2001.09.06 - St. Paul, MN, USA @ XCel Energy Music Center
Source A: Mini Disc --- Core Sound Binaurals > Sony MZ-R70
Taper: Curt
Gen: 2nd from Master
Notes: The first show of the main US tour. It is relatively hard to get a bad sounding recording using CSBs & this is no different. Performance is very polished, focused & tight. The crowd is relatively low as well. The taper was, most likely, relatively close to the speakers to cover up discrepancies loud crowd. The recording has a very up-close feel to it. Although not a superb or remarkable recording, for the equipment used, it is rather good. Performance, the band is as good as one would expect. Although many fans would have enjoyed seeing a bit more diversity during this leg of the tour + a standard setlist, more or less, it is quite remarkable that the band is capable of performing so professional each & every night.
Maynardism: "Thank you very much for listening. Hopefully, we'll meet again soon."
CD 1
Time: 72:42
CD 2
Time: 42:42
Tuva
The Grudge
Stinkfist
46 & 2
Prison Sex
Schism
Pushit
Disposition
Reflection
Intermission
Parabol
Parabola
Eon Blue Apocalypse
The Patient
Ænema
Lateralus
Source B: DAT --- Core Sound Cardioids > Sony TCD-D8
Notes: The first show of the main US tour. Pretty good sounding recording. However, the CSC mics really do not seem to be able to stand loud & intense SPL as there is a slight brickwall from the bass as it hits the mics. It is rather slight and is most likely not a huge deal to most people &, dare I say it, I wonder if many would catch it but it is definitely there if you know what you are looking for. Instead of a smooth -thuup- (for example), there is a -thhht- when the bass kick or bass really hits. Ouch. I had a discussion with someone who said that it was not a brickwall but is how CSC's are supposed to sound when they are close to a stack... I really, really do not think that is an accurate position but I beg anyone to make up there own mind. Other than that, tasty recording as the vocals are crisp & the crowd is relatively low. Not much more to ask I think but it is odd that when the band -really- gets loud, the volume on the recording goes lower, almost as if automatic gain control was on? I don't know. Worth mentioning though. Tool was in good form this night & this recording picked that up fairly good...
Maynardism: "Thank you very much for listening. Hopefully, we'll meet again soon."
CD 1
Time: 64:16
CD 2
Time: 34:57
Source C: Digital 8 --- Realistic 33-1065 > Sony TVR330
Source C: Master > DVD
Notes: Filmed from the middle-left of the venue, this video is an excellent capture of Tool's first performance of the Fall 2001 tour. In some ways, this video gives a hint of the many excellent videos to follow from this era of touring. To boot, this is definitely not a VHS>DVD transfer & is thus crystal clean as far as picture & sound go. Very nice. There are a few security-ducks & times when all you can see is black while hearing the performance. Better safe than sorry. One thing I find rather appealing about this source is the fact that MJK is blocked behind the speakers every so often, thus the camera does not just focus on him instead of the band / the "experience". There are some great "live" shots and a few excellent screen shots. There are reports of this being on VHS & VHS>DVD transfers so be careful. There do appear to be a few digital glitches in the sound (maybe from transfer or clone, maybe not) but the video is clean.
Maynardism: "Thank you very much for listening. Hopefully, we'll meet again soon."
DVD
Time: 1:59:05