2001.08.10 - Berkley, CA, USA @ Community Theatre
Source A: Unverified DAT Recording
Notes: Good sounding show. There are quite a few different DAT sourced recordings of this show, I'm not really sure which this is. Features a girl yelling 'mother-fucker' before the grudge. If you know the source info, please let me know. The time for the CDs listed below has been reported from other collector's but no one seems to have a definitive diagnosis for this recording. Low crowd noise. If anyone knows which source this is, please drop me an email. I wonder if anyone will... whoever does will get a prize: a big fat thank-you.
Maynardism: "Thank you very much."
CD 1
Time: 72:14
CD 2
Time: 45:06
Intro (Tuva)
The Grudge
(-) Ions
Stinkfist
(White Lines)
Undertow
Prison Sex
Schism
Pushit
Disposition
Reflection
Intermission ((Robert Fripp's 'Sound-scapes'))
Sober
MJK talking
Parabol
Parabola
Ænema
Lateralus
Source B: DAT --- Core Sound Binaurals > Sony PCM-M1
Taper: Elec
Gen: 1st from Master
Notes: Very nice recording. Although the taper was slightly far from the speaker source, a good solid recording exists. You just need to listen to turn up the volume a little bit when you listen to it. Clear, crisp but also a bit of crowd noise. There is nothing at all that is negative about this recording unless you are trying to be completely nit-picky. The performance of this show was very polished & the band seemed to be annoying themselves a bit. Which is nice as Tool can be just a little -too- serious at times & -too- professional. Playing at smaller-sized venues like this one really highlight what a good band they are. The delicate nuances of disposition & the sheer power of the Grudge.
CD 1
Time: 53:32
CD 2
Time: 64:56
Source C: DAT --- Neumann KM 140 > Sound Devices MP-2 > Sony SBM-1 > Sony TCD-D8
Taper: Bill Shaw
Gen: 2nd from Master
Notes: I suppose that the only issue I would have with this particular recording is that the sound is not very loud. In other words, it sounds like the taper was a fair distance away from the stacks. Now, I would like to point out that my preference for recordings & taping in general is to be front of stack (FOS) whenever possible as I feel that is the best place to get phenomenal results. The downside is that you do not get a recording that sounds like an AUD was all around it. On the other hand, with a recording like this, you can very much hear/feel the AUD. This recording reflects that. This is a very clear, crisp and very 'live' sounding recording of a rather nice show. Would I recommend this recording? Without a doubt.
CD 1
Time: 71:31
CD 2
Time: 44:53
Source D: DAT --- Schoeps MK4 > Rmod2K1 > Sony SBM-1 > Sony TCD-D8
Notes: Technically, this is a brilliant recording in my opinion. the recording sounds reminiscent of classic, quality-ridden recordings that collectors & tapers strive to achieve. Just a not that will stand as a precursor, I am giving this recording an extra tough analysis simply because it is so damn good. The negative issues of this recording, although this has all the marks of such an aforementioned awesome recording with the equipment, sound & a tight performance by Tool, little details sort of stand in the way. For one, there are subtle level changes, a bit of phasing & slight movement by the taper. Most of all, this is not a loud recording and you will have to adjust the volume a little bit to get the full effect of the quality recording that this truly is. The taper claps a few times which can detract from the recording (can you tell that hairs are being plucked here?) So, on to the good... for starters, what a superb capture of Tool. Clean, crisp and intense. I don't know if it sounded this good at the show- louder, yes, but maybe not as good. I think that may say a lot + maybe everything?
Notes: There is a little bit of a weird sound as the disc 2 starts up. I checked with a couple other people who have this source and it is apparently on their CD as well so do not fret if this is on yours. If you even notice it.
CD 1
Time: 72:41
CD 2
Time: 45:01
Source E: DAT --- Sound Professionals Premium Slimline Cardioids > Sony TCD-D8
Notes: Very nice recording. Clean, clear, crisp & definitely worth a spot on whatever type of rotation for enjoying Tool music you may have for your CD collection. Watch out for a little bit of microphone movement during the Grudge & only a few times after that. Not that noticeable. Good audience recording. Going by preference, it would have been nice to be a bit closer to the stacks but for those that enjoy a "live" type of recording, this may be right up your alley. A couple level changes by the taper as well, most noticeably on Schism. In my opinion, it is tracked pretty weird but whatever, not a big deal. It is true that better sources may be floating around but this is still a good recording. All in all, definitely worth your time if you are a collector but if not & want to hear an amazing recording, check out the Schoeps source.
CD 1
Time: 50:30
CD 2
Time: 64:46
Source F: Analog --- Sony ECM-909 > Sony WM-D3
CD Transfer: Master > Cool Edit Pro 2000 > MKW > SHN
Taper: Donkey Flip
Gen: 1st from Master
Notes: First and foremost, this source is missing Sober. One of the very few analog recordings from 2001. Decent recording but not by any means the best audio source for this particular performance. Is worth a listen though. Instead of me writing about this show, I will pass along the notes (handwritten from the collector I received this from: t4oo6l) for archiving purposes. Ready? Here we go - some fun facts:
* Donkey Flip titles his recording: "Anima Sola"
* He also gave it the label: GSJ-019-Genuine Space Jewel Recording.
* I (Tom) thought it would be important to have as much info as possible make its way to you regarding this
show. If you chose not to list the preview info on your site, that's fine, but at least you've got it.
* The taper had some technical issues resulting in Sober not being recorded. He said that he did a "cross-fade"
from the end of intermission into the Maynard banter at the end of Sober. He was reluctant to release the
recording in its incomplete form but decided it was better to get it circulated than to have it collect dust.
* If the fade-out on disc 1 & fade-in on disc 2 are removed then the two discs can be combined into the entire
recording.
Maynardism: "Thank you very much."
CD 1
Time: 53:04
CD 2
Time: 57:31