Live In Odense 1971 (Graf Zeppelin LZSC-504A/B)
2nd Issue – Raw Tape Transfer
Fyens Forum, Odense, Denmark – May 4, 1971
Disc 1 (56:30) Introduction, Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Since I’ve Been Loving You, Dazed And Confused, Black Dog, Stairway To Heaven
Disc 2 (56:38) MC, Going To California, That’s The Way, What Is And What Should Never Be, Four Sticks, Gallows Pole, Whole Lotta Love, Communication Breakdown
Shortly after the release of the initial releases of the Odense 1971 recording a transfer of the master tape surfaced. As we know the recording that circulated was snagged from YouTube and various remaster projects were floating around as well as a few releases on the collectors market. Now with the release of a direct master transfer there will be a few more, so far the No Label group has Odense 1971: Master Cassette (No Label) and Empress Valley has How The North Was Won (Empress Valley Supreme Disc EVSD-1557-64) on the market as well. Graf Zeppelin made it easy with their new version, they have a four disc version available with both versions, if you bought the initial YouTube sourced title you could get the upgraded version free of charge.
The sound on this new master transfer is not far off from the YouTube source. It is cleaner and clearer with a slightly better frequency range, it is not as loud and has less tape hiss. Graf Zeppelin has done slight mastering for pitch and low level tape bleed in places. First off this new transfer sounds better, but surprisingly it was not as much as I expected. There is no difference in the packaging, the master transfer version is housed in a slim lined jewel case, the YouTube version is housed in sleeves and not in the case. The only difference in the discs is the original YouTube version features the picture in color, the master transfer discs are black and white. It has been reported that the master cassette is in the hands of Tarantura who are supposed to release their version of this recording from what is being called a superior transfer, until the T version comes out I am quite satisfied with this new version by Graf Zeppelin.
See original review here: Live In Odense 1971 (Graf Zeppelin LZSC-504A/B)