Search - Allman Brothers :: Live at the Fillmore East (Hybr) (Ms)

A Classic with controversial remixes

Patto53 | Lawson, NSW Australia | 12/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I cut my teeth on jamming listening to Cream. So the Allmans' Live was not a revelation just a stunning album and purchased on release in Australia. I know it all by heart -just burnt into the synapses.



In 1992 Tom Dowd did a full concert remix and remaster as "The Fillmore Concerts". This is where the controversy starts cause it sounds different and so it should - Tom transferred the original 16 track master tapes to digital and remixed. Taking advantage of the wider dynamic and frequency range, he produced a mix with the bass guitar stronger and drums clearer and more dynamic. Unfortunately the guitar freaks found the relatively lower level guitar sound unacceptable but the bass freaks loved Berry's sound (more bottom end).



Now we have the SACD stereo, multi-channnel and Audio Stereo remaster release of the original 2 record set accurately split over 2 cds. It should fit on one but there is marketing to us baby boomers. But I gotta say they did perform split sets so it does reasonably capture the night.



And more controversy - the stereo CD layer is a remix closer to the original LP release. Drums are further back but the bass guitar bottom end is retained. The tracks are identical to the original release but not on the SACD layer with the Fillmore Concert's "Stormy Monday" used, which is the unedited version including the harmonica break, and a different edit to end "Whipping Post". On the SACD layer the tympany start to "Mountain Jam" is rapidly faded out and applause overdubbed which is annoying if you want the sonic continuity when following up with the jam from the "Eat A Peach" SACD.



Sound of both layers is excellent with SACD preferred because you can adjust the bottom end via the sub control. The surrounds give some reverb and audience noise - "Play all night". The centre has plenty of bass guitar, some drums and some of Greg's vocals (reinforcing the original centre-left positioning of the vocals). I would have preferred the drums a bit higher in the centre.



I can feel the SACD Deluxe "Fillmore Concerts" is on its way - the wallet is already feeling lighter."

FINALLY, in SACD ! Unfortunately it could have been better.

Henry J. Messier | Cranston, RI United States | 09/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a major fan of The Allman Brothers-Live at the Fillmore since it originally came out in vinyl. The interplay between Duane and Dickie as well as Butch and Jaimoe was unbeatable to this day. I believe in the 90's, the late,great producer, Tom Dowd went through the original master tapes and improved the recording even more by splicing songs together from different performances seemlessly as well as remixing/remastering the entire recording. It also included tracks that originally appeared on EAT A PEACH as well as the song, DRUNKEN HEARTED BOY with Elvin Bishop. All these tracks are missing from the Hybrid SACD version. The titles are as they originally appeared when the lp was first released.

Personally if a cd is going to get the deluxe SACD treatment, it should have had the material that Tom Dowd labored so hard to improve. Now that he's gone he must be spinning in his grave seeing the original recording being used.

Sure sonically it's simply phenomenal but it could've been over 2 1/2 hours long yet the first cd clocks in at about 37 minutes far below the 80 min. capacity of any cd. Universal, the company that distributed the cd should be ashamed. They'd have sold many, many more had they used the aformentioned improved tapes rather than the original. All in all however, it still sounds fantastic but it could've been SO much better."

Classic Album, Poor Packaging, Could have beem better

Jojopuppyfish | Chicago, IL | 10/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the best live albums of all time, I was hoping for more when they released this as a Hybrid 5.1 SACD.

1) Its now 2 cds again. And you would think they would have 2 seperate holders for the cds. They just piled them on top one another.

2) The surround sounds don't use the backs enough. I think the quality of the recording hinders the effectiveness of surround sound. I never feel like I am at the concert, unlike other surround sound discs.

Update:

I had a problem with the back speakers on my stereo.

Now, it sounds like the audience is behind you.

I now feel like I am at the concert. It's amazing"