1997.08.15 - Concord, CA, USA @ Concord Pavilion (Lollapalooza)

Source A: Analog--- Sonic Studios DSM6 > PA6CL > Sony WM-D6
Taper: Steve
Gen: 1st from Master

1st Gen Notes: The 1st Gen rip of this show, straight from the master, is a much better capture of Tool's performance this night than either the VHS or the other -higher- gen rip of this same source and is on one CD rather than 2. The cymbals are crisp, bass thumps and MJK's vocals are very clear where in the higher/unknown gen rip, the sound is sort of muddy. I would not say that this particular rip is just for collector's either as the sound is better than that label. There is no hiss of tape or anything like that. I will say that the crowd, like almost all Lollapalooza crowds when Tool played, seemed to be made up of incredibly annoying people. Loud, screaming, talking during songs. The works. But, that is not the taper's fault. For what it's worth, this recording and rip is much better than I thought it was going to be. Nice...This has one of the most interesting versions of Third Eye that I've ever heard.

Common Version Notes: This version is on 2 CDs. Well, not bad sound. Gets better after a few songs when
the crowd calms down a bit. Complete show, very good for an Ozzfest recording but other than that, not extremely special. This is a complete recording. good find for collector's; took me a few years to come across a source other than the VHS source. Speaking of which, as a comparison to the VHS source, this is much better. Even though the sound is slightly brick-walled & s tiny bit distant sounding, the VHS is much worse. For the equipment used, I would've expected a better recording. But, location is key. All in all, the performance of this show is one not to be missed.

Time: 79:51

Hooker With A Penis
Stinkfist
46 & 2
Undertow
Eulogy
H.
Sober
Third Eye
Opiate
Ænema

Source B: DAT --- Marcsounds > Sony TCD-D8 / 48 kHz
Taper: ?
Gen: 3G

1st Gen Notes: If you were to take a long, hard + calculated look around in the world of Tool AUD recordings from this era, as of 0/62006, you would notice that this source is extremely hard to find. Looking on trader lists, etree.org or even the random website, this source would not be smiling at you. Why? Beats me. However, I can speculate & think that because there are at least 2 other decent sources for this performance that this one has been passed over over time. This is a shame as this source although ripe with audience noise does offer a glimmer of insight into Tool performing at this point in their career. The recording itself has a layer of sporadic digital noise that (although especially noticeable before HWAP) is there only if you look for it. For some folks, taking a listen to this source may at first make you wonder why you are doing so. Upon further diligent listening you will hear a very solid recording that is, perhaps, the best overall recorded source of this stellar performance. You may have to adjust the volume on your listening equipment at some time & sure the instances of the crowd yelling may annoy you but in-between those detractors is a very accurate capture of Tool on their second to last performance of 1997. Go for it. Good luck on this journey.

Time: 82:03

Source A: Unknown Video Recording Equipment
Source A: 2nd Gen VHS > Goldwave > WAV > NERO > CD ((Mastered to CD by Galen: 1999))

Notes: A little talking at the beginning by the taper & his buddy but then that ceases. Sound is pretty much at one level but at least it is a decent sounding one. Filmed from the upper-left of the venue, the camera has a few decent close-ups of not just MJK dressed as the woman but also of the entire stage. Interesting stuff. Audio is blasted and is comparable in quality to other Lolla '97 Tool-recordings. Sound kind of fluctuates during HWAP as well. Before I mastered this to CD, many versions I  received in trades was either incomplete and/or MP3 sourced. This is the full show though. There are other recordings of this show that are incomplete. Many are from MP3, some on cassette. Slight tape hiss & bass brick walls. Best left for collector's as for the general consumption, the audio doesn't really cut it & even the selected VHS>DVD copies I have seen of this show are from at least a 3G or above > DVD transfer. Have faith that a very low gen will come out someday. Then again, it is worth a listen in my opinion. The performance itself is well worth checking out. For the rest, this would most likely be appreciated by collector's who watch their shows. What an interesting setlist-order...

Maynardism: Ok. So enough of that. This un-rehearsed song goes out to Tim & Tom."

DVD
Time: 1:30:55