1997.02.23 - London, England @ The Astoria Theatre

Source A: Analog  --- Sony Cassette Recorder TCS-580V (built-in mic)
Taper:  Duncan
Gen: 1st from Master

Notes: Really, really nice sound to this recording considering that Duncan was using rather basic analog technology. This is probably one of the most widespread live recordings around but is often incomplete, for some reason. Also, many sources are from MP3. Obviously, the source I have is straight from the master & has not one annoying issue. The performance itself is quite good but is very standard for 1997, very nice. Some people have said this is a legendary performance. I don't know about that but it is quite good. Probably depends on what perspective you take. This should be, however, in everyone's collection by now. If not, then it seems  that you have a little bit of catching up to do?

CD 1
Time: 55:29

 CD 2
Time: 45:06

Setlist:

Third Eye
Stinkfist
46 & 2
Undertow
Eulogy
Crawl Away
H.
Pushit
Merkaba
Sober
Opiate
Ænema

Source B: DAT --- Sony ECM-909 > Sony TCD-D7 @ 48khz
Taper: Unknown
DAT: DAT-1 > Digital Clone-2
CD:   ? from Master

Notes: To be honest, I really did not think that anyone really, actually had this DAT recording. After receiving, shit, something like 3-4 'DAT' sources of this show (all of which were either Duncan's version or my VHS rip) I gave up & chalked it up as a lost cause. Apparently, I was wrong, a good, very tight DAT exists. This is one of the better DAT recordings from their European tour. Not as clear as the 02.11.97 Paris gig nor as crisp as the 03.01.97 NY show but one is hell of a fine capture of Tool. Definitely the best audio source available for this show. The taper seemed to be rather close to the stacks, very close, maybe even Front Of Stack as there is a very low layer of crowd noise. Currently, this is one of my favorite recordings from '97 to listen to. Maybe it is due to the fact that it took me so long to find an authentic copy but I think a little bit more has to do to the overall quality of the recording & the performance by Tool in general. Really, I would not say that Tool played exceptionally better than any other night, just, this show seems to have a distinct flavor to it. Definitely a nice addition to any collection, that is for sure. Someday, I hope someone will take this audio source & mix it into/onto the DVD of this show that is around - now, that would be excellent. If you or anyone else does that, let me know.
Notes: The above happened - someone mixed this DAT source with the video.

CD 1
Time: 50:41

 CD 2
Time: 51:20

Source C: Unknown Hi8mm Equipment
Source C: 1G DVD / 3G VHS > CD (transfer by Galen: 1999)
Source: 1G DVD > ECM-909>D7 Audio Re-Synch

Notes: This is reportedly sourced from a 1st Gen VHS and transferred to DVD. The CD times listed below are representative of a VHS transfer I did years ago. The DVD in circulation looks like to me as if it was the same generation as the video I have (2) and put to DVD. You never know...only know what is 'reported' but everyone wants to claim to have the lowest gen possible. If you notice & look at people's collections, many people claim to have very low gen stuff. So much of it is wrong, intentionally or accidentally. Oh well. As for this DVD, the picture is rather crisp, clean & the sound seems to be as good as is 'out there' for this particular show. So, if you have a choice in getting this show, the DVD is always going to be a bit better as no generation loss will occur. Tool was very cool in this performance as well. Maynard & Justin are -decked out- in paint & horns. Interesting. One of the best moments I've yet seen in a Tool recording is when MJK, in response to a fan jumping on stage, wrestles some guy into a choke hold during Pushit & just sits on him. It's fucked up but is one of the coolest things I've ever seen on a live recording. MJK is on this guy for at least 7 minutes & at times is just hitting him on the back of the head. Strange. There are all sorts of different rips of this in circulation so watch out for random copies of this. At least there is this good DVD out there.
Notes:  When I get the chance, I will rip the audio from this DVD to audio instead of the VHS sourced audio.
Notes:  The above 'note' was actually acted upon by some random Tool fan. Interesting. There is a choice of either the original audio or the re-sync. That said, there are DVDs now of A) random VHS>DVD transfers B) 1G VHS>DVD & C) 1G VHS>DVD audio re-synch with DAT --- Sony ECM-909 > Sony TCD-D7. So, at least this is not confusing at all nor is there any chance for people mixing up source info. Ah well.

Maynardism: "That was Heitham, also known as the great pretender. Not the guy on the floor, the guy singing."

 DVD
Time: 1:42:08