This is a remarkable site! I was turned on to Wolfgang's Vault earlier in the week, and things haven't been the same around the house since. I'm astounded by what's here. The memories come back at flood-tide, people. Note that these are live bands playing unadulterated music. I dig studio artistry as well, but these tapes from the live settings way back when, many of which I witnessed, are overwhelming.
Where to start: the tracks from The Who, replete with Pete's gleefully snotty stage persona and Keith's unmatched attack; the touch and grace of Peter Green on the tracks taken from the night we bypassed our Senior Prom to reconvene at the Fleetwood Mac show; the personality of Jimi Hendrix on display in his playing; the Tubes fer cryin-out-loud! The power and polish of the Electric Flag! Good God Almighty! Those funky hippies operating as The Sons of Champlin! I saw those guys as often in the parks as at clubs like New Orleans House in Berkeley, the Fillmore or Avalon ballrooms. "Combination of the Two" from Big Brother.....? I remember, people. I remember what a shitty band they were, and How Much Fun we had at their shows at clubs and in the park.
What's here is generous and I am most appreciative. What's not here is quizzical. More for their sociological reference point than their music. No Vanilla Fudge? No Blue Cheer?
Also, I wonder about some of the smaller players who were there, though under and un-appreciated: maybe for good reason. Mad River--with their acid-appellation "My Mind's Jumpin Like an Amphetamine Gazelle."
Jeezus! All the energy in evidence here!
Thanks Y'all.