2001.06.09 - Manchester, England @ Manchester Apollo Theatre

Source A: Mini Disc --- Core Sound Binaurals > Sharp MT77
Taper:   Duncan
Gen:  1st from Master

Notes: Very tight recording...I may get grilled but not as tight performance by the band as they usually can be. Standard setlist, above average recording; not much more to say. Manchester is arguably the toughest part of England; it is at least the bleakest. It's a big, deserted Industrial-Revolution-casualty...quite like Detroit, MI. Sarah & I went there as, at the time, I was really into an old group called the Stone Roses, which is where they are from. On a similar note, Oasis, the La's, the Smith's & the Happy Mondays are all from MCR as well. It is nice to know that underneath all the 'Brit-Pop', there are some fans from the birth of Man-City who really appreciate Tool's music.

CD 1
Time: 67:13

CD 2
Time: 36:49

Tuva
The Grudge
(-) Ions
Stinkfist
46 & 2
Prison Sex (OTRM)
Schism
Pushit
Disposition
Reflection
Sober
Parabol
Parabola
Ænema
Lateralus

Source B: Mini Disc --- Panasonic Microphone (specifics unspecified) > Sony MZ-90
Taper: D. Spencer
Gen:   2nd from Master

Notes: The audio is slightly brickwalled in the fact that the highs and the lows sort of 'crunch' at high Sound Pressure Levels (SPL). It seems to me that the taper was relatively close to the stacks as the crowd noise is not bad. However, the peaking of the frequencies leaves quite a bit to be desired. Huh... not sure what else to say. Maybe, this would be best left for collectors. The sound is not bad. For example, if this was a random gig recorded in 1992 or 1993, the audio would be decent (at best). But by the standards of today, this just doesn't cut it. Duncan's recording is simply a much better capture of Tool this night. And, this recording has mini-gaps. That always adds to an already less than ideal recording.

CD 1
Time: 67:55

CD 2
Time: 34:23

Source C: Mini Disc --- Core Sound Binaurals > Sony MZ-R700

Notes: Good recording... sound is balanced, crisp and is a little bit above average in sound. There are a few microphone 'checks' where the recorder is shaken a little which in turn causes a slight gap in sound and during the intro of Grudge, the sound has something funky happen to it right in the beginning. Overall though, this is a very nice recording that has quite a bit more positive attributes rather than negative. I would recommend this recording about as much as Duncan's recording. Especially for a MD, the live presence of Tool  is captured very nicely in this source. Not sure where the taper was standing during this performance but it may've been somewhere close to the sweet-spot. There is a layer of crowd noise, talking during the real quiet parts of songs but this is not annoying or detrimental to the recording as other more louder crowd noise concerts are. In this one, it simply seems to add to the atmosphere of the show.

CD 1
Time: 62:55

CD 2
Time: 33:31

Source D: Mini Disc --- Core Sound Binaurals > Sony MZ-R50H

Notes: Decent enough recording. For the equipment used, CSB>MD, it is quite good. Comparable in quality to Duncan's recording of this particular show, it should be noted that the taper seemed to be at least a bit farther from the stacks than other sources. For what it is though, a good recording, sorry for reiteration but I mean this is a good recording; not superb but way better than bad. Standard setlist for this leg of the tour - apparently Tool was not into spreading diversity in it's setlist this night. Sorry - sometimes I forget that in order for a band to get the message of optimism out to all concerned, they need to spread the same message to the masses. But it is hard to not think that maybe, just maybe, those thoughts get a bit tedious and instead of sounding genuine & honest that message turns into something else? There is a little bit of debate as to whether is the correct source info of this show. I am not certain as I did not tape the show, obviously. But, it seems that this is legit, as far as I know of. It is not a source that I have listed before for your analysis pleasure...

Maynardism: "Hi, hi...come on Sam, whip out your flock of seagulls."

 CD 1
Time: 65:50 
    
CD 2
Time: 43:14