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| Photo: Aida / http://thesecretgirls.wordpress.com |
As usual with mixter_ recordings the sound is excellent and his notes on the concert are as interesting as the recording itself. Huge Thanks to him for sharing his recording on DIME.
Original Info File:
"A Mary Chain Moment" - Taper / Engineer: mixter_
Lineage / Equipment:
12' from rail 3' right of center / fob -> 6.5' h -> giant squid omni's -> custom bb - bass roll-off
(107 Hz)-> zoom h1 (96/24) -> sandisk 8gb class 4 micro sd -> usb -> audition 3.0 - join files - moderate
level boost (+5dB L / +8dB R) (no normalization) - dither to 44.1/16 -> har-bal 2.3 slight eq (bass attenuate, treble boost) -> cd wave editor (track split) -> tlh (flac 8, etc...) -> DIME -> you -> sense of enjoyment -> sharing is caring -> support the artist (yes) -XX convert to mp3 (no!!!).
K.I.L.L. = Keep It LossLess
The Band:
Jim Reid: Vocals
William Reid: Lead Guitar, Distortion
Phil King: Bass, Backing Vocals
John Moore: Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Brian Young: Drums
The performance:
O.K. So much has been said about The Mary Chain's second reunion. Many have observed that the Reids have looked bored or that they seem less than polished. What? This is Jesus and The Mary Chain after all. Nobody has ever confused these guys with King Crimson. Their playing is less than precise and they've always looked bored or indifferent. Over the past 25+ years they've played 17 minute sets and incited riots and they've played 25 minute sets of feedback with their backs to the audience. This time around they faced the audience but were completely backlit the entire time (see: "Sisters of Mercy"). The only thing that has changed is that their legendary onstage blood feud has transformed into middle-aged sniping and griping.
Jim has mellowed quite a bit and takes things in stride for the most part. His trademark mop of hair has given way to a short crop. In fact he could be mistaken for fellow Glaswegian, Jim Kerr ten years ago. The band appear a bit more in sync than their run of Texas shows 3 months earlier. They still take the opportunity to fuck-up the classic "Halfway To Crazy". Starting it no less than three times. Jim admits after the second take that it disintegrates into a jazz number. All 3 takes are represented as one track. This isn't "The Swinging Pig".
Otherwise, the band seems on solid footing backed by a solid trio including former Lush / Felt bassist Phil King and one-time Mary Chain drummer then guitarist now guitarist again, John Moore.
The recording:
I decided to set up shop exactly where I was for Devo the month prior with similar results (fortunately). Unfortunately, some d-bag 6 feet in front of me and to my right begins shouting at his friend on the other side of the audience between "Teenage Lust" and "Sidewalking". The worst of it is between songs. Other than that, it's nearly perfect. I had to run my secondary rig and was worried that my mics would blow out the input on my modest H1. Fortunately, every thing turned out pretty solid. Both the mix engineer and I were sorting out levels for the first 2 minutes of "Snakedriver". I adjusted things in post to bring up levels. It still sounds a little funky to me though as there is a minor level shift (dropout). A mosh pit with crowd surfers opened on the left side of the barricade. I was on the right. Nice. I was in line with Will's Orange stack, so his playing comes in like a Predator drone. All other instruments fall in behind. Jim's vocals are clear and discernable but sit in the middle of the mix. Overall an VG+ IMHO. Please leave feedback to the contrary if you agree or disagree.
Of note:
"April Skies" appeared on the setlist after "Reverence" (presumably the first encore) but was sadly crossed out and not performed. Funnily enough it seems that Will began to play the song until Jim lovingly told his brother "Wrong song, William!" At which time they played "The Hardest Walk". Will reveals their offstage discourse earlier during the encore break "Jim says I played like shit tonite by the way!" Jim replies "Well he did!"
Setlist:
01. Snakedriver
02. Head On
03. Far Gone And Out
04. Between Planets
05. Blues From A Gun
06. Teenage Lust
07. Sidewalking
08. Cracking Up
09. All Things Must Pass
10. Some Candy Talking
11. Happy When It Rains
12. Halfway To Crazy
13. Just Like Honey
14. Reverence
Encore:
15. The Hardest Walk
16. Taste Of Cindy
17. Never Understand
Time: 74:00
Please support the band:
Buy a cool vintage T-shirt or the Automatic beach tote.
See them before shit goes south again!
Enjoy,
mixter_
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