Which Thrill Should You Buy? Steely Dan UHQR vs Speakers Corner vs OG
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- Опубликовано: 18 сен 2024
- While I didn't compare the new digital 50th anniversary edition, you can pick up that one here: amzn.to/3FaYDYT
Inner Sleeves I use: amzn.to/3FinJp0
Outer sleeves: amzn.to/3VWg7is
Turntable light: amzn.to/3Hni6Z4
It is very difficult to verbally describe differences in musical sound between different recordings. But you did this very well and gave a clear idea of what each version brings. Thank you !
Thanks Chris, glad it came across clear!
Amazing the difference mastering makes. I hope this isn't completely out of line on your channel, but I would be interested in your comparison of a recording like this in the UHQR 45 rpm version with the same labels SACD release. Your explanations of such subtle differences are so clear and lucid, one of a kind reviews, and so valuable for me.
thanks for you honest opinion 👍. I bought the 2022 reissue (universal) . It sounded fine but i am not a huge Steely fan so i am happy
Great shoot out and comparison Michael. This maybe my favorite of theirs because of the variety of musicians and singers. Like you said, they were a band here. Yes the OG is fantastic. The next label with the stacked ABC blocks is identical and also a great listen. I have all their oG so these UHQRs are not a priority for me but I did pre order AJA for obvious reasons. And it was one of the first albums I promoted when I got a job at ABC records. Thanks for the box shout out 😵💫🙄🥳🥱 I’m not a huge fan of 45s that split up the albums but if and when these sell out, I’ll probably check out the non clarity, non boxed version that Chad has promised. ✌🏻
It will be interesting to see how this album sounds cut so quiet on the non-clarity vinyl.
Is that for sure that Chad will be reissuing in cheaper editions? That I would go for.
@@musiconrecord6724 He said that some of the Steely Dan's, they will issue them as standard 45rpm editions once the 20,000 UHQR's sell out. That may be a while, and I'm not sure which titles are for sure.
@@poetryonplastic thanks for the info.
Appreciated the nuanced specifics on the instruments and their auditory impact to you on these recordings. As a huge fan of this LP, hearing the UHQR lifted the veil on the production when I didn’t think there was much left on the table with the OG. Bravo Chad Kassem and the team!
Really enjoy your reviews. Objective, analytical, informative and nuanced. Much appreciated. I did get the UHQR and am enjoying it very much - even with the over the top packaging. I also enjoy the Speakers Corner lps - most of them. Thank you!
Great review. Before the UHQR was even announced, I had listened to my OG copy of this title and compared it to my SC copy. I too remembering thinking the SC copy was rather disappointing for some of the same reasons you mention. And, I agree that the UHQR pressing is outstanding. Good work!
I remember using this disk as well as several others back in the mid70s as demo disks on both the high-end systems and the lower and mid-end ones as well. This record sounded awesome on anything you played it on. It made just about anything sound great. It was a fine demo record. Love from Italia.
Michael, thank you for the review. I have to say I think you are the most articulate, detailed and balanced reviewer in the VC concerning comparisons.
I truly encourage you to do more of these review and comparisons. One of the few I trust to do the homework with strong effort.
Thanks!
Thanks John!
You are at the top of the vinyl reviewers on RUclips. Look forward to the next ones!
Really nice deep-dive into “Can’t Buy”! I love your adjective choices when you explain which are colorful to say the least! I love my OG copies of Steely Dan! On the right system they sound incredible! The cost of OGs are getting up there especially since the new UHQRs command $150, mind-blow!!!
Great comparison! I have a '74 rainbow label and am still on the hunt for a black label from '72. I also have the UHQR and could probably just stop there.. It sounds absolutely incredible! 👍
Although I have OG 1st pressings of all the other SD albums, I preordered the whole shebang on UHQR anyway.. They are must-haves for me since I'm a lifelong, hardcore "Dan fan". Lol. I'm especially looking forward to Katy Lied & The Royal Scam (my all time fav)! 😎
Yes you should stop there.
Do they charge the card immediately for preorders or when they ship?
Acoustic Sounds only charges once a record is available to actually ship.
What an incredible detailed shoot out. Thank you
Ya. I need you to do more of these videos. Absolutely great stuff man. Keep them coming.
