Greetings Audio Toddheads! Warren H. (Atlanta, GA. USA) here. Tony Rogers and I have transferred our entire audio collections over to my home in 2008. We (Tony & I) thought my circumstances (A 62 year old, single, IT specialist/Audio Editor guy in Atlanta with lots of Todd Rundgren history/archival collecting since 1972) would be ideal for taking over the 'Library' in all its glory. And, so an 'incorporation' of his and my colossal collections takes place! I now curate this ‘museum’. And I plan to share much of this, just as Tony did all these decades. And yes, I’m somewhat of a Todd Rundgren Historian. I have been 'following' Todd extensively (in all forms of media) ever since I saw (and met) him here at an Historic Show at Atlanta’s Fabulous Fox Theatre on November 8 1973. So I know 'enough'. Please note that I say share my enthusiasm. No buying or selling. Nor will a penny exchange hands. Never.
I want to say a big THANK YOU in advance to all of you who are going to help and have helped with this so far. I’ll do my best. Write me anytime. twarrenh@gmail.com
Just scroll down to the items listed below by period and click on any year to browse the collection.
We've also recently been working in collaboration with my friend Frank Bubnick and his well known vast quality collection (you can visit his list by clicking on his name). Some of his editing is unequaled anywhere.
And some late breaking neat news : I believe most of you are familiar with the JEMS group. A bunch of super collectors for many bands’ audience recordings (predominate though are Yes and Springsteen). Well known for their re-mastering prowess and quality. They’ve been in contact with me for a couple of years, and in December of last year offered me all their (originals) Todd Rundgren Collection. They just didn’t have the resources or the time for refining anything by Todd Rundgren. It just wasn’t on their timeline. I received all their cassettes (60) within a few weeks! Most of them are MASTER tapes from the original Taper. They will be sending me all their DATs and Reels at a later date. I will be listing all these recordings here, as I digitally transfer them. With this addition of the JEMS collection I believe these Todd Rundgren Archives are easily the largest collection on the planet.
How do we share you ask? Well, Just for what it's worth, we really don't do the 'snail mail trading' (by postal) much these days. So, if you would like me to share or trade any of this 'Catalog' with you, it would be more convenient/easiest to share in the form of on-line file transfer. Generally, in .flac format, compressed to .zip or .rar for smoother/faster quality exchange [depending upon the size of the audio file(s) we might be exchanging of course]. Hope that all makes sense. I can work with you on 'all that'. Again, write me, and then we'll come to an agreement of sorts. Please keep in mind, that anything that is 'Official', or 'Professionally Marketed', or still available for 'Retail' purchase is not of consideration. Nor is there any monetary means of transaction.
I do not have any rights to, and I am not open for sharing any material that may be listed below that has been commercially or officially released and is still available retail. (It may be listed below for collection listing purpose only). I do not take or give any money for a single item below either. I do not take away any proceeds that are due to Todd Rundgren, family, friends, business or supporting/associated musicians. If it is ROIO (recording of independent origin), then I'm open to share. Support the artist! Go buy his stuff where and whenever available! Speaking of which; an ultimate place to find/buy Todd's releases and imports & rarities is TRBAZAAR. Check it out! If Scott ain't got it, nobody does...just about! And of course many past official CD/DVD releases and proprietary Todd merchandise is readily available for ordering on-line at The Toddstore. So check them out for sure.
I like to give credit where credit is due too. So please forgive me if I do not credit the right persons involved in making these recordings available/possible for all these years.
I’ll start a ‘Credits’ list here below, and maintain it on down the road. Like to make sure all the folks involved are appreciated. For now, let me go ahead and thank some folks that have really been instrumental in these archives (no particular order): Tony Rogers (of course), Mike Armes, Jeff Gauss 'Weavil' (RIP), Frank Bubnick, Paul Russo, Hiroshi Kawauchi, Istvan Berzenczei, Sara Kritzer, Barry Beiseigel, Marc Linowitz, Rob 'Lockjaw' Levangie, Roger Steel, Mike Adrian, Gil Ireland-Ashley, Jim Farrell, Dale Michelsohn, Gary Urwin, Don B., Bob Stanislowski (RIP), Micheal B., Jon Risen, Jon Babcock, Mark Wilpolt, Tom Cannon, Lin Sprague, Joe Franks, Chris 'Razz', Geoff (& Rick) Laurenzo, Ted Moon, Richard Roys, Storm Hunter, Moz (Mike), Sohta Fujito, David Skye, Allen Law, Matt Walsh, Kevin Lewis, Doug Ford, Dave Knife, JEMS, Jared Houser, Gene Poole, 'Elegymart', Gail Artsgard, Victor Baissait, Connor Payne and players to be named later. Special thanks to Roger Linder for providing this page space for us for decades. Let's Rock!
BTW, I call this group of people 'My Cartel'. However, I have given the group a Media name: F451 Media (as in 451 Farenheit). It is not a brand name, for nothing of mine is for sale or has been sold EVER. It is a logo for these dedicated Todd Rundgren Collectors , which most of been doing this since the early 90s (and even earler). Our logo is:
List only items added in last 15 days (30 days) (45 days) (60 days) Print full list
1960s: 1966 1967 1968 1969
1970s: 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
1980s: 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
1990s: 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
2000s: 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010s: 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
2020s: 2020
Var: Various
| Date | Title | Source | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/18/04 | PITTSBURGH REX THEATER | AUDIENCE-FRONT ROW | 75:22/76:33 |
| Date Added:4/21/2004 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HAVE MY FRICKIN ISP. UNLOVED CHILDREN. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. TEMPORARY SANITY. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. SUPERSTITION (FUNK). SOUL BROTHER. CD TWO: SWEET. PAST. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE/JETSON'S THEME. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. JUST ONE VICTORY. HELLO ITS ME. Note:To start with, this was front row...vocals are distorted b/c of monitor and direct signal (Todd himself un-mic'd) for a bit of their show...but you can hear what’s happening and the end of the show is quite nice in fact-let’s hope the other shows (starting at Basie) are much better..Some yap but barely at all...some observations about this nite: Vocals are below average...sound round this tour...very dynamic and tough to record well...begins to get better at F Christ-Kaz whips ass on the groove..ISP is rushed more w/ Prairie Prince than Trey...Guitar Weeps is there for reference rather than performance-its decent but nowhere compared to AWDAR (1)...Temp Sanity-very nice work Jessie/Kaz...Liar was where Todd lost his voice during the tune and couldn’t finish 2nd verses...but it smokes live...generally I think a few tunes this night were rushed...Jessie crushes on Superstition...again a truncated 2nd set...minus - Love Science, World Wide and Train...past- noticed a slight variation on sound modules, etc used by Ferensik f....a slight shuggie otis tropical variance has been added Born To Synth...Feel It is (as most times) trancendent...great to get JOV again....in sum, both performance and recording are lacking here to a degree (Pitt shows follows 2 Clev shows back to back). We will definitely get better keep your eyes peeled.... but this will be a placeholder until then...~ Tony |
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| 4/23/04 | RED BANK NEW JERSEY COUNT BASIE THEATER | AUDIENCE | 58:32/63:25 |
| Date Added:4/25/2004 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. UNLOVED CHILDREN. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. CD TWO: GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. SWEET. PAST. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:One of the more important recordings I’ve done. Hopefully someone will improve on this but the hall had astronomically high ceilings. Not the best recording but the performance especially the vocals by Todd make this show the shit...as i understand it, this was as close to perfect as theyve gotten it...it will get better im sure but ill never forget this show..his new stuff (NH onward) and the crowd went nuts ala 79-large theater full house...lot of chances of Todd playing live guitar(a few bad notes but...not that bad) where he used to do stock lines...key sounds and lines fuller than before..Let’s face it the NH band had horns as well as 2 keyboards, so pity poor John's choice of what he can cover and he does a magnificent job of hybriding the parts...great leads on outchorus of unloved...jessie outstanding again on his leads...bummer we missed t sanity (one of my faves)...same 2nd set omissions as the burgh (love sc, wwe, train)...but the real deal is that this is very enjoyable to listen to despite the high ceilings of basie hall...the second set is trancendory from about truth on...todd was in the groove and the love flowed back...he shouted as he came back on the last time "we came to play!!!"...the smile on his face told it all...the place went wild on JOV...you can hear it all here...one of my all time fave shows to date |
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| 4/24/04 | TODD RUNDGREN & FRIENDS 'UP AGAINST IT' 3RD ANNUAL BENEFIT FOR JOE'S PUB | AUDIENCE | 72:18/36:04 |
| Date Added:11/22/2012 Track List:DISC ONE: SONG OF THE VIKING (FADES IN). IT WOULDN’T HAVE MADE ANY DIFFERENCE. TOO FAR GONE. COMPASSION. I SAW THE LIGHT. INTRO TO UP AGAINST IT . WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE (THE MAYOR, FATHER BRODIE, CONNIE BOONE). PARALLEL LINES (MISS DRUMGOOGLE). FREE MALE AND 21 (LOW & MCTURK). IF I HAVE TO BE ALONE (MCTURK). THE SMELL OF MONEY (BERNARD COATES). UP AGAINST IT (RAMSAY). LIFE IS A DRAG (MEN'S CHORUS). LILI'S ADDRESS (LILI PALMER & WOMEN'S CHORUS). LOVE IN DISGUISE (ROWENA, MCTURK & FULL CHORUS). AS END OF DISC (FOLLOWING TRACK USED AS FADE-OUT). DISC TWO: AS BEGINNING OF DISC (PREVIOUS TRACK USED AS FADE-IN). TODD'S INTRO TO ACT II. MAYBE I’M BETTER OFF (MCTURK & LOW). YOU'LL THANK ME IN THE END (CONNIE BOONE). FROM HUNGER (LOW). ENTROPY (DRUMGOOGLE, MCTURK, LOW & RAMSAY). PARALLEL LINES REPRISE (MCTURK). FINALE (FULL CAST AND CHORUS). APPLAUSE, INTROS & CROWD . Note:Synopsis by Julie O'Brien: "Joe's Pub is named for Joseph Papp, the founder of The Public Theater in NYC, who hired Todd to compose the musical UP AGAINST IT. Todd spoke very highly of Joe at the beginning of the performance. He said he was "one of the most kind and generous persons he'd ever met" and tonights performance was a tribute to him. Todd sat down at the piano and performed 5 songs solo to a crowd of approximately 150 guests. Song of the Viking It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference Too Far Gone Compassion I Saw the Light ("here's something you don't hear every day") Todd then introduced the cast: Phil Casnoff - original UP AGAINST IT cast member, playing Ian McTurk. Phil is an actor on HBO's "OZ" Toni DiBuono - playing Connie Boone. Toni is seen in films and commercials Allison Fraser - playing Miss Drumgoogle, the "heart throb tht everyone wants a date with" Tom Aulino - original