Pink Floyd Pink Floyd/UK 1.18.1970 Upgrade

Pink Floyd's important recordings from the early 1970s are finally here with dramatically improved sound quality! The Croydon performance on January 18, 1970, was only the third stage after the start of the earliest UK tour of the year, and has long been known as a very interesting recording from a period when many songs were played in unique early versions. The recording of this day has already appeared in our shop under the same name "CROYDON 1970", but even though there is only one recording of this day, there are multiple versions with different song orders and cuts, and there were uncertain elements that could not be conclusive. The reason for this is that the original recording (64-minute reel tape on both sides) was recorded while cutting between songs on and off due to concerns about the remaining tape. The fact that the gaps between songs were originally cut also led to Taper conveniently rearranging the order of songs depending on the amount of recording capacity of the tape he had prepared when he later copied this recording, and also to the creation of cut points that did not exist in the master recording as a by-product. Furthermore, since all the MCs were cut, there were doubts about the accuracy and completeness of the historical facts as to which song was the real opening of the show and whether this was really the entire program of that day. However, the notes written by Taper when the recording was made still exist, so the set list is somewhat accurate, but the fact that the original recording lacked continuity is fatal, and the overall picture is still in the realm of speculation. However, there is only one recording of that day that exists. This work is no exception, but it is almost certain that this source was originally derived from a second-generation cassette that had gone through reel-to-reel (two 60-minute tapes. There is also a pair of 90-minute and 60-minute tapes that were later dubbed with the song order swapped), and by listening to and comparing each branched version, the original sound becomes clear. It is also interesting to note that traces of copying from reel to cassette can be found scattered throughout each transfer case, such as some tracks having clear cut marks in the middle of a certain song and others not. The most famous example is the existence of some tracks with cut marks around 2 minutes 17 seconds in "Careful With That Axe, Eugene" and some without (this work does not have any). In addition, in the earlier generation copies, there are no split marks on "Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun" and "Main Theme From More" that occurred when they were transferred to cassette, and it is known that these two songs were recorded uncut on the original reel recording, and that the recording was properly divided on both sides due to the evidence that the recording sound contains the start-up sound of the open reel. Unfortunately, the original reel seems to be damaged now, so it is unlikely that we will be able to hear the original sound, but it is possible to guess and identify something close to the original sound from small clues obtained by listening to and comparing the branches. This latest work that will be released this time is close to the origin of this second generation cassette, and what is most noteworthy is its sound quality. It has a higher resolution and is more transparent than any previously released sound we have been exposed to, and the texture of the tone is two ranks higher in depth and sharpness, and although the generation is unknown, it is characterized by its amazing freshness as a second generation cassette sound. Another very interesting topic is that the applause after each song is longer than on each of the previously released versions. The fact that this is a long piece is, of course, the best proof that it is closer to the original recording. What's even more interesting is that the end of "The Amazing Pudding" that you can hear here is different from the previously released version. This part is the worst dropout section even in the original recording, and on the previously released version, from 25:47 (25:45 on this version) onwards, the same development is connected in the first half of the song with a crossfade that reuses 05:27-06:21, and then from 27:03, which is the coda, to the end of the performance was connected with a performance on a different day. However, this time, the slide guitar phrase that comes out from 26:12 (26:07 on the previously released version) is completely different from the previously released version. This is because the patch is used to fill in the area around 4:57 to 5:00, where the same development is present in the same performance. After this phrase ends, the first half of the performance, 5:33 to 49 and 6:13 to 23, is reused again, and the development from 26:40, which becomes the coda, is also reused from 3:44 to 4:23 in the same performance, and the pitch is slowed down only at the end of the performance. In other words, this version is a "self-transplant" from the opening scene and the same performance, where the same development is present, but the previously released version has the coda part connected with a performance on a different day, which suggests that the latter half of the song (probably from 25:45 onwards in this work) is completely missing in both original recordings. It is unlikely that the original ending part lost here will be restored unless another recording, Recorder 2, is released in the future, but the appearance of the end of