Great video. I have a few different pressings of this: the UHQR, the recent Bernie Grundman digital cut (50th anniversary), the Speakers Corner, and a mint German copy (probably late '70s). I guess that speaks to how much I value this record, which I first purchased in (maybe) June '73. I was hooked from my first hearing of the radio edit of 'Do it Again' in late '72. There isn't a bum track on this album, and by '72 analogue recording could sound pretty spectacular. For the remainder of the AP releases I'll be purchasing the SACD versions. I love every one of those albums (I have '70s pressings for all but 'Gaucho'), but I've pretty much decided that I'm done with over-packaged $150.00 LPs (well okay; I'll give in if LZ II through IV are released as UHQRs). Cheers...
Listening back so many times, I have to agree, there is no filler on this album. All well crafted songs.
Thanks so very much! You had me on the edge of a UHQR purchase but its a little too far $$$. Standard copy will have to do. Love your presentation Michael.
So glad I didn't blow money on the Speakers Corner. I was going to spring for it two weeks before Chad announced the release of the catalog. Your review reinforced that I didn't need it and I have a decent 2nd pressing. Bummed Chad won't be doing more classical. I've been snapping up the Living Stereos I missed the first time around.
I’m selling mine, although I think I just devalued my own sale 🤣
Great explanation. I have found VERY FEW remasters that are better than the early releases. It is mstly just dynamic compression and equalization changes that usually make the albums sound louder but at the expense of micro details that make the music more engaging. I have grown skeptical of most new releases for this reason as most modern recording engineers have lost that musical skill.
Michael I really dug your description of each pressing details of the Steely Dan Cant Buy A Thrill pressings . I’ve been on the fence on picking up the UHQR I’m might just pull the trigger I do have have Aja on preorder since I missed out on the Cisco release some years ago great job Michael.
I bought the AP (non UHQR) releases of Steely Dan's last two albums - Two Against Nature and Everything Must Go. These both sound absolutely amazing. I'm not sure I'll spring for the UHQR versions though. Just checked my version of this record, as far as I can tell it's a 1972, RCA licensed, Canadian pressing - pressed locally in Smith Falls, ON! I bought it locally used and it's in great shape.
I’m not a Steely Dan fan and don’t plan to buy this record, but I watched your video all the way through. Honestly, you’re probably the best reviewer in the business in my mind. Good job.
Awesome! Thank you!
Yeah here too. Freaking loathe Steely Dan, but I watched this entire video because of your astute articulation. Well done.
@@rainbowheart2728 can I ask what you don’t like about them? I don’t care I’m just genuinely curious
@@steelyd2 Hi,
" steelyd2" . Didn't mean to step on anyone's toes. So, IMO , Steely Dan is fine for what it is and It's basically well formulated, well executed, well recorded, well produced , well packaged classic rock group that gave us plenty of hits to hear for years to come .... whether it be on the radio, a commercial, a movie ( during a beloved drug or party scene), or your local grocery store at eleven pm while you buy eggs or cheap wine. It's ubiquitous. Fine if you like that sort of thing, but I don't. I like the music that will probably and hopefully never be heard at a grocery store. Music that Mr. Chad Kassem would most likely ignore if he ever came across it. That's where my interest lies. I can honestly say I never crave to hear Steely Dan or other type bands because I can hear them w/o even trying. Also, I think It's absurd that a $150 version exists of this LP. It was made with such high production value in the first place that it's literally meant to sound good on the crappiest of systems. It's like Pink Floyd's DSOTM ! Or MJs Thriller! They sound great no matter what, originally because they're meant to. That money could be spent getting five or ten more enlightening things IMHO. But I know I'm the anomaly in this.
