Chris Robinson Brotherhood
Cafe du Nord, San Francisco, CA
April 18, 2011

Source: CA-14 cards (clipped to hat resting on upper ledge in front of soundboard) -> CA-9100 -> Sony M-10 (24/44.1k)
Location: FOB
Transfer: M-10 -> MacBook -> Garageband for light EQ, level adjustment and fades -> export to AIF format (16BIT) ->Fission for splitting -> FLAC via Xact
Taper: tsquare

Set 1
Tulsa Yesterday
Tumbleweed In Eden
Tough Mama
Beware
They Love Each Other
Tomorrow Blues
Star or Stone
Rosalee

Set II
Bright Lights, Big City
Sunday Sound
Vibration & Light Suite
Sorrows of a Blue Eyed Liar
Someday Past the Sunset
Roll Old Jeremiah
Ride
E: I've Never Been to Spain
E: Sugaree

Comments: This offering has a little bit of everything... "the good, the bad and the ugly" so to speak. Purely from a taper's perspective, the scene last night was a hot mess. The crowd in general was very loud and rowdy throughout both sets. Folks talked through the entire show. In my immediate area there were two girls right next to me who knew I was taping and told me they'd be cool during the show... then as soon as the show started one of them started making very loud comments and talking with her neighbors. I politely asked her to keep her voice down, but the request failed to connect in any meaningful way. She continued to talk and make occasional loud comments throughout both sets. Because the crowd as a whole was so loud her voice blends in somewhat. I also had a really big guy who was about 6'3" stand right in front of me and my mics about 5 minutes before the start of the 1st set. Fortunately, a few songs into the 1st set his girlfriend wanted to relocate.

The good news is that the audio quality is very good and the music is front and center. The crowd definitely put up a fight, but the music won. There are a few rough spots, but the result is about as good as can be expected considering the rowdy scene at the show.

More good news is that the band had good night and put on a solid performance. Chris and company are introducing new songs and mixing things up a bit. "Tumbleweed in Eden" and "Sorrows of a Blue Eyed Life" are new ones. The Hoyt Axton cover "I've Never Been to Spain" was a cool surprise.

If you have enjoyed the other CRB shows please don't let my comments scare you away from downloading this one. I think the recording is an accurate capture of the music and the scene. The quality is very similar to the first Cafe du Nord show on the 4th (same equipment, same taping location, same setup)... just more crowd.