"Aja" by STEELY DAN (September 2013 Japan-Only Geffen/Universal PLATINUM SHM-CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...I Have Found My Home At Last..." 

Since 2008 (and this is in Japan alone) there have been a dizzying 'eight' reissues of Steely Dan's 1977 meisterwerk "Aja" on various CD formats including the big reissue three - SHM-CD, Platinum SHM-CD and SHM-SACD. Hell as I write this review number nine is due on 17 May 2017 in a standard jewel case. And with the famous LP's 40th birthday coming up in September of this very year - we'll probably see yet another anniversary reissue that comes complete with a live Japanese woman in a ceremonial kimono on the Whistling-Dixie Chim Chim Cher-ee Chim Chim Cher-Roo Uber Strudel Deluxe Edition (she'll be a limited edition of course and won't have aged a jot in 40 years).

But which CD variant does an upstanding with-it Audiophile dweeb like me buy? In a sea of reissue temptation I'm going to plum for this beautiful September 2013 Japanese version that comes on the exclusive Platinum SHM-CD format with a new best ever Remaster and truly gorgeous packaging (see photos supplied). Here comes the Deacon Blues...

Released 23 September 2013 in Japan only (deleted March 2014) - "Aja" by STEELY DAN on Geffen/Universal UICY-40007 (Barcode 4988005782175) is a PLATINUM SHM-CD reissue in a Presentation Repro Artwork Box and plays out as follows (39:49 minutes):

1. Black Cow [Side 1]

2. Aja

3. Deacon Blues

4. Peg [Side 2]

5. Home At Last

6. I Got The News

7. Josie

Tracks 1 to 7 are their fifth studio album "Aja" - released 23 September 1977 in the USA on ABC Records AB 1006 and in the UK on ABC Records ABCL 5225. Produced by GARY KATZ and Mastered by BERNIE GRUNDMAN - it peaked at No. 3 in the USA and No. 5 in the UK.

The first thing that hits you is the 'look'. I've a version of "Dire Straits" by DIRE STRAITS on this Platinum-SHM CD format (see separate review) and 'class' is the word that jumps to mind. Inside an oversized white-bordered presentation box is the MINI LP REPRO ARTWORK of "Aja" in a high glossy sleeve complete with Obi, the Inner Sleeve repro'd and a black and white 24-page booklet. As it is with all of these Japanese reissues - the booklet is a slightly disappointing affair - Japanese language liner notes from 2000 by Y. OTOMO, the lyrics in English and naught else by way of any photos. But that's all academic to the Audio.

First up - it's been DSD flat transferred from Japanese original analogue master tapes by HITOSHI TAKIGUCH at Universal Music Studios in Tokyo in 2000. Further to this - YUMETOKI SUZUKI then 24-bit transferred from DSD in 2013 and in turn that was followed by high resolution cutting of the disc (also in 2013).

The SHM-CD or Super High Materials format (exclusive to Japan) is a better variant of the original CD that of course dates back to the early 1980s. The Platinum variant of SHM is supposed to be the ultimate music carrier able to find more nuances in the transfer than the basic red-book version. As you can see from the exhaustive list I've compiled below - now there is also the SHM-SACD format for Super Audio fans - but that requires SACD-playback on your player - the SHM and Platinum-SHM variants does not - they play on all machines.

To put this is a most basic way - this Platinum SHM-CD sounds incredible. I've been listening to my favourite Steely Dan album for 40 years now and have sappily collected no less than seven vinyl pressings of varying issues and also own the 1999 Donald Fagen and Walter Becker CD Remaster too. But this is the best I've ever heard "Aja" sound. It helps of course to have decent equipment (mine isn't that overly expensive) – but I'm thinking this sucker will sound great on any system (the Japanese even provide a protective gauze bag for the disc). Now to the music...

Since their 1972 debut "Can't Buy A Thrill" - Steely Dan has slowly become one of the most sophisticated recording acts of the Seventies - abandoning touring after the second LP and legendarily featuring the best session men for their albums as early as "Countdown To Ecstasy" in 1973. By the time "Aja" arrived in 1977 - they were almost a Jazz-Rock act with the list of 'appears courtesy of' artists reading like a who’s who of West and East Coast musical alumni. You know you're in the realms of a serious album when the liners note state 'Rhythm Charts Prepared By'...

To give an indication of the talent used - "Aja" had seven tracks with six different drummers - Paul Humphrey on "Black Cow", Steve Gadd on "Aja", Bernard Purdie on "Deacon Blues" and "Home At Last", Rick Marotta on "Peg", Ed Greene on "I Got The News" and Jim Keltner on "Josie". The guitarists featured another list of superlatives - Larry Carlton on all tracks except "Peg", Lee Ritenour on "Deacon Blues", Dean Parks on "Josie", Steve Khan on "Peg" with a thrilling solo on "Peg" from Jay Graydon. Keyboard players included Michael Omartian, Victor Feldman, Joe Sample of The Crusaders, Paul Griffin and Don Grolnick – while Backing Singers featured Michael McDonald of The Doobie Brothers ("Peg" and "I Got The News"), Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles ("Aja" and "Home At Last") - not to mention the golden ladies - Clydie King, Venetta Fields, Sherlie Matthews and Rebecca Louis. Horn players included Jazz Giants like Wayne Shorter and Tom Scott. To top all of this you had core members of Steely Dan - Donald Fagen sang all Lead Vocals and played Keyboards, Denny Dias and Fagen played guitars - while Walter Becker exonerated himself with Bass and his own lesser vaulted contributions - inventive guitar solos on "Home At Last" and "I Got The News".

