I received copies today (maybe slightly in advance of the official
release date?) of the 4xLP box (black vinyl) and the 2xCD version. I
have not listened to the vinyl yet, but the CDs sound quite decent. One
difference worth noting: the booklet accompanying the CD set is a
heavily abridged version of the book in the LP box.
The 30 Jan 1985 show is indeed a transcendent performance. The liner
notes confirm what we nerds have suspected--that it's the late show.
Digression alert: To me the recording sounds better on headphones than
on my home theater 5:0:2 setup, but that's true for most CD and phono
audio sources, so I suspect that my AV receiver just does a shitty job
with these. The receiver is great with Dolby Atmos soundtracks, but I'm
not holding my breath for Numero to release an Atmos version (although
one-time Sugarlister Jeff Lipton, who mastered this release, is a fan of
the format).
Digression aside, if anyone is impatient to hear more of the 30 Jan
recording than Numero has dribbled out in those digital EP teasers,
almost the entire set can be heard on this podcast:
https://www.nts.live/shows/radio-free-numero/episodes/radio-free-numero-9th-october-2025?_kx=iCceLMjYdK-mk4OrGnjs8FYI2sVJoeqNzPn-BCYxbBQ.RHDAtP
One final note: for those who were wondering, "Misty Modern Days" (from
the 26 Oct 1985 early show at Gorilla Gardens in Seattle) does,
amazingly enough, have lyrics by Grant!