PiL - 1983 Tour Rehearsal / Soundcheck
(Hollywood Palladium, June 10th, 1983 ?)
 
Running Order:
1. Warm Up/Jam
2. Poptones
3. Flowers of Romance
4. Jam/Ad-lib
5. Public Image / Low Life (incomplete run through's)
6. Solitaire (Jam) (2x incomplete run through's)
7. Public Image (incomplete run through)
 
Running Time:
42:00 mins (approx)
 
Sound Quality:
(8) Quality soundboard recording, (apparently) 2nd or 3rd generation, but highly compressed (96k).
Tape Gradings Explained here
 
 
review by Scott M
 
Notes:
This recording is part of the set of three 10" reel-to-reel tapes fully explained here. The tracklisting available with the download is incorrect; so the correct version appears above. Please note that Track 6 on the downloaded version is not taken from this set. It is a previously unreleased studio demo, which has been inexplicably inserted. The track is now reviewed as part of 'Commercial Zone' demos and outtakes.
 

Review:
As explained above, this recording is taken from set of three 10" reel-to-reel tapes. This part is labeled as an 'unknown 1982/83 tour rehearsal or live soundcheck'. The one thing that is certain is that it was recorded in 1983; with the cabaret band line up. However, exactly what it is, or where it was recorded is unclear.

Given the soundboard quality, and lack of audience, I presumed it to be a tour rehearsal. However, John does make reference to "the gig" a few times. So it is more likely to be an extended soundcheck. And possibly recorded at the cabaret band's live debut at the Hollywood Palladium in 1983.

Rather than being a full run through of the set it seems to be more about sorting out glitches and getting the PA levels right. However, at over 40 minutes it is a lot longer than your average soundcheck. It seems to be half way between a rehearsal and a soundcheck.

John's main concern is his monitors, and he's happy to just let the band get on with it. He seems in good spirits, and ad-lib's a mixture of the proper lyrics together with a few piss-takes, such as 'Roadhouse Blues' or 'Can't Take My Eyes Off Of Me'. It's all fairly light hearted. Some tracks take several run through's, but all very normal for a soundcheck.

It's hardly the greatest PiL recording you will ever hear (it is the cabaret band after all), but it is a unique one, and quite funny in places. Definitely one for the diehards only.

Overall the sound quality is very good. Like the other parts of the reel-to-reel set it's a little over compressed and flat, with the obligatory tape hiss, however, still pretty clear.