Rolling Stones/WA,USA 07.04.1972 Remastered

Following the Rubber Bowl and Charlotte concerts, the July 4th Washington concert is arguably the third most significant stereo audience recording from the Stones’ 1972 US tour. However, unlike the other two concerts, the number of releases for this one is extremely limited. As a result, there are likely many fans who have never heard this recording. In fact, the initial release of this recording, “GRASS WIDOW,” and the second release, IMP’s “WASHINGTON ’72,” were both rushed releases plagued by generational errors and pitch inaccuracies. In that respect, the VGP release “JACK DANIEL’S ON TOUR” reigned supreme as the definitive Washington recording, having successfully addressed the problems of previous releases, but even that was released 30 years ago (!). Based on previously released items, the impression of Washington’s recordings was that, while surprisingly easy to listen to for a stereo audience recording from the 1972 US tour, the sound quality consistently suffered from a certain roughness and a slightly muddy, frustrating quality. This is one reason why there are fewer items available compared to Charlotte and Rubber Bowl, and it seems that Washington’s recordings have not been updated at all since the turn of the 21st century. Washington’s recordings were almost forgotten, but finally, a superior master has been unearthed. This alone would be enough reason to release it, but “GRAF ZEPPELIN” has undertaken a thorough review of the source material. The superior master, which was already easier to listen to than previous items, has evolved into an even more polished state. As a result, the rough texture and muddiness that had plagued it have been removed, and it has been reborn with a clearly clearer sound quality compared to previous items, and the performance and vocals themselves feel even closer. What was originally an easy-to-listen-to stereo recording has finally been freed from the previous feeling of “if only it were a little more approachable…” The difference will surprise even the most discerning fans familiar with past releases. Thanks to this, it’s much easier to listen to, and this alone makes it worthy of being called a groundbreaking refresh, but the biggest difference and achievement comes from “All Down The Line.” In the latter half of this song, there appears to be a cut due to a tape change, and the VGP version compensated for this with another source, which was groundbreaking at the time. However, perhaps wanting to minimize the change in sound quality due to the compensation, a fake edit was applied to the final chorus, transplanted from the first half of the performance. Although the lyrics were the same, there was a clear difference: in the first half, Mick repeatedly sang “can’t say” in “Well, you can’t say yes,” whereas in the second half, he didn’t repeat it. However, the editing resulted in both choruses repeating “can’t say” three times. This fact was only discovered thanks to the ‘WASHINGTON EP,’ which was released 10 years ago and featured a different recording. Therefore, in this “GRAF ZEPPELIN” release, by using this alternative audio source, they not only repaired the cut sections but also restored “All Down The Line” to its original state as it was performed that day. Furthermore, by using the same alternative audio source to fill in other missing sections, they finally achieved the longest recording to date. Moreover, the sound quality of this alternative audio source itself has improved compared to the VGP release. In addition, where the panning was shifted to the left in the VGP release, it is now centered! But that’s not all. As a bonus, the full version of the alternative audio source that captured the performance uncut is also included. The main audio source has been restored to the correct form of the performance that day, and now you can hear the entire alternative audio source that served as the basis for that restoration, making this a truly thorough release. And since the next day was the start of the July period of numerous great performances, with “GOIN’ BACK TO THE ROOTS” and the day after that being “CHARLOTTE 1972,” the performance is full of the energy characteristic of the 1972 American tour. Taylor’s guitar playing on the finale, “Street Fighting Man,” is absolutely incisive. That tremendous energy comes across even more vividly thanks to the clearer sound quality. Great sound quality, great performance. Yet, for many years, this Washington recording, a masterpiece of stereo audience recording, had not received a proper update and was almost forgotten. Not only has a superior master been unearthed, but “All Down The Line,” which had been altered by previous editing, has been restored to its original performance, and the longest recording ever has been achieved. This stereo audience recording from the 1972 US tour, which should be mentioned alongside Rubber Bowl and Charlotte, has finally been refreshed after 30 years! The definitive ’72 Washington performance! Three sections have been supplemented with remastered alternative sources from the “Washington EP.” In previous releases, “All Down The Line” was a fake (the beginning of the performance was copied and pasted) part from before the alternative source was supplemented, but in this release, it has been supplemented with the actual performance. The harmonica part at the beginning of Rambler is included on CD for the first time. Two other gaps between songs have also been filled in. The bonus track is a complete re-recording of All Down, which was previously filled in on the main album, using a different source! Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Washington, D.C. USA 4th July 1972 PERFECT SOUND UPGRADE!!! (79:00) 01. Brown Sugar 02. Bitch 03. Rocks Off 04. Gimme Shelter 05. Happy 06. Tumbling Dice 07. Love In Vain 08. Sweet Virginia 09. You Can’t Always Get What You Want ★7:17-7:29 Filled in 10. All Down The Line ★From 2:27 onwards Filled in 11. Midnight Rambler ★0:00-0:11 Filled in. First 3 seconds or so included on CD for the first time 12. Band Introductions 13. Bye Bye Johnny ★2:53-3:07 Supplemented, includes some first-time recordings such as Mick’s shout 14. Rip This Joint 15. Jumping Jack Flash 16. Street Fighting Man Bonus Track 17. All Down The Line (Alternate Source) ★Recorded using the alternate source used to supplement the main track