2001.09.16 - Auburn Hills, MI, USA @ The Palace Of Auburn Hills
Source A: Mini Disc --- Radioshack Lavalier Omni-directional > Sony MZ-R700
Transfer: MD-M > Tascam MD 301 MK-II > UXL24/96 > Goldwave
Taping Position: Left-Seating / 1 row from floor general admission approx: 30' to left of stacks
Taper: Galen
Gen: collectiveunconscious.org Master Recording
2024 Notes: Even with a fresh MD transfer and a bunch of time spent on the EQ, this is what it is, a capture that used microphones that were not great. This transfer is better than the in-circulation 2001 but I mean we are splitting hairs: a hotdog can have mustard or chili on it but you are still eating something not great. But if you are hungry, something is better than nothing. At the time, this was the best I could do and it makes me happy to listen to these early capture of Tool that worked out which is why I spent time trying to make this/others the best they could be. The bass warbles but not distorted. The highs are more blurred and mumbled into the mids. At least this was not a complete distorted mess. Decided to leave the full ‘post show’ consisting of friends and I shooting the shit. I think we even sang the refrain to that country song: “talking about cars and dreaming about women, never had a moment just a living for the minute.” Oh wait, that did not happen, however, some people did talk about baking a clam which was confusing. Ah, old friends.
2001 Notes: This was the fourth Tool show after the events of 9/11/2001. Different vibes at these shows, listen, perhaps you can hear it too. I know that 3/8 is not as much nor as many as other tapers but it was quite a bit for someone who was freaked out, finishing up University & spending time with fiancée/wife. When we went to this show, we were anticipating a standard performance, a standard setlist. What we got was a little bit better than expected. Again, due to the timing of the performance, the energy & vibe was quite different than other Tool shows. Or maybe I am wrong, maybe it's all in my head & the performance was lame. As for the recording, the sound is decent but mildly brickwalled - certainly not great but not the worst by any means. Considering where I was sitting combined with the equipment I was using, this recording turned out as good as it could be. Neither myself nor my friends talked. didn't seem right for some reason. The crowd cheered a bit but the crowd noise is really quite low... everyone seemed to be chilled out more than usual, I suppose. But, there is a layer of crowd noise in-between songs due to where I was sitting & the loud people around me but it's not too bad, actually. All that said, the audio quality of this is not great, not terrible, but surely the least audiophile of the available sources and for that reason I would say this is best left for collectors (even after the 2024 retransfer/EQ). The bass warbles, but not distort. Clearly, the microphones were pushed beyond whatever SPL these microphones bought from a Radioshack in a mall in Okemos, MI could handle. This was a pretty tight performance by Tool. For a Sunday night + the 'Red Alert' but the USA government, the Palace was pretty packed. Vocals are as 'conjoined' with the rest of the music as it is independent & you could say that there is a little muddy vibe with the entire sound. It seemed that a good time was had by many of the crowd members this night - but I couldn't help but think about the mentality of most Tool fans. The timing of the show & the attitude of Tool is almost indescribable. Although I cut the majority of the post-show talking, there is a bit of semi-interesting conversation & insight into the minds of individuals. More to the point, you can hear people screaming 'USA - TOOL' as fireworks are let loose in the parking lot, after the show. No... I don't think that is the point, blind pride + patriotism. I think that the 'question authority speech' would've done much better here than at Van Andel, a few nights prior. The very end, with the 2024 version, has the post-show with myself and several high school old high school friends hanging out and smoking. Smoking is bad, though, kids, no smoking. I listened to it and it made me laugh so figured may as well keep it for posterity.
CD 1
Time: 76:59
CD 2
Time: 74:54
Tuva
The Grudge
(-) Ions
Stinkfist
46 & 2
Undertow
Schism
Eon Red Aocalypse (space noise)
Eulogy
Disposition
Reflection
Intermission
Parabol
Parabola
Eon Blue Apocalypse
The Patient
Ænema
Lateralus
Post-Show
Source B: DAT --- Sonic Studios DSM6s/L > PA6LC3(65) > Sony TCD-D100 (Missing first 3.5 songs)
Source B: DAT --- Sonic Studios DSM6s/L > PA6LC3(65) > Sony PCM-M1 (First 3.5 songs = this source)
Notes: Good sounding recording. Allow me to clarify, the taper of the majority of this gig, V.B., accidentally did not hit record until the middle of 46&2. He took his friend's recording, who also taped this show from the stands, & edited them together. Very nicely, I may add. As a comparison to my source, this is much fuller & does not have a slight brickwall. All in all, a very nice capture of Tool at the peak of uncertainty. Read into that what you will. There seems to be only this source from both of these recordings floating around in the trade circles. It would be nice to someday ascertain both sources independently as, although this is a nice source, the 2 on their own would also be quite interesting
CD 1
Time: 75:40
CD 2
Time: 45:53
Source C: Mini Disc --- MarcSounds > Sony MZ-R70
Notes: You know, for a simple mini disc source with questionable mics, this recording came out rather nice. Full, vibrant and an accurate representation of one of my favorite performances from this leg of the 2002 tour, this source captures a very live feeling of this particular show. The lead into Eulogy sort of speaks for itself with the space noise part > bullhorn > Eulogy. Interesting stuff. To be honest, this source may very well be the best particular capture that I, as of late, have heard from this show. It is usually not the case & I am technically wrong on several levels but this recording might be the best source out there - not technically but for a capture. My personal master is not as nice as this recording. Although there is a bit of bass & the compression is sort of noticeable it is at least tolerable as the taper seemed to have at least an idea of what he or she was doing. All in all, nice. For some reason, in mid 2004, this source is quasi-rare.
Maynardism: "This is not a political forum. This is a moment that we're sharing to explore intelligent life on Earth"
CD 1
Time: 75:44
CD 2
Time: 46:02