Every track is a rich musical gem - with some requiring a few comebacks to appreciate the sheer depth of what's coming at you ("Aja" and "Home At Last" for instance). Others like the lengthy "Deacon Blues" and the riffing "Josie" seem simpler but again contain amazing musicianship if you dig in. What also gets you is the sheer funkiness of the album - tracks like "I Got The News" and "Black Cow" eat their way into your pants while the centre passage of "Aja" when Fagen lets blast on that Police whistle is simply stupendous. The Platinum SHM-CD brings up those funky guitar chugs of Larry Carlton and Dean Parks on "Josie" while Michael McDonald's distinctive voice steps just enough out of the chorus on "Peg" to make the hairs on your arms point northwards. If I were to single one track - I'd stump up the piano-funk of "Home At Last" - Walter Becker's guitar solo - Chuck Rainey laying down that Bass backbeat. "...Could it be that I have found my home at last..." Well yes it could.

"Aja" is 40 in September 2017 and I'll be 59 on the 29th of that month - still soppy at the mere sight of that tasteful Hideki Fujii front cover photo - still in love with this magnificent achievement. Punk and New Wave was thrashing about all around it - but even they would nod in respect to "Aja" - and this in my opinion is the best version of it yet...

FOR INFO PURPOSES

JAPANESE REISSUES for STEELY DAN 

On The SHM-CD, SACD and PLATINUM SHM-CD Formats...

The Japanese reissue program surrounding STEELY DAN and their core catalogue of albums between 1972 and 1980 ("Can't Buy A Thrill" through to "Gaucho") for the three formats of SHM-CD, PLATINUM SHM-CD and SHM-SACD is a tangled minefield of reissue after further reissue – a long line of endless upgraded versions. This list is an attempt to sort out what’s what.

Audio wise – most of the 2008 to 2011 issues are based on the Donald Fagen and Walter Becker approved remasters of 1999 - all of which are easily available as US and European MCA Remastered CDs (and cheaply too). But for those who crave best ever sound from this most Audiophile of American bands – the Superior Formats and repro packaging imitating original US album artwork are more than enticing.

There are also reissues from 2014 in Japan that have exclusive Remasters using US analogue tapes (listed below). And all though they’re constantly reissued – technically all Japanese CD reissues of back-catalogue are limited editions (they sell out quickly and become deleted soon after). So I’ve included exact barcodes to find the right issues when looking for them on various sale/auction sites.

This list is accurate to May 2017...

SHM-CD (Jewel Case and Mini Repro LP Artwork Versions):

1. "Can't Buy A Thrill" (1972)

(i) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD released 12 October 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-20122 (Barcode 4988005639240) – 1999 Remaster

(ii) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD released 29 December 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-93515 (Barcode 4988005518293) – 1999 Remaster

2. "Countdown To Ecstasy" (1973)

(i) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD released 12 October 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-25036 (Barcode 4988005677754) – 1999 Remaster

(ii) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD released 29 December 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-93516 (Barcode 4988005518309) – 1999 Remaster

(iii) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD re-released 30 July 2014 on Geffen/Universal UICY-76427 (Barcode 4988005831552) - features 2014 DSD Remastering from original US analogue master tapes and HR Cutting on the Disc

3. "Pretzel Logic" (1974)

(i) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD released 12 October 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-25037 (Barcode 4988005677761) – 1999 Remaster

(ii) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD released 29 December 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-93517 (Barcode 4988005518316) – 1999 Remaster

(iii) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD re-released 24 September 2014 on Geffen/Universal UICY-76524 (Barcode 4988005838209) - features 2014 DSD Remastering from original US analogue master tapes and HR Cutting on the Disc

4. "Katy Lied" (1975)

(i) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD released 12 October 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-25038 (Barcode 4988005677778) – 1999 Remaster

(ii) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD released 29 December 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-93518 (Barcode 4988005518323) – 1999 Remaster

5. "The Royal Scam" (1976)

(i) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD released 12 October 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-25039 (Barcode 4988005677785)

(ii) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD released 29 December 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-93519 (Barcode 4988005518330)

6. "Aja" (1977)

(i) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD released 23 January 2008 on Geffen/Universal UICY-90764 (Barcode 4988005502070)

(ii) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD released 24 June 2009 on Geffen/Universal UICY-91430 (Barcode 4988005560810)

(iii) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD re-released 12 October 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-25040 (Barcode 4988005677792)

(iv) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD re-released 29 December 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-93520 (Barcode 4988005518347)

(v) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD re-released 25 September 2013 on Geffen/Universal UICY-75768 (Barcode 4988005782274) – HR Cutting

(vi) Non SHM CD Issue (standard CD) in a Standard Jewel Case re-released 17 May 2017 on Geffen/Universal UICY-78312 (Barcode 4988031220726)

7. "Gaucho" (1980)

(i) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD released 12 October 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-25041 (Barcode 4988005677808)

(ii) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD released 29 December 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-93521 (Barcode 4988005518354)

PLATINUM SHM-CD (Mini LP Repro Artwork inside a White Bordered Box):

