The Allman Brothers Band - At Fillmore East

The reason it's on 2 discs...

The reason the material is on 2 discs is because hybrid SACDS hold more information (SACD material plus red book CD material) and thus cannot fit 80 minute of music on them. That is why this album is spread over 2 discs. It made more sense to split the album in half, just like the original LP, rather than put all but one song on the CD and then put the last song on the 2nd disc. The entire album would not have fit.

The same thing happened with Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Bring Road SACD - while the redbook CD is on 1 disc, the SACD version wouldn't have fit.

Don't think you're being ripped off. It's the price you pay for an audiophile listening experience. October 8, 2008

Nice

Great music, and a great transfer to SACD multichannel. It seems to be much easier to allow your ear to focus on the various instruments as the band plays. You get much more effect of being in a small concert hall with this mix. Even though it's the original mix, anyone with the right equipment (SACD Player and a decent 5.1 surround system) shouldn't be dissapointed in getting this SACD. September 14, 2007

A Classic with controversial remixes

I cut my teeth on jamming listening to Cream. So the Allmans' Live was not a revelation just a stunning album and purchased on release in Australia. I know it all by heart -just burnt into the synapses.

In 1992 Tom Dowd did a full concert remix and remaster as "The Fillmore Concerts". This is where the controversy starts cause it sounds different and so it should - Tom transferred the original 16 track master tapes to digital and remixed. Taking advantage of the wider dynamic and frequency range, he produced a mix with the bass guitar stronger and drums clearer and more dynamic. Unfortunately the guitar freaks found the relatively lower level guitar sound unacceptable but the bass freaks loved Berry's sound (more bottom end).

Now we have the SACD stereo, multi-channnel and Audio Stereo remaster release of the original 2 record set accurately split over 2 cds. It should fit on one but there is marketing to us baby boomers. But I gotta say they did perform split sets so it does reasonably capture the night.

And more controversy - the stereo CD layer is a remix closer to the original LP release. Drums are further back but the bass guitar bottom end is retained. The tracks are identical to the original release but not on the SACD layer with the Fillmore Concert's "Stormy Monday" used, which is the unedited version including the harmonica break, and a different edit to end "Whipping Post". On the SACD layer the tympany start to "Mountain Jam" is rapidly faded out and applause overdubbed which is annoying if you want the sonic continuity when following up with the jam from the "Eat A Peach" SACD.

Sound of both layers is excellent with SACD preferred because you can adjust the bottom end via the sub control. The surrounds give some reverb and audience noise - "Play all night". The centre has plenty of bass guitar, some drums and some of Greg's vocals (reinforcing the original centre-left positioning of the vocals). I would have preferred the drums a bit higher in the centre.

I can feel the SACD Deluxe "Fillmore Concerts" is on its way - the wallet is already feeling lighter. December 19, 2004

Classic Album, Poor Packaging, Could have beem better

One of the best live albums of all time, I was hoping for more when they released this as a Hybrid 5.1 SACD.
1) Its now 2 cds again. And you would think they would have 2 seperate holders for the cds. They just piled them on top one another.
2) The surround sounds don't use the backs enough. I think the quality of the recording hinders the effectiveness of surround sound. I never feel like I am at the concert, unlike other surround sound discs.
Update:
I had a problem with the back speakers on my stereo.
Now, it sounds like the audience is behind you.
I now feel like I am at the concert. It's amazing October 15, 2004

Last reviewer a bit confused

The Fillmore Concerts that came out in the 90's was actually "corrected" from the spliced versions of the original, to include the full, uncut versions. It pretty much is a different album altogether from the first. Both are great, but many would consider the first release to be the definitive and "best" version. There is no grave rolling or shame in releasing this greatest live album of all time in SACD. September 27, 2004

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