Moonraker Catalog # 003/004/005/006 Release Year 1996 4CD Length 60:38 | 69:10 |70:07 | 54:12 Date/Venue 7 June 1995 & 8 June 1995 Source Audience Recordings Quality VG / EX- |
Disc #1
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Disc
#2
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Disc
#3
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Disc
#4
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Comments
Dale's Comments
(rates this release 3.75/5.0)
What an excellent set. The packaging is very nice; It comes in a longbox
with a full length 8 page book. However, the book doesn't contain anything other
than a few nice pictures which aren't even from the shows documented by this
set. There covers for the individual discs fold out to reveal some nicely
written reviews of the show, written from the concert goer's perspective. The
sound quality varies a bit, but overall is VG+ with the best sound coming from
the second night's show. Content-wise there are several treats on this release,
ranging from the inclusion of Mayte's opening act to the rare live performances
of the Exodus tracks.
Deane's Comments
(rates this release 4.25/5.0)
The
birthday concert is for the most part very similar to the shows played in Europe
earlier in 1995. 'Count the days' and 'The return of the bump squad' are welcome
additions to that set, especially the latter which is played with gusto. The
Mayte support set sounds like it was mimed. The second show on here is more
interesting as it has a distinctly aftershow feel to it. It's nice to see 'Asswoop'
played again as well as some good covers - Prince always does 'Skintight'
justice, and 'Flashlight' is just wonderful, a great way to close a concert.
Fink's Comments
(rates this release 4.5/5.0)
An excellent release from Moonraker and certainly one the best of
their short lived career in the bootleg world. The Glam Slam Miami 8th June 1995
show is circulating as a soundboard or an audience recording, and Moonraker's
set contains the audience recordings.
The quality is extremely high with a nice background audience level which in no
way interferes with the concert. The recording is very clear with barely a
single flaw throughout. Mayte's set is a little less excellent and slightly
thin, but (no offence to Mayte) her performance isn't the main draw on here. The
first Glam Slam show is in celebration of Prince's birthday, however the show
begun after midnight on the 8th June so it is dated as such - Prince even makes
reference to the fact during the show saying, "I started after midnight so
nobody could sing that stupid Happy Birthday song to me". The show is fairly
typical of the March 1995 European tour, in fact the first disc could easily be
viewed as such.
Disc 2 contains the 2nd half the show and is far more interesting with a lengthy
jam on 'Get Wild' complete with some mean bass from Prince. Disc 2 closes with
Mayte's performance prior to Prince's 8th June set, however as she is miming to
a backing track there is little of interest.
Discs 3 and 4 contain the following night's show -or to be more precise the
following early morning's show as again the show started after midnight. This
show is rather unique in the respect it contains no less than 4 tracks from the
NPG "Exodus" album along with 6 cover versions. Eric Leeds guests for both the
8th and 9th June shows however he is far more heavily featured on the 9th June
concert and is given a major role in the show. For instance the track listed
here as 'Instrumental' is basically Eric Leeds soloing over an atmospheric
backing. The quality of the 9th June recording is of similar excellence to the
previous nights show, however there are a few glitches during 'Sex Machine' and
the audience are a little more audible on a few tracks.
Overall though, this is an unmissable set and a very impressive first release
from Moonraker. The release comes in 4 separate jewel cases each with their own
artwork, etc. The discs come packaged in a beautiful large longbox with an
accompanying giant 12 page booklet. Impressive content, impressive shows and
VERY impressive packaging.