Apparently I’m an exception to the rule, but I saw them in August 1965, San Diego, and despite the screaming I had no trouble hearing what they were playing. I was 14. First concert I ever went to. It was wonderful.
The Jefferson Airplane never sounded good on any tape of their live stuff I’ve ever heard. They did meticulous production on their albums, but the live shows always sounded like they were recorded through a string attached to a tin can. Most live stuff of that era sounds weak, true, but Santana still managed to sound incredible live on tape.
They’re not that horrible. My only issue was that even though I have 4 albums by them they only played 2 songs I knew. They weren’t super-amazing but they were neither worse than their studio albums nor completely the same. Great crowd energy, though. The entire floor was one big pit the entire show.
Whoosh??
Metal guitar is scooped mids. Or at least the Metallica/Megadeth/Slayer version. Take 1K (or so) and pull that shit down as far as you can go. Turn up the gain as high as you can and go.
However, in live situations it can muddy things too much. When I record I crank the mids down quite a bit. When playing with a band I bring them up some to cut through the drums/bass.
Slee
Willie Nelson, in Kansas City a few years ago. No energy, he just talked the lyrics, left the stage after about 45 minutes. My wife said, “Well, remember how old he is.” He acted too old to be in concert.
Agreed. And in terms of their musicianship, I think they were terrific on much of Bless Its Pointed Little Head, but far less impressive on any other live recording I’ve heard.