by baht habit on Mon Mar 08, 2010 12:29 pm
I happen to prefer Fripp's original mix of Damage for the very reason that this live album actually sounds 'live'. Granted, the performances are so crisp and tight that one would not be faulted for being under the impression that the music was recorded in a sterile studio. (Plus, I do believe that Fripp went back and 'altered' his solo on 20th Century Dreaming) But in my opinion, Sylvian took it to extremes with his 2002 version: he muffled the slash & burn style of Fripp's guitar and pretty much neutered the power of Pat Mastelotto's drumming by taking away the natural ambience of the venue and basically reducing the sound of his kit to a dry and tiny little set.
That being said, in direct comparison to Damage, I also tend to prefer the sound and band performances from the gig in Japan that was released on laser disc. That performance was much more aggressive in nature and the band was still using the drum programs on certain songs from The First Day. In my opinion, that one seemingly innocuous enhancement turned out to be very necessary in comparison.