Rolling Stones/Germany 04.29.1976 Upgrade

The second day of the Frankfurt concert has long been a well-known recording, capturing the early stages of the Rolling Stones’ 1976 tour, albeit incompletely, through soundboard recording. Starting with the LP from which this recording is named, many other releases have been produced. With the advent of the CD era, however, the VGP-135 “MORE THAN WELCOME TO FRANKFURT” released a pre-recorded version of the track, supplemented with an Audio CD. However, the crucial SBD section felt out of place, falling just short of the definitive version. Furthermore, it was recently discovered that the Audio CD take from the day before the Frankfurt concert was used for “You Gotta Move.” No full-length live recording was subsequently released; instead, it was included as a bonus track on VGP-268 “HEAR THE WHISTLE BLOWIN'” (Detroit 75), but this time only the SBD section was included. Meanwhile, in 2016, a file combining both the full-length Audio CD version and the SBD version appeared online. The resulting “FRANKFURT 1976” release, with pitch adjustments, was released in 2016. This was literally the new definitive edition and a bestseller at the time. However, nearly ten years had passed since “FRANKFURT 1976.” The original file also had some issues. First, the main Aud track had a strong hiss and phase shift, clearly indicating that it was based on a tape that had been dubbed multiple times. Furthermore, the SBD section had the wrong stereo positioning, an equalized feel, and an unnatural lingering sound. To add to this, a fragment of the intro to “You Gotta Move,” still heard only on the previous LP “Absolutely Too Stoned to Roll” (because the recording stopped here), was added to create the longest version. Thus, “GRAF ZEPPELIN” took on a new approach with a new release on the second day of the Frankfurt concert, when both recordings had some issues. First, the SBD section, a long-standing staple, suffered from hiss and distortion due to the VGP-135 and 268 being out of sync. Furthermore, the 2016 file also sounds extremely unnatural. Therefore, this time, “GRAF ZEPPELIN” has been remastered based on the nostalgic VIGOTONE “LIVE IN FRANKFURT 1976.” The Vigo recording has long been known for its “best sound quality,” and this remaster proves that this still holds true today. Meanwhile, the problem of inverted stereo positioning has been thoroughly corrected. Furthermore, the longest version has been restored, adding the intro to “You Gotta Move” from the previous LP. While the 2016 file already included a simple connection, the sound quality of “GRAF ZEPPELIN,” the Vigo recording, the LP, and the audio tracks have all been adjusted before being combined to create a truly smooth, seamless connection. The audio quality improvement is even more remarkable. Using a lower-quality version from the original source eliminates the rough texture of the VGP-135 and the 2016 recording, making the clean, true mono recording so much easier to listen to. While previous releases may have only been “sounds pretty good,” this release’s crystal-clear, upper-level quality is exceptional. The SBD section, like Garden State 78, is a stereo PA output, so while the sense of presence is weak, the stereo nature of the sound delivers a remarkable level of clarity and vividness for each instrument. This contrasts sharply with the 2016 release, which was rendered unnaturally clear by equalization. “GRAF ZEPPELIN” brings back the vividness of the original stereo PA soundboard, and Keith’s guitar sounds especially vivid from “If You Can’t Rock Me” onward. This is why accurate recording is essential. And yet, the improved sound quality on this release makes the audio section even more enjoyable. The wild explosion of “Midnight Rambler” in particular is a powerful performance reminiscent of the previous year. The second day of the 1976 Frankfurt concert, while full of classics but still somewhat unsatisfying, was a testament to the album’s classic yet still somewhat unsatisfying sound. Both the SBD and AUD versions have finally been combined into one, perfect for the best possible performance of “GRAF ZEPPELIN.” This is truly the definitive edition of the second day in Frankfurt! While similar in concept to the previously released VGP-135, this upgraded version includes the SB section, a VIGOTONE copy remaster, and the “You Gotta Move” LP, not included on the VIGO release, has been added, supplemented by a dozen seconds of AUD audio. Therefore, from the beginning of “You Gotta Move” (from 0:18) through the end of the live performance, the AUD source is included. *You Gotta Move is recorded on a separate VGP performance (the day before, on the 28th). Live at Festhalle, Frankfurt, West Germany 29th April 1976 STEREO SBD/AUD UPGRADE!!! Disc 1 (45:11) 1. Honky Tonk Women ★SB 2. If You Can’t Rock Me / Get Off Of My Cloud ★SB 3. All Down The Line ★SB 4. Hand Of Fate ★SB 5. Hey Negrita ★SB 6. Ain’t Too Proud To Beg ★SB 7. Fool To Cry ★SB 8. Hot Stuff ★SB 9. Star Star ★SB 10. You Gotta Move ★SB / Aud from 0:18 onwards However, the Aud is also short, cutting out at around 47 seconds. *The same part of the previously released VGP is from the live performance on the 28th. Disc 2 (49:26) *Disc 2 is entirely Audio material 1. You Can’t Always Get What You Want 2. Band introductions 3. Happy 4. Nothing From Nothing 5. Outa Space 6. Midnight Rambler 7. It’s Only Rock’n Roll 8. Brown Sugar 9. Jumping Jack Flash 10. Street Fighting Man