UP AGAINST IT cast member, playing Bernard Coates Lisa Datz - playing Rowena Mary Stout - playing Lili Palmer Kasim Sulton - playing Christopher Low Joe Jackson - playing Father Brodie Todd Rundgren - playing The Mayor and Jack Ramsay Todd started off with a brief synopsis of the play and narrated a bit in between each song as the story would progress. Todd had recorded tracks of each song and sometimes conducted as the players sang. With the exception of Free, Male and 21...Todd played piano for this song, saying he didn't have a recording for it. When Worlds Collide (The Mayor, Father Brodie, Connie Boone) Parallel Lines (Drumgoogle) Free, Male & 21 (Low & McTurk) The Smell of Money (Bernard Coates)-very funny,lots of laughs Up Against It (Ramsay) Life is a Drag (Men's chorus) Lili's Address (Lili Palmer and Women's Chorus) Love in Disguise (Rowena, McTurk and Full Chorus) Maybe I'm Better Off (McTurk & Low) You'll Thank me in the End (Connie Boone) From Hunger (Low) Entropy (Drumgoogle, McTurk, Low & Ramsay) Parallel Lines Reprise - McTurk's version Finale (Full cast and Chorus) The entire show was spectacular! A real once in a lifetime treat. The programs we were given noted that the program is being filmed for a DVD. I saw two cameras, one on the lower level and one on the upper level of the pub. Many of the cast members came out to mingle after the show during the dessert reception. There was an assortment of eclairs, chocolate covered strawberries, raspberry pasties and cookies being passed around. As we spoke with the cast members, we noticed they were each carrying a gift from Todd; a clear vinyl tote bag with a replica of one of Todd's albums on each side of it. It looked like it was the actual size of an album jacket cover. Joe Jackson had the Something/Anything bag, Allison had the Hermit bag, I think I saw a Healing bag too. Todd appeared, someone grabbed him a drink and he sat down at a table to allow fans to line up to greet him. Each person had an opportunity to sit with him at the table. He was very graciously signing things (he signed my UP AGAINST IT cd), answering questions and posing for pictures. He didn't appear to be in a hurry to leave and stayed until the line dwindled down. I think we actually left before he did. I'm so happy and fortunate to have been able to attend this performance!" |
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| 4/25/04 | WESTHAMPTON BEACH NY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | AUDIENCE JON BABCOCK | 59:14/74:54 |
| Date Added:5/28/2004 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. UNLOVED CHILDREN. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE CD TWO: GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. SWEET. PAST. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY Note:Another super fine recording by Mr. B...the show is really Kaz's nite...fade down on f christ very machine-like...isp hot as usual...the unloved (one of last times here) shows foamy is still cutting out..Weeps is also very decent...the harmony lines of Kaz really begin to fill out God Said...great vocal on Liar...Onions ('from the dark to the light'...quips Todd)...tonite the organ takes the first solo...Jesse in Clapton mode...to rev Prairie Prince..Some vocal blockage slightly on Soul Brother and Sweet...Sweet ends slightly premature...Snyth is a delight...esp John F's..Didn’t need the 2x time part...after this Kaz's bass takes the prize...great playing on Past, --Todd calls the demonstration in Snyth... Feel It is slightly faster...floating... slide Feel...but at end you can hear Todd confess with the band--'I fucked it up with My Guitar'..Tonite he just can’t find the key on My Guitar...rest was usual....Jon added some ambience to his CD here...great recording...decent but not best show...thanks to John B |
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| 4/27/04 | WASHINGTON DC LISNER AUDITORIUM | AUDIENCE RICHARD ROYS | |
| Date Added:5/6/2004 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. UNLOVED CHILDREN. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. FUNK (GREEN ONIONS). SOUL BROTHER. SWEET. PAST. LOVE SCIENCE. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:Masterful recording. Really hit the sweet spot- this is nice-Todd having fun-not in quite as perfect voice as Lancaster but close....band tight..Really only mistakes made a few notes Todd on gtr...great version of Born To Synth...Past sounds really different in this show than others...more gliding...I know I’m prejudice cause I saw Lancaster but this and Lancaster are a toss up to me...Peekskill coming up next was also a mother..Great recordings, band in great form...still valuing space in the arrangements...worried of course that as familiarity sets in, spaces fill up...so far they’ve really peaked in the area of ensemble playing and arrangements...you got to have this one Lancaster and Peekskill so far..My god what am I saying...But these recordings are so good especially compared to my initial disaster in Pittsburgh....great one here...Mr. Roys does it again. ~ Tony |
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| 4/30/04 | LANCASTER AMERICAN MUSIC THEATRE | AUDIENCE | 59:18/73:02 |
| Date Added:5/30/2004 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. FOAMY BITES THE DUST. UNLOVED CHILDREN. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. CD TWO: FUNK: GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. SWEET. PAST. LOVE SCIENCE. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:As for the recording, very satisfied and I think more great ones will comes...a great sound at this venue...as for the show itself: I was surprised to see such a lovely venue in Lancaster-most importantly; acoustics were fine-almost opposite to the cavernous old Basie place in Red Bank a week before. I also am pleased to report that Todd had the best vocal night I can remember since going to see him. It was all 100% there and no rag at all which is surprising, given his earlier problems and the number of shows he’s done. What got better in the week? Balance and mix were clearer-some low end rumble avoided consistently- there’s been better I’ve seen but I can’t think of it... Great show great friends great voice great venue...~Tony |
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| 5/1/04 | PEEKSKILL NY PARAMOUNT CENTER FOR THE ARTS | AUDIENCE (4 SOURCES)- SARA K, ROY GOLDBERG, JON BABCOCK & RICHARD ROYS | |
| Date Added:5/30/2004 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. UNLOVED CHILDREN. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. CD TWO: GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. SWEET. PAST. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:A great vocal performance...band is filling up the space as I say...still there are some errant gtr notes of Todd, but aside from those mistakes. Awsome~ Tony |
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| 5/2/04 | UNCASVILLE CONN MOHEGAN SUN CASINO | AUDIENCE JIM FARRELL | 79:24 |
| Date Added:6/28/2004 Track List:TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID LIAR. SOUL BROTHER. SWEET. PAST. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. Note:One CD, you say? Yep-it’s all here. Evidently as with the AWDAR that Sara did that also adding, the show was made to be short so that the gambling could be interrupted the shortest time...I guess that comes with the bucks...there is some distortion in a very few places, but what makes this so cool is the sound..Vocs are right out front.-songs are rushed but end up cool...most noticably is Feel It...ends up less than half of the time it usually clocks in at... still this is a nice and interesting clearly alternate mix from what we’ve heard thus far..Another nice addition from Jim F...~ Tony |
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| 5/7/04 | NEW YORK CITY WEBSTER HALL | AUDIENCE JONATHAN BABCOCK | 78:51/57:22 |
| Date Added:6/3/2004 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. UNLOVED CHILDREN (ABORTED- BRIEF BEG). WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. SWEET. PAST. CD TWO: LOVE SCIENCE. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. WORLD WIDE EPIPHANY. Note:Yes this is New York-they did play WWE and Mr. B hit the sweet spot big time on this recording...an awesome recording especially considering its NYC... thank you brother Jon Babcock...this is a real nice recording~ Tony |
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| 5/8/04 | PHILADELPHIA THE TOWER THEATER | AUDIENCE - JON BABCOCK SOURCE ONE) MARC LINOVITZ (SOURCE TWO) | 55:08/70:59 |
| Date Added:6/10/2004 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE CD TWO: GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. SWEET. PAST. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY Note:One thing about this homecoming show is that the venue is notorious to record in due to the deep stage and high ceilings...kinda like Red Bank but worse..That being said, this recording is pretty amazing to get a sound this good. It has problems inherent in the venue (and those we’ve encountered with this new sound system)...the 2nd set sounds better than set 1 and that’s the same every night... show in my opinion was definitely inferior performance wise to many others this tour but if you were there or got to have ‘em all - this is a fine memento. Thanks from the bottom to both Mr. B for doing his everyday miracles and Marco for getting it to me....~ Tony |
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| 5/9/04 | NORFOLK VA NORVA THEATER | AUDIENCE VIA JEFF GAUSS 'WEAVIL' | 71:02/48:27 |
| Date Added:12/18/2004 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH (FADES IN). BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GODSAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. SWEET. CD TWO: PAST. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY (FADES). Note:Jeff grabbed this he told thru the BOC trade circuit. Definitely on tape as there are a few telltales in the music where the speed is altered by tape wind. Still this sounds better than you’d expect and the yap really is only noticeable at low volume points in the show. some fun stuff this night: not the best night for Todd's vocs --but as we've said before he's used his voice much more judiciously on these "less than perfect range" nights to great effect...Truth the mix is weird until almost end- Buffalo Grass does not have the storm troopers feel of other east coast notes- very laid back..Weird tech problems happening in Jesse’s solo...Mammon is very noisy...Then comes one of the keepers from this night- Todd’s solo on Fascist Christ...what happens is that he blows the head bad both time before the lead-sliding till he finds the right note-but we must say Foamy be still choking at this point…Then he gets obviously upset with his performance and rips off THE MOST creative lead on this all tour long- very great use of distortion and he plays lines and sequences all new on this one...ISP is a bit rushed...tape dead giveaway is known from 1.24-1.29 of Weeps...Todd foamy still be choked off during the lead...from mix very empty sound at beg of God Said- very low keys level...LF- guitar problems...best trading solos between JF/JG ever on GO...Sweet is our Bellweather to show that his vocs is not at top if game but used wisely...slow and quiet Past, careful, hushed as well..Band (most Kaz) add a staccato touch to lines to make them even more delicate...BTS chronicles: Jesse really underwhelms in beck mode at part 1, but returns to the phrasing both heavy sound-then morphs into Simpsonian mode into a fluttering hammering upward climb that runs into a wall of teapot..Sparkling fun....one of Ferensik's better solos-in that it veers the most creatively helped out by polyrhythmic playing of Prairie...Kaz solo very short and sweet...most all improv...only Rays played...post Jetsons, someone again is singing the naked vocal part... then Feel it- above average version...unusual lead at end....Nail has a funny sped up part again. Crowd into HIM but slapdash version...JOV has late entry PP and is faded at the solo...all in all pretty nice-Todd really gets thru a not so great voice night with flying colors..Thanks for getting this to us, Jeff!~ Tony |
