New video upgrade available. How does this upload compare to the previous version on Youtube? Colors have been tuned. so the band members don’t look like they have been taken from the Simpsons. (No yellow/green tint). Video is less dark, and the audio has more warmth. Although the audio still has its flaws. Random noises, pops etc… I tried to filter them out, but it was an impossible job. Also when viewed full screen it should keep the details a little better. This show has been released fully on CD (unauthorized release). Check out Amazon for more info. I have no idea how the audio compares between my video and the released CD.

1. Time To Kill
2. The Weight
3. This Wheel’s On Fire
4. Up On Cripple Creek

Support My Ramblings  | iHerb Coupon YUY952

Go to iHerb.com (I know you want to)

Did you know that using affiliate links will not cost you any extra time or money. Using coupon code above will keep my blog running!

Finally my new Youtube channel has a Bruce Springsteen concert video. Bruce Springsteen joins Neil Young on stage at Jones Beach Music Theater in 1989. Performing the song “Down By The River”. I just discovered this video. I must have skipped this previously, because the video & audio quality was pretty low. It’s still not perfect, but better…Judge yourself!

This is a big upgrade to what is currently on Youtube. Both image and audio quality improved:

Previous version:

This new version:

FYI:

“I worked weeks to bring the Bruce Springsteen Largo 1980 show, just to notice that the XP version was actually worse than the one disc Apocalypse sound version. I just wasted weeks of work! That’s not all, I also spend two weeks editing the Southside Johnny & Bruce show from Agora 1978…just to discover that I accidentally deleted all the project & original files! ”

If anyone has those two shows, I’m happy to get them. The Agora Show turned out pretty amazing… :(

Support My Ramblings  | iHerb Coupon YUY952

Go to iHerb.com (I know you want to)

Did you know that using affiliate links will not cost you any extra time or money. Using coupon code above will keep my blog running!

Corona virus affects everything. First Netflix announced that they are lowering the streaming resolution, soon YouTube followed. It’s easy to predict that the other streaming companies will follow.

Is there a way to get the HD & 4K quality back for now? Yes…Kinda!

Luckily there is a device called Nvidia Shield TV, which has an AI based upscaler. It does pretty impressive job converting low quality (480p,720p,1080p) material up to 4K. Much more better than any TV system will do.

• Fast. Really Fast. SHIELD TV takes media streaming to a whole new level, powered by the NVIDIA Tegra X1+ processor, SHIELD TV is the world’s most powerful Android TV streaming media player.
• Dolby Vision – Atmos. Bring your home theater to life with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos surround sound—delivering ultra-vivid picture quality and immersive audio. Enhance HD video in real-time to 4K for clearer, crisper visuals using next-generation AI upscaling.
• Best-In-Class Design. The new SHIELD TV is compact, stealth, and designed to disappear behind your entertainment center, right along with your cables. With Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band AC Wi-Fi, a built-in power supply, and a microSD card slot for storage expansion, it is powerful, feature-packed, and built for behind-the-scenes brilliance. The all-new remote is more advanced than ever with motion-activated, backlit buttons—including a user-customizable button. With voice control, Bluetooth, IR control for your TV, and a built-in lost remote locator, you have the most advanced remote yet.
• Unlimited Entertainment. Get the most 4K content of any streaming media player. Watch Netflix, Amazon Video, Disney+ and Vudu in crisp 4K HDR, and YouTube, Hulu Live, Google Play Movies & TV, and more in 4K. Stream from your phone with built-in Chromecast 4K. Add a game controller (sold separately) and play today’s most popular games like Fortnite with GeForce NOW
• Voice Control. The built-in Google Assistant is at your command. See photos, live camera feeds, weather, sports scores, and more on the big screen. Dim the lights and immerse yourself in your favorite show or music using your voice. And control your SHIELD hands-free with Google Home or Alexa and Echo.
• Included Components: Remote Controller
• Power Source Type: Corded Electric

Where to buy? Check out Amazon Product Page. Also Remember to buy an HDMI cable too (it’s not included)

I’m pretty sure that their stock will sell out pretty quickly, because of the recent news. I’m sure there are other sites selling it online. Also Amazon UK.

I feel kinda bummed for this situation. I just launched a new YouTube channel that features high quality live music videos. I launched the channel faster due the Corona virus. To give people something to watch when trapped in home.

My wife and kids are at home. Schools, libraries, gyms, events, borders closed….whole country feels closed.

Be home, be safe!

Support My Ramblings  | iHerb Coupon YUY952

Go to iHerb.com (I know you want to) – I suggest buying Vitamin C & Zinc at least

Did you know that using affiliate links will not cost you any extra time or money. Using coupon code above will keep my blog running!

