Yes 1976-08-16 Mecca Arena Milwaukee, WI

Yes
Mecca Arena
Milwaukee, WI
1976-08-16

TheTooleMan's 2009 Upgrade Edition

Source: very low generation audience recording -> TheTooleMan's Tools -> FLAC

Recently, I listened to my 2003-2004 remaster of this show and decided to scrap it. It did not do justice to the recording. So I went back to the best version of the tape and started over. This time, the results are much better.

Guess I've learned something in the past 5 years!

The 2009 Edition is much more natural-sounding than the previous version. It also addresses a problem in the transfer of the best tape, which was carried over to the 2003-2004 remaster. Digital errors in the transfer can be found near the end of "The Gates of Delirium" and extend into "Long Distance Runaround." For the new edition, I replaced that part of the recording with the same material taken from the second-best copy I have, which is nearly identical in quality. You should not be able to detect the transition between the two copies of the recording.

The master recording picked up noise from handling the microphone a couple of times. There are also a few annoying spots of clapping, whistling, and arguing. The tape had a couple of gaps, and part of the introduction of "Soon" is missing, as well as the first verse. "Heart of the Sunrise" was placed before "Gates" in the CD copy of the tape; this was probably done to fit the music onto a two-hour cassette, which was used for the CD copy. I smoothed out the cuts, closed the gaps, and filtered the rest of the distractions to reduce their impact. I would say that more than 95% of the recording is excellent, and not much was required on my part to bring out the best of it.

Art is included with this torrent. It does not reflect the three tracks of Jon introducing songs. Since the spoken introductions run between about 50 seconds to nearly two minutes, I decided they should be separated from the music. I don't remember who created the art, but it's good and I thank them again for it. Also, thanks to gr8bigboy for the best copy of the tape, and to whoever else gave me the others copies, too.

This recording captures Yes nearing the end of their 1976 tour. The band was still in high spirits and projecting strong energy. Their performance is well-honed but not rote. Overall this is a gem of a recording and worth a new listening session.

TheTooleMan
January, 2009

Yes (in 1976) were:
Jon Anderson
Chris Squire
Steve Howe
Alan White
Patrick Moraz

Tracks, CD 1:
1 Apocalypse
2 Siberian Khatru
3 Sound Chaser
4 All Good People
5 Jon's Rambling Introduction of "The Gates of Delirium"
6 The Gates of Delirium

Tracks, CD 2:
1 Long Distance Runaround
2 Patrick Moraz Solo
3 Steve Howe Solo
4 Jon Anderson Solo
5 Jon's Rambling Introduction of "Heart of the Sunrise"
6 Heart of the Sunrise
7 Jon Thanks the Tour Personnel and Introduces "Ritual"
8 Ritual
9 Roundabout

Link