"Can't Buy A Thrill", "Katy Lied" and "The Royal Scam" – not issued on this format as of May 2017

1. "Countdown To Ecstasy" (1973)

(i) Released 30 July 2014 on Geffen/Universal UIGY-9566 (Barcode 4988005831590) - features 2014 DSD Remastering from original US analogue master tapes

(ii) Re-released 24 August 2016 on Geffen/Universal UIGY-15005 (Barcode 4988031161814) – features 2014 DSD Remastering from original US analogue master tapes

2. "Pretzel Logic" (1974)

(i) Released 24 September 2014 on Geffen/Universal UICY-40085 (Barcode 4988005838155)

3. "Aja" (1977)

(i) Released 25 September 2013 on Geffen/Universal UICY-40007 (Barcode 4988005782175)

SHM-SACD:

These Japanese SHM-SACD releases require a CD player that has SUPER AUDIO playback facilities - they will NOT PLAY IN A STANDARD PLAYER. There are two variants of Remasters - 2010 DSD versions done exclusively in Japan and based on Japanese original analogue tapes – and 2014 variants based on US analogue tapes with HR Disc Cutting. The 2014 variants come in white-bordered boxes like the Platinum SHM-CD issues.

"Can't Buy A Thrill", "Countdown To Ecstasy" and "Katy Lied" – not issued on this format as of May 2017

1. "Pretzel Logic" (1974)

(i) Released 24 September 2014 on Geffen/Universal UIGY-9568 (Barcode 4988005838223) - features 2014 DSD Remastering from original US analogue master tapes and HR Cutting on the Disc

2. "The Royal Scam" (1976)

(i) Released 28 September 2011 on Geffen/Universal UIGY-9501 (Barcode 4988005653628) – Withdrawn

3. "Aja" (1977)

(i) Released 30 June 2010 on Geffen/Universal UIGY-9026 (Barcode 498800 5614384) – features 2010 DSD Remastering

(ii) Re-released 26 November 2014 on Geffen/Universal UIGY-9591 (Barcode 4988005857439) –features 2010 DSD Remastering

4. "Gaucho" (1980)

(i) Released 24 October 2010 on Geffen/Universal UIGY-9039 (Barcode 4988005633330) in oversized Card Repro Artwork

(ii) Released 26 November 2014 on Geffen/Universal UIGY-9592 (Barcode 4988005857446) in SACD Jewel Case

"Anthology: Hey Ho Let's Go!" by THE RAMONES (July 1999 Rhino USA 2CD Reissue (May 2001 in Europe) – Bill Inglot Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Over 327 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

PROVE IT ALL NIGHT 

Music Of 1975 to 1979 

Your All-Genres Guide To 

Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs

Just Click Below To Purchase (No Cut and Paste Crap)

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B071P5X2GW&asins=B071P5X2GW&linkId=716e2a561b29ac39bd11daa25c37986b&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B00005K3W1&asins=B00005K3W1&linkId=04dd1758e1f3c08b15578070e7a3b899&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

"…All Revved Up And Ready To Go…"

Few bands engender such rabid affection as The Ramones - comic books, badges, posters, tee-shirts, name-checked by every luminary band from the Eighties to the Present Day, inducted into the Rock `n' Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. And all of it achieved with a three-chord trick and a R'n'R attitude - party till you drop and then get back up and do it all over again in another city (over 2000 gigs). New York's finest punks sure cast a long shadow. And this double-CD peach is a fabulous celebration of those pudding-bowl hair dos, ripped jeans and two-minute wonders. Gabba Gabba Hey indeed. Here are the sedated details...

Originally released July 1999 by Rhino in the USA as "Anthology: Hey Ho Let's Go!" - "Anthology" by THE RAMONES was reissued in Europe in May 2001 on Warner Brothers 8122-73557-2 (Barcode 081227355722) and its 2CDs break down as follows:

Disc 1 (77:12 minutes):

1. Blitzkrieg Bop

2. Beat On The Brat

3. Judy Is A Punk

4. I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend

5. 53rd & 3rd

6. Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue (tracks 1 to 6 are from their debut album "Ramones" released June 1976 in the USA on Sire SR 7520 and July 1976 in the UK on Sire 9103 253)

7. Glad To See You Go

8. Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment

9. I Remember You

10. California Sun

11. Commando

12. Swallow My Pride

13. Carbona Not Glue

14. Pinhead (tracks 7 to 14 are from their 2nd album "Leave Home" released February 1977 in the USA on Sire SA 7528 and March 1977 in the UK on Sire 9103 254)

15. Sheena Is A Punk Rocker

16. Cretin Hop

17. Rockaway Beach

18. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

19. Teenage Lobotomy

20. Surfin' Bird

21. I Don't Care (tracks 15 to 21 are from their 3rd album "Rocket To Russia" released November 1977 in the USA on Sire SR 6042 and December 1977 in the UK on Sire 9103 255)

22. I Just Want To Have Something To Do

23. I Wanna Be Sedated

24. Don't Come Close

25. She's The One

26. Needles And Pins (tracks 22 to 26 are from their 4th album "Road To Ruin" released October 1978 in the USA and UK on Sire SRK 6063)

27. Rock 'n' Roll High School

28. I Want You Around (tracks 27 and 28 are from the Various Artists Soundtrack LP "Rock 'n' Roll High School" released April 1979 in the USA on Sire SRK 6070)

29. Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?

