1994 - September 17, 1994 - Umbra Penumbra - Portland, OR

Elliott Smith Reviews · 01-26-2006, 06:11 PM

http://www.trashtreasury.com/html/el...9-17-1994.html

Setlist:
Some Song
Alphabet Town
Hanging Out With Me
No Name #4
Big Decision
Condor Avenue
No Name #1
No Confidence Man
Crazy Fucker
Not Half Right

Show Notes: Soundboard recording, approximate running time: 35 minutes. This is the earliest known Elliott Smith bootleg, and is one of the more circulated shows. Two tracks: some song and no name #1 appear on the live compilation cassette "live @ umbra penumbra", acoustic show

Please read this before posting a review

Trade this show at elliottsmithmedia.com

exene · 02-04-2006, 06:03 PM

The best show from Elliott's early days.

5 stars, this one is a classic.

666girl · 07-16-2006, 06:43 PM

This show is giving me a headache! Way too much revurb. The setlist is really good to be one of his first solo shows.

Bear · 10-11-2006, 06:42 AM

Sept 17, 1994 - Umbra Penumbra - Portland, OR

OK for my first review I'm gonna try and do things well.

The Umbra Penumbra show is now a classic as it is allegedly the first Elliott Smith solo show. It’s been reported that there were only about 15 people attending it that evening, which makes the existence of this recording quite a small miracle.

The sound of the recording, as 666girl mentionned above, is rather muddied by a strong reverb effect. There’s also a high-pitched ringing that occurs every now and then and that seems to be caused by the sound of the guitar on the recording. The audience is very quiet.

The concert is rather short and the setlist is quite interresting, especially since this took place in 94, after the release of Roman Candle (I may be wrong about that but I doubt it). Elliott only plays three songs from that record (No Name #4, #1 and Condor Avenue). The rest is a mix of yet to be released songs, a Heatmiser number, rarities and songs that will never be properly released during Elliott’s life.

From that I would say that the setlist is rather rare, even though Elliott did play Some Song, Condor Avenue and No Confidence Man quite often back then.

Highlights are : a truly haunted version of Alphabet Town made even more beautiful from the fact that he’s slightly losing his voice on this one, a mind-blowing ultra-taut version of Big Decision, No Name #4 for its rarety, and Half Right which is played here for the first time, as Elliott mentionned that he just wrote it and is trying to decypher his lyrics sheet. Neil Gust accompanies him on Half Right on a borrowed guitar, but apparently without PA system, which results in him being almost inaudible (there is some strumming in the back but you have to listen real closely).

Elliott is in excellent form, not too chatty but giving strongly heartfelt renditions of every song. His voice is slightly raspy on some numbers, giving the general performance a slightly harsh crude tone.

Personnal note : this is one of my favorite concerts ever. It seems to me that Elliott in such a good shape is a lot more poignant musically than the 2001-03 stammering Elliott. Overall, I feel like the reverb sound and his vocal performance add a very dark edge to that recording, making it sound a bit «gothic» in some parts.

Excellent download – 4/5

ceda · 10-13-2006, 11:28 PM

yes, the first time i heard alphabet town was this live version. i think it was up on elliottsmith.com to download at one point. very very very very good. the quality was also much better.

Bear · 10-14-2006, 02:40 AM

You're saying the recording quality was better ??

Because I did download this song before getting the concert too (not on es.com though but it was floating around somewhere) and I don't remember it being better.

Could that mean that FLAC was made from a bad quality rip of the original recording ?

ceda · 10-15-2006, 01:04 AM

it could also mean that my flac player is shit. but
that shouldn't make a difference should it?

Bear · 10-15-2006, 02:35 AM

No I don't think the quality of a FLAC player can have an effect on the sound.

