Not really... think about the use of effects throughout SY's career and you will see what I mean.

uh sonic youth started using effects pedals at least as early as 1987 or maybe 1986, especially Lee... Thurston was probably more reluctant until about the Goo period. so sonic youth have been using effects much longer than they haven't, i think for me some of it can be assumed that they went as far as they thought they could go soundwise/songwise without effects pedals from about 1981 thru 1986 by strictly using pure volume, alternate tunings and various implements (screwdrivers and drumsticks...etc)... there is the much debated "best era of SY" which could coincide with their use/non-use of effects units.

Isn't there a wah on the recorded Burning Spear? On a power drill, but still.

That's true of so many of those musicians - I have quite a lot of London improv stuff from the last 40 years or so (say free to lower-case) stuff on CD and so little of it works except live. I suppose it's for that reason I'd still like to see Mattin live, in spite of only ever really enjoying his Sakada stuff.

I saw Mattin once in a one-time trio format this was uh maybe 5 years ago at least (i think) with Tim Barnes and Tony Conrad... kinda a weird set and show, i recorded it for them but because of intense volume of Mattin and the Tim and Tony trying to also obtain the same level my recording turned into mud and the set in general was kinda "off", they definitely had potential but i don't think they ever played again together...