30. Chinese Rock

31. Danny Says

32. Baby I Love You (tracks 29 to 32 are from their 4th studio album "End Of The Century" released February 1980 in the USA and UK on Sire SRK 6077)

Disc 2 (77:20 minutes):

1. The KKK Took My Baby Away

2. She's A Sensation

3. It's Not My Place (In The 9 To 5 World)

4. We Want The Airwaves (tracks 1 to 4 are from their 5th studio album "Pleasant Dreams" released July 1981 in the USA and UK on Sire SRK 3571)

5. Psycho Therapy (is on their 6th album "Subterranean Jungle" released February 1983 in the USA on Sire 1-23800 and May 1983 in the UK/Europe on Sire 92 3800-1)

6. Howlin' At The Moon (Sha-La-La)

7. Mama's Boy

8. Daytime Dilemma (Dangers Of Love)

9. I'm Not Afraid Of Life

10. Too Tough To Die

11. Endless Vacation (tracks 6 to 11 are from the album "Too Tough To Die" released October 1984 in the USA on Sire 1-25187 and July 1985 in the UK on Beggars Banquet BEGA 59)

12. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitberg)

13. Somebody Put Something In My Drink

14. Something To Believe In

15. I Don't Want To Live This Life (Anymore) (tracks 12 to 15 are from the album "Animal Boy" released May 1986 in the USA on Sire 25433-1 and in the UK (May 1986) on Beggars Banquet BEGA 70)

16. I Wanna Live

17. Garden Of Serenity (tracks 16 and 17 are from the album "Halfway To Sanity" released September 1987 in the USA on Sire 1-25641 and September 1987 in the UK on Beggars Banquet BEGA 89)

18. Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)

19. Pet Sematary

20. I Believe In Miracles (tracks 18 to 20 are from the CD album "Brain Drain" released June 1989 in the USA on Sire 9 25905-2 and August 1989 in the UK (on LP and CD) on Chrysalis CHR 1725)

21. Tomorrow She Goes Away

22. Poison Heart (tracks 21 and 22 are from the album "Mondo Bizarro" released September 1992 in the USA on Radioactive RARD-10615 and Chrysalis CHR 1960 in the UK)

23. I Don't Wanna Grow Up

24. She Talks To Rainbows

25. R.A.M.O.N.E.S. (tracks 23 to 25 are from the album "Adios Amigos" released July 1995 in the USA on Radioactive RAR 11273 and Chrysalis CHR 6104 in the UK)

Original issues had a card wrap and a huge 80-page booklet - reissues forgo that for a 2CD jewel case with a 16-page booklet featuring live pictures of the boys in Ramones uniform, snaps of them in London (with members of The Clash) and reissue credits. The remasters by long-time Rhino Engineer BILL INGLOT are fantastic - punching like a mother - and my God is there a lot of them.

As account-openers go - "Blitzkrieg Bop" is the kind of 7" single brilliance that hammers a nail in your head (like Punk itself - its just so bleeding visceral). Even now it's simplicity and power remains undiminished - ranking alongside similar feats by The Sex Pistols, The Undertones and The Clash. In fact the entire debut album has that same freshness and has lasted for decades for precisely that reason. I can remember having to reach for the reissue vinyl copies of 1976's "Ramones" on a daily basis in Reckless Records - and along with that other massively influential debut album "The Velvet Underground And Nico" -"Ramones" was easily our biggest selling most-in-demand reissue LP.

"Leave Home" showed that none of that initial energy splurge had dissipated by album No. 2 - if anything belters like "Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment" and "Swallow My Pride" felt like they'd become America's answer to The Clash - progressing musically while still firing on all sixes. As much as I appreciate "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker" - remaster or not - it stills sounds like it was recorded in a bucket with winter mufflers on. Better is the two-minute riffage of "Cretin Hop" and "Teenage Lobotomy" - the kind of rockers that engender hero worship. And although it's probably not cool to say it - but "Road To Ruin" tunes like "I Wanna Be Sedated" and "Don't Come Close" showed the songs were still sticking to the original values of simplicity - but they were getting better and better (commercial even). I know some love it (and it was a No. 8 chart hit) - but I can live without their mock Spector take on "Baby I Love You". Give me the loveable "She's The One" any day of the week - great little rocker and a lever choice for inclusion.

"To get a good job you need a proper schooling..." and "we want the world and we want it now..." and "psycho therapy is what they want to give me..." - the band riled on the "Pleasant Dreams" album - at war with themselves and establishment. And although the later albums aren't rated as much - I still dig the hard edge in "Too Tough To Die" and the fantastic combination of sheer melodic punch and truthful lyrics in "Poison Heart" where Joey moans "I just wanna walk right out of this world..." - and later his long battle with lymphoma saw that wish come sadly true (he wasn't even 50).

The original four band members - John Cummings, Jeffery Hyman, Douglas Colvin and Thomas Erdelyi with the collective pseudonyms of Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee and Tommy Ramone - are all gone now (Erdelyi only died in July 2014).

Will we ever see or hear their like again? I doubt it - circumstances have changed too much for another Ramones. What a shame. But "Anthology" is an abundant way to check out what the fuss was all about then - and why they’ve endured and are beloved by so many old and new... 

