Aretha Franklin
Poplar Creek Music Theater
Hoffman Estates, IL
September 4, 1992
(Two Of Us Master Series Volume 304)

Recording: Shure Mic > Sony WM-D6C

Transfer: Master Cassette > Nakamichi DR-01 (azimuth adjusted) > USB Sound Devices > Audacity > iZotope RX 10 / ozone 9 (mastered) > xACT 2.50 > FLAC

01 Introduction
02 Everyday People
03 Angel
04 Rock Steady
05 I Never Loved a Man (the Way I Love You)
06 Respect
07 Ever Changing Times
08 Save the Best for Last
09 Killing Me Softly >
10 Get Here
11 Spirit Of The Lord Is Coming Downs
12 Once Before I Go

Known Faults:
-Respect: end cut
-Every Changing Times: start cut

Between 1983 and 2002, few tapers were as active as the "Two Of Us." Not only did they capture live performances in their local area, but they also traveled the world to record their favorite artists. Over nearly two decades, they taped over 250 artists, many of whom were recorded multiple times.

Springsteen collectors will already be familiar with some of their work�thanks to "fmcleanboots," who shared a half dozen or so shows from the "Tunnel Of Love" tour before passing the baton. Yet, what may be lesser-known is the depth of their passion�not just for Springsteen, but for music itself. Their dedication resulted in an astonishing catalog of artists and performances.

The "Two Of Us" followed tours relentlessly, recording club shows, theater performances, arena concerts, and everything in between�capturing the sounds of big-name acts, mid-level artists, and local talents alike. On nights when a tour had a break, they sought out other artists performing nearby, ensuring no opportunity to tape went to waste. While their priority was always to enjoy the show, they often acquired tickets outside venues, working tirelessly to secure the best possible seats�sometimes trading up until they achieved the perfect vantage point.

Their recordings are uniformly excellent, though occasionally the start of a show was sacrificed in exchange for securing prime seating. Before adopting DAT technology in later years, they relied on the Sony WM-D6C paired with an external Shure microphone for much of their work. Remarkably, their master tapes�kept in pristine condition within a climate-controlled environment�remain uncirculated, preserving their captures in perfect shape.

This series promises to be an exhilarating journey. While releases won�t always follow chronological order due to the sheer volume of material, mini-series featuring consecutive dates within a tour may be shared. Along the way, we aim to upgrade existing circulating audio and introduce recordings of performances that lack any circulating source. Enjoy the ride�this is not a dark ride.

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Aretha Franklin @ Poplar Creek September 4, 1992

As Two Of Us crisscrossed the world following Bruce Springsteen's 1992�1993 World Tour, they often took advantage of off nights to see other favorite artists. One particularly memorable evening was in Hoffman Estates, where they stayed an extra night to catch the legendary Aretha Franklin.

Fortune smiled on them as they managed to score front-row seats via the box office right before the show began giving them an unparalleled view of the performance. However, for recording purposes, the proximity proved challenging�the sound from the overhead PA tended to soar above them.

Despite this, the capture remains highly listenable and enjoyable, especially given the rarity of Aretha's 1992 shows in circulation. Samples provided.

While Bruce took a three-week break from his tour to tape MTV�s Unplugged, Two Of Us remained as dedicated as ever. Rather than taking a break themselves, they seized the opportunity to capture six additional performances in New York City and Los Angeles, further enriching their already impressive archive of live recordings.

Special thanks go to Goody for his steadfast guidance on pitch corrections, ensuring that our historical releases remain true to the magic of the moment.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the "Two Of Us" for their dedication to capturing these legendary performers and preserving shows that many are hearing for the first time. The countless hours spent waiting in line, traveling, purchasing tickets, and trusting me to safeguard their life's work do not go unnoticed. Our community owes you both an immense debt of thanks.

A big thank you as well to my friend "fmcleanboots" for making the connection and laying the foundation for what has become an extraordinary series of releases. We�ve only begun to scratch the surface. The sheer number of uncirculated shows the "Two Of Us" taped and continue to provide for release is truly staggering.

mjk5510 & Two Of Us

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