I wasn’t planning on launching my new YouTube channel anytime soon, but due the Corona virus I thought people might want to see some high quality music videos, when stuck at home. I wanted to make sure I would had a huge archive ready, before launching this, but…things change!

Over the years I have found myself thinking that there should be a music video streaming service like Netflix. Service that focuses on high quality content.  I highly doubt something like this will happen anytime soon. I’m tired of seeing poor 240p YouTube videos. I know some of the videos has been on YouTube ages without an upgrade. I also know that the site didn’t have the option for HD content back in the day.

Last Christmas I started to buy some new software, and started to see how much I can really improve those old videos. I have done photo restoration for a living, and have used video editors for over 10 years as a hobby.

There are some major hardware upgrades I need to do, and some software updates too. I highly doubt I got any major projects done this year. After all, I’m focusing only to deliver best possible quality that semi-pro home user can.

Meet Pure Frosting HD Archives:

Pure Frosting HD Archives Youtube channel features videos in 1080p resolution at the highest currently (I’d do 4k, but just for the 1080p versions takes days to render). Also if you have a high quality upscaler like NVIDIA Shield TV. It provides stunning quality when upscaling 720p & 1080p material to 4K! A must buy for anyone wanting step up their gear!

Easiest way to improve video quality. Remember to buy an HDMI cable too.

What type of music I’m going to upload? The Presidents of the United States of America, Bruce Springsteen, Led Zeppelin, Seasick Steve, AC/DC, Guns ‘N Roses, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Johnny Cash, ZZ Top, Metallica, Aerosmith and that sorta stuff.

Good thing about YouTube is that the videos gets claimed by the copyright owners. So the money goes to rightful owners. I’m happy to remove any videos. I’m doing this project mostly because I want my favorite videos to travel with me. Youtube offers a great and easy way to do so.

I have no control over the ads. Youtube adds them automatically. If it’s middle of the track, I’m sorry! If you wish to remove them. Buy the Youtube Premium subscription!

What video restoration can do?:

Here’s a screenshot of how a low quality webcast looks like when restored and upscaled onto 1080p, using various filters combined with AI tools. With a 100% zoom the difference is huge! (click the photo) Here’s a screenshot of Presidents of the USA show from Paradiso 2006:

It’s just a work in progress. Don’t hold your breath waiting the show to be released. I don’t have enough power on my PC to fully render the whole show. Also my computer (laptop) has a broken fan, so I can’t render any long videos. I’m hoping to get a new PC in Christmas of 2020 when tax returns gets paid. (I hope I will get any). :)

Support My Ramblings  | iHerb Coupon YUY952

Go to iHerb.com (I know you want to)

Did you know that using affiliate links will not cost you any extra time or money. Using coupon code above will keep my blog running!

It’s no secret that the song “E Street Shuffle” is based on Major Lance’s “Monkey Time”. I’m pretty sure I have read about it before, BUT due my to laziness, I have never bothered to search out more. The song is written by the R&B legend Curtis Mayfield. It was first released by the Major Lance in 1963 on their album “Monkey Time”.

Yesterday, I stumbled upon this: E Street Band roadie “Albany Al Tellone” (Albee Tellone) wrote this on the BTX Bruce Springsteen fan forum:

The song “Monkey Time” by Major Lance was a hit in 1965 when I was 14 years old and Bruce was 15. When he taught me “E St. Shuffle”, I said that it reminded me of “Monkey Time”, to which he responded, “don’t worry about it”. In an interview that I saw about 40 years later, he told the interviewer that “Monkey Time” was partly the inspiration for “E St. Shuffle” I don’t recall where or when that interview was conducted. Sorry.

Now. I had to hear it myself. Yes, it’s very similar…

…but like always. I had to dig deeper. Al Kooper also recorded a version of the Major Lance’s “Monkey Time”, which is available on his album “A Possible Projection of the Future” (1972). After listening to that version, I’m 99% sure that Bruce has based the song to Al Kooper’s version. Check out the tempo changes and bridge. E Street Shuffle is much more similar to Al’s version compared to the original version done by the Major Lance. Judge yourself:

Similarities doesn’t stop there. “New York City (You’re a Woman)” is somewhat similar to the “New York City Serenade”. And if you dig ever deeper to Al Kooper’s catalog. Song titles etc. are pretty similar (or maybe they were just a typical for the era). And yes, I’m aware that Al Kooper recorded a whole bunch of covers, but still. Maybe I’m totally off the tracks. Yet, I find this stuff fascinating.

