A/b Comparison - Box Set Vs. Hundred Year Hall

[John A]

So the Europe '72 Complete Recordings release sounds amazing. No surprise there. But how, as David Stone wondered aloud some months back, would it compare to the likes of Hundred Year Hall, the 1995 release featuring the loin share of the April 26th show in Frankfurt? Well, as Hundred Year Hall sounds pretty darned good, that's a fair question, and one that sparked my curiosity after listening through the 1st two discs of the tour opening Wembley show.

Cutting to the chase, I brought out Comes A Time from both mixes. Sure enough, both sound fantastic. I even like the crunchier edge to Phil's bass, and its higher overall output, a touch better on the HYH mix. However, the Complete mix has more three dimensional width and depth, is softer sounding with a more analog edge, and loses a bit of the elevated tape hiss evident in quieter passages. The enhanced sound staging was most notable in the presentation of Jerry's guitar during the solo. In HYH, he is imaged solidly just left of center, taking up no more than his equal share of the stage. In Complete, he is centered with far more width. Exactly how I'd like to hear him.

As for the packaging of Complete, I can't say whether it met or exceeded my expectation because I didn't really have any (beyond the sound quality, that is). But I will say it's a formidable package, with LOADS of great photos and great writing too. We even get the height and eye color of the band members. And I love reading the ample material that was timely with the tour; how The Dead had evolved into just what is year on these discs, and not a minute further. I think my only complaint thus far is the slots in the suitcase that hold the individual show packages could be sturdier; you have to pay attention when you put the shows back in their grooves or they wedge themselves in awkwardly.

Now I really need a dedicated music room - where the hell does one store such a thing?

[redeyedbert]

So far so good. I listened to the first show and I was impressed. Bobbys guitar is loud in the mix, and he sounds great. I love his tone in 72. He is playing his ass off.

I just listened to Playin in the Band from both sources. The Playin from hundred year hall has always been one of my favorites. The box set is a bit louder than hundred year hall. The only difference between the two is Phil seems louder in hundred year hall and Bobby is louder in the box set. Hundred year hall was a great cd. The box set is exactly perfect. Nobody is louder than anyone else. Its just crystal clear.

I mean, its what you would expect. Perfect. I guess I expected it to be 10x better than hundred year hall, but its not. Its just right. Its better, but it wasn't like going from a good audience to a board. I did listen to the comes a time, and it did seem that Jerry's solo was louder than hundred year hall.

[Dstone5553]

Leave it to you John to be the first person I've seen to actually give a real sound review on this release and give it on this board.

I really do appreciate it.

I was thinking that us folks in SF would be the last wave of people who got this thing but alas, I have yet to receive it.

Maybe they are making mine extra special?

Or maybe it's at my address in Nebraska somewhere and some folks are trying to decide whether to throw it away or use the discs as coasters for their drinks.

[redeyedbert]

I was thinking that us folks in SF would be the last wave of people who got this thing but alas, I have yet to receive it.

Maybe they are making mine extra special?

Or maybe it's at my address in Nebraska somewhere and some folks are trying to decide whether to throw it away or use the discs as coasters for their drinks.

Doesnt seem fair. I didn't get the personalized version so you ordered before me. Maybe today. Good luck.