Donovan
The Forum
Inglewood, CA
September 23-24, 1977
Mike Millard Master Tapes via JEMS
The Lost and Found Mike the MICrophone Tapes Volume 104

Recording Gear: AKG 451E microphones (CK-1 cardioid capsules) > Nakamichi 550 cassette recorder

JEMS 2021 Transfer: Mike Millard Master Cassettes > Nakamichi RX-505 (azimuth adjustment; Dolby On) > Sound Devices USBPre 2 > Audacity 2.0 capture > iZotope RX8 > iZotope Ozone 8 and Unfilter > MBIT+ resample to 1644 > Audacity > TLH > FLAC

September 23, 1977
01 Cosmic Wheel (cut)
02 Sunshine Superman
03 Brave New World
04 Lady Of The Stars
05 Hurdy Gurdy Man
06 The Intergalactic Laxative
07 Local Boy Chops Wood
08 The Light
09 Mellow Yellow
10 Atlantis

September 24, 1977
01 The Intergalactic Laxative
02 Local Boy Chops Wood
03 The Light
04 Mellow Yellow
05 Atlantis

Known Faults: both sets joined in progress; 9/24 set missing at least five songs.

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 Mike, 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 1993.

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

Donovan, The Forum, Inglewood, CA, September 23-24, 1977

This week's entry in the Lost and Found series pairs together two opening sets performed by Donovan and his band performing before Yes played their headlining slot at the Forum in September 1977.

Donovan was supporting his recently released self-titled solo album. While he has continued to perform up through present day, he hasn't toured a lot or played anywhere near the number of shows he did in 1977.

Donovan sounds great here and does a fair amount of talking as he intros the songs, including a mention of Elvis Presley who had died the month before. His set features three songs from his self-titled 1977 album, his best known songs "Sunshine Superman," "Hurdy Gurdy Man" and "Mellow Yellow," plus the title track and his decidedly peculiar paean to astronauts, "The Intergalactic Laxative" from 1973's Cosmic Wheels.

We've written before that Mike didn't record opening acts most of the time, but he made an exception for Donovan, and must have enjoyed it enough to tape him both nights. On September 23, Mike joins "Cosmic Wheel" in progress. We're not sure if it was the first song of the set, perhaps it was second, but Millard gets most of the set in typically excellent quality. On the 24th, the sound quality is even better, sounding closer presumably due to better seats, but Mike only catches the last five songs of the set. Samples provided. Given the second night recording is so short, we felt it was best served to bundle both Donovan sets in a single release.

Our friend Jim R went with Mike to see both Yes shows at The Forum and had this to say about the opening act: "In 1977, we saw Donovan as an Oldies guy, but Mike thought enough of "The Hurdy Gurdy Man" to record both sets (we must have got there late again). I played along, too, taking a couple of photos to memorialize the moment. We had great seats both nights, topped off with second row dead center on the floor for the 24th."

###

JEMS is proud to partner with Rob, Jim R, Ed F, Barry G and many 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.

It takes a village to keep the Lost And Found series rolling every week. We acknowledge the vital contributions of Professor Goody and give a special shoutout to JEMS' own mjk5510 for his ongoing post-production supervision and original CD artwork.


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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