2006-04-23 | Max Creek

1:05:10
Taper:
John Shepherd
Transferrer:
John Shepherd
SHNID:
mc20060423.flacf
Source:
DPA4061>mic2496(44.1kHz)>Nomad JB3(optical)
Lineage:
JB3>WAV(usb/xNJB on OSX). Edits and splits using Audacity 1.2.3 ("snap to samples").
Taper Notes:
View Notes
*  Tom Circosta and Jeff Mattson (Zen Tricksters) each on additional guitar

Notes:

There was a 0:00.40 second burst of static through the PA during Summer Sun, beginning at 5:06.30 until 5:06.70.  I have included the uneditted original audio of this segment for anyone who would like to hear it, or make an attempt at a better correction.  Here's what I did:

1)  Reduced volume from 5:07.30 to 5:07.75 by -4.5dB.  This is the crowd response to the noise.
2) Reduced volume from 5:06.75 to 5:06.90 by -4.5dB.  This is the first keyboard note following the static.
3)  Reduced volume from 5:06.30 to 5:06.70 by -8.6dB.
4)  Applied Fade Out from 5:06.20 to 5:06.70.
5)  Applied Fade In from 5:06.26 to 5:06.80.

This almost did it, but no.

6)  Reduced volume from 5:06.30 - 5:06.70 by -20.1dB

Not perfect, but good enough for me.

This show was the icing on the cake following the indescribable weekend at the Birkshire's Eastover resort in celebration of Max Creek's 35th Anniversary.

The trip from Eastover to the Pier was an adventure in and of itself.  The boat was scheduled to board at 2 and depart at 3.  The drive from Eastover to NYC is a solid 3 hrs.  A friend needed a ride to New Hartford, CT so I figured another 1/2 hour for that.

The steady rain that was falling when we got underway at 11:25 (late!) turned into torrential downpour no more than 5 minutes down the road.  We pushed through it and I was leaving New Hartford at 1:15.   Still pouring beyond belief.  I had just put a new top on my convertible the weekend before, so at least I got the satisfaction of seeing that it is 100% leak-free.  Once I hit the Merritt Parkway, I start making excellent time.  Still raining, but moving extremely well.  One or two slow-downs in those places where the Merritt gets deep in big rains, but not so bad they affected making time.  You know those spots.....

As the Merritt turned into the Hutch, the rain finally slowed.  Then stopped.  WooHoo!  Making fantastic time now, and thinking it would be nice to put the top down.  Don't want to take the time for that, though.....  Then, out of nowhere, the highway turns into a parking lot.  Everybody stopped, and with a good view of the road ahead, I could see it was going to be a long ordeal.  I got off the next exit I could, which put me on Yonkers Ave.  Lost 20-25 minutes just getting off the exit.  Called my friend who was also making the drive, in fact he was driving for one of the band members.  They had just crossed on to Manhattan island.  It was now 2:53.  "You're fuct".

I realized he was right and just kept driving towards the city.  I figured there might be someone else who missed the boat to catch a beer with, plus my honey was in the city on other business, so I would go meet up with her.  Before I know it, I'm at 215 St, and then crossing that little bridge on 9A just north of the GW.  Henry Hudson bridge, I think.  Well.  West Side highway was pretty clear down until 54th St.  Didn't stop dead then, but pretty heavy traffic.  Stop at every light, etc.  I get to 41st St and can see the boat is still docked.  It's 3:25.  Four cars in front of me waiting to pay $30.00 to park.  Call my friend.  "Did you make it?"  "Yeah, we just stepped onboard."  "Should I pay my $30 to park?  Will I make it?"  "Hard call.  They were close to leaving without us.  The gangplank hasn't been raised yet, but they're looking ready to push off."   "Alright, fuck it, I'll try"

The parking guy asks what I'm parking for.  He thinks I won't make.  He kindly tells me I can get my money back if I miss the boat.

I find a parking spot almost right at the gangplank, grab my taping backpack from the trunk (not even sure if it has everything needed to pull a recording), and head over.  A little debate with the guy who was just about to raise the gangplank, and I'm on!

They search my bag which had all kinds of cables, power adapters, mics and what-not.  Lots of questions, the best one being "what is the duct tape for???"  I get past that and it's time to pay $30 for admission.  I usually carry a decent amount of cash, but it had been a long weekend.  I pull out $21 and look at it with shock that that's all there is.  The gangplank isn't raised yet and the guy who searched me is looking at me like I might be going back down.  Another pocket finds a $5.  Finally a few more ones brings it right to $30.  Whew!

So, on the boat I go, find friends right away, the weather has become beautiful, the view is spectacular, a friend buys me a drink since I have no cash.  Life Is Good.