Blog Archives

Wilco at Hammerstein June 25, 2007 – Lossless Download

June 26, 2007
By

What else can be said about the band that has produced the most consistently great music over the last 10 years of contemporary music. The new album has been called a “return” to a more traditional Wilco sound, but that’s not really accurate. Sky Blue Sky is yet another step in the maturation process of the band, and more particularly in Jeff Tweedy’s life and career. Its also the first album with Nels Cline as a full-time member, and as a result, the guitar work is rich and imaginative–particularly in “Impossible Germany”.

I’ve seen Wilco regularly since 1996, on about a dozen occasions, in every local venue from Mercury Lounge to Madison Square Garden, including recording one of the most famous of the early Wilco shows, February 15, 1997 at Irving Plaza. Wilco have never failed to deliver a top notch performance in my experiences, and Monday night at Hammerstein was no exception.

I recorded with band permission from a microphone stand in front of the soundboard booth. Although Hammerstein is a cavernous venue with much echo and boominess, the outstanding job by Wilco’s sound crew provided a PA signal with such remarkable clarity that I was able to capture a superb recording.

Direct download of FLAC files [HERE]

More about FLAC

Wilco
2007-06-25
Hammerstein Ballroom
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Audience Recording
Recorded from Front of Board Dead Center

Neumann KM-150’s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Apogee Minime > digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > flac

Recorded and Produced
by nyctaper
2007-06-26

Setlist:
[Total Time 1:56:08]
01 You Are My Face
02 Side With the Seeds
03 Shot in the Arm
04 I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
05 Kamera
06 Handshake Drugs
07 Shake it Off
08 Hummingbird
09 Via Chicago
10 Jesus, Etc.
11 Hate it Here
12 Walken
13 I’m the Man Who Loves You
14 Poor Places
15 Spiders (Kidsmoke)
Encores
16 Impossible Germany
17 Sky Blue Sky
18 California Stars
19 War On War
20 Heavy Metal Drummer
21 I’m Always In Love
22 I’m A Wheel

As with all recordings posted on this site, please support this outstanding artist, visit Wilco’s website, and buy their commercial releases.

Richard Thompson June 21, 2007 – Lossless Download

June 22, 2007
By

Richard Thompson is currently on tour supporting one of his strongest albums in quite some years, Sweet Warrior, and he performed a free concert in Prospect Park in Brooklyn last night. Under the most difficult conditions, Thompson delivered a stunning performance of new material and classics, proving once again that he is one of the most prolific and yet under-appreciated performers of last four decades.

But, oh, the rain. With any outdoor concert, the elements play a part in the experience, but this recording is an extreme example. As Thompson took the stage, it began to rain and in the middle of the second song (“Bad Monkey”), the skies opened with a torrential downpour and lightning. The commotion during that song is obvious on this recording. The concert was halted for about 15 minutes, and the crowd ran for cover.

Thankfully, my equipment was not drenched, due to the kindness of a older couple providing cover with a plastic tarp. It rained on and off throughout most of the concert, and there are moments when the surrounding noises of umbrellas and people fleeing for cover can be heard. There is one song missing from this recording (“Mingulay Boat Song”), as my Marantz digital recorder seized near the end of “I’ll Never Give it Up”, most likely as a result of excessive moisture. After a reset, the recording resumed and the balance of the set was captured.

All things considered, under the most difficult circumstances possible, this recording is nevertheless an outstanding capture of a memorable Richard Thompson concert. For an example of this recording at its best, sample the encore “Sunset Song”.

Interestingly, this recording comes almost exactly 10 years to the day since the last time I recorded Thompson, June 15, 1997 at the Fleadh Festival. That 1997 recording will be posted on this site in the coming months.

This recording is no longer available at NYCTaper. Search the web and you’ll probably find it.

Richard Thompson
2007-06-21
Prospect Park Bandshell
Brooklyn, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from in Front of the Soundboard Booth
Center Seating Section

DPA 4021’s > Marantz PMD-660 (Oade BCM) > flac

Premiere Download offered at
http://www.nyctaper.com
[email protected]

Setlist:
[Total Time 1:30:48]
01 Needle & Thread
02 Bad Monkey
03 Dad’s Gonna Kill Me
04 Take Care the Road You Choose
05 The Wrong Heartbeat
06 Al Bowlly’s in Heaven
07 1952 Vincent Black Lightning
08 One Door Opens
09 I’ll Never Give It Up//
Mingulay Boat Song [not recorded]
10 A Man in Need
11 I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
12 Wall of Death
13 Read About Love
Encores:
14 Sunset Song
15 Mr. Stupid
16 Persuasion
17 Tear Stained Letter

Information:
txt file

Verification:
md5 file

As with all recordings posted on this site, please support this outstanding artist, visit Richard Thompson’s website, and buy his commercial releases.


