Clint09,
I don't think one show stands out more than the other, for me. I like the subtle nuances of each version. You get different versions of songs that were repeated in the sets. This demonstrates how unique each Spoon show is. You won't hear them play the same exact set twice. You'll get a batch of their current songs mixed in with material that spans over almost all their earlier records. They change the set list from show to show, night after night. It's been that way the entire 6 years I've had the pleasure of working with them.
Mixing the recording of the live shows was a unique and exciting experience of being able to going back and relive each performance and having a second chance to mix them.
While mixing live, the songs are an immediate experience of listening. Before you know it, it's over. You can't go back and hear the magic of that version again. And with Spoon, you get about 19 songs in the first hour.
Sometimes you can have a truly different feeling about a show than what is really happening. For example, the first night I felt like I was fighting the PA. I never got truly comfortable with the sound of the show. I had to work pretty hard to keep a balance of sound. It wasn't a poor sounding show in any way but it didn't quite go as smoothly for me as I would have liked, (I’m my own worst critic). Don't get me wrong, there were lots of incredible moments throughout the first night’s show, but I didn't feel the show mixing itself. I was chasing the sounds all night. I was so distracted by this that I didn’t really feel all that great about the first night. But, after the show, the band was really happy with their performance, which told me all I needed to know. The PA needed a major tweeking. So, the next day, I went down early and spent an hour working on the PA, which made a huge difference. I felt the sound was bigger and clearer for the 2nd and 3rd shows.
So, the great thing about mixing the live recordings was getting the chance to hear the band as they sounded on stage, not through the PA, especially the first night’s show. What you’re listening to are the shows exactly as it came through the microphones. There was no doctoring, no editing(except space between songs), and no auto tuning. It’s the band exactly as they are live. I love it. This is the first time they’ve sanctioned a live recording for commercial release.
Enjoy them all.