"Silk Degrees" by BOZ SCAGGS - March 1976 US Album on Columbia (August 1976 UK on CBS Records) featuring Members of Toto and Little Feat (February 2007 UK Columbia/Legacy 'Expanded Edition' CD - Vic Anesini Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 145 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

MORE THAN A FEELING 

1976

Your All-Genres Guide To 

Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs

Just Click Below To Purchase (No Cut and Paste Crap)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MORE-THAN-FEELING-All-Guide-Exceptional-ebook/dp/B0BGT69MVZ?crid=1RTTPB6MEK9Y7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aCLqQD_0x4Xc4Kd7CEKllFnbfqhZ11PdMT_72etNzX9uk4_p_dYzE7ix7BD2qIIrl8-pAv90HElKfIB-_ZesIaS7TKJ-pDCFTgEP2k9aFX6a08GeBKgOKqyKHE6gcf0WacJEY4AKfVHlvo1EyZXb-psq6hf7c8WNvfvSSQUcNdP73WQfDavTWOHn5u81XeWCHJ47XMXWJqovt2Cx2c7BHgnvhCDYy23xFnpilpsAe90.T6uf-EhIxX_KJ8LfLu5E7Pk739m39vwP0A9sw0LfGno&dib_tag=se&keywords=more+than+a+feeling+mark&qid=1717663975&sprefix=more+than+a+feeling+mark%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=02abe7807076077061be2311e2d581b1&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"...The Dirty Lowdown..."

In hindsight it's extraordinary to think how loyal Columbia Records were to Boz Scaggs. His self-titled debut with Atlantic Records in 1969 had effectively tanked on release while his next three Columbia efforts - "Moments" (April 1971), "Boz Scaggs And Band" (December 1971) and "My Time" (September 1972) barely scrapped the Top 200 at No. 124, No. 198 and No.138 (his second LP for only 2 weeks). At least his fourth platter - the March 1974 Johnny Bristol produced "Slow Dancer" pushed on up to a respectable No. 81 - bringing in its wake a reissue of his 1969 Atlantic debut into the charts in July 1974 to No.171 for a few weeks. But man did their patience pay off.

"Silk Degrees" was a phenomenon. Released Stateside in March 1976 (August 1976 in the UK) - the LP began it's certain US ascent to an eventual peak of No. 2 and five million record sales slowly. First out of the blocks came the moderate hit of "It's Over" b/w "Harbor Lights" on Columbia 3-10319. That 45 eventually stalled at No. 38 on the US Pop charts while the follow-up single - the obvious "Lowdown" - was also paired up with "Harbor Lights" on the B-side in June 1976 for Columbia 3-10367. That slick piece of West Coast hip-sway hit the chart in early July and was stalling too when luck and fate stepped in. A DJ on a Cleveland Soul Station saw the crossover Rock-Soul appeal of the insanely hooky "Lowdown" and began spinning the thing incessantly on his night shifts to such a point that it caught on like wildfire. Hundreds of other stations soon followed suit and the album's most famous winner went to No. 2 in the singles charts. With it's cool-as-a-Bay-breeze artwork and super smooth production values - "Silk Degrees" the LP then began shifting album units by the ton – eventually lasting an astonishing 115 weeks on the American LP charts - over two years. It wasn’t as big as "Rumours" in February 1977 – but I can remember at the time – it sure felt like two went hand-in-hand in their LA domination of the world. Which brings us to this fab CD reissue of it. Here are the Lido Shuffles...

UK released 26 February 2007 - "Silk Degrees" by BOZ SCAGGS on Columbia/Legacy 82876 86715 2 (Barcode 828768671528) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster with Three Live Bonus Tracks (Previously Unreleased) that plays out as follows (53:42 minutes):

1. What Can I Say [Side 1]

2. Georgia

3. Jump Street

4. What Do You Want The Girl To Do

5. Harbor Lights

6. Lowdown [Side 2]

7. It's Over

8. Love Me Tomorrow

9. Lido Shuffle

10. We're All Alone

Tracks 1 to 10 are his fifth studio album "Silk Degrees" - released March 1976 in the USA on Columbia Records PC 33920 and August 1976 in the UK on CBS Records S 81193. Produced by JOE WISSERT - it peaked at No. 2 in the USA and No. 20 in the UK.

BONUS TRACKS:

11. What Can I Say (Live)

12. Jump Street (Live)

13. It's Over (Live)

Tracks 11 to 13 were recorded at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, 15 August 1976 and are Previously Unreleased

Musicians:

BOZ SCAGGS - Lead Vocals and Guitar

LOUIE SHELTON - Guitars

FRED TACKETT (of Little Feat) - Guitars

DAVID PAICH (of Toto) - Keyboards

DAVID HUNGATE - Bass

JEFF PORCARO (of Toto) - Drums and Percussion

Guests:

PLAS JOHNSON - Saxophone on "What Can I Say"

PLAS JOHNSON and BUD SHANK - Saxophones on "Love Me Tomorrow"

LES DUDEK - Slide Guitar on "Jump Street"

CHUCK FINDLEY - Flugelhorn Solo on "Harbor Lights"

JIM HORN - Tenor Saxophone on "What Do You Want The Girl To Do"

AUGIE JOHNSON and JIM GILSTRAP (of Side Effect) - Backing Vocals on "What Can I Say" and "Lowdown"

CAROLYN WILLIS (of Honey Cone) - Backing Vocals on "What Can I Say" and "Lowdown"