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| 5/11/04 | CARRBORO NC CAT'S CRADLE | AUDIENCE PAT KELLY | |
| Date Added:5/22/2004 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON (ABORTED).I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. SWEET. PAST CD TWO: BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY Note:Nice show from Mr. Kelly -small venue, recording very good...some but not over yap...vol fluct (down) on Buffalo Grass, then steady...Mammon aborted by Prairie and possibly something not working, so skipped the sacrilege duo into ISP..Then fixed, the two are nice...Facist Christ almost sounding like a rock song…Not so much groove oriented on this night -many Prairie inventive fills in that tune particularly this night...Todd brings out a special guest guitar Gibson SG? -please read at the Todd on tour about this.....freshly painted in Fool-like artwork...has a great tone and I like the sound on Weeps.. Jesse’s solo on Liar is veracious and noisy...Green Onions has a roadhouse feel tonight...Jessie dressing in srv clothes then PP has his for short solo then when Jesse tries to trade 4s w/ him- too much going on to happen..Instead John F. recognizes what he’s doing and almost gets into a Todd/Roger thing for a short while...again no Temporary Sanity (major bummer-if you haven’t seen him call for it 1st set-problem lost forever), Unloved Children (recently fading away), Train (did he ever?), WWE (NY only recently), or Love Science (DC, Lancaster, others) tonight....second set-nice pair of ballads, then Synth finds JG wearing Joes Pass' coat mellow tone then with PP shifting rhythms...ends in a whistle siren crash and then the tune is dead momentarily...JF revives in a strident manner-sounding altogether a different player up until his chord trip starts that ends his solo..Super solo...the sleep part doesn’t take place for some reason, Todd asks whatever happened to vaudeville and then improves some more...then ends...Feel It is feeling more like NH-Jesse playing so many different lines at the head to fill it...superb vocally again...Nail ragged somewhat..JOV solo at end is best yet...Thanks Patrick!~ Tony |
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| 5/13/04 | CHARLOTTE NC NEIGHBORHOOD THEATER | AUDIENCE MIKE MOSNER | |
| Date Added:5/20/2004 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH (CUTS IN ONLY A FEW SEC MISSING). BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. CD TWO: GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. SWEET. PAST. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY Note:Wondrous show again...I know you’re getting sick of hearing it, but I don’t think we’ve ever had such a great run of shows...Todd’s guitar mistakes are now vanished...band is confident and the stuff actually swings in places...recording is very and takes the low end off...is this the best show of the tour? Maybe performance wise...there is a real strange proclivity for Prairie to play drum fills this nice and its clear he’s bored with the super slow and straight 4/4 of past..The feel has evolved...I like God Said on this and Liar as well as any show he’s done...although its short-the first set is super-voice top shelf, not perfect, but I’ll take it every night of the week.....there is a problem with the bass on HIM encore that kills the mood at the end but aside from their sort of brush thru the verses of Synth..Solos are good, but not the best Synth we’ve heard...also Green Onions has some problems in that the changes were scattered for some reason-seems like they were distracted, but as I said past is different feeling on this more recent recording and as the confidence builds..Space is filled...Prairie’s playing about 2-3x as many fills as he did in Pittsburgh when I saw 'em first and that coupled with Ferensik's expanded role since then...makes for an enjoyable time of interesting interplay between the players...great job Mike-wish I would have gone-I like this one a lot...It’s awesome...Another great one...~ Tony |
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| 5/14/04 | ATLANTA THE ROXY THEATER | AUDIENCE JON BABCOCK | 73:09/53:05 |
| Date Added:5/26/2006 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL.LUNATIC FRINGE. GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. SWEET. CD TWO: PAST. LOVE SCIENCE. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:A big surprise coming from Mr. B in his last batch o goodies! Excellent audience recording. Todd’s guitar solo cooks on Buffalo Grass...sound cranked up better in huse by Fascist Christ...Todd gives the AC/DC, "for those about to rock, we acknowledge you"… preface to ISP and it does for sure. Great lead by Todd on Weeps...get wrenching version of Liar. Again,this song is designed to be very sonically thick, so every night is a different picture when even subtle differences in balance and mix and hall and position occur, all I’ll say is this one gives you some idea of the scream that Todd has to let loose of nightly...scary...a big screw up in Past...but all is still smoothie...Jesse starts off BTS with the Beck attitude..The lines are not so greatly drawn as to start and stop on each section as most nights...I hear some Herbie Hancock style against Prairie's jazzy back beats...pretty spacey at end...feel it has an odd solo by Todd at end, starts nice but odd then goes into an odd mode that clashes sometimes against the chords, its real strange because he keeps going...Crowd really loves JOV...Todd is into it as well...nice addition to the tour. Jonathan Pearlman’s angle on the show: It was totally incredible! It was so nice to see Todd & Kasim together again. I heard others saying what was going thru my mind: It was like seeing Utopia! The band blew us away. The stage setup is way too cool! We had to laugh when Todd started his solo and said, "Aren't I supposed to be playing a different guitar?" after which the guitar tech ran onstage & handed him a Gibson. He kept writing on the "wall" of the "cage" with some kind of marker, I presume making notes about the performance or something. His voice was the best I've ever heard! Guitar playing ditto! Great, great show.~ Warren |
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| 5/17/04 | TALLAHASSEE FL THE MOON | AUDIENCE JOHN BABCOCK | |
| Date Added:7/11/2004 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. CD TWO: GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. SWEET. PAST. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:They say some nights are better than others, more passionate than others, etc...Well it’s true here...very small crowd and the sets (although executed perfectly fine) are largely w/o passion and it feels as if Todd is trying to get thru the setlist. Not to say it’s not fantastic, by the way...Confused?? I just like them all and this one has a lot of great moments and interesting moments created by the situation: several comments show his disappointment in the attendance...evidently, many including your taper report that last stop here was largely a lackluster solo affair that turned many people off...who knows? The good part is the recording is superb...some remarks: truth has a different sound...can’t imagine a crowd of 200..bck vocs on b grass very nice blend tonight...the old ssss problem that we’ve had all tour and that bass sound still are the same..I think some modification should be made to the bass sound...it really in my opinion is too round and creates a hum at most venues either thru a resonating tom head and /or a rumble...digital bass I don’t know-some settings are good but most of them for the new tunes is too much, too round......Mammon also has a nice angle - reveals different interesting detail..Kasim has a background vocal part he tries that works as good as it ever will this night but it is jive...let the overplay begin...Fascist Christ- guitar coda before solo is out but the fucking solo is a rocker..Nice effect/delay ala "abandon city" maybe it’s a mustang profile...in synch with PP...When f Christ ends the applause shows weird this must be...200 to see this tour? ISP rushed rocks but not as furious...Weeps guitar solo is nice...liar is real nice on this show. Sonically awesome...after that Todd says let’s keep this mood going-it was the first thing he said all night...SB-low key...Todd starts phrasing tricks to keep himself interested..Sweet is fast....Past-near perfection...subtle variations in this is cool...quickly into Synth...last time I have a Kasim solo...let’s face it- it wasn’t needed...Jesse and JF..One of best call and imitate pre-snore sections out there--it did and does get better JF did the honors this night (swampland).feel it is very non committal- odd almost u2 approach/groove to this song-this is the strangest thing played this night. Very odd version but I like it...guitar sparkles at end...slower pace than usual on Nail...on HIM...no "meet people" rap-Todd still fuming at the turnout says “go tell everyone who missed the show" and "meet people" section was inapplicable because everyone was already intimate...Big ciggie bitch: he aks for a puff...very slow jov as well but ok...all in all a great recording but an uninspired band due to a piss poor turnout...Too bad Tallyhoo you probably won’t have to worry about a turnout again....great job (first of a stunning 5 new great JB recordings!) thanks to the man...~ Tony |
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| 5/19/04 | LAKE BUENA VISTA (ORLANDO) HOUSE OF BLUES | AUDIENCE JONATHAN BABCOCK | 55:03/74:22 |
| Date Added:7/11/2004 Track List:CD ONE: AMBIENCE. TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. CD TWO: GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. SWEET. PAST. LOVE SCIENCE. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:The best news is what? Another great JB recording, a return to form from the band as they encounter a better sized enthusiastic Orlando crowd than 2 nights prior in Tallahassee. Better vibe strikes you even during truth...b grass now almost has a dance beat tonight...actually sounds like what Willie would a done with this tune...Todd builds on the fab extended solo from 2 nights ago and hammers it home..Crowd wacked...as Mammon starts we marvel again at the great recording- details revealed...simply best version so far I’ve heard...Fascist Christ band is tight as a hydraulic drumhead on Fascsist Christ--int the crowd a few gals giggle at the rap (they evidently are real big fans...yeah...) until they hear what he's saying and they stop...PP and TR go off together on a polyrhythmic accent trip into the sky at the solo...very groovy dude...ISP Jon tells me was patched from the old tape he got at the venue...real key part..Again no words to the crowd and into Weeps...leads are good but honestly probably not meant to take this song on tour...too many nights in a row...maybe this should be an every 2 niter like love science (bring back Temp Sanity!!!)...God Said has a vocal delay more prominent (return at a stronger signal) than most nights...Jesses lead on Lairs is an amazing mini composition by itself...both these last 2 are fab...this first set was special...go on to later- sweet has the best groove I’ve heard..Hot fun but not too on top of the beat like it used to be...past is a bit fast...Todd does an amazing job but the tempo is too fast to feel it deeper...then comes love science..Easily the sloppiest tune performed this night, I don’t understand why...Synth has a jive style delivery vocally...the solos touch on a bit of T Monk, Hendrix...jazz collage style from JF..Now it’s daughter hootie (b/c of Kasim's beard)...the "you were born" section of call and response is now a nightly "let me throw the band" exercise- really Zappa-like (Britney)..Feel It is slightly faster...Kasim sparkles-Todd delivery meant to pull back the band some and they do...wild lead at the end...some bulls eye, some slight dissonance...passionate Nail...comfortable pace on HIM and almost, I say, almost a perfect JOV ..At end Todd says during the intros...”...buy our t-shirt when it comes out"...what? Must of had to have been there-I wish I was-this was a killer show and a super recording~ Tony |
