Audience

CDR

2

DVD 2536; lineage: 2xDPA4061-> CA9100 (custom made for the DPA's)-> Korg MR-2 [1 bit/2.8mHz]
Lineage: dithering to 16bit/44.1kHz with Audiogate aqua, editing with SoundForge 9.0 w/several plug-ins

After a few years Sam returned to the Netherlands to play in an almost sold out Amstelkerk.
I have recorded in this beautiful church before, so I knew the acoustics are great and the DPA's work wonderfully well there.

I knew I couldn't be in time to claim good seats (the Amstelkerk has no assigned seats), so I asked friends to reserve two seats for me, which they did.
The seats were in the middle of the first row. As the venue has no stage Sam and Chip were right in front of me. I feel more comfortable recording from the second row
on the left or right, but it was as it was.

It was clear both Sam and Chip loved playing in the Amstelkerk and I think at first they were a bit intimidated by the room and the very direct
contact with the audience. Sam started with a few new songs and I can only imagine how confronting this must have been in this setting. He sought contact
with people in the first row by looking them long and straight in the face. There I was with my mics, Sam staring me in the face. Did I blush? Yes, very much so.
The more the show progressed the better it became.

A huge Steinway, which once belonged to the Russian piano player Youri Egorov, was on stage.
Sam and Chip loved it that much that they used it for the greater part of the show. As Sam's voice and guitar play are rather soft the piano
was a bit dominant.

The first song of the second needed to be played with a calliope, but of course that was impossible. However The Amstelkerk, being an old church, had a
pipe organ and Chip was allowed to use it.

The recording gives a realistic picture of the sound in the venue.

Of course Sam wouldn't be Sam if during the intermission and after the show he didn't shake hands with the audience, introducing himself " hi, I'm Sam".
As is his habit he kissed as many ladies as possible.

Sam Baker- vocals, acoustic guitar
Chip Dolan- piano, acoustic guitar, accordion, pipe organ

2536

0