1993.08.27 - Reading, England @ Reading Festival

Source A: Unknown Analog  Recording / estimated source info (via comparison) = Realistics > D3

Notes: Decent sound for the venue Tool performed at. Definitely a cassette rip to CD as a layer of fuzz coats the recording, but not like the VHS source -- which is not the same as this source. Interesting that two sources ended up to see the light of day. Tight performance. I am pretty sure Tool played a few other UK festival gigs in '93 but this is one of the only recording ofthose venues to see the light of day. Taped from the lawn, it has surprisingly good sound. It doesn't seem like the crowd are really into Tool this day. Remember, this is when feel-good groups like Stone Roses & Happy Mondays were still being played on the radio in England -- totally different music than Tool is. When I was in London back in '01, Tool was actually on the radio more than I hear it in the States. My how things change... Also, on some recordings, there is 07.25.93 tacked on at the end of the show. Not sure why, exactly.

Maynardism: "Wake up, hippies. Hi, we're the Grateful Dead & it's 1970"

Time: 31:15

Setlist:

Intolerance
Undertow
Sober
Opiate
Flood
Jerk-Off

Source B: Analog --- Realistic mic > Sony WM-F2097
Taper: P. Bullock
Transfer: ANA(M) > MD(1) > Unknown Transfer to PC > Wav > Audacity > Wav > FLAC (align, verify, lvl8)

Notes: Analog master thrown out; mini disc backup now serves as master. Transferred November 06 by taper, compiled by jadg2/James.
Notes:  Surprisingly clean source. Out of the three sources confirmed to exist (of audience recordings, there is a video clip of Sober (edited) floating around with SBD audio - but Sober only) this is by far the best for overall audio quality. Yes, the vocals are somewhat buried in swishing cymbals mixed with bass-heavy distorted guitar, however, this adds something charming to this creation that was pretty much completely void of trader or collector interaction for the past 13 years (up to 2006 that is). For the record, this is not the "unknown analog" source that has been in collections for years nor another VHS or DVD > CD transfer. Also, if one were to take a listen to sources A or B they would be less than impressed with those. If you are a fan of relatively clean analog recordings of Tool at, as some  believe, their best... this is highly recommended.

Source B: Unknown Recording Equipment
Source B: Unknown Gen VHS & DVD > Goldwave > WAV > NERO 5.5 > CD (transferred to CD by Galen 2002)

Notes: Muffled but audible sound. Best left for extreme collector's. Picture is all right, filmed from the pit & is actually relatively in focus. The DVD is slightly better in quality than the VHS source. For those that are interested, the conversion from PAL format to US NTSC added a layer of fuzz. The video itself is hand-held from the pit-area & is quite shaky. After watching this video & the 05.22.93 video, I think the same taper may have done both shows. Worth investigating, if it comes up....The DVD in circulation is a lower gen, reportedly a 1st Gen, of this particular show. The sound is a little bit blown out but not as bad as it is on the VHS, which is not to a great extent anyway. In common forms, this show circulates after 07.10.94 on the same DVD & there tends to be no menu for this performance. Maynard, in his orange body suit looks quite insane but Tool, nevertheless, deliver a good performance. This is definitely worth your while to sit back, relax & watch. Have a beer while you're at it - you deserve it. This recording has commonly been found on the 07.10.94 DVD as well as being by itself.