Purchase Richard Thompson’s latest CD

Scott Maher – June 19, 2007 Lossless Download

June 19, 2007
By

If you have not heard of Scott Maher, you soon will. Scott’s perfectly crafted pop songs are both melodic and lyrically strong. His debut album Cartoon Moon received rave reviews, and a groundswell of support is developing in his hometown of Dublin, in NYC, and in LA, where he performs in July. He is currently working on a second album, and has recorded 2 songs for a film to be released this Summer.

The recording captured below was done with Scott’s permission, from a microphone stand in front of the soundboard, with my Neumann microphones. The recording captures Scott with a full band, performing a tight set of representative material.

Scott Maher
2007-06-19
Luna Lounge
Brooklyn, NY USA

Digital Audience Master Recording
Recorded from in Front of the Soundboard Booth
Dead Center, approximately 20 feet from the PA

Neumann KM-150’s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Apogee Minime >
digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > flac

Premiere Download offered at
http://www.nyctaper.com
[email protected]

Setlist:
[total time 48:31]
01 Cinema Smile
02 Pyramid
03 Mojo
04 Moving On
05 Reveal
06 Shine
07 Cartoon Moon
08 Roundstone
09 My Star
10 High Time

If you download this recording, please support the artist and visit Scott’s Website to get news and purchase his CDs. Scott’s CDs can also be purchased at CD Baby.

Bjorkestra – June 15, 2007 Lossless Download

June 16, 2007
By

Becca Stevens is the lead vocalist for Bjorkestra, and her performance last night stands as a shining example of why Bjorkestra works so well. Becca is an extremely talented singer, and she performs Bjork’s music not as in imitation or a mimic. The compositions become Becca’s songs, and yet maintain faithful to the originals. A prime example is the encore of “Its Oh So Quiet” from last night. Becca performed the song in a more traditional big band jazz style than Bjork and provided her own flourishes, but maintained the dynamic of Bjork’s version.

The flac files posted below were recorded again from the prime location with my best equipment, with thanks again to Travis for permission and access. The recording has better stereo separtion, and a better vocal mix than the February recording.

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

Travis Sullivan’s Bjorkestra
2007-06-15
Highline Ballroom
New York, NY USA

Digital Audience Master Recording
Recorded from in Front of the Soundboard Booth
Dead Center, approximately 40 feet from the PA

Neumann KM-150’s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Apogee Minime >
digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > flac

Setlist:
[Total Time 1:40:30]
01 Hunter
02 Hyperballad
03 I Go Humble
04 Jòga
05 Cocoon
06 Army of Me
07 Unravel
08 Alarm Call
09 Pluto
10 Show Me Forgiveness
11 Who Is It
12 [band introductions]
13 Human Behavior
14 Its Oh So Quiet

Please support this unique and compelling interpretation of the music of Bjork.
http://www.bjorkestra.com

Bjorkestra – Feb 2007 Lossless download

June 13, 2007
By

Bjorkestra at Bowery Ballroom
January 20, 2006

As the founder and host of the Bjork Hub since March 2004, I’ve had a lot of contact with Bjork-related projects, some of which have worked with the hub in artist promotion. Of these, the Bjorkestra is by far the most rewarding.

Bjorkestra succeeds so effectively for two very distinct reasons: the quality of the musicians, and the content and vision of the creation. The musicians are essentially a “who’s who” in the new wave of young downtown NYC jazz musicians. The concept of Bjorkestra is quite simple, Bjork’s music set in big band brass arrangements–and the execution of that concept is quite superbly done. The arrangements are original, yet capture the essence of the music, and leave ample room for the musicians to breathe their own unique abilities into the framework of the songs. It also helps that Travis Sullivan is an engaging individual, and he stamps his gregarious personality all over the music.

Bjorkestra is performing on Friday June 15, at the Highline Ballroom in NYC. If you have the opportunity to attend this concert, by all means make your way to the venue and experience this superb act.