MARTY McCALL (of Tuxedo Junction) - Backing Vocals on "What Can I Say" and "Lowdown"

MAXINE GREEN - Backing Vocals on "It's Over" and "Love Me Tomorrow"

MAXINE GREEN and PEPPER SWENSON - Backing Vocals on "What Do You Want The Girl To Do"

The 12-page booklet is a surprisingly detailed and informative affair. The text pages are peppered with those Moshe Brakha photos of Boz and A Hidden Girl by a bench looking all hipster and California - sunglasses and tanned legs at the ready - just as the sun goes down and the night festivities are about to begin. After writer and musician credits – Boz then provides an overview to his approach on the 1975 and 1976 recordings - his core band that included members of Toto and Little Feat - following that with track-by-track reminiscences on the lyrics and the songs. Noted writer and music buff BUD SCOPPA then provides superb liner notes on the ex Steve Miller Guitarist's career and the album's tangled history and the major contributions of its musicians and Producer. But the big news is a stunning Remaster from ADAM AYAN done at Gateway Mastering. Always a Rock Audiophile wet dream - "Silk Degrees" the Remaster doesn't disappoint - each track feels amazing - clear and full of power - with all that amazing musicianship on display.

After the success of "Lowdown" as a single (No. 2 in the USA) - Columbia reached for the next obvious winner - the Side 1 opener "What Can I Say". They paired it with the Side 2 smoocher "We're All Alone" in November 1976 and given the strength of the song were only rewarded with a surprisingly modest No. 42 placing for Columbia 3-10440. But in Blighty the album had been picking up steam and "What Can I Say" on CBS Records 4869 managed a No.10 hit on the English single charts in January 1977. Fred Tackett of Little Feat provides the guitar on the poppy "Georgia" while Les Dudek raises "Jump Street" up with some great slide guitar. Boz joins two of the ladies for backing vocals on "What Do You Want The Girl To Do" - Maxine Green and Pepper Swenson - an Allen Toussaint song I admire more than I actually like. The side ends with Chuck Findley playing a sweet Flugelhorn solo on the cuddle-up-my-love "Harbor Lights".

"Lowdown" sounds amazing and brings home one of the albums great secrets to success - the pairing of Boz as a Soulful Rock songwriter with Toto's David Paich. Paich had toured with Steely Dan and played alongside Jeff Porcaro on Becker and Fagan's demanding albums too - but here he stumps up a co-credit on five of the ten songs including "What Can I Say", "Jump Street", "Lowdown", "It's Over" and "Lido Shuffle" with a further solo songwriting credit on "Love Me Tomorrow". You'd have to say that the combo of Scaggs, his Toto/Little Feat core band and all those superb session players and singers proved a lethal mix. As you listen you pick up on Scoppa's liner notes observations – the album featured an array of cool and hip tunes tailor-made for radio. "It's Over", "Love Me Tomorrow" and "Lido Shuffle" were all potential hits – in fact it often feels like SD is a whole album full of them. The three live cuts capture a moment of Yacht Rock emerging from its 1974/1975 gestation-period and now out in the open for all to enjoy. The audio is also good.

The 1978 follow-up LP "Down Two Then Left" came as something of a disappointment I remember even though tracks like the fab "A Clue", "We're Waiting" and the funky "Gimme The Goods" still displayed that same sound and magic.

To sum up - "Silk Degrees" is the kind of mid-Seventies slick-dick that still swings and this wicked-sounding 2007 CD Remaster has done that beach babe a proper solid. Hand me those sunglasses please...

"Don’t Look Back" by BOSTON (July 2006 and March 2008 Epic/Legacy CD Reissue - Tom Scholz Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 100s Of Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

1960s and 1970s MUSIC On CD - Exception Remasters
Volume 3 of 3  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...Take A Chance On Rock 'n' Roll..."

17 million Americans and gazillions more worldwide devoured the August 1976 debut of the "More Than A Feeling" LP. "Boston" by BOSTON on Epic JE 34188 was a monster that had Rock legs stretching over a year and more (it was released December 1976 in the UK on Epic S EPC 81611 and proved just as popular). The pressure to deliver spaceship-guitar juggernaut No. 2 was immense and Boston took two years before they popped out "Don't Look Back" in August 1978. Despite mixed reviews and some very vocal fan disappointment - initially it garnished humungous sales eventually amassing over seven million units sold – the kind of chart statistics most other groups would nobble dear old Granny Mae for.

But its transition to CD has been strange and piecemeal. With a staggering four million-plus album sales in the first month alone – Boston's second platter was always going to be a contender for 'first release' on the new fangled format. But the early 80s issues were released haphazard, withdrawn, never properly annotated etc and an overly expensive Mastersound Gold CD has been deleted years - leaving a decades-long big fat remastering audio hole in a very big catalogue title.

Well here comes the inevitable definitive CD Remaster - done in 2006 by Band founder member and Lead guitarist Tom Scholz. And like its illustrious self-titled predecessor (also released 2006) – "Don’t Look Back" lacks any musical extras but is not surprisingly a sonic doozy of amazing density. Here are the feelin’ satisfied details...

