David Lindley and El Rayo-X
Universal Amphitheatre
Los Angeles, CA
August 13, 1989
Mike Millard First Generation Cassette via JEMS
The Lost and Found Mike the MICrophone Tapes Volume 62
Opening for Jackson Browne

Recording Gear: AKG 451E Microphones (CK-1 cardioid capsules) > Nakamichi 550 Cassette Recorder

Transfer: Mike Millard First Generation Cassette > Nakamichi CR-7A (azimuth adjustment; Dolby On) > Sound Devices USBPre 2 > Audacity 2.0 capture > iZotope RX8 > iZotope Ozone 8 > Audacity > TLH > FLAC

01 Mercury Blues (KC Douglas cover)
02 Talk To The Lawyer
03 Ain't It Crazy (Lightnin' Hopkins cover)
04 Let The Good Times Roll
05 I Don't Want To Live Like Everybody Else

Known Issues:
-Technical issues during the first minute of "Mercury Blues"

Introduction to the Lost and Found Mike the MICrophone Series

Welcome to JEMS� Lost and Found Mike the MICrophone series presenting recordings made by legendary taper Mike Millard, AKA Mike the MICrophone, best known for his masters of Led Zeppelin done in and around Los Angeles circa 1975-77. For the complete details on how tapes in this series came to be lost and found again, as well as JEMS' long history with Mike Millard, please refer to the notes in Vol. One: http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=500680.

Until 2020, the Lost and Found series presented fresh transfers of previously unavailable first-generation copies made by Mike himself for friends like Stan Gutoski of JEMS, Jim R, Bill C. and Barry G. These sources were upgrades to circulating copies and in most instances marked the only time verified first generation Millard sources had been directly digitized in the torrent era.

That all changed with the discovery of many of Mike Millard�s original master tapes.

Yes, you read that correctly, Mike Millard�s master cassettes, long rumored to be destroyed or lost, have been found. Not all of them but many, and with them a much more complete picture has emerged of what Millard recorded between his first show in late 1973 and his last in early 1992.

The reason the rediscovery of his master tapes is such a revelation is that we�ve been told for decades they were gone. Internet myths suggest Millard destroyed his master tapes before taking his own life, an imprudent detail likely concocted based on the assumption that because his master tapes never surfaced and Mike�s mental state was troubled he would do something rash WITH HIS LIFE�S WORK. There�s also a version of the story where Mike�s family dumps the tapes after he dies. Why would they do that?

The truth is Mike�s masters remained in his bedroom for many years after his death in 1994. We know at least a few of Millard�s friends and acquaintances contacted his mother Lia inquiring about the tapes at the time to no avail. But in the early 2000s, longtime Millard friend Rob S was the one she knew and trusted enough to preserve Mike�s work.

The full back story on how Mike�s master tapes were saved can be found in the notes for Vol. 18 Pink Floyd, which was the first release in our series transferred from Millard�s original master tapes:

http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=667745&hit=1
http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=667750&hit=1

David Lindley and El Rayo-X, Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, CA, August 13, 1989

We catch our collective breath this week with another Millard recording that shows the breadth of his work and musical taste, the virtuosic David Lindley opening for Jackson Browne at the Universal Amphitheatre. We know Mike was a fan of Jackson Browne, having recorded him on multiple occasions. We also know of the 300+ shows Millard taped, he only recorded the opening act 10-20 times and two of those were Lindley (the other time was opening for Joe Walsh in 1981), so he was genuinely interested, likely from Lindley's previous work with Browne.

This is a short but sweet set that suffers from technical issues as Mike gets started (after likely missing a song or two), before it settles into being another very solid capture. Samples provided.

Lindley is chatty and talkative, which makes for a fun listen. The set includes a couple of blues covers and a pair of familiar originals, but the final song appears to be a rarity. "I Don't Want To Live Like Everybody Else" seems to be an unreleased Lindley original only performed in this era. If anyone can shed further light on the tune we'd appreciate it.

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JEMS is proud to partner with Rob, Jim R, Barry G and others to release Millard's historic recordings and to help set the record straight about the man himself.

We can�t thank Rob enough for reconnecting with Jim and putting his trust in our Millard reissue campaign. He kept Mike�s precious tapes under wraps for two decades, but once Rob learned of our methods and stewardship, he agreed to contribute the Millard DATs and cassettes to the program. Our releases would not be nearly as compelling without Jim�s memories, photos and other background contributions. As many of you have noted, the stories offer an entertaining complement to Mike�s incredible audio documents.\

Thanks this week to Goody, for helping out on the pitch front and to mjk5510 for pulling a double shift in post-production.

We have more special treats in store for you this holiday season. Your continued support and commentary on the series is appreciated.

Finally, cheers to the late, great Mike the MICrophone. His work never ceases to impress. May he rest in peace.

BK for JEMS

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