Extreme/MA,USA 04.02.1989 FM Broadcast Edition

EXTREME’s debut shook the music scene in 1989. This iconic soundboard album is here. This work was recorded at their Boston performance on April 2, 1989. It’s a stereo soundboard recording. Shortly after their debut, they also made their first showcase visit to Japan, carrying the expectations of the scene. Let’s start by taking a bird’s-eye view of their activities at the time and exploring this album’s position. January 6: Boston performance (“EXTREME” released March 14) March 21 – August 11: US #1 (22 performances) ←★here★ October 15: Club Citta Kawasaki (first visit to Japan) November 16 – December 25: US #2 (5 performances) This is EXTREME in 1989. Their first visit to Japan in October was a showcase performance, and all other performances were in their home country of the United States. The Boston performance in this work is one of the early performances. This was the second performance of “America #1,” less than a month after the album’s release. Unlike a regular concert, this performance was a studio live broadcast on local radio station WBCN. Instead of the heated audience, the soundboard was scorching hot, focusing entirely on the young band’s live performance. While this is a classic memorial service that has spawned numerous pre-release releases, this release was digitized directly from the aircheck master of a rebroadcast version, considered one of the best. Indeed, the quality is exceptional. While there’s a touch of analog, the freshness is unmistakable, with no traces of dubbing. The long, straight notes are free of distortion, and the cutting is crisp and responsive. Even when each note played by the four musicians overlaps, they don’t blend together, creating a truly immersive experience. This synchronized sound portrays a studio live performance that could be described as a “live debut album.” Let’s take a look at the set here. Debut album (7 tracks): Wind Me Up, Little Girls, Big Boys Don’t Cry (★), Play With Me, Flesh ‘n’ Blood, Kid Ego, Mutha (Don’t Wanna Go To School Today) Porno Graffitti (3 tracks): It (‘s a Monster), Pornograffitti, More Than Words. Note: ★ indicates tracks exclusive to 1989. …And so it goes. Seven of the 11 tracks from their debut album are featured on the album, along with three tracks from their follow-up album, “PORNOGRAFFITTI.” While it’s great to hear “Big Boys Don’t Cry,” which was only performed in their debut year, on the soundboard, the three new tracks are also valuable. This is also the oldest live performance in existence. While their debut was a spectacular success, 1989’s EXTREME was on the verge of a once-in-a-lifetime breakthrough. This soundboard album will imbue your brain with the ambitious live performances of that time. It’s such an absolute sound source that it’s begging to be released as a deluxe edition along with “EXTREME.” This is a stereo soundboard recording of the “April 2, 1989 Boston performance.” This is a masterpiece digitized directly from the aircheck master of the rebroadcast version, which is said to be the best of a studio live broadcast on local radio station “WBCN.” In addition to the limited edition song “Big Boys Don’t Cry” only available at the time, this historic soundboard masterpiece also features the world premiere of the “PORNOGRAFFITTI” number. Newbury Sound Studio, Boston, MA. USA 2nd April 1989 STEREO SBD (51:39) 01. “Carter Alan radio re-broadcast introduction” 02. “Tony Beradini radio introduction” 03. It’s A Monster 04. Wind Me Up 05. Little Girls 06. Pornograffitti 07. Big Boys Don’t Cry 08. Play With Me 09. More Than Words 10. Flesh & Blood 11. “banter” 12. Kid Ego 13. Mutha (Don’t Wanna Go To School Today) 14. “Announcer Wrap-Up” STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING Gary Cherone – lead vocals Nuno Bettencourt – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Pat Badger – bass, backing vocals Paul Geary – drums and percussion