PiL - New York, Staten Island, Paramount Theatre, USA
March 26th, 1983

Running Order:
1. WHERE ARE YOU
2. RELIGION
3. CAREERING
4. ANNALISA
5. BAD BABY
6. CHANT
7. THEME (cuts)
8. THEME (cont'd)
9. DEATH DISCO
10. PUBLIC IMAGE
11. LOW LIFE
12. MAD MAX
13. UNDER THE HOUSE
14. BANGING THE DOOR

Running Time:
69 minutes (approx)

Sound Quality:
(7.5) Average Audience Recording
Tape Gradings Explained here

review by Scott M

Notes:
Complete recording of the previously circulated bootleg LP. Features an extra 4 tracks not on the LP.

Review:
The bootleg LP, which parts of this show first appeared on, was always one of weakest PiL bootleg's. Poor sound, and packaging, with the tracks in the wrong order. This audio recording includes the complete show, with 4 additional tracks not featured on the LP – Theme / Religion / Public Image / Low Life – and, of course, the tracks in their correct running order.

There is a 5-10 second cut during 'Theme' and the opening track is slightly clipped, apart from that there are no tape glitches; with the exception of a small cut before 'Under The House'.

Unfortunately there isn't much improvement on sound quality, although it does appear to have been boosted slightly.

This gig had a notoriously bad sound mix, with popular myth having it the soundboard was sabotaged just before PiL came on stage by a disgruntled fan of the support band. Which apparently explains why the sound improves as the show goes on. John complains about the monitors several times before there is any real improvement.

It is a racket. No doubt about it. And to be honest, it's not a particularly good show. The only thing I can say in its favour is that there's some unusual brooding synth on 'Banging the Door' which is worth a listen…

Definitely one for the hard-core only.

whitebox

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