Kraftwerk
1981-08-14 or 1981-08-15
Kisstadion, Budapest, Hungary

Lineage: unknown gear (no DAT for sure) --> master cassette --> 1st cassette copy (TDK D100) -->
--> .WAV transfer to HDD (via Sony TC-K590 deck) using Sound Forge v5.0 (speed correction, track split) -->
--> .FLAC (level 8) w. FLAC Fronted v1.7.1

01 - Intro (0:41)
02 - Nummern (4:02)
03 - Computerwelt (5:23)
04 - Computer Liebe (6:00)
05 - Heimcomputer (5:20)
06 - The model (4:13)
07 - Neonlicht (8:52)
08 - Autobahn (16:08)
09 - Geigerz�hler (1:50)
10 - Radioaktivit�t (4:46)
11 - Die Stimme der Energie (0:47)
12 - Uran (0:46)
13 - Die Sonne, der Mond, die Sternen (1:53)
14 - Ohm sweet ohm (5:06)
15 - Spiegelsaal (5:29)
16 - Schaufensterpuppen (7:23)
17 - Trans Europa Express (5:11)
18 - Metall auf Metall (3:19)
19 - Taschenrechner (6:35)
20 - Die Roboter (6:59)


Total: 100:43


From the master to dime:
Whatever they say, there is *no* circulating *lossless version* of this show - till now.
A few years ago, when the master tape surfaced, the owner distributed it as mp3 files. That time I didn't mind
if something is lossy or not, I was glad to get hold of this gig. As the time went by, slowly I became
lossless-addict, so I decided to get a dierct CD copy from the master. I called the guy, but he had bad news
for me: the cassette disappeared when he moved to a new house. Bummer.
I almost gave up, when a friend (thanks youwine!) mentioned that he has a cassette copy from the original,
as that time he didn't have a computer at home to play mp3, so he asked for a cassette copy.
I borrowed his tape, converted to flacs... and now it's here. It's a 1st generation, but it's the best you can get.

As for the date... there were two dates in Budapest in 1981, and the taper (the father of the original cassette's
owner) just couldn't remember which show he was attended to.

The quality of the recording is surprisingly good considering the equipment and the age of the master tape.


Political background in Hungary:
Unfortunately the socialism kept away pop bands and artists from the "decadent rotting capitalist" countries,
so it was a real big deal when a band like Kraftwerk (West Germany) could came accross the iron curtain.
The socialist regime (pre 1989) didn't allow the Hungarian youth to meet life of people in the western countries.
Under very heavy Soviet influence (strong numbers soviet soldiers stationed all over in Hungary), the local
leading just didn't want any trouble with the "Big Brother", who was watching all the way.

Considering the circumstances, Kraftwerk made a decision (or they were asked?... we'll never know) to
accomplish minor changes in certain songs.
So they simply left out "Odin, dwa, tri" [1,2,3 in Russian] from the song Numbers. I don't know what was so
offending in it, but the fact they didn't risk.
The other change was in the song Die Roboter they didn't sing "Ja tvoi sluga, ja tvoi rabotnik" ["I am your
slave, I am your robot" in Russian]. Instead of Russian, they sung this line in German. Well, this change is
is a bit comprehensible. ;)
One more unusual thing: while the whole set was German language, the song The Model was sung in English (for
whatever reason).


Flaws:
Autobahn and Die Roboter are cut (tape flip) but hey both missing maximum 1-2 minutes.
Besides, there are interrupts in the outro of Metall auf Metall and Taschenrechner. (I think the taper wanted
to save free spaces on the cassette). Just a few seconds missing here.


All in all, this one is my favorite Kraftwerk show. I have more than a couple of hundred live recordings from
them, but it always remains unique.


Enjoy, and search for your father's master cassette of the Kraftwerk show he recorded ages ago! :)

-fki-
fki.fw.hu