Further to my earlier posting regarding the sound quality of the two China>Riders from the October 1974 Winterland shows.
As you know, I had intended to replace the originally seeded version of the 10.20.74 C>R (SMR>C>R>P>D>CD) with the much
cleaner and hiss-free version (MR>D>CD) kindly provided by Tim Symons. Repeated careful listening has altered my opinion
somewhat. The seeded version does clearly have at least one cassette version involved, while Tim's source is much clearer with
better instrumental separation. However, to my ears, the seeded version has far more presence, power and sheer visceral clout.
This is especially noticeable on Billy's drum sound which is pounding and powerful on the seeded version; thin and distant on the
"cleaner" version. In short, I prefer the seeded version, hiss and all. It actually seems like a different mix or even a different line
source. In actual fact, on reflection, both may indeed be the case. Almost uniquely, the October Winterland shows were recorded
to at least two separate recording setups. Remember the double microphones clearly visible throughout the Dead Movie? Well,
one line was direct to the mobile recording studio outside Winterland. The other was the video feed. There must also have been a
feed to the soundboard, but as Betty was on maternity leave it is unlikely (but not impossible) that a two track recording was
made there as well. Moreover, both the 24 track master and the video feed must have all been mixed down at various times, so a
variety of different mixes from different sources must also have existed at one point. So, it is anyone's guess what the true
lineage of these two mixes really are.
To complicate matters further the Dead's unscrupulous manager Ron Rakow put the 24 track recording in the less than capable
hands of a hick engineer by the name of Billy Wolf. When Owsley and Phil Lesh came to put together the official souvenir of
these shows they found that the tapes were degraded in various ways. Most horribly, the feed from Bobby's mike suffered from
excessive sibilance, reducing his finest vocal efforts to a lisping toothless hiss. El Patho anyone? Why they persevered and
released the record I will never know. In his review, Lester Bangs wrote: "Steal Your Face? Steal your money more like!"
However, given that all this shit had gone down, both versions of C>R from 10.20.74 we have are really quite okay.
My solution: put them both on.
The 5th CD is very short anyway, so I have added Tim's source after the original seed. Have a listen. Here are the amended Tree
details:
The set requires five 74 minute CDRs, though CD 4 is
10 seconds over 74 minutes and should overburn on good quality branded
media.
Details of the CDs below. I also include Jim Matchett's notes regarding quality and
sources.
"Disc One
1.02/22 Winterland Arena, San Francisco, Ca. SBDMR>P>D>CD 14:17
2.02/24 Winterland Arena, San Francisco, Ca. SBDMR>D>CD 15:43
3.03/23 Cow Palace, Daly City, Ca. SBDMR>D>CD 13:57
4.05/12 University of Nevada, Reno, Nv. SBDMR>C>D>CD 13:38
5.05/17 P.N.E. Coliseum, Vancouver, B.C., Canada SBDMR>C>D>CD 13:31
.Disc Two
1.05/19 Portland Memorial Coliseum Portland, Or SBDMR>C>D>CD 13:32
2.05/25 Campus Stadium, U.C.S.B., Santa Barbara, Ca. SBDMR>C>D>CD 12:41
3.06/08 Oakland Coliseum Stadium, Oakland Ca. AUDMC>R>D>CD 13:46
4.06/16 State Fairgrounds, Des Moines, Ia. SBDMR>C>D>CD 15:07
5.06/20 The Omni, Atlanta, Ga. SBDMR>C>D>CD 15:22
.Disc Three
1.06/22 Jai-Alai Fronton, Miami, Fl. SBDMR>C>D>CD 15:18
2.06/26 Providence Civic Center, Providence, R.I. AUDMC>CD 21:02
3.06/30 Springfield Civic Center, Springfield, Ma. SBDMR>C>D>CD 16:11
4.07/21 Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, Ca. AUDMC>CD 13:45
.Disc Four
1.07/27 Roanoke Civic Center, Roanoke, Va. SBDMR>C>D>CD 14:00
2.07/31 Dillon Stadium, Hartford, Ct. SBDMR>D>CD 14:32
3.08/05 Civic Convention Hall Aud., Philadelphia, Pa. SBDMR>C2>D>CD 15:57
4.09/10 Alexandra Palace, London, England SBDMR>C>D>CD 14:18
5.09/20 Palais des Sports, Paris, France SBDMR>R>P>D>CD 15:06
.Disc Five
1.10/17 Winterland Arena, San Francisco, Ca. SBDMR>C>CD 13:06
2.10/20 Winterland Arena, San Francisco, Ca. SBDMR>C>R>P>D>CD 13:58
3. 10/20 Winterland Arena, San Francisco, Ca. MR?>D>CD (Alternate source)
A QUICK NOTE ON QUALITY ..While many good folks have helped to find the best digital
copies available, we are still left with various anomolies found on the masters. The most
notable problems we have no control over are cuts in 09/10 and 10/17, a few short dropouts
on 06/20, and background noise in one channel of 06/20. Please don't complain about a
sound problem UNLESS you have a better copy to offer all of us, and are ready and willing
to get it out there. Thanks . AND ON THE SUBJECT OF THANKS..... Although I alone must
be held accountable for giving birth to this project, some people need to be singled out for
their help in bringing the set to its final form. Rob Berger was instrumental in getting a fresh
burn from Jerry Moore's master of 06/26 (For those only familiar with this from the "Dicks Pick",
you're in for a real treat. This is Wall Of Sound at its best, and the crowd on "Rider" is just
waiting to explode.. which they DO!). Rob Bertrando was kind enough to burn a fresh copy
direct from his master of 07/21, and understanding enough to burn a second when I had
concerns about a few very minor glitches in the first copy. For the thoughtful guidance and
help always given with a smile, as well as his very valued friendship, all I can say about Noah
Weiner is "All hail the young prince!" Wise beyond his years, is he. Rounding out my list of
accomplices is Jack Warner. I honestly can say Jack made this project a reality, as he
contributed about half the versions used, and his helpful enthusiam was neverending. He has
all of my personal thanks, and he should have yours also. "
(
geocities.com/sunsetstrip/palladium/9897) (
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geocities.com/sunsetstrip)