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| 5/21/04 | CLEARWATER FLA RUTH ECKARD HALL | AUDIENCE JONATHAN BABCOCK | 70:31/79:53 |
| Date Added:7/14/2004 Track List:CD ONE: HALL/AMBIENCE (LENGTHY-2 TRACKS). TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE CD TWO: GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. SWEET. PAST. BORN TO SYTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. EXIT MUSIC. FROGS OUTSIDE (2 TRACKS) Note:Another great job from john b in Ruth Eckerd-on the day that the Eckerd founder, Jack Eckerd died...strange?? But a real strong show-rivaling Orlando for intensity...some highlights: extended solo continues on Buffalo Grass...better than 2 nights ago...near perfect Mammon...odd sound for Fascist Christ in that the mids seem gone in the mix-makes for some nice observations of the parts happening'...Todd's solo is pretty humorous on this..I’ve never heard him play such "jive runs" before or in this style he just lets loose...speed runs almost atonal in effect at places-I really dig it...The breakdown before the old time religion part is my favorite I’ve heard on this tour-it is kind of whispery, spooky...almost like an old Motown mid 70s thing..You have to hear it...never did it like this (judging by the CDs) before or after...very special version of both mammon and Fascist Christ...ISP very jangly this night...key arrangement kicks ass, no more echo trill trip CDs part...the new bass part (higher during verse) helps Liar sonically...GO is harder than usual, less swing. Same with SB...Very sleek performance of sweet, Todd shines...could be the best version...Sythn- Jesse was lying in wait to attack it- starts off with a Zappaesqe interplay with PP...Interestingly after the Simpsons riff, Jesse actually lets JF start, then JF realizes Jesse is still holding some feedback and back off for another few bars...JF then does a honky tonk piano style seen in the crazier 70s miles Davis bands. No Kasim solo "Elroy went insane-he couldn’t take the pressure"...then the unexpected happens-as Todd is getting ready to sing during a quiet spot...an audience member starts in "you were born. And improvising like a young kid raised on boy bands...So Todd stopped...he says "It's an American Idol world" anyone else want to audition?some innovative lines follow as todd tries a bit too hard, obviously rattled by this bizzare occurence-did the girl think she was going get a deal then?? Obviously, she wasn’t hardcore Todd fan or she would know you don’t do that to Todd or he'll call you out...he did...nice and slow version of Feel It follows...vocal adlibs are nice and the guitar solo at end soars...mentions ai again before nail..Todd mixes up the improv...finally at the end, Todd largely nails the lead at end of JOV and the crowd goes nuts...great show...how does it rank?? Real high but how many times have I said that so far?? interesting story the swamp next to the lot was infested with frogs, so Jon B thought a nice field recording would add some flavor....sounds real cool almost like a harmonium or cluster electronic Krautrock outtake...I like it..Thanks or a great haul from FL. to Mr. Babcock!~ Tony |
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| 5/30/04 | MEMPHIS TN NEW DAISY THEATER | AUDIENCE SARA K. | |
| Date Added:6/18/2004 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. CD TWO: GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. SWEET. PAST. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:The first of two back to back nights of good fortune for us all thru ms Sara k...this time for a big change (she is a purist) to deal with the big bad bass monster we've all regretfully had to deal with concerning this round direct "modelly" sound..Wonderful job done here and Nashville (I feel a better group show)-the recordings are very good position-wise and it’s a big treat to hear them at this juncture...way familiar with the material...there’s now an operatic opening-lord of the rings or something pompous like that with full boys choir and orchestra in dramatic unison..Personally I think it’s funny but I’m not sure that’s how it was intended...the vocals are great...a bit distorted at beg...sound shapes better with Grass...Todd’s voice soars over the chugging backbeat..No COPD tonight folks....Mammon sounds now like a rock song and has lost all of the humanoid/robot/mechanized feel on the original...Fascist Christ swings big time...guitar problems surface but the end solo of Christ is attacked in a way not heard before-far more aggression from Todd on guitar...the breakdown on Fascist Christ is now a sensual affair with almost little scatting going down..Playing in and out of the downbeat...lengthy...ISP has the emphasis largely on the riff at the head and no audible chords for verse 1 but was problem the mix...weeps is less smooth-I think they have trouble at this point pumping emotion into it since it’s a cover after all and one he’s done for a few years/tours in AWDAR..definitely more bombastic than before and maybe like a modern day very 1st utopia would have played it ...you know this is similar in a few ways to that first tour...a longer pause at the beg of god said..Liar provides extra screaming tonight from Todd at end...Beloved very plain...listen to your 03s again...it’s almost always too fast despite the momentary break after Liars...GO-starts in higher gear than normal...organ solo is nice playing accents games with PP--who has total control of the band by this point...SB is cool as ice-it took awhile to get it to this feel and I think most musicians know it’s the simple ones that can take longer to get the feel right..Real nice groove tonight...sweet is total "hot fun in the summertime" 6/8 groove tonight PP stays on tip top of the beat...less machine like now as well-accents sprinkled thru in jazz like manner by pp and Kasim..Past. Cautious tonight, almost sneaky...delicate...pp never hits the snare-all rims tonight...this shows how far the vocals have come...unique version...slip away part is magic....Synth-very loose from the start hard to describe the sound that is trying to happen here tonight..Odd angular stuff-kind of sinister slant from Mr. g...screaming...definitely playing by himself and not so much interplay and that’s the problem with this tonight...JF- t monk style for a very short while and goes into 2x very early...continues to battle against the tide ala zawinul used to do in weather report...complex but diffuse..Kasim solo...Todd does get into the lyrics of who do you love?...feel it little too fast/less drama...less tension-for me that’s not good...vocs are great though..But again a failure at the lead part...nail sounds like they’re tired of playing it...sloppy...then out come the Elvis masks for JOV and as they leave the stage Jesse plays the opening chord to jailhouse rock (see if you can find it)..A great recording and a show full of great playing...this is the night where they played well individually well...the communication or band ensemble playing was sloppy at places but this would gel as well in Nashville..Thanks Sara...all of these shows are good-another winner but slightly behind Nashville because of the performance-recordings are both excellent...Thanks again to Ms. K.~ Tony |
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| 5/31/04 | NASHVILLE TN EXIT-IN | AUDIENCE SARA K. | |
| Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID . LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE.
CD TWO: GREEN ONIONS (CUTS IN AT VERY BEG). SOUL BROTHER. SWEET. PAST. BRN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:I told you guys about this one before I had the final version and Sara has done it again. this one I tell you I think slightly edges out charlotte for the best performance that I’ve heard-but it’s my opinion anyway..There is no doubt that it is better than the night before and Memphis was hot as hell...great show, great voice, great interplay and a return of instrumental restraint just enough to balance the mastery achieved from playing a lotta dates. The mechanization is also leaving Truth when the band comes in...Sounding more human each time it’s played...bassy Buffalo Grass rolls along...Mammon into Fascist Christ is wicked...pp is powerful whammo drumming just accents Todd’s extended lead guitar break..Todd wailing away into uncharted territory-Kasim and PP shifting the beats underneath-makes this as exciting of a passage as heard on the tour...ISP turns into a glider...weeps again is the hardest to get feeling behind at this point but the end solo is again extended beating the audience into emotional submission....god said contains a strange drum hit in.beg but brings back a lot of restraint to the mix. Nice to do. At the end of a numbing liar the crowd has the reaction of being in a coma...I don’t get it...the solo tunes are accordingly more restrained than usual which again is welcome...infidel stops for a spell...GO- Hendrix mood for Jesse this night and in an unprecedented move JG and JF begin to trade 4s...jf employs a jazzy then boogie woogie style...this is the best ensemble version of GO..SB-Todd says to band that they must be in some kind of hurry...they were a bit fast but not so much to note it...Todd then sings in a way to show he’s not pleased with the pace by (as he has done in the past) ignoring the rhythm with his phrasing..Cutting his own path...the mix of sweet is nice-low keys at the start give it a more organic feel...great vocal delivery...it’s all there tonight...Past again is very delicate...very straight, very nice...emphasis on BEEN living in then past this night. Synth-kind of floats up into play//PP and JG tonight are into the polyrhythmic interplay that FZ utilized with Vince Colauita on drums...bombastic at times but going full time..JF doing a plucking/pedal tone thing JF on the big jazz tip tonight...Kasim choedal thing ends with some beautiful chords very Brian Wilson-like...Todd really tries to throw Jesse tonight with the echo bit...with fades and bends...feel it is sparse and nice-ace version tonight..Strange angular lines on guitar...as bad and sloppy as nail was in Memphis-it is rededicated in Nashville...very accurate-best...JOV ends majestically with an extended solo...magnif...it’s amazing that our man is doing probably his best night to night performances of his career and he’s in his mid 50s............thank you Sara...it’s a classic performance/recording for sure folks...sorry there’s no timing but I will add it in this body later-roger's program won’t let me put it in later at the top.~ Tony |
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| 6/8/04 | BUFFALO NY THE TRALF | AUDIENCE JONATHAN BABCOCK | 60:33/78:10 |
