Pat Benatar
Wiltern Theatre
Los Angeles, CA
May 22, 1991
Mike Millard Master Tapes via JEMS
The Lost and Found Mike the MICrophone Tapes Volume 139
1644 Edition

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

Transfer: Mike Millard Master Cassette > Nakamichi Cassette Deck 1 azimuth-adjusted playback > Sound Devices USBPre2 > Audacity 3.1 capture > iZotope RX > iZotope RX9 Advanced and Ozone 9 > MBIT+ resample to 16/44.1 > Audacity > xACT 2.50 > FLAC

01 Last Night
02 I Ain't Got Nobody
03 That's What Love Will Make You Do
04 I Get Evil
05 Sweet Baby Of Mine
06 I Feel Lucky
07 Help Me
08 Paying The Cost To Be The Boss
09 Don't Happen No More
10 True Love
11 Bloodshot Eyes
12 So Long
13 Evening
14 Don't Start Me Talkin'
15 Band Introduction
16 The Good Life

Known Faults:
-None

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

Pat Benatar, Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, May 22, 1991

Our spotlight on female artists recorded by Mike "The Mike" Millard continues with Pat Benatar and her unexpected foray into big band blues. In April 1991, Benatar released her eighth album, True Love, which saw her explore traditional big band and jump blues, backed by members of long-standing genre experts Roomful of Blues.

The album was a departure from Benatar's classic rock hits and met with a mixed reception, though clearly this type of music was something near and dear to her. For the Wiltern show, she is backed by a full band playing songs from the album and other covers in the genre for what is ultimately a tight, 72-minute set.

The Wiltern became a rock concert venue in 1985 during Millard's hiatus from recording and he only taped there three times, all in 1991. If you've been to the Wiltern, it has a very high ceiling and can sound quite roomy. While Mike makes a clear recording, it isn't as up-close sounding as his best work. Still, hard to imagine there are many tapes of Benatar with the big band, so for fans this is hopefully a welcome addition to the canon. Samples provided.

If you're wondering, Mike did record Benatar earlier, in 1983 on tour supporting Get Nervous, but that recording is currently missing in action.

###

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.

From the road, we say thanks for this week's contributions by Professor Goody on pitch adjustments and mjk5510, who pulled together the set list in addition his weekly, stalwart post production and artwork duties. Much appreciated.

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

BK for JEMS

Images for all shows as well as full size images for this show.

Images for this show: