nyctaper Recordings

[photo credit]

mum resurrected their old magic in the Church of St. Paul last night. The newest version of mum debuted at the Sugarcubes Reunion almost exactly a year ago. After the departure of founding member Kristin Anna Valtisdottir (now Kri­a Brekkan) , the 2006 performance was an awkward set of entirely new material, and the new mum seemed to be exploring less interesting musical approaches. Following a year of maturity, and the release of an excellent new album Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy, mum has toured Europe and the U.S. this Fall. The performance last night concentrated primarily on the new album’s songs which have developed fully into solid mum compositions, rich in texture and complex instrumentality.

An interesting footnote to last night’s concert. Near the end of the first encore, a curious tall thin dark-haired woman in a large overcoat approached my microphone stand and watched the concert for a short while. After a few brief minutes, I realized that she was Kristin, and when the woman left to the rear of the venue, a shocked mum crew member noticed her and the two embraced at length. She left shortly thereafter.

Many thanks to Gunni for permission to record. I set up very close the PA speakers to avoid the echo and boomy nature of recording inside of an old church. The PA system was plagued with a noticeable hiss and buzz, and those noises do mar the quiet moments of this recording. When the music is louder, you can not notice the noise. Enjoy!

My recording of last year’s debut mum performance is available (here).

Download of the complete show in FLAC [HERE].

mum
2007-11-09
The Wordless Music Series
The Church of St. Paul the Apostle
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from Upfront, 6 rows from Right PA Speakers

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

Recorded and Produced
by nyctaper
2007-11-10

Setlist:
[Total Time 1:14:00]
01 Slow Bicycle
02 Moon Pulls
03 I Was Her Horse
04 Oh, How the Boat Drifts
05 Sit Down
06 Asleep In A Hiding Place
07 Guilty Rocks
08 Winter (What We Never Were After All)
09 Mother’s Last Word to Her Son
10 A Little Bit, Sometimes
11 Blessed Brambles
12 Marmalade Fires
Encores:
13 The Ghosts You Draw On My Back
14 I’m 9 Today

If you download this recording PLEASE SUPPORT mum. Visit their myspace page, the mumweb fansite, mumweb forum, and and buy mum official releases:

Phil Lesh and Friends performed the 7th show of the 10-night stand at the Nokia Theatre on Thursday. This is not your father’s Grateful Dead. Phil leads a band of young guns through tight and focused jams. This version of the “Friends” includes Jackie Greene as primary vocalist. Greene’s soulfulness and versatility were display last night, particularly in the strong version of the classic Pigpen blues-rave up “Caution.” Another new friend, keyboardist Steve Molitz from Particle played mostly a supportive role, but shined during “Unbroken Chain”. The band also includes returning friend Larry Campbell, and long-time drummer John Molo.

The recording offered for download below includes many firsts. This is the first 24-bit recording offered at this site. For those unfamiliar, 24-bit files are high resolution recordings that can be played on your computer using programs such as Foobar, or burned on DVD-A discs and played on a DVD player that supports DVD-A playback. The files are larger than standard CD-quality 16-bit files. This download is exactly 2 gigabytes.

This recording is also the first time nyctaper has recorded with both the Neumann and DPA microphones in tandem. I borrowed an Edirol R-4 Four-Track Digital Recorder (thanks Keith!), and ran all four microphones into the deck. The pre-amps on this particular R-4 have been upgraded by Oade Brothers Audio. I also connected digitally with the Microtrack from the R-4 and captured a 24-bit “raw” mix. The recording offered below is a 24-bit flac version from the Microtrack. The complete post-production of the R-4 version, and a 16-bit version will come later, and will likely be offered through bit torrent.

I am extremely proud of the quality of this recording. Nokia Theatre has a state of the art sound system, and Phil Lesh employs similar quality equipment. The use of the four mics permitted a capture not only of the sound directly from the PA speakers, but also nice room ambiance and depth. Enjoy!

This recording is now available for download in 24-bit FLAC at Archive.org [HERE].

Phil Lesh and Friends
2007-11-08
Nokia Theatre
New York, NY USA

Digital Audience Master
Neumann + DPA Four Microphone Mix
Recorded from Front of Board
Left Side, Approximately 50 Feet from PA

Neumann KM-150s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) + DPA 4021s (Cardiods) >
Edirol R4 (Oade Mod) > 4 Track 24bit 48kHz wav files > digital coaxial >
M-Audio Microtrack (2-channel mixdown) > CD Wave 1.95 > Flac Frontend
(Level Eight) > 24/48 Flac files