| Date Added:7/15/2004 Track List:CD ONE: AMBIENCE. TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. CD TWO: GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. FLAW. SWEET. PAST. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:Show #4 of 5 new ones from Mr. Babcock and this may be the best one of the batch. Great sounding venue, recording super again...and the inclusion of flaw make this great...Todd always saves a great (and sometimes the best) show for the penultimate position...to me, these two stand even a little above the Fla shows because largely of the gravity of the last 2 shows of this leg..Which, in sum, to me has been the best tour ever...I don’t know what the hell Richard Lester’s saying that Todd’s known as "a Billy Joel type in the us" but that British fans know of his past accomplishments prog rock wise....what a pompous load of bullshit..Everyone reading this has probably been through many different Todd tours/ scenes, whatever...and we've seen all the shows...what is talking about? (Ref...July mojo)...anyway-I listened to the old 95 shows recently and this band now is so much more rehearsed, better singers, more defined parts..Let’s face it...a lot of the I tour was balls to the wall power rock-which is cool but I feel this tour displays musicianship and Todd’s musical trip as well as any tour he’s done..To me at this point it’s hard to say it’s not the best ever...everyone has their favorites but I loved it-wish there were different tunes added to the mix but I’m very happy and wish I could have made more-these CDs let us all be there and that’s the point of this..Anyhow-this is a great show and my comments are: Buffalo Grass is very weird...something’s strange w. bass again, guitar screams in solo (Todd very aggressive)...mammon very raved up...loss of precision... subtle accents shifting now in the tune. F Christ not as much groove this night...a lot going on ...solo section the band locks it in....ISP is actually suspended while the riff is repeated by the band to fix the bass..Todd mentions randy getting drafted by royals....Todd then says this has been the best gig yet...funny cause it is kind of a turning point...guitar more adventure than usual on weeps....god said-very pajama silky belly singing..Liar a sonic assault now that the rumble's gone from the bass...sb nice caution shown...sensitive jazz vibe...sounds better than ever...now rushing the start of lines to glide over the top of the verses..Flaw of course is an attraction but here the band is still fairly slow with it...I don’t know...kind of don’t like that whole "motherfucker" crutch...you know...”fuck you Jesse"...it’s ok...tune reminds of cameo on Todd’s album version. Sweet is nice pace. Flowing vocs continue-he’s on his game this night...top level-feel the testimony...past-nice and slow...crowd gives him due-almost perfect version though for some reason it ends a bit early....Synth- all the stops begin this night and from here on out-your hair stands up...great part which I wont like I usually do..Go overboard. Anyway-let’s say the call and response section now has the whole of the band in the end of it and is very Zappaesqe...very special version-band at its peak of playing sensitive to each other...very slow feel it..I do like feel it better in Albany but the lead and the way this one builds is odd cause pp plays very static...same with nail..PP very straight drumming after Synth...and above all he nails the solo end on JOV which makes this THE version...magical response. Magic night...magic tour...thanks for providing it to us all, Mr. B...~ Tony |
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| 6/9/04 | ALBANY NY THE EGG | AUDIENCE JONATHAN BABCOCK | -------/------- |
| Date Added:5/25/2006 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. CD TWO: FLAW. SWEET. PAST. LOVE SCIENCE. BORN TO SYNTHEISZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY Note:Another fine recording by Mr. babcock-he says he had to bail due to yap but you can only really hear one spot in truth...no biggie at all... the band was tight as hell and the majesty of this being the last show of this victorious leg is not lost on them...neither is the fact they were videotaping (again?) for DVD..Great choice...this is a great show...in my opinion, I like buffalo better on the whole but this has several all-time moments...his guitar leads have reached a new high at the end of the tour...squealy job on Fascist Christ...Blows doors off on ISP.....crowd energized by Weeps...not that tiresome tonight.....smooth around the edges is God Said..A few words mixed up in liars...nice flow to GO but I must agree with the daily mirror reviews that this is a low point of each nights show and there is much music of his they could have played instead...I also wonder why they would do Weeps in the UK but that show's up next..On this night PP lights up GO...pretty slow version of SB.....dynamics nice...no overplay tonight as much due to video rolling probably...Jesse plays a more Strat soul chord pattern in Flaw for the first time-this is not what Todd played on CD..Sweet picks up and the show goes way up from here...past - super version...very disciplined playing...which is hard when the tempo is so slow...amazing to compare Mr. Gresse's vocs with those in 92...vocals sound better than ever...best version of love science-Todd comes closest..Middle section still a bit funky...Synth...I usually comment on the styles of soloists...nothing new this night until JF goes very abstract from the start of his deal....even Kasim again this night..Jesse on echo-whole band involved...someone this night shouts Liar right at the dead air spot where the gal sang in Fla...Saddens me to hear Feel It...Proof again Mr. r is the world’s best singer with this performance this nite, i wont ruin the solo for you....all timer...crowd doesn’t seem to unanimously get it...they want nail instead...exchange between Todd Kasim and a fan..Todd (to the the fan): you want me to torture this guy (meaning Kasim)??? Kasim: I’m already tortured...talk of the DVD is the buzz...magical last JOV...so what have we learned from this tour? I think it is the most important tour he’s ever undertaken and the performances were at a level vocally that we haven’t seen for many years...Thanks so much to JB for taking us all to another level.....update: Weavil gave me the audio burn of the DVD-TR mixed-nice.~ Tony |
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| 6/13/04 | A WALK DOWN ABBEY ROAD ATLANTIC CITY HILTON | AUDIENCE SARA K. | 64:25/ |
| Date Added:6/28/2004 Track List:CD ONE: BACK IN THE USSR. DAY TRIPPER. LADY MADONNA. IF YOU WANT IT. BABY BLUE. DAY AFTER DAY. NO MATTER WHAT. GO NOW. LIE AND LET DIE. BAND ON THE RUN. OPEN MY EYES. HELLO ITS ME. RAIN. SAILING. ARTHUR'S THEME. RIDE LIKE THE WIND. CD TWO: EYE IN THE SKY. MAXWELL'S SILVER HAMMER. GAMES PEOPLE PLAY. TICKET TO RIDE. GOLDEN SLUMBERS/CARRY THAT WEIGHT/THE END. BIRTHDAY. HEY JUDE. Note:Very happy to have Sara cover this for us so that we can hear it. Recording is nice-you can hear it all clearly here...but the bummer is that the background vocals all night long are not arranged at all and are frequently out of tune...day tripper is atrocious to say the least..Todd is the star of the show and is the only one worth seeing here in my opinion...I think these are the only 2 shows all year for this proposition that has seen better days...particularly, Denny Laine appears to have been a basehead in the year between the last time out...His voice is gone this time out...Molland is so-so and Cris Cross is criss cross.....glad Farner's gone...and I really wish Todd would bow out of this gracefully..He’s got too much going for him on the solo scene now...it’s not the point where he’s going to get any new fans out of this and we all know he's being loyal to AP who always asked him, so you can’t fault him here..This must really seem silly to Todd at this point...the few things that I noticed that were neat were the "back on the streetish" version of if you want it....no matter what is actually performed about the best this night..golden slumbers-the end solo section has changed now so it is inaccurate arrangement- wise to the AR version...hey Jude has a mystery melody for awhile....you know I just don’t like the idea of paying big bucks to a band that just gets together and jams on Beatles tunes and with the level of arrangement that Todd has established--that’s about it...I know that there’s a core band that tries to do their best but this idea is gone now and I hope AP can do w/o the weekend of money and give this the burial it should have had a year ago....I will say the sound quality is key...another fine job by Sara k..Our roving reporter--hey this may be the last ever AWDAR show...who knows??~ Tony |
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| 7/10/04 | WEERT NETHERLANDS BOSPOP FESTIVAL | AUDIENCE (HARM VAN SLEEN & WOUTER BESSEL) | N/A |
| Date Added:8/24/2004 Track List:TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRIKCIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. TEMPORARY SANITY. GOD SAID. LIAR. WORLDWIDE EPIPHANY. Note:The Bospop form Mr. Van Sleen is a different animal-sound is way better-all that shit about the sound at the concert was wrong and is unbelievably accounted for by the recorder on the Bessel recording...this show is actually very nice and is a one off- set wise- there is a slowdown in Temporary Sanity and PP forgets and ends WWE too soon but all is all a very passionate performance..I’m leaving my original note as a joke just to show how wrong I could be...this Van Sleen version smokes!!! Odd truncated show (set 1+ Temporary Sanity and WWE) - first, the sound varies greatly--some due to limitations of recorder, but mostly because this is Todd’s sound set up into the festival setup which due to our ampless deal here made things experimental sound wise-it does clear up by the second half but unfortunately never comes close to the achievements of the us recordings...here is a quick rundown: Truth is distorto..Sound really is hideous to start with...Buffalo Grass solo smokes, fast pace but a dramatic slowdown problem the result of a hand going up during verse 1...Mammon is decent..Fascist Christ had the backbeat feel and a fab pre-old-time religion breakdown...ISP rocked as usual...Kasim knocked it out...weeps (my q is why?) Extended...Temporary Sanity-PP altered (by simplifying) the beat...also slowed down significantly......Jesse and Kasim pull it through...sketchy....God Said...some popping, version is so-so...Liar...last tune??..Back for WWE--nice by the end but a strange breakdown happens about 70% through that the boys play their way out of but definitely drifted into adlib there when PP stopped playing...all in all-performance was decent, sound dreadful at the hall, recording average...hope theres better to come from the UK.~ Tony |
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| 7/12/04 | BRISTOL ENGLAND CARLING ACADEMY | AUDIENCE ISTVAN | 54:46/79:54 |
| Date Added:8/26/2004 Track List:CD ONE: CARMINA BURANA (ORFF-INTRO MUSIC). TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. CD TWO: GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. FLAW. SWEET. PAST. LOVE SCIENCE. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME(CUTS IN). JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:Another spot on recording from István. A shaky energy abounds here- interesting feel to the first set here...no real deep groove...a weird groove continues on ISP...everyone’s playing ok...it just feels strange-Todd's rhythm is very up on it...very loose...god said..A heckler mars the end of the tune-last break going in...Lots of rumble on Liar...all in all it sounds great but the first set is unsatisfactory...nice version of Flaw...2nd half of BTS is best of all time...gospel is alive and well on feel it...guitar note nailed on JOV..HIM cuts in but not much missed...jubilation on Want of a Nail sounds inspired this night (may be best of tour)...all in all a very nice recording for a pretty good show that has some definite moments of transcendence (BTS, Nail ,etc).. thanks to the I man for another gem~ Tony |
