Dire StraitsThe Forum
Inglewood, CA
February 8, 1992
Mike Millard Original Master Tapes via JEMS
The Lost and Found Mike the MICrophone Tapes Volume 32
Recording Gear: AKG 451E Microphones (CK-1 cardioid capsules) > Nakamichi 550 Cassette Recorder
Transfer: Mike Millard Master Cassettes > Yamaha KX-W592 Cassette Deck > Sony R-500 DAT > Analog Master DAT Clone > Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 > Sound Forge Audio Studio 13.0 capture > iZotope RX6 > iZotope Ozone 6 > Audacity > Peak Pro 6 > xACT 2.39 > FLAC
01 Calling Elvis
02 Walk Of Life
03 Heavy Fuel
04 Romeo And Juliet
05 Planet Of New Orleans
06 The Bug
07 Private Investigations
08 Sultans Of Swing
09 On Every Street
10 Your Latest Trick
11 Two Young Lovers
12 Tunnel Of Love
13 Money For Nothing
14 Brothers In Arms
Known Faults:
-Calling Elvis: joined in progress
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:
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:
Dire Straits, The Forum, Inglewood, CA, February 8, 1992
The Year of the Mike continues with a recording from the late stages of his work, Dire Straits playing the second of two nights at The Forum in Inglewood. This was in the middle of the band’s massive On Every Street world tour that would prove to be their last.
Knopfler and Co. stuck to a core set of songs for the tour, making changes here and there. This Forum show includes a couple of the songs that weren’t in the set every night: “Planet of New Orleans” and “Tunnel of Love.” Their final tour may not represent peak Dire Straits, but one can’t deny the caliber of the playing is excellent and some of the versions of these songs stretch out marvelously.
Mike and Rob were sitting in Loge 24, Row L which puts them at a good angle of attack for the PA. They arrived a little late, stuck in traffic on Manchester Blvd. which explains why “Calling Elvis” is joined in progress. Their resulting recording is excellent by any standard, rich, full fidelity if a bit roomy as many Forum tapes are and not quite as close sounding as Millard’s masterworks. But it sure makes for good listening. Samples provided.
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JEMS is proud to partner with Rob, Jim R and Barry G to release Millard's historic recordings and to help set the record straight about the man himself. One thing that isn’t definitively clear to us yet is precisely when Millard stopped recording. The last known cassette master we are aware of dates from April 1992, two and a half years before he died. But we have it on good authority that Mike borrowed a friend’s DAT recorder on occasion and it is possible that his work from 1992-94 is not on cassette but DAT and hence wasn’t something Rob found at Mike’s house where he had no means for playback. We also know Mike reached out to friends about taping the Rolling Stones’ Voodoo Lounge tour in 1994, but we don’t believe that transpired. Our goal is to document all of Mike’s work and that of others who recorded using his gear (and we know of at least two people who did).
We can’t thank Rob enough for reconnecting with Jim and putting his trust in our Millard reissue campaign. He kept these 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.
As always, massive credit goes to our post-production supervisor mjk5510. Week in, week out he delivers the goods to you.
In these unprecedented times we will continue to put more music in your hands and ears while everyone is bunkered in.
Please stay positive, help your neighbors, help strangers and let’s get to the other side of this intact. Better still, make a donation to a food bank or other key support organization helping out those who are struggling even more than you are to get by.
Lastly, cheers to the late, great Mike the MICrophone. His work never ceases to impress. May he rest in peace.
BK for JEMS
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