Premiere Download offered at
https://www.nyctaper.com
nyctaper@nyctaper.com

Recorded and Produced by
nyctaper
2007-11-09

Set 1:
[Total time 1:04:01]
01 Passenger
02 I’m So Gone
03 Mexican Girl
04 Pride Of Cucamonga
05 Deep Elem Blues
06 Bird Song
07 Alabama Getaway

Set 2:
[Total time 1:59:11]
08 Playing In The Band
09 Althea
10 Cold Black Devil
11 Caution
12 New Speedway Boogie
13 Unbroken Chain
14 Scarlet Begonias
15 Fire On The Mountain
Encores
16 Donor Rap/Band Introductions
17 Its a Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall

If you download this recording PLEASE SUPPORT Phil Lesh and Friends, and visit their website

[photo credit]

I had the same reaction when I saw Pylon in 1988. How can a band who has not toured in many years, and who have played intermittently since the 1980s, so sound tight. Its a credit to the rhythm section of Curtis on drums and Michael on bass, but its also a testament to the quality of the original songwriting and the unique melodic sense of guitarist Randy. Last night at the Mercury Lounge, Pylon delivered a terrific set of their best material in front of a packed and adoring crowd. Vanessa was energetic and genuinely modest about the tremendous crowd support.

With the permission of Pylon (thanks!), I recorded this concert from the ideal location in this venue, equidistant from the two sets of speakers, and directly in front of the soundboard booth. The result is a recording with excellent stereo separation and clarity. The crowd is present in the recording, but not obtrusively. Enjoy!

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

Pylon
2007-11-07
Mercury Lounge
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from in Front of Soundboard
Dead Center Approximately 30 feet from PA

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

Many Thanks to Pylon (in particular Michael) for permission to record.

Recorded and Produced by
nyctaper
2007-11-08

Setlist:
[Total Time 1:17:38]
01 Cool
02 Dub
03 Driving School
04 Read a Book
05 Working is No Problem
06 Sugarpop
07 3×3
08 Gravity
09 Precaution
10 Weather
11 The Human Body
12 Crazy
13 K
14 Danger
15 Volume
16 Feast on My Heart
17 Stop It
Encores
18 M Train
19 Beep
20 Sloganistic

If you download this recording PLEASE SUPPORT Pylon. Visit their website and buy their official releases.

[photo credit – From our friends at twi-ny]

The Fiery Furnaces continue to invent new ways to entertain their fans. At the Hiro Ballroom last night, the final show on the US leg of their Widow City tour, the Furnaces added a written/call-out request segment to their show. Following a tight 45-minute set which began and ended with the new material, and contained a nice medley of Rehearsing My Choir material in the middle, Eleanor read from some notes passed up on stage (as their website suggested) and fielded shouted requests. The last 20 minutes of the performance featured some oldies, some false-starts, and much humor. The band continues their tour with a trip to Europe that begins on Tuesday, and goes throughout to the end of November.

My recording of this concert was a bit of an ordeal. I arrived very early, with plans to record one of the opening acts on the bill, Pit Er Pat. However, after nearly completing the set-up of the Neumann rig, I discovered that my fully-charged lithium battery (that powers the entire rig), had completely died. I broke down the rig, left the venue, and took the L train all the way home again. I retrieved my DPA rig, returned to the venue, and arrived in time to record the Furnaces.

The Hiro Ballroom is a neat little venue with an excellent sound system. I positioned myself in the back section of the floor, in the center of the stacks, and recorded a fine stereo mix. Enjoy!

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

Fiery Furnaces
2007-11-03
Hiro Ballroom
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from Dead Center
Approximately 30 feet from PA

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

Recorded and Produced by
nyctaper
2007-11-03

Setlist:
[Total Time 1:11:43]
Main Set:
01 The Philadelphia Grand Jury
02 Navy Nurse
03 My Egyptian Grammar
04 Evergreen
05 Duplexes of the Dead
06 More Automatic Husband
07 Ex-Guru
08 Black-hearted Boy
09 Bitter Tea
10 Right by Conquest
11 A Candymaker’s Knife in My Handbag
12 Forty-Eight Twenty-Three Twenty-Second Street
13 Seven Silver Curses
14 Slavin’ Away
15 Japanese Slippers
16 Widow City
17 Restorative Beer
18 Clear Signal From Cairo
Request Set:
19 Inca Rag (partial)
20 Whistle Rhapsody
21 Blueberry Boat
22 My Dog Was Lost But Now He’s Found
23 Single Again/Smelling Cigarettes/Single Again
24 Don’t Dance Her Down

If you download this recording PLEASE SUPPORT The Fiery Furnaces, visit their site, and purchase Widow City:

[photo credit]

Gary Lucas, guitar virtuoso extraordinaire, is perhaps best known from his grammy-nominated collaborations with the late Jeff Buckley, or as the lead guitarist for Captain Beefheart’s early-80’s albums. For the last decade or so, Gary has been involved with Gods and Monsters, a veritable who’s-who of punk legends, including Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads and Modern Lovers), Ernie Brooks (Modern Lovers), and Billy Ficca (Television). Last night’s performance at the intimate Bowery Poetry Club was a nice mix of Gods & Monsters material, some interesting covers, and a few inspired improvisations.