The performance captured in the recording posted below is both musically outstanding, and a very enjoyable listen. Travis was nice enough to place me on the guest list, and allow me to record from inside of the soundboard booth, with a microphone stand, using my best equipment. The result is an honest and clear capture of Bjorkestra.

Direct download of Complete show in FLAC is [HERE].

More about FLAC

Travis Sullivan’s Bjorkestra
2007-02-02
The Canal Room
New York, NY USA

Digital Audience Master Recording
Recorded from Inside the Soundboard Booth
Dead Center, approximately 30 feet from the PA

Neumann KM-150’s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Apogee Minime >
digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > flac

Setlist:
[Total Time 1:44:10]
01 Overture
02 Hyperballad
03 Alarm Call
04 Enjoy
05 Jòga
06 Army of Me
07 Unravel
08 Pluto
09 Show Me Forgiveness
10 Hunter
11 Who Is It
12 Cocoon
13 Human Behavior

Please support this unique and compelling interpretation of the music of Bjork, and visit the Bjorkestra site.

Dinosaur Jr. at Irving Plaza 2007 – lossless download

June 7, 2007
By

When I first heard “Freak Scene” in 1988, I was absolutely floored. This was the dense guitar-driven post-punk to which I’d been listening since Mission of Burma through Husker Du, and now it had been taken to the next level. The Bug album essentially defines the genre, and stand as the epitome of the music that would later be co-opted by the media, and mass-marketed as watered down “grunge”.

In 1989, I did manage to see them live, and my ears are still ringing:

The original lineup of the great Dinosaur Jr. would only last through Bug, as bassist Lou Barlow quit in 1989. Ultimately the band did last into the mid-90’s, and then faded from consciousness, only to be reborn with the 2005 reunion. On June 6, 2007, I experienced another blast of sonic genius at Irving Plaza. The recording below captures the 2007 version of Dinosaur Jr. at their peak—older, wiser, and a tighter than the 1989 incarnation.

This recording was made from a prime location, with my best equipment. The results are outstanding. The band permits live audience recordings, and as a result, many of their live recordings are archived for our enjoyment at the excellent site FreeSoFree.

This recording is now available at the excellent FreeSoFree Dinosaur Jr. Archive [HERE].

Dinosaur Jr.
2007-06-06
Irving Plaza
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Audience Recording
Recorded from Front of Board
Dead Center approximately 40 feet from the stage

Neumann KM-150’s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Apogee Minime > digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack

Setlist
[total time 1:12:50]
1 Almost Ready
2 Budge
3 Back To Your Heart
4 Been There All The Time
5 Little Fury Things
6 Out There
7 This Is All I Came To Do
8 Feel The Pain
9 Pick Me Up
10 What If I Knew
11 Kracked
12 Sludgefeast
13 Encore Break
14 Forget the Swan
15 Freak Scene
16 Chunks

As with all artists featured on this site, if you download this recording, please support Dinosaur Jr., and do yourself a favor and purchase their new album Beyond.

Upcoming nyctaper Events

June 3, 2007
By

nyctaper plans to attend each of the following concerts:

Dinosaur Jr.:
June 6, 2007, Posted Above

Bjorkestra:
June 15, 2007, Posted Above

Scott Maher:
June 19, 2007, Posted Above

Richard Thompson:
June 21, 2007, Posted Above

Wilco:
June 25, 2007, Posted Above

Morrissey:
June 30, 2007, Concert Postponed

White Stripes:
July 11, 2007, Posted Above

Sonic Youth:
July 28, 2007, Sonic Youth McCarren Park Pool

Squeeze:
August 2, 2007, Squeeze Tickets at Nokia Theatre Times Square

Recordings will be posted at this site for each of those concerts that nyctaper attends and records. As with any future plans, some of these concerts may not be attended or recorded by nyctaper, for reasons out of my control. Please check back to the site often for updates.

Animal Collective – rained out

June 1, 2007
By

Well, the concert was not rained out, but my taping was.  At about 7:30 pm, about a half hour before they were to play, it was raining pretty steadily, and there was no place to set up my equipment under any cover.  Unfortunately, I can not risk water damage to my recording rig, and I was forced to lug it all home.

The Seaport was absolutely jammed with people, and with the rain, the humidity, and the unworkable crowd, I can’t imagine that it was a particularly enjoyable experience.  I’m sorry to have missed AC, and of course missed recording them, but the outside concerts are always risky ventures.

