Steely Dan- Aja coming on vinyl remastered by Kevin Gray

Thanks, that could be it. Why do I have the feeling that if someone came up with the money, they would 'find' the masters and release this stuff. I hope they are seeing a market for great sounding music.

 

If the multitracks are missing, what were they working from on the program "Classic Albums: Steely Dan's Aja"? This came out in 2000 I believe.

 

This might be a tough sell . . .

Don't get me wrong, I love Kevin's work--and I have his recent masterings of "American Woman" and "Giant Steps," and they both sound great. However, it is hard to imagine improving upon the original vinyl of Aja, which is already an audiophile delight and still easily found in the used bins.

 

I'm not sure if all of them are missing. It may only be a few reels.

 

You'll notice that for two songs in that documentary ("Black Cow" and "Aja") Becker and Fagen simply seem to be hitting "Play" on a CD player. They do no playing of multitracks for those two cuts.

So yes, only *some* of the multis were/are missing.

 

Excellent work! Thanks.

I would still like to know all of the insider opinions on the whole Digital vs. Analog masters for this album. Anyone?

 

Great! Another Aja! Well, I couldn't resist!

 

Well, it couldn't hurt to own another copy of Aja could it? Particularly as it should sound excellent

Yes, as already mentioned, only the multitracks for Black Cow and Aja are missing. Being perfectionists, obviously Don and Walt weren't going to release a multichannel version of this album with only 5 of the 7 tracks in 5.1...

But a nice new vinyl version will be lovely, thanks

 

Can someone please clarify that this is not the same as the 200 gram Japanese edition that was recently announced here:

http://www.musicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=LJPN2373

I've already pre-ordered the Japanese one and now I'm going to have to get this one too..............

Has the mastering and tape sources for the Japanese pressing been identified / discussed?

 

Sorry, I'm sure this must have been discussed here a couple of times: if - according to Roger Nichols' 1991 article linked above - the original analog tapes are in poor condition and Nichols' 1981 digital transfers are better, how can a new 2007 transfer of these analog tapes sound great? Or is Nichols' point of view debatable?

 

I agree. I found a used original pressing a few weeks ago for $2.99 and it sounds incredible.

 

I have this record and think it sounds great as well. I never bothered to look at who mastered it.

 

Ditto. I just found a beautiful condition abc pressing yesterday (had to spend $6 for it, though... ) and it sounds fantastic. My old MCA copy can finally retire!

I do look forward to picking up this new 180 gram pressing, however, as I must have 10 copies of Aja floating around my house already, in various formats. What's the harm in one more?

 

I know what you mean. Same thing for Aqualung.

 

Well, I placed my order. Looking forward to this. Aja has always been one of my fave Steely Dan albums. And it's Kevin Gray remastered....you're gonna get good product.

 

It is very debatable.

I'll think you'll find he changed his mind since 1991 as the analog tapes certainly have been used for more recently Steely Dan remastering efforts.

 

Which ones would these be?

 

I say the same thing about Pink Floyd.

 

The '99 remasters are one example. The Gaucho SACD

 

I can't wait! I have the original which sounds pretty good, unlike the MoFi, which is ridiculous!

 

Huh, I thought these were from the digital masters. Can you site a source?

Thanks

 

Didn't he marry Molly Hatchet?

 

No, that was Jethro Tull... or was it Lynyrd Skynyrd??

 

I keep getting those guys confused.

But back on topic....

Kevin Gray's Aja According to Acoustic Sounds, it will be released on August 1. I can buy it for myself as a birthday present.

 

Can anyone say for sure what the source for the '99 remasters was? I do not see anything in the Gaucho sacd notes to indicate mastering source.

Thanks