One more interesting version comes from Laura Nyro (whom lived in New York at the time). Recorded a medley of Monkey Time/Dancing in The Street in 1971:

What makes this interesting is fact, that Bruce Springsteen used to play the song Dancing in the Street regularly during the Steel Mill days (1970-1971), but that is just a coincidence…

 ..or is it? :)

Support My Ramblings  | iHerb Discount Coupon Code YUY952

Go to iHerb.com (I know you want to)

Did you know that using affiliate links will not cost you any extra time or money. Using coupon code above will keep my blog running!

 Share the rewards code to your friends too! All the funds will be used to buy a solar panel system to our roof.

Review of Grado SR80’s – 25 Years Later

I’m a bit skeptical about reviews I read from tech sites these days. Usually they get the products either for free, or the test period is just too short to get everything down, and sometimes those “reviews” are closer to a marketing brochure.  Let me tell you something about my headphones. I’m talking about Grado SR-80’s.

25 years ago I bought headphones with the money I got from my first summer job. Grado SR80’s were my first purchase. I recently discovered those headphones from our garage, and I was curious to see if they still work. I used them daily for many hours, maybe for 15 years in a row. They still make the same headphone series. Still looking identical (maybe not the greatest looking headphones), but oh boy, after 25 years they still absolutely sound beautiful. Sound stage is amazing. I can listen music for much longer period of time without my ears getting weary. Natural sound with a great clarity. I paid around 595 Finnish Marks (with current inflation rate, that would be something like 150 euros.)

Today, I sell electronic home appliances, including Bluetooth headphones (JBL, Bose..) and none of them that cost under 300 dollars doesn’t come even close to these. Yes, the Grado SR-80’s doesn’t have a Bluetooth connection, and they still have a wire. But I fell in love with the music again. I don’t know why I sold my soul to wireless headphones.  One thing is certain. Next step is to buy Grado grado RS2e, once we get the solar panels. Those headphones are going to be my first treat. Simply because good headphones offers more to me than speakers. With speakers I would have to invest much more. Never judge the headphones by how they’ll look. I’m gonna keep using my SR80’s for now on…

Read more about Grado SR-80’s from Amazon

Here’s how my headphones looks after 25 years:

Yes, they have seen better times. Text has faded, and the tips at top of the rail has been replaced (I used clear plastic covers from an optical cable, those fitted perfectly! Pro tip for those who have lost those little black plastic things!) Also the cushions has been replaced over the years. Still 25 years…unbelievable!

…and yes. There are affiliate links. You don’t lose a dime clicking the links. I might gain a few, and keep my blog rolling. Trying to keep my blog transparent.

Go to iHerb.com (I know you want to)

Did you know that using affiliate links will not cost you any extra time or money. Using coupon code above will keep my blog running!

 Share the rewards code to your friends too! All the funds will be used to buy a solar panel system to our roof.

Out of all the early bootlegs from the 1969-1972, the Matrix show is one of the most experimental. Featuring very long California rock era compositions. Steel Mill is playing like they are channeling the Doors. Only non hard rock song is “The Train” song. There is only one known performance of this track, and gladly it’s on this tape. One of the most interesting tracks from the pre E Street era. Sound and theme that Bruce returned almost 50 years later with his Western Tracks. Even though it sounds like there is only a dozen audience members, Steel Mill is playing like they are the biggest hard rock bands around. Much can be said about Vini Lopez’s drumming during the E Street days, but his drumming style fitted perfectly to this type of material. It’s the 50 year anniversary of this show.

This should be an upgrade over the other versions on Youtube. I wanted to wait if there would have been an official release of this show. But it appears that the Nugs.net skipped the January 2020 release. Perfect opportunity to finally to introduce pre E Street Band era recording.

Setlist:

01 The War Is Over
02 Lady Walking Down By The River
03 Jeannie I Want To Thank You
04 America Under Fire – America The Beautiful
05 He’s Guilty (The Judge Song)
06 The Train Song
07 Goin’ Down Slow

Brucebase:

One show, with Steel Mill the sole act on the bill. Boz Scaggs was the scheduled headliner but he cancelled at that last minute due to illness and so Steel Mill played alone. This is the show attended by critic Philip Elwood, who turned up intending to review Scaggs but ended up writing a highly favorable review of Steel Mill that appeared in the January 14 edition of The San Francisco Examiner. “America Under Fire” includes a snippet of “America The Beautiful”. The listed setlist emanates from a long circulating, excellent quality soundboard audio from one of the California gigs. This is very likely (but not absolutely certain) to emanate from this January 13 show, as it seems to correspond closely to details noted in Elwood’s article. Elwood mentions that the group opened with a brief warm-up instrumental rendition of “Satin Doll”. However, the other tracks mentioned by Elwood do appear and the crowd noise corresponds with Elwood’s 1984 comments that very few people were in attendance. – Source: Brucebase

Steel Mill: Bruce Springsteen, Danny Federici, Vini Lopez, Vinnie Roslin

Support My Ramblings  | iHerb Voucher YUY952

Go to iHerb.com (I know you want to)

Did you know that using affiliate links will not cost you any extra time or money. Using coupon code above will keep my blog running!