Gary Lucas permits audience fan recordings, and as a result I was able to use my Neumann rig and set up at an advantageous spot. Unfortunately, after I was completely set up, I noticed a draft of air from an air conditioning duct that was blowing directly onto the microphones. There is a wooshing noise from the duct that is audible during quiet moments, but can not be heard when the band plays. While the music plays, this is an outstanding recording! Enjoy.

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

Gary Lucas and Gods & Monsters
2007-11-02
Bowery Poetry Club
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from Front of Soundboard Booth
30 Feet from PA

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

Recorded and Produced
by nyctaper
2007-11-03

Setlist:
[Total Time 1:19:56]
01 [introduction]
02 King Strong
03 Let’s Go Swimming
04 Bra Joe From Kilimanjaro
05 Depression
06 Poison Tree
07 Instrumental
08 Yedvadna
09 Whirly Gig
10 Swamp T’ing
Encore:
11 Chime On

If you download this recording, PLEASE SUPPORT Gary Lucas and Gods & Monsters, and visit Gary’s excellent and thorough website.

Tonight Zappa Plays Zappa performs at the Beacon Theatre, in a continued celebration of the music of Frank–whose annual Halloween NYC shows were legend. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend this evening’s performance. However, last year I was lucky to see the show at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden. The band was led in the capable hands of Dweezil, and last year’s show featured members of Frank’s band, including the amazing Steve Vai, Terry Bozzio, and Napoleon Murphy Brock.

In anticipation of tonight, nyctaper presents a Halloween present to our loyal readers.

I recorded this concert from the center of the front section, directly in front of the soundboard, and utilized the Neumann rig. This recording has an excellent stereo presence and rich bass notes. Enjoy!

This recording is no longer available at nyctaper. If you search the web, you’ll likely find a copy.

Zappa Plays Zappa
2006-10-31
The Theatre at Madison Square Garden
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from Front of Board – Dead Center
Section 100, Row R, Seat 12

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

Recorded and Produced
by nyctaper
https://www.nyctaper.com

Setlist:
[Total Time 2:51:44]
01 Andy
02 Call Any Vegetable
03 Tell Me You Love Me
04 Who Are The Brain Police?
05 Can’t Afford No Shoes
06 Pygmy Twylyght
07 Idiot Bastard Son
08 Cheepnis
09 I Am The Slime / Pound for a Brown
10 Don’t Eat the Yellow Snow / St. Alphonzo’s Pancake Breakfast
11 Inca Roads
12 I’m So Cute
13 Trying to Grow a Chin
14 Advance Romance
15 Punky’s Whips
16 Black Page 1
17 Black Page 2
18 Peaches En Regalia
19 Montana
20 Village of the Sun// > //Echinda’s Arf
21 Zombie Woof
22 Black Napkins
23 The Torture Never Stops
Encores:
24 Quick Orange County Lumber Truck
25 More Trouble Every Day
26 Regyptian Strut

Information:
txt file

Verification:
md5 file

CD Artwork:
front
back

If you download this recording PLEASE SUPPORT THIS ARTIST and buy their official releases at their website, where you can also preview the upcoming Zappa Plays Zappa DVD.

[photo credit]

Morrissey began his 5-night stand at Hammerstein Ballroom on Monday night with an energetic and powerful performance. Clearly understanding the disappointment at his cancellation of the June concert, Morrissey said “our little donkey finally made it to New York City, thanks for your patience, thanks for waiting” after the third number. He proceeded to deliver a set tight with recent numbers and weighed heavy on the back end with Smiths favorites, including the rare “Death of a Disco Dancer” from Strangeways.

I recorded from the lower Mezzanine. I arrived fairly late, so that my position was farther back than hoped, although with a clear view at the left PA stack. The sound quality in the venue was quite outstanding, so that ultimately this recording is excellent.

This recording is no longer available at nyctaper. If you search the web, you’ll likely find a copy.

