2006.06.13 - Hammersmith, UK @ Apollo
Source A: PDAudio --- Core Sound Binaruals > Mic2496 > PDAudio >Dell Axim51v @ 24/44100
Dissemination: Master > PC > Adobe Audtion > WAV 24/44100 > FlacFrontend > FLAC Level 8
Taper: Duncan
Gen: 0 Gen from Master
Notes - by: Galen / Performance:
I suppose I was hoping for something more from the band for this show. In 1993, Tool performed to English audiences heavy renditions of their hits to crowds that barely knew who they were. In 1994 they managed to pull out "No Quarter" covers to the same, lucky English audience. In 1997, MJK wrestled a fan to the ground & sat on him throughout the majority of Pushit (this was filmed). In 2001, Tool performed The Patient for the first time, live, outside of rehearsals. In 2002, the band mixed it up quite a bit & did two back-to-back performances of alternate setlists including both Triad & Ticks & Leeches as openers, respectively. In 2006 via the European "mini tour", the setlists were virtually the same as the US performances. You may say what am I complaining about, etc., etc. + blah, blah, blah - however, I simply had different expectations. Perhaps I may have a skewed view of the musicianship of Tool but I expect more out of this truly magnificent band than a mediocre performance with little variance from the setlists. Mix it up. Keep it real. Think that is what a lot of us want. Tool messed up the ending of RS (& MJK's 'interest in the song' seemed lacking). Schism was the most polished; and I wonder is that saying too much? Vicarious sounds quite good; polished but not with a lot of passion. Am not trying to be a critic; however, I am a fan first of all. You know, you are a critic too. We are the critics that the band should care about as who are the folks that practically camp out for tickets, are prepared to get kicked out of our favorite act for taping, buy the band's albums the day of sale boosting them to #1 in 15 countries (reference: 10K Days) & are -well- reading this rant by yours truly? We are. The fan base. Perhaps the militant version of the fan base but fans nonetheless.
Notes - by: Galen / Recording:
Ah very nice recording. This goes around as one, big track (i.e.: not split-up at all but I am sure someone sooner or later will split the tracks up so take note of that). The taper of this show, Duncan, upgraded his recording equipment to the lossless methodology as listed above. The results are quite nice. Arguably, the microphones sound cleaner than even on some DAT recordings. The spectrum does seem to be quite a bit wider as far as dynamic range goes; in comparison with even the 05/31/06 Source C; this is worlds apart as far as overall clarity goes. And for picking up the nuances in the music of Tool; this is a very nice recording. For those looking for a rock-solid, intense & clear recording; this may be for you. There is a good possibility that this will end up being the best of the sources to come from this show as well. Time will tell.
Maynardism: "Good evening silly English Types-ah"
Time: 95:43
Lost Keys
Rosetta Stoned
Stinkfist
Forty Six & 2
Jambi
Schism
Right In Two
Sober
Lateralus
Vicarious
Ænema
Source B: iRiver --- Core Sound Binaurals > Core Sound Battery Box (no bass roll-off - faulty unit) > iRiver H140 (Rockbox) / 44.1 kHz
Dissemination: Master > iRiver H140 (Rockbox) > USB > HDD > Adobe Audition 2.0 > Normalize > CD Wave > Tracks split > WAV > FLAC Frontend Level 8 > FLAC
Location: Front of right stack
Taper: Ben
Gen: 0 Gen from Master
Notes - by: Taper: Wore the mics wrong way round so I swapped the channels in Audition. Now all the screamers and talkers are on the right side, where they're supposed to be.
Notes - by: Galen / Recording:
Now I believe that the taper of this show (& 3 other shows from this leg of the tour) was + should be very happy about the way this recording came out. The first two recordings simply were warm-ups for how his setup should work. Unlike other shows, the bass is very clean, clear, concise & enjoyable. The guitar is really warm & the drums/cymbals sound like an accurate representation of the performance & I assume that is what the taper was going for. Nicely done. It is definitely worth a note that it sound like MJK's vocals fade a little bit during RS. Weird; right before Adam's guitar solo on the same tune. As it is, of course there are some people singing along, enjoying the band & some other, random assorted noises from the crowd but then again those things are going to happen. The taper appears to remain focused throughout the show though (i.e.: little phasing, little movement). All in all, a very nice job in regards to taping. This is something that, I think, will get a lot of replay on your system.
Time: 94:36
Source C: DAT --- Danish Pro audio 4061 > MPS6030 > Sony TCD-D100 (Oade Mod)
Location: FOB
Taper: Per
Gen: 1 Gen from Master (DAT-1)
Notes: Although this is a quasi-damaged recording, it is a pleasure to listen to. Maybe it is because the taper & I are friends (always enjoy his recordings) so I suppose I am biased. That said, before technical issues ensue, the recording is mildly soft but very clean + balanced. Standing, if I remember correctly, around the Front of Board (or so), this recording is very much a mix between "stack" sound & "ambient" sound. Rather interesting. The taper attended this show with friends and, at a couple points, you can barely hear them talking in-between songs (not loud or annoying) if you listen closely. Now, roughly 3/4 of the way through the recording there is some unexpected equipment malfunctioning going on. The wires in the battery box were not attached properly (loose) thus there is a plethora of strange digital sounds such as: "cchhchh" or "phhthht". The "popping" sound reminds me of standing next to a microwave as popcorn reaches the pinnacle of it's existence. From what I can tell, this technical issue begins during Right In Two & is, simply, pervasive throughout the remainder of the performance. So, Right In Two is effected. Sober is incomplete (with times the sound comes back), Lateralus is missing & part of Vicarious + Ænema are missing. Still, even in it's form, this is a solid recording. This is also the best source for this performance known to exist.
Time: 98:10