UK released 10 July 2006 – "Don’t Look Back" by BOSTON on Epic/Legacy 82876822412 (Barcode 828768224120) comes in card digipak packaging with a newly updated 12-page booklet. It's peddled as a 'Collector's Limited Edition' but it's widely available for sale and at a pittance of a price too (37:44 minutes). It was then reissued March 2008 on Epic/Legacy 88697184012 (Barcode 886971840124) in a standard jewel case with the same 2006 Remaster, same expanded booklet and photo of the spaceship beneath the see-through CD tray.

The updated liner notes by uber-fan DAVID WILD feature new interviews with band leader and producer TOM SCHOLZ that elaborate on the anxious wait by the public and record label for the album – the hours in his homemade studio basement – the pile-em-high guitar layers – the press' muted response – perfectionist Scholz's own ambivalence to the record (he felt it was rushed and too short) and so on. There are various colour period photos of the boys on stage – in the studio – Scholz at a huge church organ and the usual reissue credits. Scholz has returned to the tapes with BILL RYAN and TOBY MOUNTAIN and done an exhaustive and painstaking remaster - the results are HUGE with a capitol 'H'. It's a fantastic listen...

1. Don't Look Back [Side 1]

2. The Journey

3. It’s Easy

4. A Man I'll Never Be

5. Feelin' Satisfied [Side 2]

6. Party

7. Used To Bad News

8. Don't Be Afraid

Tracks 1 to 8 are their second studio album "Don’t Look Back" – released August 1978 in the USA on Epic FE 35050 and August 1978 in the UK on Epic S EPC 86057. Produced by TOM SCHOLZ – it peaked at No. 1 in the USA and No. 9 in the UK.

BOSTON was:

BRAD DELPH – Lead and Harmony Vocals on all songs

TOM SCHOLZ – Lead and Rhythm Guitars and Organ (on all songs)

BARRY GOUDREAU – Lead and Rhythm Guitars

FRAN SHEEHAN - Bass

SIB HASHIAN - Drums on all (except "The Journey" where all instruments are Tom Scholz)

Rumour has it that "Arrival" was to be the album's name but on hearing ABBA had an album of the same name - the opening track "Don't Look Back" was chosen as the moniker. That signature guitar sound of theirs kicks in with a wallop. To give you an idea of the complexity we're dealing with here - Brad Goudreau handled the 'virtuoso intro, ending leads and slide' while Tom Scholz did the Chorus and Middle Leads. The interlude instrumental "The Journey" features TS on all instruments and was an obvious ape of the very popular "Foreplay" instrumental that leads into the rocking "Long Time" on the debut LP. Here it segues into another chipper rocker "it's Easy" - again with the huge guitars. I'm never a man for big hairy-rocker ballads - but this time around the near seven-minutes of "A Man I'll Never Be" is far more impressive than I remember it.

But its Side 2 that offers more of what I want. The opening one-two sucker punch of "Feelin' Satisfied" and especially the fantastic little boogie number "Party" are up there with the best of the first album - let's get together honey - it's alright indeed. Brad Delph contributed the musically upbeat "Used To Bad News" that Scholz turns into a Boston song with clever organ melody lines. It ends on the huge rocker "Don't Be Afraid" where layers of guitars and vocals assault your ears in a song that's actually just a little too busy.

Always seen as a poor man's cousin to the spectacular "Boston" debut of 1976 - re-listening to "Don’t Look Back" in 2017 – it's easy to hear why this kind of Rock caught the attention and hearts of millions even if it was perceived at the time as being a bit of a let down. But I'd argue that "Don't Look Back" is way better than that and this superb remaster finally does that second-time around feeling more than proud. As the singer says - take a chance on Rock 'n' Roll...

"Roy Buchanan/Second Album" by ROY BUCHANAN featuring his Debut Album and Second Studio Albums for Polydor Records in 1972 and 1973 (April 2002 UK Beat Goes On Compilation – 2LPs onto 1CD - Andrew Thompson Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 310 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

TUMBLING DICE - 1972
- Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Just Click Below To Purchase for £6.95

Thousands and Thousands of E-Pages of Real Info

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs Themselves

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B00005YUAO&asins=B00005YUAO&linkId=adb0d091cb8f25db89f551a5778c8599&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

"...Haunted House..."

Arkansas-born Telecaster virtuoso Roy Buchanan (born Leroy) was once described on American TV (in 1971) as "The Best Unknown Guitarist In The World". He was even feted by The Rolling Stones as a possible replacement for Brian Jones (along with his fellow Polydor label mate Rory Gallagher) - luckily neither took up the job.

And on the evidence of these two albums (his 1972 debut and its 1973 follow up) - it's easy to hear why they wanted ROY BUCHANAN. This guy could bend a string - make that Tele sucker cry - especially when it came to his beloved musical genres of Blues and Country. Here are the fretful details...

UK released April 2002 – "Roy Buchanan/Second Album" by ROY BUCHANAN on Beat Goes On BGOCD 541 (Barcode 5017261205414) features two Seventies LPs Remastered onto one CD and breaks down as follows (66:18 minutes):

1. Sweet Dreams

2. I Am A Lonesome Fugitive

3. Cajun

4. John's Blues

5. Haunted House

6. Pete's Blue [Side 2]

7. The Messiah Will Come

8. Hey, Good Looking

Tracks 1 to 8 are his debut album "Roy Buchanan" - released August 1972 in the UK on Polydor 2391 041 and in the USA on Polydor PD 5033.

