This year makes the 20th anniversary of my first ever live concert recording that I actually recorded. It was November of 1993, Soul Asylum at the Pantages Playhouse Theatre in Winnipeg. My seats were in the middle about midway on the floor. I used my dad's micro cassette recorder with a crappy built-in mic that I placed in my crest pocket in a jean jacket (mic peaking out the top). I can remember the anxious, yet excited rush it gave me knowing I would have a souvenir of the concert and that I could play this for my friends that couldn't attend. This show was just as Soul Asylum was riding the crest of mainstream sucess for music fans that now regarded Nirvana and Kurt Cobain as God! The Grave Dancers Union tour elevated Soul Asylum's status from playing clubs and bars to concert halls and hockey arenas which brought them near celebrity status and uncomfortable fame. As half-expected my recording was flawed by shrieks of screaming girls who must have heard about Soul Asylum on MTV with their radio friendly hit, Runaway Train. This recording is probably the worst sounding show in my collection, but it only fueled my obsession to acquire better equipment and capture clearer sounds. After transferring the show from micro-cassette to a regular Maxell cassette, I knew there must be a better way. I used the micro cassette recorder for only one more concert then received a good quality Sony tape recorder (gift from my wife) that I used throughout the rest of the 90's. I have since used a mini disc recorder and more recently a digital recorder that (thank god!!) eliminates the ol' tape/disc flip during the show. I rarely go to a concert without a recorder, but I have to admit I can't let loose and enjoy the show the way some people do because I'm more concerned about the affecting the recording. That's the sacrifice a taper must endure to capture this piece of history and it's their duty to get the best sound quality possible.
In the past few years, I have posted some of the shows I've been to. If I can find time, I'll look back at the last 20 years and post some select shows that might be of interest. As I mentioned many of these recordings are on cassette and mini disc that I will need to transfer to digital. In an effort of self-preservation this should be done regardless as many of these cassettes haven't been played in years and I'm not sure how durable the tapes are. Stay tuned, I've got some good stuff that has never been traded or circulated and if you're from Winnipeg, maybe you went to some of these shows. Except for my recordings, I have rarely come across any recordings of concerts I've attended, hmm...strange?
I'm posting another set of Soul Asylum demos from their big commercial breakthrough album, Grave Dancers Union. Not their best album, but the one that got them an appearance on SNL a couple of times and for Pirner, Winona Ryder. Hey, I'm off to the Twin Cities this week to watch a pair of hockey games and buy a lot of records (and CDs). I have my regular stores I like to visit, but if anyone has any recommendations or suggestions, I would appreciate it. Thanks!
Enjoy!
SOUL ASYLUM
Grave Dancers Union Demos
- Get On Out
- Runaway Train
- Growing Into You
- Easy To Avoid
- 99%
- Black Gold
- Some Obsession
- Straight Up
- Thick And Thin
- New World 2
2 comments:
Thanks so much for these two!
You have a great blog, and a generous heart!
Well you probably already know....but make sure you go to The Electric Fetus in Mpls and Down In The Valley which is very nearby and always has tons of used cd's and vinyl. Have fun...Go Wild?
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