2002.11.05 - Knoxville, TN, USA @ Knoxville Civic Auditorium

Source A: DAT --- Core Sound Cardioids > Sony PCM-M1
DAT:        Master DAT > Digital Clone-1
CD:           Master > CD
Taper:       Travis
Gen:          1st from Master  

Notes: If you really like a clean, crisp, pleasant and all-around good cardioids recording then this is definitely one that will get heavy rotation in your collection. There is relatively low crowd noise, ample attitude and is a very clear recording of a good Tool show. Standard for 2002 but, hey, they did play Third Eye so it would have been worth the time & ticket price. This particular source features an excellent capture of H. which, on some recordings from this era, lack a little bit as far as the depth & feeling. Very intense + very clear... listen to Third Eye and tell me this is not absolutely crystal clear.  As it is, this is a pretty simple recording that is most likely the best source for this particular performance. I hope this ends up in your collection sooner than later. I will not rip this show to CD from DAT - that would only confuse things for traders.

Maynardism: "Knoxville. You don't sound very sure about that. Let me see all your hands so I can be sure all you guys have thumbs, got thumbs? Good, we can proceed."

 CD 1
Time: 58:40

Fripp
Tuva
Sober
The Grudge
(-) Ions
Stinkfist
(Suspicious Minds + White Lines)
H.
Schism
Parabol
Parabola                    

CD 2
Time: 70:21

Third Eye
(Leary + Hicks)
Intermission
Disposition
Reflection
Triad
Lateralus

Source B: Mini Disc --- Sound Professionals Premium Shure Cardioids > Sharp MT-877 / LP2
Taper:      C. Brightwell
Gen:         1st from Master
MP3 Sample: Right click & save

Notes: Nice recording. However, there is a subtle layer of brickwall from overwhelming bass. It is not at all intense nor is it all that noticeable but it is there if you know what to listen for. The taper was most likely either too close to the stack or had the line-input volume set a little too high. Other than that minor issue, this is a fine testament to one of the most rock-solid professional & hard working rock bands around. Tool was in good form this night as they really seem to be having a good time. Maynard is a little more talkative than normal, which doesn't say all too much considering how much that has been in 2001 + 2002. And this recording seems to capture that aspect as well as the live feel to it. All in all, to reiterate, nice recording.

CD 1
Time: 73:58                                                                                  

CD 2
Time: 53:59

Source C: DAT --- Panasonic WM-61A > Sony TCD-D8
Gen:         2nd from Master

Notes: Ahh... good recording I suppose. The only issues are: the microphones sort of brickwall when the bass is remotely intense, the guitar and vocals are distant sounding & there are occasions when the crowd cheers exceedingly loud into the mics. Other than that, not bad. Although it is true that Core Sound Binaural microphones are sourced from Panasonic mics, this recording would be at least 10x better if the taper had used CSB modified mics instead of the cheaper and generic Panasonic mics. That is true. The slight bass brickwall is non-stop throughout the recording and has absolutely nothing to do with the gain of the taper. Although, please note, I may be being a little harsh on this recording but I am sure that the bass flutter when the bass drum kicks (i.e: Stinkfist) will drive many people crazy but oh well... Third Eye is very, very 'blasted'. If, for example, this were the only source for this particular performance then perhaps I would not be rating it as heavy. Wait, I bet I would. On the plus side, the setlist is very tasty & the band played well. The crowd is relatively low & the overall enjoyment one can get out of this source is in the eye of the beholder.

 CD 1
Time: 73:49                                                                  

CD 2
Time: 56:51