I am going to try to add a new recording date on Sunday, and will update the site on upcoming outings.

Roger Waters Returns to Manhattan 2007 – Lossless Download

May 31, 2007
By

There are times when the planets align, and everything goes right. There are also times when history repeats itself. Both phenomena occurred on May 30, 2007 at Madison Square Garden, as Roger Waters returned to New York for the tail end of the lengthy Dark Side of the Moon tour. As in September, the concert was superb, and as you’ll find below, the recording conditions were optimal.

I recorded this concert from almost the exact position as the September 12, 2006 recording, and used comparable equipment. As a result, the recording is a faithful capture of the soundscape in the best sonic seat in the house–absolute center, about 30 feet in front of the Soundboard.

This recording is no longer available at nyctaper. You can probably find it on several sites on the web.

Roger Waters
2007-05-30
Madison Square Garden
New York, NY USA

“The Dark Side of Manhattan”
Pinkroioshn CDR-022 (PRS-CDR-022)

Digital Master FOB Recording
DPA 4021’s > Marantz PMD-660 (Oade BCM)

Premiere Download offered at
http://www.nyctaper.com

First Set:
[total time 1:12:16]
01 In The Flesh
02 Mother
03 Set The Controls For the Heart Of The Sun
04 Shine On You Crazy Diamond
05 Have A Cigar
06 Wish You Were Here
07 Southampton Dock
08 The Fletcher Memorial Home
09 Perfect Sense Parts 1 and 2
10 Leaving Beirut
11 Sheep

Second Set
01 Dark Side of the Moon
Encores
02 Band Introductions
03 The Happiest Days Of Our Lives
04 Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)
05 Vera
06 Bring the Boys Back Home
07 Comfortably Numb

As with all the artists featured on this site, please SUPPORT the ARTIST and
purchase Roger Waters official recordings.

Roger Waters in New Jersey – Lossless Download

May 25, 2007
By

The Dark Side of the Moon Tour 2007 returned to the US last week, after 5 excellent concerts in the NY/NJ area in 2006. Musically, the concert is virtually identical to the 2006, but the stage show is significantly expanded and the band is naturally tighter and more cohesive after nearly a year of touring together.
The sound quality in the venue was superb, and my recording position was quite advantageous–right below the large left PA stack. The uni-directional DPA cardiod microphones were excellent for this situation, as the sound is quite upfront and clear and the persistent crowd chatter is diminished.

Unfortunately, due to a technical problem with my digital compact flash card, I was unable to record the last song of the Dark Side set, and did not record the encores. The first set is complete, and the sound quality is comparable to the Waters 2006 recording posted below.

This recording is no longer available at nyctaper. You can probably find it on several sites on the web.

Roger Waters
2007-05-24
Continental Airlines Arena
East Rutherford, NJ USA

“Swamp Moon”
Pinkroioshn CDR-021 (PRS-CDR-021)

Digital Master FOB Recording
DPA 4021’s > Marantz PMD-660 (Oade BCM)

Premiere Download offered at
http://www.nyctaper.com

First Set:
[total time 1:12:16]
01 In The Flesh
02 Mother
03 Set The Controls For the Heart Of The Sun
04 Shine On You Crazy Diamond
05 Have A Cigar
06 Wish You Were Here
07 Southampton Dock
08 The Fletcher Memorial Home
09 Perfect Sense Parts 1 and 2
10 Leaving Beirut
11 Sheep

Second Set
01 Dark Side of the Moon
(Encores not Recorded – see above)

Information: txt file
Verification: Set 1 md5 file
Set 2 md5 file

As with all the artists featured on this site, please SUPPORT the ARTIST and
purchase Roger Waters official recordings.

SUPPORT NYCTaper




DISCLAIMER and LEGAL NOTICE

nyctaper.com is a live music blog that offers a new paradigm of music distribution on the web. The recordings are offered for free on this site as are the music posts, reviews and links to artist sites. All recordings are posted with artist permission or artists with an existing pro-taping policy.

All recordings and original content posted on this site are @nyctaper.com as live recordings pursuant to 17 U.S.C. Section 106, et. seq. Redistribution of nyctaper recordings without consent of nyctaper.com is strictly prohibited.

nyctaper.com hereby waives all copyright claims to any and all recordings posted on this site to THE PERFORMERS ONLY. If any artist posted on this site requests that recordings be removed, those recordings will be removed forthwith.