Yes
Pacific Amphitheatre
Costa Mesa, CA
August 6, 1991
Mike Millard Master Tapes via JEMS
The Lost and Found Mike the MICrophone Tapes Volume 221
16/44 Edition

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

JEMS 2023 Transfer: Mike Millard Master Cassette > Nakamichi Cassette Deck 1 azimuth-adjusted playback > Sound Devices USBPre2 > Audacity 3.1 capture > iZotope RX > iZotope Ozone > MBIT+ resample to 16/44.1 > xACT 2.50 > FLAC

01 Firebird Suite
02 Yours Is No Disgrace
03 Rhythm Of Love
04 Shock To The System
05 Heart Of The Sunrise
06 Leaves Of Green > Mood For A Day
07 Make it Easy
08 Owner Of A Lonely Heart
09 And You And I
10 Drum Duet
11 Changes
12 I've Seen All Good People
13 Solly's Beard
14 Saving My Heart >
15 Whitefish >
16 Amazing Grace
17 Lift Me Up
18 Rick Wakeman Solo
19 Awaken
20 Roundabout

Known Faults: Tape change in "Awaken"

Jon Anderson lead vocals
Bill Bruford - electric and acoustic drums, percussion
Steve Howe - acoustic and electric guitars, backing vocals
Tony Kaye - Hammond organ, synthesizers
Trevor Rabin - electric guitars, lead and backing vocals
Chris Squire - bass guitar, pedals, backing vocals
Rick Wakeman - electric piano, synthesizers, keytar
Alan White - acoustic drums, percussion

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 MICrophone, 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: [Link]

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 1992.

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:

[Link]
[Link]

Yes, Pacific Amphitheatre, Costa Mesa, CA, August 6, 1991

This week we feature the last recording Mike "The Mike" Millard made of one of his favorite bands. This was Mike's second time seeing Yes on the Union tour, which combined line-ups to feature both guitarists Steve Howe and Trevor Rabin, both keyboard players in Rick Wakeman and Tony Kaye, as well as dual drummers Bill Bruford and Alan White. The May 15, 1991 show at The Forum was released on Vol. 189 of the Lost and Found series.

Many of the reviews of the Costa Mesa show three months later flag technical problems that included frequent feedback and keyboard failures. But one such issue yielded a happy result. Steve Howe was supposed to perform his standard acoustic number, "Clap," as he did across this tour. But because of an issue with his guitar, when he switched to another instrument he elected to play "Leaves Of Green" from Tales From Topographic Oceans instead, one of only two appearances the song made in 1991.

The previously circulating recording of this gig is burdened by a lot of crowd chatter and noise. Millard's recording should represent a major upgrade and serve as the definitive document of the show. Samples provided.

The Union tour looks good on paper, merging competing line-ups in the Yes universe. What doesn't always blend as well is the modern-sounding synthesizers in classic tracks, as well as some of the songs from the Union album like "Saving My Heart" which pale in comparison to the band's best work. But you can't have a merger without compromise.
###

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.

Each week we thank our stalwart collaborators for their contributions to the Lost and Found series. Give it up for Rob S who did the tape transfer, Professor Goody who set us straight on pitch and mjk5510 for post production and artwork.

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

BK for JEMS