Morrissey
2007-10-22
Hammerstein Ballroom
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Audience Recording
Recorded from 1st Mezzanine
7th Row on Left Center Aisle

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

Recorded and Produced by
nyctaper
2007-10-22

Premiere Download offered at
https://www.nyctaper.com
nyctaper@nyctaper.com

Setlist:
[total time 1:30:27]
01 [Introduction – Imperfect List]
02 Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before
03 Tomorrow
04 Sister, I’m A Poet
05 London
06 The Loop
07 That’s How People Grow Up
08 Jack The Ripper
09 I Like You
10 Why Don’t You Find Out For Yourself?
11 Stretch Out And Wait
12 The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores
13 Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
14 Billy Budd
15 All You Need Is Me
16 Death Of A Disco Dancer
17 Irish Blood, English Heart
18 Shoplifters Of The World Unite
19 One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell
20 You Have Killed Me
21 How Soon Is Now?
Encore:
22 First Of The Gang To Die

If you download this recording, PLEASE SUPPORT Morrissey and visit his website. Click the link below to purchase his latest official release:

[photo credit]

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band brought their 2007 Magic tour to Madison Square Garden for two nights, and Thursday’s second show was another remarkable performance by the most energetic 58-year old performer in rock history. Springsteen worked through much of the new material, while sprinkling in career highlights, including a particular emphasis on Born to Run material. The highlight of the evening was the ultra-rare “Meeting Across the River” which segued directly into “Jungleland”, and which Bruce dedicated to his friend the late actor Peter Boyle.

nyctaper has supported Bruce for over 3 decades–going all the way back to 1975 when at the age of 12 I spent my allowance money to buy a vinyl copy of Born to Run. As we post this recording on this site, we again support him with our utmost sincerity. While Springsteen as been an avid anti-bootlegging artist, so too does this site condemn the sale of unofficial live recordings. In recent years, Bruce Springsteen has appeared to have drawn a line between profiteering bootleggers, and fan recordings. On the web, sites such as the jungeland tracker, backstreets, and dimeadozen have served to enhance fan interaction by freely sharing unofficial live recordings with the vociferous fans, all without any official condemnation by Bruce. We hope that this site will equally be seen as the supportive site we maintain, and that there will be no repercussions from the posting of this recording.

I recorded from Row C of Section 313, which is obviously not the ideal location in this venue. However, we were positioned directly on the side of the stage, and a large PA stack pointed directly at the section. As a result, while the recording is a bit boomy, its much clearer and more well-defined that I had expected. Enjoy!

This recording is no longer available at nyctaper. If you search the web, you’ll likely find a copy.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
2007-10-18
Madison Square Garden
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from Section 313 Row C

DPA 4021’s > Marantz PMD-660 (Oade BCM) > 16bit 44.1 .wav > Soundforge > flac

Recorded and Produced by
nyctaper
2007-10-18

Setlist:
[Total Time 2:15:29]
01 [Introduction]
02 Radio Nowhere
03 Night
04 Lonesome Day
05 Gypsy Biker
06 Magic
07 Reason to Believe
08 Candy’s Room
09 She’s the One
10 Livin’ in the Future
11 The Promised Land
12 Tougher Than the Rest
13 Meeting Across the River
14 Jungleland
15 You Can Look
16 Devil’s Arcade
17 The Rising
18 Last to Die
19 Long Walk Home
20 Badlands
21 [encore break]
22 Girls in Their Summer Clothes
23 Thundercrack
24 Born to Run
25 Dancing in the Dark
26 American Land// (first 2 minutes/balance cut)*

Alternate Complete version of Track 26 (MANY thanks to the recorder scoper)
26 American Land (alt)

If you download this recording PLEASE SUPPORT Bruce Springsteen and click the links below to purchase his official releases:

[photo credit]

“It’s been a great year, eh?” I said. “Best one I’ve had in a really long time,” replied Cris Kirkwood, bass player for the Meat Puppets. Indeed, it has. The Meat Puppets continued their 2007 tour with a stop at the BrooklynVegan CMJ party at Pianos this afternoon where they entertained a packed room with a loose and playful set that featured several improvisational segments. The highlight was the 12-minute version of Up on the Sun that began with an introduction jam that melded neatly into the song.

Thanks to the Meat Puppets, I had access to an excellent recording position, and was able to utilize the maximum height of my stand and my Neumann rig. As a result, the recording is clear and crisp. Enjoy!

This recording is now available for download in FLAC or MP3 at Archive.org [HERE].

Meat Puppets
2007-10-17
Pianos (Downstairs)
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Audience Recording
Recorded with Microphone Stand 20 feet from Stage

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

Recorded and Produced
by nyctaper
2007-10-17

Setlist:
[total time 52:12]
01 Jam > Up On the Sun
02 The Whistling Song
03 Oh, Me
04 My Baby’s Gone
05 Island
06 Plateau
07 On the Rise
08 Comin’ Down
09 Instrumental
10 Look at the Rain
11 Lake of Fire

If you download this recording PLEASE SUPPORT Meat Puppets and visit their site. Click the links below to purchase official releases: