact and very consistent all the way through.

Audience 9.0 - Excellent in almost every way, maybe a few annoying woos from the folks near the taper (maybe a lot of woos), but the fidelity here is really nice and warm. OK, let me be honest, that idiot woo hooing through several songs ruined this otherwise excellent show for me.

Aud 8.3 - Not your typical mumbled mess of a tape here, this one is rather powerful without the distortion. Anyone could appreciate this tape, which is why it comes recommended by most collectors.

Soundboard 9.2 - With good atmosphere since the audience bleeds into the mics on stage.

Aud 8.2 - At times this really shines, at times a little crowded too, but really a wonderful piece of history. One of the better audience tapes of the time period for sure.

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.

Radio Broadcasts 8.7 - Contrary to what the title states, there is no Utica show, it was broadcast out of Utica but recorded elsewhere, two shows, two different dates – and the title should more technically be “Utica 1969/70” since the recordings date from those two years.

Studio Quality Sound 9.2

Both Shows Disc 1 Aud 6.8 There’s music here actually, but we all know these are not the best of the best. Disc 2 Aud 7.5 Clearly the better of the two shows. You can really get into this one, even though vocals are bit buried. Band just played freaking loud, gotta expect that sometimes!

Soundboard 9.4