01-26-2006, 06:11 PM
Elliott Smith Reviews Psychic Pain Managment Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 136	1994 - September 17, 1994 - Umbra Penumbra - Portland, OR http://www.trashtreasury.com/html/el...9-17-1994.html Setlist: Some Song Alphabet Town Hanging Out With Me No Name #4 Big Decision Condor Avenue No Name #1 No Confidence Man Crazy Fucker Not Half Right Show Notes: Soundboard recording, approximate running time: 35 minutes. This is the earliest known Elliott Smith bootleg, and is one of the more circulated shows. Two tracks: some song and no name #1 appear on the live compilation cassette "live @ umbra penumbra", acoustic show Please read this before posting a review Trade this show at elliottsmithmedia.com

02-04-2006, 06:03 PM
exene I aspire to be a roadie Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 8	Re: September 17, 1994 - Umbra Penumbra - Portland, OR The best show from Elliott's early days. 5 stars, this one is a classic.

07-16-2006, 06:43 PM
666girl Slow dancing to Billie Holliday Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 801	Re: September 17, 1994 - Umbra Penumbra - Portland, OR This show is giving me a headache! Way too much revurb. The setlist is really good to be one of his first solo shows.

10-11-2006, 06:42 AM
Bear audio/visual/terminal Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 298 My Zoints Profile	Re: September 17, 1994 - Umbra Penumbra - Portland, OR Sept 17, 1994 - Umbra Penumbra - Portland, OR OK for my first review I'm gonna try and do things well. The Umbra Penumbra show is now a classic as it is allegedly the first Elliott Smith solo show. It’s been reported that there were only about 15 people attending it that evening, which makes the existence of this recording quite a small miracle. The sound of the recording, as 666girl mentionned above, is rather muddied by a strong reverb effect. There’s also a high-pitched ringing that occurs every now and then and that seems to be caused by the sound of the guitar on the recording. The audience is very quiet. The concert is rather short and the setlist is quite interresting, especially since this took place in 94, after the release of Roman Candle (I may be wrong about that but I doubt it). Elliott only plays three songs from that record (No Name #4, #1 and Condor Avenue). The rest is a mix of yet to be released songs, a Heatmiser number, rarities and songs that will never be properly released during Elliott’s life. From that I would say that the setlist is rather rare, even though Elliott did play Some Song, Condor Avenue and No Confidence Man quite often back then. Highlights are : a truly haunted version of Alphabet Town made even more beautiful from the fact that he’s slightly losing his voice on this one, a mind-blowing ultra-taut version of Big Decision, No Name #4 for its rarety, and Half Right which is played here for the first time, as Elliott mentionned that he just wrote it and is trying to decypher his lyrics sheet. Neil Gust accompanies him on Half Right on a borrowed guitar, but apparently without PA system, which results in him being almost inaudible (there is some strumming in the back but you have to listen real closely). Elliott is in excellent form, not too chatty but giving strongly heartfelt renditions of every song. His voice is slightly raspy on some numbers, giving the general performance a slightly harsh crude tone. Personnal note : this is one of my favorite concerts ever. It seems to me that Elliott in such a good shape is a lot more poignant musically than the 2001-03 stammering Elliott. Overall, I feel like the reverb sound and his vocal performance add a very dark edge to that recording, making it sound a bit «gothic» in some parts. Excellent download – 4/5 __________________ "Paralysed with rage ... and island rythms" : www.myspace.com/bearandbeer

10-13-2006, 11:28 PM
ceda What would I like to have been Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 81	Re: September 17, 1994 - Umbra Penumbra - Portland, OR yes, the first time i heard alphabet town was this live version. i think it was up on elliottsmith.com to download at one point. very very very very good. the quality was also much better.

10-14-2006, 02:40 AM
Bear audio/visual/terminal Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 298 My Zoints Profile	Re: September 17, 1994 - Umbra Penumbra - Portland, OR You're saying the recording quality was better ?? Because I did download this song before getting the concert too (not on es.com though but it was floating around somewhere) and I don't remember it being better. Could that mean that FLAC was made from a bad quality rip of the original recording ?

10-15-2006, 01:04 AM
ceda What would I like to have been Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 81	Re: September 17, 1994 - Umbra Penumbra - Portland, OR it could also mean that my flac player is shit. but that shouldn't make a difference should it?

10-15-2006, 02:35 AM
Bear audio/visual/terminal Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 298 My Zoints Profile	Re: September 17, 1994 - Umbra Penumbra - Portland, OR No I don't think the quality of a FLAC player can have an effect on the sound.

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