the song, carefully rebuilt with an exact copy of the notes picked up from the same performance, is filled with a great sense of unity that cannot be felt with a performance on a different day. Also, when listening to "Careful With That Axe, Eugene", you will notice that the sound image has a transparency and depth never experienced before, and the contours of the details of the sound are much clearer. The scream and the subsequent development are the most obvious, and you can easily feel that the strange voices and performance sounds (especially the guitar and cymbal sounds) are one step ahead and sound sharp. "The Embryo" also has a hard core in the singing part, which was noticeably weak in the previous source, and you can feel the increased resolution of the soft parts. The development unique to this period, where the guitar solo and vibraphone solo are sandwiched, can also be grasped with a higher level of quiet and romantic tone spelling. Please pay attention to the cymbal sound at the beginning of "Main Theme From More". The metallic sound that was previously sounding thin and distant appears in a close sound with a sharper response, and the glamorous sound arrangement progresses and develops with an even more edgy sound. "Biding My Time" also jumps out with a vividness that overwhelms the previously released version, as its ennui tune changes into a bluesy expression. The vividness of the vocal output also catches the ear, but the sharpness of the guitar has improved by about +2, so it's worth checking out. A characteristic muddy sound (※ mid- to low-range sound cracking) appears around 1 minute 04 to 06 seconds, but this also has a tough sound pressure that is completely different from the previously released sound that felt light and distant, and it should be recognized that this is a sound that follows a different lineage. "A Saucerful Of Secrets" is recorded in a different position from the previously released version (※ The previously released version is recorded as the last track of the show, disc 2), but the position of the final track so far seems to have been composed based on a mistaken memory when the original reel recording was divided into two 60-minute tapes, and it seems that it was originally played in this position, as the closing of the 1st set. This sound also has a dynamic quality that is different from anything you've heard before, and the thickness of this mid-range, which gives a sense of dynamism and weight, is sure to awaken a brand new excitement in your ears. The scene where the guide vocals proceed is sure to be a thrilling surprise, as the nuances of the soft sounds that were difficult to grasp on the previous release are clearly delivered. "Astronomy Domine" also has a sense of upper, and the dynamic sound and trajectory of the tone that releases passion make it decisively different from the previous sound, which had a thin core. The part where the low-frequency sound cracks at the end of the long crescendo at the beginning is also produced with a sharp sound image, and here you can see that the sound is closer to the original master recording. "Heart Beat" has a wide range of sound that was not available on the previous release from the beginning, and the appeal is that the tricky dissonance can be grasped with a more realistic sound. The joy of being able to follow the melody lines dancing in the mid-range rhythm of "Pig Meat", which was also muddy, with such high resolution is also exceptional. This fresh sound pleasure continues in "The Violent Sequence", where the romantic piano melody moistens the ears with an even more transparent sound. I would like you to enjoy the excitement of unraveling the unique expression of the early take that leads to the later "Us And Them" with this precise sound image. In "Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun", the previously unclear sound is breathing as an insightful sound, and everyone will be overwhelmed by its vivid power. The development in the middle where the rhythm disappears also shows the sound flying in with even higher resolution, and you should feel more and more direct connection between the organic sound at the scene and yourself. It is true that it is a sound source that is still constantly debated among fans. There are so many questions, such as the location of "A Saucerful Of Secrets", the mystery of whether all the songs were included, and the possibility that "Astronomy Domine" was the opening song of this day, which is still a theory that has strong support. Since all the inter-songs have been cut, the only way to fully clarify the historical facts is to wait for the appearance of the master recording and the excavation of Recorder 2, but one thing is certain: this latest Sigma work is the most undamaged appearance of the Croydon 70th concert at the moment, and it is an unshakable fact that it boasts sound quality that will instantly raise the listener's audible evaluation. Furthermore, the fact that it is the longest version to date is also a major advantage. The aim of this release is not to solve the mystery, but to grab the 1970 Croydon performance with high-grade sound quality that is one or two steps closer to the original sound. Live at Fairfield Halls, Croydon, Surrey, UK 18th January 1970 LONGER & HUGH UPGRADE Disc 1 (60:42) 1. Careful With That Axe, Eugene 2. The Embryo 3. Main Theme from More 4. Biding My Time 5. A Saucerful Of Secrets Disc 2 (67:00) 1. Astronomy Domine 2. Heart Beat, Pig Meat 3. The Violent Sequence 4. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun 5. The Amazing Pudding