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| 7/15/04 | LONDON ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL | AUDIENCE ISTVAN | ------------------/------ |
| Date Added:8/20/2004 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. CD TWO: FLAW (CUTS IN). SWEET. PAST. LOVE SCIENCE. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY Note:This István version is the bomb-the bass is a bit high vol like the us stuff but nothing to complain about here...really a triumphant performance....here’s my old notes-get this one now: I guess with the history of the man eating peacock suit and countless others I can name, one could argue that Todd has always sabotaged himself in big or high pressure gigs..Not this time...although the British press essentially cried for the hits in an eloquent fashion...puke....(like a Midwestern hick here in the us), but put it in terms that also made us sound unrefined ala uncut ---don’t get me started----......etc..bs, the real fans in the UK know better...this was an excellent performance and ...there are some cut outs that happen throughout (ONLY THE URWIN VERSION) this and it does affect what would otherwise be a decent but not great recording...the hall was old and that certainly had a great deal to do with result..Some sounds not bad at all but most of all the performance was boss. generally, Todd seemed happy and treated it the same although the neggieEGO (we hadn’t missed it... believe me) seemed to slip back out a bit with the towel dab exercise and the razz of Kasim about his bass solo...: sound gets bigger on b grass and the solo is a wig out!..Confident f Christ...almost cocky (the "standard" said that) ISP is almost dance style-radically almost disco hihat pattern...guitar freak-out on (gall) weeps...plain gorgeous God Said--monster...Liar...super effort here...Todd notes his gratitude in seeing the place packed..Hey us fans, believe it or not they tried to get a beat going clapping during Infidel...same on LF...in complete honesty, I agree with the English rags that GO was a poor choice to include in the set...Kasim should have sung a tune or two instead... SB not as jazzy as the end of us tour-nice inprov'd vos at end by Todd....sweet shows some slight voc strain at top...past very nice ..Love SC...Todd ok on vocs, but sounds very 80s this night-esp. JF's solo...Synth...no real fire or excitement nice colors by Jesse..F ends up chasing PP- goes into 2x too early and shudder, the bass solo returns.(Empire City). Plays riffs from several including Hammer Singring and 7 Rays..Then Todd razzes him about the Meatloaf tours and no bass solos then...extended solo on glorious feel it and you’re stunned by the lack of response from the crowd, they obviously didn’t get it...Want of a nail revives the crowd some...they had been waiting on HIM...a great deal of roar greets JOV...which cuts...thanks to Gary for getting me this..It certainly shows what a good effort he gave...to me and all who will hear it-the hardcore’s-it was a triumph but again, I’m not sure what they expected by reading the reviews...VERY GLAD TO HAVE THE SPARKLING ISTVAN RECORDING.....thank god for you the UK fans and Paul Lester-can’t stop now..We want the Liars CD in the top 10 year lists in uncut and mojo..........~ Tony |
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| 7/17/04 | THE ACADEMY GLASGOW SCOTLAND | AUDIENCE (GARY BARRETT) | 137:07 |
| Date Added:5/28/2015 Track List:INTRO/TRUTH.BUFFALO GRASS.MAMMON.FASCIST CHRIST.I HATE MY FRICKIN I.S.P.WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS .GOD SAID.LIAR.BELOVED INFIDEL.LUNATIC FRINGE .GREEN ONIONS .SOUL BROTHER. FLAW.SWEET.PAST.BORN TO SYNTHESIZE.FEEL IT.THE WANT OF A NAIL.ENCORE APPLAUSE.HELLO IT'S ME.ENCORE APPLAUSE.JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:This one just surfaced 11 years later. It’s nice to have, the quality is very good. But seems to be recorded from a great distance from the stage, and I don’t know how large the Academy (Venue) is. This audience recording is still very much of a keepsake from this wonderful Liars Tour. Thank you Gary Barrett! As you all can see, we have a very large selection of Fan recordings here in the Archives from the Tour. However, this is not even comparable to the great recordings by Istvan the nights prior to or after this evening.~ Warren Here's a small review by Glasgow Fan Jim Sutherland: "Twenty seven (27) years since he last played Glasgow with Utopia and twenty two (22) years since he last played Scotland. Most reviews seem to moan about the lack of his older numbers but, what they forget, is this a tour of his NEW album. I knew what to expect and enjoyed it, the old stuff was a bonus.The sound was great, his singing was great, his guitar playing brought back happy memories, the band were average." |
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| 7/18/04 | MANCHESTER BRIDGEWATER HALL | AUDIENCE (VIA ISTVAN) | -------/---------- |
| Date Added:4/28/2005 Track List:CD ONE: MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GODSAID. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. FLAW. SWEET. CD TWO: PAST. BORN TO SYNHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO IT'S ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:What a show...the sound quality doesn’t live up to say London but their performance is right there. Certainly I can hear some high ceilings involved, but really nice to listen to and super performance> slightly abridged comments: one of best 1st sets (missed pre-Mammon, but what's here rules) some rumble on F Christ, love the groove...no talk into ISP..The fans appear to be puzzled as to why Weeps....passionate performance of God Said...almost a slowed down LF...nice gentle swinging grove on SB, possibly the best ever flaw..."see people in the back into it"...superb vocals on sweet front and back.....crowd goes wild on sweet!!...past still very nice but doesn’t quite measure up to d'sweet...great pace...BTS chronicles: wicked 1st solo by Jesse lots of bite to it-much whammy-use....this Beckish bite kind of folds into a torrid technical scale-like run right into the big teapot..One of the hardest, meanest solos (no coffeehouse run for Jesse??)Into a whammyblur...JF begins diminished chords to full on bebop-then a block chord jazz on top of the beat-very much at times sounding like corea-weckle duking it out...goes block crazy...nice line w/ PP intro. Into Kasim who really seems popular in UK...Chord plucking-very creative solo before turning to the riffs of the Ikon and seven rays-with PP cymbal accents, the best...something then about David Bowie's lollipop....ha...echo...then the mime part "I would fire 'em but it's the last gig..."sleep section..Odd music...." feel it-odd rhythm...feels as if there's no feeling...a mixed bag......Nail- notes missed...lead not on for JOV - all in all a nice show...thanks István!~ Tony |
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| 8/24/04 | NEW YORK CITY CENTRAL PARK DELACORTE THEATER (W/JOE JACKSON & ETHEL) | AUDIENCE JOHN BRONSKILL | -----/-------/45:53 |
| Date Added:9/1/2004 Track List:CD ONE (JOE): HOME TOWN. STEPPIN' OUT. TAKE IT LIKE A MAN. AWKWARD AGE. BE MY NUMBER TWO. OBVIOUS SONG. LOVE AT FIRST LIGHT. GIRL (BEATLES COVER) .CITIZEN SANE. IT'S DIFFERENT FOR GIRLS. IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM. CD TWO (TODD): LYSISTRADA. I DONT WANT TO TIE YOU DOWN. LOVE OF THE COMMON MAN. CLICHE'. BLACK AND WHITE. IT WOULDNT HAVE MADE ANY DIFFERENCE. SONG OF THE VIKING. COMPASSION. FREE MALE AND 21. HELLO ITS ME. BANG ON THE UKE DAILY. YOUVE GOT TO HIDE YOUR LOVE AWAY. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. ONE WORLD. WHILE MY GUITAR (VIOLIN) GENTLY WEEPS (W/JOE JACKSON & STELLA). BLACK MARIA (W/JOE JACKSON & STELLA). CD THREE (STELLA):CROWD AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.SWEET HARDWOOD SUITE PART 1-HARDWOOD. PART 2-SPIRITUAL. PART 3-SHUFFLE. NEBELMOST DANCES. BAND INTRO/ALLOP. PELEMANI'S REVENGE. BLACK DOG (YES, ZEP COVER) Note:Glorious one off in NYC that grew out of the wonderful Joes show from this summer. Joes Pub in the Paahhkk...!! Recorded by Mr. Roys in wonderful 24 bit-48kps and reprocessed to 16 bit-44.1kps...were now on a new planet of sound...the real bonus is the probably never again unique versions of weeps and Maria which will doubtlessly sneak onto many compilations of rarities in the future..Most a set solo set like the 03 tour...like my mother in law Cheryl told me about this night...Todd’s onto something new vocally in that he has more control and he doesn’t overuse his voice -tonight the strategy pays huge dividend as we get some of the most impassioned versions of these old chestnuts that we’ve heard too many times before but instead are transformed like they were last year by a fresh perspective especially vocally..This is more of that and even further there. Surprise that this night sees no Liars additions to solo set and only the centerpiece solo section is retained (Beloved, Lunatic) and both of these are awarded extra emphasis due to the impending/looming?? Rnc in the city. Cliché, IWHMAD both sound fresher than they have in years...clarity on the high end has never been better like on compassion this night...btw check out Mr. Moates review, Grady is the man........airplanes continue to fly over and Todd makes several comments about them..No "pakoluka" in Uke. (Is that because the theater crowd aint toking?-just kidding but a real curious omission for the first time in ages?)...some moments of levity in HIM (somewhat train sized) and an odd stop start end to fringe...weeps has Joe j singing the chorus part (...I don’t how...nobody told you...)- Todd does an acoustic solo in the solo spot-Stella violinist does all the "Jesse parts". The main riff sounds cool with violins. Then Todd says "if you think that was nutty, we have one more from the nutty bar for you...partly due to Todd's guitar being lower than the others, the song kind of hovers in with a bee like mimic of the electric power chord sustain on the original...the solos are very much patterned after the original Todd solos in most places (it's obvious that the lead violinist has heard s/a many times) J Jackson plays a solo- very bell like. Very nice unforgettable version. I-like almost everyone else think that Maria worked more than weeps (probably b/c Weeps is polar to JJ's style) but both of these and the others are the reason you need this. Given that this is a one off (and I still haven’t picked the best liars shows) I must say that you need to peel CD 2 off of this one and add to the Joes pub this summer as ESSENTIAL...I will get the Joe tunes on here when I listen in full but quality is very nice and as I said, if this PDA result is any indication as to what’s in store...things keep getting better -thanks to Mr. Roys (and Sara) for completely nailing this one important never again moment!!!~ Tony |
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| 9/14/04 | PETALUMA CAL MYSTIC THEATER | AUDIENCE SARA K. | 55:21/77:00 |
| Date Added:10/3/2004 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. CD TWO: GREEN ONIONS (CUTS IN). SOUL BROTHER. FLAW. SWEET. PAST. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:The first of Sara's new west coast stuff reveals some progression since the UK shows we have. If you’re playing Petaluma, it is the mystic or no other place. The smallness of the venue also tends to yield the same style recording that we saw in Half Twisted where the drums are a bit louder than the other Pa stuff ala Pittsburgh and SF '99. But we get a few surprises here. Btw-Ike Willis was there. PP also is more animated than usual. The first set is where the drums are bit up in the house mix the crowd is into this show from start to end and Todd has 'em all riled up. Maybe that’s why the first set here is really hyped up. It is ironic that ISP (usually a kick in the ass of the show) is where the show comes under the groove. Before that it is a bit too hyped up for my taste. Yes things have loosened up as well. Weeps shows Jesse really playing his rhythm part very staccato or sharp-adding a nice choppy element to the sound and giving it different life. Even God Said is rushed and the boundaries are now broken down between verses to allow a straight 4 count into "...you are not" section (call 'em chorus I guess). Top notch vocs on liar. the solo section is superb here-especially infidel which we are told was written during HWs time-Todd pulls no punches and says we need to "return GWB to Crawford Texas" the crowd roars like never before and then the most inspired version ever of LF is delivered and the crowd is into it....nice loping pace for GO starts off set 2 with absolutely the best drum solo I’ve ever heard from PP..It is a phenom...crowd again wakkad and eats it up.....flaw is the best version yet-in sweet a strange thing appears in that it seems that the tuning between Jesse and John is very slightly off-Todd does a great job considering he had to split the difference..Another day at the office on a slower version of Past...great Todd performance. BTS shows some significant changes since UK, Jesse starts in a jerky style chords walking into a nice jazz run...the hard sound comes in and goes into teapot and Simpsons run...JF really is dealing with very abstract modal at the start around 11th even 13ths..Then falls into the standard blues based. The jazz takes off but doesn’t really work and you can tell at least some of these guys are not really jazz players...no bass solo...an Arabian nights flavor flows thru the band after Todd returns...JF says he’s conflicted when he’s called "Jane", Todd responds he’s been ....."Conflicted all night" maybe the tuning thing???We’re drifting into a bit much abusiture calling Todd the pitcher and rating Jesses echoes...after the last Todd says...ok everybody on the bus....I don’t know-I don’t think he has to appear this tyrannical-especially since he can’t hit some of the guitar notes accurately himself from night to night-should show appreciation for the dude-you and I know it’s for show but these are the things that gets Todd a rep for being arrogant...anyhow, the end is being played up..Unfortunately, Feel It never takes off...comments on how hot it is...HIM is mysteriously missing the "...don't change don’t change part"-instead it just hangs there...very good recording challenged by the small club but really worth a peek at the progress to date. Another great Sara recording. ~ Tony |
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| 9/15/04 | SAN FRANCISCO THE FILLMORE (INCOMPLETE) | AUDIENCE | 55:54/47:19 |
| Date Added:10/4/2004 Track List:CD ONE: INTRO/TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. CD TWO: GREEN ONIONS (CUTS)>BORN TO SYNTHESIZE (CUTS IN). FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:2nd in set of 5 Sara WC shows. House sound is vastly superior to Petaluma and begins to show the PDA system power. In fact truth is probably as good on here as anywhere-b grass shows a more confident, strident and in control band than the previous night. Mammon returns to the former a bit stiffer but better version than the looser version played at the...in fact, you can say that about all that’s on here. As you can, a large chunk is missing (icld. Love Science) and the quality of the recording leaves you bumming that’s its gone (don’t worry-best yet to come)...shaky start to f Christ and a bit fast and the low end rumble begins. Phrasing from Todd (as we know by now) shows his distaste for the groove/speed...also while I’m at it, Kasim got way too busy on the coda sections till it sounded like a jam session at points..Nice extension on breakdown. Powerful ISP, Todd in slight rough voice...solos on Weeps are raunchy at end (nice) Kasim by now also really has the harmonies on exact phrase on God Said. (Someone yapped "very nice" afterwards. ditto. like cold water, someone calls out for "Piss Aaron" (in SF??). sermon about W continues "can't stop fighting evil"...LF played like it creates votes! a short GO then cuts to the bass solo in BTS...seems fast tempo to me and Todd actually asks the band to vamp surf music. Jesse Colin Young and the Youngbloods get a name check (hear that, Norman Smart??) on Kasim's banana suit...Todd remarks Jesse is nervous in his hometown (huh?? I thought he lived in Woodstock) when he misses the first vocal call/response. Todd remarks the band "plays like Mormons". Feel It is a bit fast and there is, believe it or not a Jesse mistake on a chord (you can count on one hand probably for the tour)...Todd nice vocs-all in all a bit too fast to ever catch the magic but closer. Fast groove less Nail during HIM something was happening onstage but it’s unclear what it was-crowd reaction pretty loud to whatever it was. Nice JOV...some excited encore yap here-you would think the bay folks know tapers are everywhere, but I guess when Todd said the yuppies moved in , this is what he meant..All in all another great recording-better performance on balance than the Petaluma show in that the band played together more as a unit...kind of like the Nashville vs. Memphis deal...Sara’s PDA is rocking.~ Tony |
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| 9/17/04 | AGOURA HILLS CAL THE CANYON CLUB | AUDIENCE VARIOUS SOURCES | 57:24/79:15 |
| Date Added:10/4/2004 Track List:CD ONE: INTRO/TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. CD TWO: GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. FLAW. SWEET. PAST. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:This show has a very rich deep sound from a vantage where the vocals are upfront and the guitars (esp. Jesse) in your face. The sound is absolutely fab and in my opinion rises to top of the scale of recordings -the performance is very together, very solid band performance on songs, Todd’s voice is very well defined on Mammon and shines. During the second set, his voice surprisingly hits the ceiling and gets a bit hoarse, most evidently on Sweet, but folks let me tell you this one’s special-set 1 is clear and deep without the rumble that’s plagued most venues. A clear perspective of stuff vocally is delivered here. Mammon may be the best version but a great vocal performance. The groove returns to F Christ vocs are tip top. Kasim hits a monster never before heard riff in this tune toward the end that is magical-you’ll know when you hear it...he’s really shown the most progression during the tour and has had the longest but most exciting learning curve and his long attention span shows in his flourishes he peppers through the set, always tasteful, never too much..He and the band play like a unit this night and the result is a magical first set...small mistake at turn of God Said again but super and Liar winds like an electric eel...some moron yells "play something we know" another asks for 'we can’t play this game anymore"..Weezuz in the land o' platsicity obviously...Todd remarks they had built up a head of steam and doesn’t protest too much when the guitar isn’t turned on/up. Second set although still masterfully recorded and consistent in sound (even in the DAT patch of Nail)...after a pretty stellar vocal performance, Todd hits his limit on sweet...past is odd with the keys so low but still not that bad of balance...I actually like it better on most tunes..Maybe that’s what Steve Stevens meant...was not the clarity for sure...Sara captured that without dispute here-you can hear for yourself. Past is a bit jazzier...it’s tough to talk in this terms but it is also low-key or as I said before calm and cautious...Todd vocs decent, not that exertional to protect, but rough in spots...Snyth: Jesse takes off of Todd’s phrase...pretty brisk tempo Jesse gets raunchier and noisier than usual on loud spot...straight blow on other...Ferenzik begins in diminished mode with blocks and adds synth to the jazz part before the end "stairclimb". Kasim peppers his solo with last of the new wave riders, hammer in my heart and the seven rays...remarks re shitstorm about "Florida being punished for something.." feel it the emotion returns, best of 3 so far but not on level of say Albany for me. Guitar work at end of Feel It spellbinding playing some polyrhythmic off PP's drums. Small hiccup on nail-patch sounds great-it's those mics!!Todd refers to fans "getting high in back of van" to being veep of corporation. Air of trimuphancy about JOV. Now, this show is a great one-in the top few-best so far of the WC shows and the recording, well-wait till you hear it...it’s the shit, man....I love it-don’t know what Steve Stevens was talking about-monster. ~ Tony |
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| 9/18/04 | CERRITOS CA CERRITOS CENTER | AUDIENCE SARA K. | 66:35/74:05 |
| Date Added:10/6/2004 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. CD TWO: FLAW. SWEET. PAST. LOVE SCIENCE. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:I'm not going to beat around the bush (well if the bush is w, i may..) but this show is an instant classic. the sound is nearly perfectly balanced with little to no bass overload. no sound at all from yap except a brief two blurbs where our reporter Sara K is discovered and forced to surrender her backup DAT and then is given it back within 5 minutes and she is told to "carry on". that brief spell does not prevent this from being one of the best shows from start to finish, both in terms of recording quality (breathless) as well as total band performance~ Tony |
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| 9/20/04 | TEMPE AZ MARQUEE THEATER | AUDIENCE SARA K. | 63:14/78:52 |
| Date Added:10/12/2004 Track List:CD ONE: TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. GREEN ONIONS. CD TWO: SOUL BROTHER. FLAW. SWEET. PAST. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:5th in the series of the Sara K. West Coast run finds us in state of AZ and with it comes a more cavernous theater that acoustically causes some slap back echo as well as dribble of yap here and there that mostly doesn’t distract but comes at some strange moments..the recording is sterling and does wonders with the hall but recalls venues like Count Basie in Red Bank and Tower Theater in Philly....some performance notes: truth-shows Jesse prominently and is good for you guitarists to see what lines he’s playing during 3d verse, chorus..Nice muscular rock version of Mammon...ISP ending crunch guitar sound by Todd--words get twisted on Weeps...god said is the fastest tempo I’ve heard ‘em take on this one and the yap from the young gals show they want the cockrock instead...what is nice is Kasim's harmony on a good bit of the lines, alternating between unison and harmony (mostly 3rds)..Balance of sound.mix a bit odd on Liar...BI and LF surprisingly no political message between...great version of GO, tight but lifeless version of Flaw, nice loping version of sweet--the "...everybody in the world...”part now bringing up the limits vocally each night (but he did conquer this passage back east, if you don’t believe me, check for yourself, night after night)..Past is really kind of sad tonight...again some distant yap close to the climax baffles the mind..... (How could you be there and yet not with him at that point??)...BTS - Jesse nice single lines jazz style...and mixes some blues but stays mostly in the Pat Metheny flourish style this night-then into the nasty dirty section which is extra nasty this night...again JF likes this diminished beginning but then veers into territory of blues/houseband (almost Paul Shaffer) style but then dots (even earlier on) his piano solo with oberheim (old Synth) sounds -no bass this night....inside joke revealed "for the want of sunglasses we lost 8 bars"...wardrobe malfunction...on feel it, we get a nice version that where Todd plays with the time vocally..a nice "clear channel" comment (evil) from Todd may indicate that’s he’s on our side (I think)--all in all a very sweet ending to an unforgettable run from Sara that cements this liars tour as the standard to judge all future tours/taping by..Thanks again to Ms. K.!~ Tony! |