BAND was:

ROY BUCHANAN - Lead Guitar

CHUCK TILLEY - Lead Vocals

DICK HEINTZ - Organ and Piano

TEDDY IRWIN - Rhythm Guitar

PETER VAN ALLEN (and DON PAYNE) - Bass

NED DAVIS - Drums

Four tracks on the debut album are Buchanan originals (3, 4, 6 and 7) - the other four are "Sweet Dreams" (a Don Gibson cover), "I Am A Lonesome Fugitive" (a Liz and Casey Anderson song covered by Merle Haggard), "Haunted House" (a Bob Geddins cover) and "Hey, Good Looking" (a Hank Williams cover). Chuck Tilley sings Lead Vocals on "I Am A Lonesome Fugitive", "Haunted House" and "Hey, Good Lookin'" - while Roy Buchanan gives a Spoken Lead Vocal on "The Messiah Will Come". Tracks 1, 3, 4 and 6 are Instrumentals.

9. Filthy Ted

10. After Hours

11. Five String Blues

12. Thank You Lord

13. Treat Her Right [Side 2]

14. I Won't Tell You No Lies

15. Tribute To Elmore James

16. She Once Lived Here

Tracks 9 to 16 are his 2nd LP "Second Album" - released March 1973 in the UK on Polydor 2391 062 and in the USA on Polydor PD 5046.

Five tracks are Roy Buchanan originals (9, 11, 12, 14 and 15) - the other three are "After Hours" (an Avery Parish cover, Pianist with The Erskine Hawkins Orchestra), "Treat Her Right" (a Roy Head cover) and "She Once Lived Here" (a Gene Autry cover). Chuck Tilley sings Lead Vocals only on "Treat Her Right" with Roy Buchanan singing Lead Vocals only on "Thank You Lord" - the other six tracks are Instrumentals. The Band is the same for the second album except that DON PAYNE replaces Peter Van Allen on Bass.

The 12-page booklet has typically superb liner notes by JOHN TOBLER on Buchanan's strange career that ended in sadness and not nearly enough albums sales (he took his own life in 1988 aged only 48). It doesn't say who remastered these albums (or where it was done) but the audio is great - remarkably clear - especially on the stunning Blues Rock workout standouts like "Pete's Blues".

His first album is actually a weird one - an uncomfortable mixture of hick country songs sung by the ah-schucks Chuck Tilley - sided with blistering Blues Rock instrumentals like "John's Blues" (sounding like Stevie Ray Vaughan a decade before the event) and the decidedly weird doom and gloom of "The Messiah Will Come Again" spoken by Buchanan as if he's been attending too many Bible classes. And while Polydor/Chronicles decided to name their 1992 2CD Retro Anthology “Sweet Dreams" after his clever instrumental re-working of Don Gibson's "Sweet Dreams" - the debut album belongs to the 7:17 minutes of "Pete's Blues" which slowly lets rip his playing – utterly amazing stuff.

The second record goes for five instrumentals over the debut's four - allowing his virtuosity to shine through. It opens with the rather dull "Filthy Teddy" but better is the Bluesy "After Hours" - the kind of Blues tune Gary Moore used to adore and play with the abandon the song allows. Dick Heintze's piano playing gives a nice backdrop to "Five String Blues" - our Roy bending strings to get those pinging notes almost the whole way through (it's virtually one long solo). The pretty ditty "Thank You Lord" is shockingly sweet - it opens with acoustic guitar and laid back singing like he's suddenly become Nick Drake overnight - but then fades halfway through into an electric guitar strum that is quite beautiful.

Side Two opens with a potential single - his cover of Roy Head's "Treat Her Right" complete with Chuck Tilley vocal and a wicked guitar-driven dance beat. We go into an Atlanta Rhythm Section "So Into You" rhythm with the Funky "I Won't Tell You No Lies" where Heintze plays a blinder on the piano - and along with Roy's guitar playing - the whole near seven-minute makes for a very tasty instrumental shuffle. Blues Rock returns with a vengeance on "Tribute For Elmore James" where Roy gives in some slashing guitar at first (aping Elmore's style) then goes off into his own boogie - making the whole song sound like Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac meets Wishbone Ash (a combo I'd buy into any day of the week). It ends on the rather lacklustre Gene Autry cover "She Once Lived Here" - a disappointment after what went before.

Both of these albums have their highs and lows (more highs that not thankfully) and show why his loss so young is grieved by fans the world over.

Well done to BGO for getting these two Seventies corkers out there...

BGO CD reissues/remasters for Roy Buchanan are...

1. Roy Buchanan/Second Album

August 1972 and March 1973 debut and second studio albums – reissued April 2002 as a 2CD set on Beat Goes On BGOCD 541 (Barcode 5017261205414)

2. That's What I'm Here For/Rescue Me

February 1974 and February 1975 third and fourth studio albums – reissued August 2008 as a 2CD set on Beat Goes On BGOCD 806 (Barcode 5017261205414) 

Note: Rescue Me was known as "In The Beginning" in the USA

3. Live Stock/A Street Called Straight
November 1975 and October 1976 fifth and sixth albums (fifth is live) – reissued April 2005 on Beat Goes On BGOCD 682 (Barcode 5017261206824)

4. Loading Zone/You're Not Alone
June 1977 and May 1978 seventh and eight LPs - reissued February 2017 on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1279 (Barcode 5017261212795)