 Share the rewards code to your friends too! All the funds will be used to buy a solar panel system to our roof.

It’s been a long time since I have uploaded a new video to my Brucetapes Youtube account. For a Christmas present I bought myself a new video editor called Hitfilm Pro. I have used their free version of Hitfilm Express for a year now. It was time to support their hard work. 

Largo 1978 is one of my favorite live performances from the Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. Sadly the video is really washed out on details. I did some minor correcting for the colors, and tried to squeeze any details possible back to life. 

As for audio. The original soundtrack is way too flat and dry. It doesn’t sound like a live performance at all. Drums sounded like Mighty Max was hitting cardboard boxes. Now it’s more full, raw and thunderous as it should be. That’s how I like my Darkness On Edge Of Town concerts.

I had my doubts about should I release this or not.  Just this one video took dozens of renders, and tweaks for a week. I did spend too much time for this project to leave this unreleased.  

Gloria – Not Fade Away – She’s The One sequence is one of my favorites. There’s even a little Link Wray riff (Rumble) hidden within. Too much to be a coincidence. It’s no secret that the Boss has listened to his fair share of the Link Wray.

Support My Ramblings  | iHerb Voucher YUY952

Go to iHerb.com (I know you want to)

Did you know that using affiliate links will not cost you any extra time or money. Using coupon code above will keep my blog running!

 Share the rewards code to your friends too! All the funds will be used to buy a solar panel system to our roof.

Black Friday kicks off the Christmas Holiday season. It’s usually the best time to buy Christmas gifts (Unless you already bought then in January sales). Iherb is a great place for gift ideas. You’ll get organic and natural products with nice discounts. If you are new to iHerb. Always start your shopping from the Specials page.

This year the Black Friday day is November 29th. Black Friday weeks starts off on 25th. Cyber Monday is in December 2nd.

Have a great Holiday season!

Any rewards that this blog post might gain will be used towards purchasing a solar panel system to our roof. If you wish to support my blog rather than the major voucher sites. I’m more than happy, if you share this blog post instead! Thanks!

It took me only 22 years to discover that the Impostors 6 cover of the track New York Groove on Ace Frehley tribute album “Return of the Come” wasn’t originally done by the Kiss member Ace Frehley. It was originally released by a glam rock group called Hello. It was written by Russ Ballard (From the UK rock band called Argent). Song was a hit for both Hello in 1975 and for Ace Frehley in 1978. For the Impostors 6? Not so much. Where the other versions have gained millions of views on YouTube. The Impostors 6 has gained around 1300 views. Yet, this strange, but fascinating cover holds a special place in my heart.

The Impostors 6 was a collaboration featuring all the original Presidents of the USA members, Kim Thayil (Soundgarden), Kurt Bloch (Fastbacks & The Young Fresh Fellows), and the producer Conrad Uno. New York Groove was recorded in legendary Egg Studios in Seattle. Same place where the Presidents of the USA debut album was made. The Presidents also recorded a cover of Shout it Loud for the “Return of the Come” album.

I asked Chris Ballew about how the whole Impostor 6 came together and the answer was:

“I have no idea how we got invited to do that! It was just happening one day…The Imposters 6 was a name that Kurt Bloch from the Fastbacks and I made up…it made us laugh because it was hard to say!”

That’s it! That’s all I know regarding these sessions. I searched the Internet upside down, and who knows how this obscure collection came together. Late 90’s was the golden age of CDs anyway, and new releases came in from doors and windows.

Also the name suffers from Caspar-Casper-syndrome…is it The Imposters or Impostors? Ballew, Bellew, Bellow….

Ace Frehley:

Not that there is anything wrong with the Ace Frehley’s version. For me the Ace Frehley’s version is little too stiff. Although I do enjoy the Shaft type of funky intro. Original version by the Hello has a harmonica intro, which also fits mighty well:

Hello (Original version):

Keep My Blog Alive  | iHerb Promotional Code YUY952

Go to iHerb.com (I know you want to)

Did you know that using affiliate links will not cost you any extra time or money. Using coupon above will keep my blog running! Shipping Saver products can give you a totally free shipping!

 Share the rewards code to your friends too! All the funds will be used to buy a solar panel system to our roof.