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| 9/22/04 | PORTLAND ALLADIN THEATER | AUDIENCE JOHN BRONSKILL | 76:62/72:19 |
| Date Added:10/21/2004 Track List:CD ONE: INTRO-C.B.(ORFF)/TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST.I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. FLAW. CD TWO: SWEET. PAST. LOVE SCIENCE. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:One of our brothers from the Great Northwest checks in with this-the penultimate show of the west coast tour- this is on par with Jon’s excellent stuff he’s shuttled our way from Seattle area. Very small amount of yap/clap at the start of show but no more factors-the band is cooking ala the Cali shows. Drums are a bit prominent in mix due to the club set up-but very nice DAT recording...notes of show:..Indian drum feel comes back to the fore in b grass...humanity percolates in Mammon-either they’ve played it stiff and very computer like (like the album) or it’s been more influenced by the groove of the following number-and the latter tonight. Crowd into F Christ and nice "wild card" vibe on the extended breakdown-Todd can take ‘em where he feels they should go on the breakdown and is in total control...God Said is sung magnificently with much new emotion/inflection on lines like. “Can’t help...can’t help feeling left out". He’s still taking this music higher...we get a rousing approval/strike the great NW before the 'anything with a pulse running against GWB" speech...excerpts: "doesn’t Texas feel like a foreign country?? Might as well be china..." "Florida hurricanes are a clear message from god"...but even when things are darkest you need to keep fighting against evil." GO- a whammy extravaganza...PP goes off the rails on his solo (still not Petaluma).detached vocs on a faster than normal SB. Odd vibes on Flaw...ragged but unified...sweet-another gem...barely hits limits on Past and this night it is nice and super slow...in case you had a doubt, this is the new Verb to Love/Last Ride/Only Human..The great dramatic ballad of this modern time...glad to have it back...in the interim he tried to fit mated into the slot but it’s not quite the same...whereas mystical stuff like lost horizon, feel it are from a different strain altogether..I’m sure some would question this categorization...however I digress....love science is here this night-I really don’t like the tune that much but it is a bit tighter -BTS is an extravaganza as usual..Jesse w/ jazzy django style lines dissolve into a pool of calm water like sound...back to the whammy for the noisy part...pretty violent and forceful for Jesse...JF in the T Monk style-arpeggio trip-PP prods him...less energy than usual..But tonight the jazz section does take off...doubling lines again with oberheim sounds-upward but jagged. Kasim does on with Singring solo into a poppin affair-melodic-longer than usual, New Wave Riders, Hammer, 7 Rays-a better than usual bass solo...a smell here that makes a bass player want to play a solo..JF keeps echoing the kesy after the JG call and response section-screwing with Todd on purpose...kind of a mini mutiny...lots of impromptu stuff-not quite on the level of, say something as outrageous as pgh7/1/99 but getting there-would love to hear the final night.....kind of comes out of the fog unexpectedly....Feel It-Todd begins fighting against himself vocally toward the climax-the solo rises out of the swirl/scene-above average Feel It but not best (so far my fave version of Feel It is probably London and Albany, also Nashville and charlotte a close 2nd)-good groove on nail..Relaxed unifying version of JOV....god I wish this tour would go on and evolve more.....thanks to Jon B. again!~ Tony |
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| 10/23/04 | NAGOYA JAPAN CLUB DIAMOND HALL | AUDIENCE (VIA HIROSHI) | 66:35/70:48 |
| Date Added:11/30/2004 Track List:CD ONE: INTRO. TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. CD TWO: GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. FLAW. SWEET. PAST. LOVE SCIENCE. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:First of 2 new items from the east...Hiroshi catches the first 2 of the 4 in Japan by mini-disc. some things hit you right away with this one-first, this is the last go round with liars, second-this is show #1....the way it looks now is that we won’t appear to have a continuation of this tour in any altered way-looks like this is it...the Joe shows look to Todd going back solo for 05, so we'll see..The band has played this stuff out...this night, the band is treated to a more traditional Japanese rock audience who clap along to everything (including born to synthesize)...sounds like a very intimate setting, small place and this is, performance wise (less so sound-wise) the slighter of the two..it just sounds as if there's been some time off and there's caution and also somewhat of a lack of sensitivity going on in set 1..some mistakes have popped up, but by set 2, all is headed back into the groove..Specifics: b grass shows some drag in tempo...rust is evident on the steel sides of the ship that is Mammon.back vocs Kasim off here-groove somewhat returns on f Christ but weird around the edges still...Jesse sounds slick..Todd misses the no-sing hole on ISP at end and his voice is weary here. But all in all Todd’s voice is quite good this night.....sound of 1st set peaks with god said....after a cautious and good weeps...but Todd forgets lyrics and then Kasim slides all over the place trying to find the harmony slot on the chorus..Liar sounds like a big muck this night and I’m sure the band was glad to end set 1. The mid solo tunes are nice (but guitar IS out of tune a bit) w/ clapping and set 2 is far better result: Jesse plays an unreal solo on GO, rust is now gone by SB...Nice groove...flaw however does not have as many miles on it, so it’s a bit more difficult to get back in the swing with-a very long version. Todd’s vocs shine on sweet-unusual adlibbing-great range of voc demonstrated...past is slow but actually swings/lopes a bit (a hint of "verb to love" feel) -Todd stammers a bit through it and phrasing differs a bit on adlib also here. Didn’t expect l science on show 1...more like 2nd wind than ever before (feel wise)...BTS: Jesse in Joe pass mode but soulful bluesy almost Claptonesque to the edgy part...then the best part-an incredibly modular run (in the "Simpsonian" mode) up the whole of the neck that runs straight into the boiling teapot JF plays lyrical melodic over some nice shifting left hand figures..obie runs in and gives this an fz 84 Alan Zavod feel...bass solo yes and it’s a damned good one- much less regimented than before and an actual sculpture before only dipping into the theme bag...brow sweat action into v3...No Catholic reference...no lock on Feel It, has no feel...Todd only tangentially there-he resists the temptation to get involved emotionally and that leaves this a very odd version..Guitar solo just appears, no real emotional intro at all...guitar like I said just kind of falls in...This version is odd for sure...Nail get Todd’s hoarse but true, HIM-nice slow pace punctuated with extra long silences at the stops...(don’t change, part, etc)..the crowd just wails for Todd-you can hear there are real hardcore’s there that are all wrapped up in it all...JOV also is odd in that Todd goes into that "ignore the band type phrasing"-may have been pissed at something..PP is way laid back on this tune-the echo or slap back put on the keyboard part also give this a different feel/sound...in sum, a pretty unique show -leans towards one of those "other" nights, but not really wholly: a lot can be attributed to the layoff, jet lag-but it is a bit better than that due to the uniqueness of certain tunes this night makes this one to check out..However, if you only need one from this mini-tour, things got markedly better on night 2 in Osaka. Thanks to Hiroshi for being our pal from Japan (and a Todd fan of the highest order) and coming through for us yet again with two nice sounding digital recordings of the happenings in his backyard...~ Tony |
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| 10/24/04 | OSAKA JAPAN NAMBA HATCH | AUDIENCE (VIA HIROSHI) | 56:19/79:59 |
| Date Added:12/5/2004 Track List:CD ONE: INTRO/TRUTH. BUFFALO GRASS. MAMMON. FASCIST CHRIST. I HATE MY FRICKIN ISP. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. GOD SAID. LIAR. BELOVED INFIDEL. LUNATIC FRINGE. CD TWO: GREEN ONIONS. SOUL BROTHER. FLAW. SWEET. PAST. BORN TO SYNTHESIZE. FEEL IT. WANT OF A NAIL. HELLO ITS ME. JUST ONE VICTORY. Note:There’s no doubt that this night for the most part was superior to the previous show - the sound is markedly better but there are also some very odd things about this show. One is crowd reaction-for the majority of the show, it is very polite but largely just polite clapping. Like London, feel it this night is magic and there's faint applause following it...more shockingly, the crowd does not yell "mother fucker" at the end of flaw-Todd had to do it over and sounded miffed about it..It was odd...the performance in spots is ab fab...like I said Feel It is a peak...but here’s some more detail: Jesse’s brain may-esqe parts at the end of Truth glisten...pretty intense Mammon-keys mixed very low on it..Kasim solos now on every head part of fascist Christ (too much)...PP's bass drum work on this tune really kicks it in gear towards the end...God Said has repeated timing mistakes-which I suppose are due to failure to be able to hear the guide/click tracks..Oddly, the crowd goes all happy and clapping at lunatic fringe....Jesse does his solo in complete Todd style on GO, PP solo nice...flaw has the above happen and Todd tells them on a repeat the line deal.."Do me a favor"...sweet-tip top vocal place...past-we now see more adlibs-very heartfelt-exceptional version...then, as if the night hasn’t had enough strangeness, here comes the claps on BTS...a very water-like Jesse solo, really intense solos and a slightly different version of shenanigans for the Japanese market..Like Nagoya, long pauses this night...nice Kasim solo in BTS...very long version of BTS but crowd loved it...feel it is the bomb-peak of the night...funkier than usual Nail...then on the encores this chant: clap clap-we want Todd, not the normal...1234..we want Todd clap,, we want Todd clap .........all in all a super duper 2nd set and an ok first one considering the problems.....thanks to Hiroshi- another great Japanese show..Wish I’d been there to see them...thanks again to the man!!~ Tony |
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