Rolling Stones/Belgium 1973 1st Show 4-Channel Quad Reel Pre-FM Broadcast Edition

Do you remember? “KBFH QUAD REEL.” An amazing recording featuring the 4-channel version of the Rolling Stones’ classic 1973 radio broadcast of “KING BISCUIT FLOWER HOUR.” As an alternate version of the beloved 1973 KBFH, this release became an unprecedented bestseller when it was first released. More than five years have passed since its release, and it is now a hard-to-find item. However, it’s no surprise that this rare 4-channel broadcast version of a classic recording, especially from Europe in 1973, has become an item that is constantly requested by fans. In fact, KBFH in 1974 embraced the 4-channel boom of the time, and the broadcast of The Who’s 1973 tour is one of the most famous of the station’s 4-channel broadcasts. “TALES FROM THE WHO,” which was an aircheck of that broadcast, was also playable in 4-channel. It was only natural that the Rolling Stones’ Europe 1973 recording would be made in this context, and this recording proves it. The opening announcement itself reveals that this is a 4-channel broadcast, which is truly characteristic of a 1974 broadcast. Not only is there a difference in that the regular broadcast version of “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)” is not included, but the saxophone in the interlude of the opening track “Brown Sugar” is more prominent than in the regular broadcast. Furthermore, there is a difference in the mix where Billy Preston’s piano is louder than in the regular broadcast as the performance builds up from the middle to the end of “Tumbling Dice”. The second disc contains a rear channel with a focus on bass, and the third disc contains a rear channel with a focus on treble. The fact that it’s front and back, rather than right and left, is characteristic of a 4-channel broadcast. But what’s truly surprising is that, in addition to “Gimme Shelter” and “Happy,” even the final track, “Street Fighting Man,” wasn’t taken from the familiar Wembley Arena September 9th performance, but rather from the Brussels October 17th first show, which was thought to have only seen the light of day in the new 1988 broadcast version. If this was a way to differentiate it from the regular broadcast, it makes sense. Incidentally, KBFH was hit by a fire in the building it used in January 1982, and it is said that many of its broadcast masters were destroyed. While the regular broadcasts still exist because reels were distributed to each station, it is said that the 4-channel broadcast, which had less airtime at the time, was the most affected by this fire. Considering this, it’s all the more valuable, and the release of this highly acclaimed KBFH alternate version is a huge surprise! (Remaster Notes) Created from 4-channel reels. FRONT 2CH is bass-heavy, REAR 2CH is treble-heavy. (Combining these two into 2CH results in the QUAD MIX sound.) The FRONT MIX and REAR MIX differ not only in sound quality but also in the stereo balance of each instrument/vocal. Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker) is not included. 1. KBFH Intro. was only included on the Rear 2channel, so this song sounds exactly the same on all three discs. Forest National, Brussels, Belgium 17th October 1973 (1st show) KBFH King Biscuit Flower Hour Discrete 4-Channel Quad Reel Pre-FM Broadcast Date: 29th September 1974 The sound quality is improved because an Involve Audio Surround Master SQ decoder was used. All shows distributed on reel are 2 – 7″ reels unless noted. Disc 1: Quad mix (67:22) 1. KBFH Intro. 2. Intro. 3. Brown Sugar 4. Gimme Shelter 5. Happy 6. Tumbling Dice 7. Dancing with Mr.D 8. Angie 9. You Can’t Always Get What You Want 10. Midnight Rambler 11. Honky Tonk Women 12. All Down the Line 13. Rip This Joint 14. Jumping Jack Flash 15. Street Fighting Man Disc 2: Front 2channel (67:22) 1. KBFH Intro. ★Included only on Disc 2 2. Intro. 3. Brown Sugar 4. Gimme Shelter 5. Happy 6. Tumbling Dice 7. Dancing with Mr.D 8. Angie 9. You Can’t Always Get What You Want 10. Midnight Rambler 11. Honky Tonk Women 12. All Down the Line 13. Rip This Joint 14. Jumping Jack Flash 15. Street Fighting Man Disc 3: Rear 2channel (67:22) 1. KBFH Intro. 2. Intro. 3. Brown Sugar 4. Gimme Shelter 5. Happy 6. Tumbling Dice 7. Dancing with Mr.D 8. Angie 9. You Can’t Always Get What You Want 10. Midnight Rambler 11. Honky Tonk Women 12. All Down the Line 13. Rip This Joint 14. Jumping Jack Flash 15. Street Fighting Man