I am not a big 'live' albums person in general but in this case I will respectfully disagree and say it is their best live performance on album... except for the Jumpin' Jack Flash version I heard on some bootleg back in the early 80's...
LOL, here's a rush Side A review (all I've listened to so far): LPs are in sturdy cardboard liners, with nice pictures of the show on both sides. They are the kind you might feel the need to replace with poly liners, but there is no dust, scratches, etc. on the discs. I detect a very minor warp on my first disc when I look at it spinning from the side, which does not affect play. In fact, there is nary a pop or click on side A, it is dead quiet. HONKY TONK WOMEN ALL DOWN THE LINE At first blush it sounds like a typical '75/'76 stadium/arena show, like you couldn't tell which venue it was from (or maybe it is '78?). Mick has that slur/growl thing he had going at the time. Sounds like an average performance, nothin' special. Same for the second number. Pretty generic Stones from the last half of the '70s. I'm not hearing any magic yet. HAND OF FATE ROUTE 66 Starting to hear the audience now. More intimate feeling, now we realize it's in a club. The show is taking off. I never thought much about Hand of Fate, but this is the best version I have heard. Beats the hell out of the studio version. Drums sound very good, Preston makes his presence known here on keyboard and background vocals. Great clarity, instruments sound well defined. Ron Wood really shines here. I'm not noticing that echo/venue effect earlier so complained about at this point (although perhaps I was on the first two numbers). Some funny comments by Mick between songs and then starts what sounds to be a stellar take on Route 66. Can't say much more about it because I paused the f**kng record to write this because I realized it was turning out to be really good. Sounds about as good as I could have hoped so far. I don't have the CD for comparison.
I was listening to Qobuz at CD quality and was impressed. Cymbals were clean and the bass I thought was well articulated.
There was a fellow out in the Gulf today in a Fountain and he was blasting it! All of SWFL was definitely set on fire!
there is a download available over at IORR from capt acid that minimizes the "big" sound and improves the DR. Its fantastic, listening right now in lieu of my vinyl copy on the way. jb
I'm just now listening to Tumblin Dice for the first time. As per my usual rules I will refrain from all previews until I get the final product. Here I am finally. This is just so awesome
Damn. This version of Hot Stuff should have been the final released version. This blows the studio cut by miles...and I already like the studio cut a lot.
Here's Crackin' Up: Crackin’ Up (Live At The El Mocambo 1977) - YouTube Crackin' Up (Live / Remastered 2009) - YouTube Sounds like way more reverb on Jagger's vocals on the new release.
After listening on the home stereo, in the car, and thru headphones, I’d say that the digital version does sound notably over-compressed on the first two (and I thought so before I saw the numbers). But thru headphones it didn’t bother me. Which is why some artists like the Stones approve squashing their digital releases, right? They expect most people listening to CD/downloads/streaming to have headphones on. But I really didn’t enjoy the sound on the stereo or in the car much.
Great list. Personally, I would try to squeeze the Steel Wheels Live release in there somewhere, (both Atlantic City and Tokyo Dome,) since I am partial to Steel Wheels and that tour. That Limited Collector's Deluxe Edition of Steel Wheels Live is one of my favorite vault/archive releases the Stones have released.
The Rolling Stones - 2022 Live At The El Mocambo 1977_CaptainAcidRemaster For those that get earbleed from the spotify/cd mix.
Just picked it up at my local record shop for 700 DKR (98USD), which is kinda ok I think. I will report back regarding SQ...