Bootlegs, Bootlegs, Bootlegs


My current obsession: bootlegs. Specifically Springsteen soundboard tapes 1970-1974. The power of live Springsteen (especially Born to Run era) cannot be overstated. The majority of "live" albums are multi-track affairs, recorded for the purpose of later release. They usually feature audience mics mixed in (shouts, claps, singing along, cheering) to capture the natural ambiance of a hall, theatre or stadium... see that way it sounds "live". This is the thing I fucking hate about live albums. The beauty of stereo soundboards is that they feature none of this. They sound exactly as the band did on the night. Unfiltered, unedited, unproduced. Just raw, live and without pretense. I'm in love and I just can't stop. I've been using the following bittorrent trackers to get FLACs of some great shows:

Jungleland (just Bruce)
The Zomb (all artists)
Trader's Den (all artists)
Trade Friendly Torrents (mostly hippie crap)

I'm really excited about my new Lightscribe burner coming from Newegg (a Samsung for $19.99 - thanks black friday), so I can professionally label discs. I'm such a fucking geek.
- posted by Mason @ 4:25 PM