Tom Waits 4/1/1999 "Grand Weepers and Grim Reapers" - Burbank Airport - Los Angeles, CA (All,1 FLAC) Source: SBD > Non-Broadcast Tape > CDRx > Remaster (Cool Edit Pro 2.1) Notes: FLAC Size: 665 MB Performers: Tom Waits - Vocals, Guitar, Piano Smokey Hormel - Guitar, Banjo, ..... Larry Taylor - Bass This is the second release of this remaster. Since the first version I have retracked it to separate the stories from the songs and removed a handful of digital glitches that I was unable to previously. Due to becoming rather adept at locating and smoothing digital noise, I decided that it would be appropriate to come back to this (my first remastering project) and improve upon my previous work. Serious Waits collectors will certainly want to grab this upgrade unless you're one of the people who doesn't seem to notice or is not bothered by digital static. Note that there are still a few clicks present on this tape (mostly at the end of What's He Building?, but sprinkled elsewhere as well), but they are very quiet and I doubt that any but the most discerning ears will be able to located them. To those few of you still left out there, I apologize in advance that this is the best I can do with this material. Nonetheless, pending a starling new discovery of an untainted source, this here is as good as it's going to get. This version is also aligned to correct sector boundaries, which the other was not (sorry about that). Remaster Notes: After recieving various flawed copies of this set, I decided to do a little research. As it turns out, the copy the generally circulates contains various digital copy errors throughout, though most noticable on the end of disc 1. With the impossibility of obtaining a clear copy of it, I took upon myself the laborious task of remastering these discs. I had to listen through with my headphones and remove all of the skips, gaps, and other bizarre problems that had been introduced onto the discs. Tracks 10 and 11 on the first disc were especially difficult, and a close listen will still reveal a few imperfections scattered throughout. I didn't want to alter the original too much, so the really tough ones remain. No noise reduction or EQ of any kind was performed. While these discs are still not perfect, this version is a hell of a lot better than the versions that I was able to find circulating around. Performance Notes: I had a difficult time writing a review of this concert as I was listening to it because I was simply laughing too hard. While many performers have a hard time with the Storytellers format, Tom really flourishes, making the most of each opportunity to tell one of his hilarious stories that sometimes have a little to do with the lyrics and sometimes nothing at all. Mule Variations is one of my favorite Waits albums, and my three favorite songs on it are included here. The version of Tom in his 1999 voice performing Ol' 55 (and the hilarious story that preceeds it) is priceless. The band is excellent, the arrangements are tasteful and interesting, and the vocals are simply perfect. I won't spoil it any more for those who have yet to hear this, but I will say that it is one of the first Waits bootlegs you should have in your collection. (Remastering and review by Stephen Pickett, www.audiophilia.net)Art Link: http://coverbase.com/browse.htm?page=4&band=Tom%20Waits waits1999-04-01.jpg
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