2002.05.10 - Paris, France @ Olympia Theatre
Source A-1: Mini Disc - Core Sound Binaurals > Sharp MT77
Taper A-1: Duncan
Channel: Left
Source A-2: Mini Disc - Core Sound Binaurals > Sony MZ 900
Taper A-2: Dave
Channel: Right
Binaural Recording: A-1 + A-2 = This source / Each source in only one channel based on above schema
Gen: 1st from Master
Notes: The sound from each taper's recording is run up on either side of the channel. Very interesting. In a sense, it's like hearing two seperate recordings in one at the same time. One of the most life-like recordings I think I've heard. They stood in front of each stack, left & right, to give this recording the surrounding sensation it gives you. Makes you feel like you may be listening to something like a sound-board. With the two-channel mix, I mean. Definitely one of the best recordings I think I've heard which are of this nature. Put this in a decent car stereo & this will sound fabulous. Nice job on taping, editing, mixing & mastering; all around. Also, each CD is one track; the songs are not split-up. So...you will have to sit there & take in the whole concert experience. In sum, this is hands down, an excellent and interesting capture of a very tight performance by the band we all know & love, the "Scott Hill Clown Band". Flawless transition from Flood>Grudge.
Notes 2023: There is another rip from this matrix source of the two individual tapers’ CSB recordings; particularly back in the early to mid 2000’s as all one had to do was extract each side for a source. There is some evidence to suggest that the tapers’ did release their individual recordings many years after the fact. I will say that, back in the day (2002) when I traded with Duncan via email + International shipping, both he and Dave were not releasing individual sources of their recordings. For example, the 2002 Brixton shows feature this collaboration of tapers’ but there was not single-sourced versions released. At least, many moons ago.
CD 1
Time: 73:48
CD 2
Time: 55:47
Tuva
Flood
The Grudge
(-) Ions
Stinkfist
(White Lines)
Parabola
4 degrees
Schism
Sober
Disposition
Reflection
Intermission
Triad
Opiate
Lateralus
Source B: Mini Disc --- Sony ECM-ZS90 > Sharp MT-821
Taper: Pr1ck
Gen: 1st from Master
Notes: This source is decent but is not the best. Sound is tinny, vocals are almost too loud & the bass sort of thuds instead of sounding rich & deep. These are no doubt caused by limitations in the microphones at hand. Out of the known sources to have thus far surfaced, this would be the version that many people would rather just have for collecting reasons. It is not a terrible or even bad capture of the performance, simply put, it just happens to be the least interesting of the bunch. If nothing else though, this is a decent capture of Tool from one of the most interesting legs of the tour... depending on who you talk to that is. Also, there are track transitions with this source. This is common in all known copies.
CD 1
Time: 72:59
CD 2
Time: 38:41
Source C: Mini Disc --- Sony ECMZS907 > Sony MZ-R70
Taper: Julien B.
Gen: 1st from Master
Notes: Good sounding recording source. Bass sort of floods a little bit & the Sony mics seem to have a little bit of high-end distortion, but only a little bit if you are really looking for it. On the other hand, this recording has the sort of 'live' feeling that is missing in some other bootlegs. Strong, raw & the crowd is very, very low. Surprising....Sony mics usually drive me nuts. Although there are limitations, this is a decent enough capture of a very strong performance. It is debatable as to if this is the least impressive of the known/surfaced captures of Tool. One thing for certain, this source has claimed evidence to a good capture but not for the best sounding source available. Take it for what it is.
CD 1
Time: 55:30
CD 2
Time: 59:52
Source D: DAT --- Sony ECM-959 > Sony TCD-D8
DAT: Master DAT > Digital Clone-1
CD: Master > CD
Gen: 1st from Master
Notes: This has got to be one of the best recordings of 2002 - excellent job to the taper. Clean, clear, enjoyable & excellent capture of Tool at their best. The transition from Flood>Grudge is seamless & this source captures the entire show better than any other recordings. The main issue with this is the bass is thick...I mean thick like maple-syrup but not quite so on the CD version that was not turned into SHN. Really, this is only noticeable when listening to a decent stereo system with bass, headphones - the quality is quite superb. The bass is certainly not muddy but if you want to listen to this on your stereo, you need to do some -db adjustment. However, I think that for some reason, the person who put this to SHN (Sgt. Baker-Frog) somehow made the bass sticky & thick. Listening to this on DAT, everything is remarkably clean & clear - so watch out. High frequencies are quite good - leveled nicely. The instruments are rather crisp/sharp.. For as good the equipment he uses, there are better recordings. Well, wait, I am a little prejudiced as for the most part, listening to front of stack recordings sound better to me, its the closest to SBD you can get sometimes. Some people prefer the more 'live' sounding recordings, that is their taping style & preference. I have mine. As far as 'live' stuff goes, is a superb FOS recording. Whew - this recording just does not get old; that actually says quite a bit. Since there are already a few different rips of this show going around, there is no need for me to confuse things by ripping this to CD.
Maynardism: "Thank you very much John, that was John from Pablo. Thank you very much for coming, thank you for your support. Happy birthday to Dan. Happy birthday to Dan. Happy birthday big asshole, happy birthday to Dan. Twenty-seven. 27. Twenty-seven, his shoes I mean, his shoes are 27"
CD 1
Time: 77:18
CD 2
Time: 29:24