@@rainbowheart2728 ok. I didn’t take offense to it or anything it’s not like I was in the band, I was just curious. I mostly talk to fellow fans so it’s interesting to get the point of view of someone who doesn’t really dig them. Ive known tons of people over the years who I’ve tried to clue in to Steely Dan and it just doesn’t click for them. Believe me, I’m the same way with some very famous bands. I like a lot of weird stuff too, I’m a big fan of Captain Beefheart, I like John Cale, Brian Eno, Dirty Projectors, etc but there are mainstream huge bands that I just don’t get that I’m sure some people would find blasphemous. I can’t stand The Who for example, their stuff sounds sloppy to me and not in a “good-Rolling Stones sort of way”but in a “we don’t care enough to make this any better sort of way”, I don’t understand why they get lumped in with the upper echelon 60s and 70s bands. I don’t really like Springsteen, I can’t stand U2, and it’s not for lack of trying. I’ve tried so hard to get in to them, listened to stuff from all different phases of their careers, and for whatever reason it just doesn’t click for me. That’s what makes music so cool though it’s sort of unexplainable why some bands click with some people but not others. Of course for the record, I think Steely Dan are easily the best band of the 70s. Artistry like that has never been executed so well in the studio and their ability to mix complex jazz harmony into conventional pop song format and then have the amazing, interesting, “English major” lyrics on top of it is endlessly fascinating to me. Your comment about hearing them in a grocery store is interesting. Fagen once said in an interview that they would purposefully write songs like “Hey 19” to be very slick so that you could hear it somewhere like a dentist office while unknowingly getting exposed to the creepy lyrics about a middle aged dude essentially date raping a college girl. They really got off on that sick humor, the best example certainly being their song “everyone’s gone to the movies” which, even though I know you don’t like them, you should check out just for the laugh. It’s weird to me that some of these old nerdy bands like Steely Dan, Rush, CSNY etc are having this resurgence lately with young people. I never thought I’d see that happen
Great review. I’m really not so much of a Dan fan to justify the UHQR for this one, or most of the discography even, but I’m absolutely going to await further impressions on Aja - a little hesitant due to the disclosure that a tape copy was used, but there’s no guarantee that a tape copy wasn’t used for the original ABC as well… and that ABC is gonna be a tough one to beat. If it’s the best Aja ever then I’m definitely in.
Nice review. Think you’re a bit too harsh on the SC version, which I also have in addition to the UhQR. I think the difference you mentioned is somewhat exaggerated, tbh. Off topic: is that an Omega Moonswatch you’re rocking on your wrist?
Mission to Pluto 😉
Terrific comparison. Thanks as always. Really bummed (although not surprised) that Chad will not be doing more classical. At the very least he still has all those metal parts from the other Classic Records versions of the Living Stereo/Mercury catalogues. I would have loved him to expand into some other Mercury titles that have never been done.
I tried to egg him on to do some more Mercury titles at AXPONA earlier this year, I don't think he sounded too interested :/
@@poetryonplastic It figures.... the classical market seems to be diminishing rapidly, and if nothing else Chad is a businessman. But we have so much to be grateful to him for. Luckily I bought all those Classic titles when they came out, and there are so many gems. But thanks for trying!!!
Where’s the coffee? (Joking). Good analysis here. A lot of specificity which others have not done when comparing. Your presentations are articulate and cogent. I remember particularly your analysis of the Mofi debacle which, for me, was undoubtedly the best video that anyone had done on the subject. Worthy of a courtroom presentation. Hope that wasn’t too hagiographic!
Great review. On another note imo, Parker had to go as Fagan and Becker had bigger ideas and their second Countdown" proves that. I think it's near the top of their best albums and they seem to have kept going back to that style with the exceptions of Aja and Royal Scam. In any case, I love them all.
Best review of this album by far well done sir
The digital 2022 vinyl release is my favorite so far. I own a few different pressings from here and there. The "super analog" bs doesn't fly with me. Very gimmicky.
Amen
Great in-depth review! Not sure on the UHQR Aja release they are not using the original master tapes with that one, and Bernie did it right the first time. We shall listen & find out.
Very well done review, thanks man.👍🙂
Glad you liked it!
You nailed it.
I never was impressed by the Speaker’s Corner
If you have an MCA rainbow reissue throw it out and get an ABC which is so good with great air and you don’t necessarily need the UHRQ - especially getting the Dan 33 1/3 rpm flow
The piano on Fire in the Hole on the UHQR is so dynamic
Their records only get better from here
Bernie Grundman with Chad’s input mastered this 7 times to “beat” the original
Royal Scam will be the most interesting UHQR mastering
I errd alot of vinyl in the late 60s to early 70s, I think wen audio brands made it great to listen to great music thru ur car system, music went from living rooms into ur car...I was always into buying this for my car, pioneer kef 700 anda set of tenna mindblowers, in the rear deck of a car, sounded way better to me, not only that, you were strickly takin ur car everywhere, weather to find girls/ malls/ etc, but you were goin mobile with your great sound..people always think why people maybe lost interest in home stereo..i can text you, i left home stereo because of car systems that sounded great , and you were not stuck in ur house somewhere listening to ur home system..its not a bad thing, home stereo sounds great, but if you can travel and listen, oh yeaaahh..anyway, in the 70s after the late 60s of beatles hendrix and rolling stones, I was into aerosmith/ ted Nugent/ pink floyd etc..was notta steely dan fan at all..then i errd the sd song the royal scam, hearing that was goin to change my , now i acctually do wanna hear steely dan, but at first, Steely dan was just another band to me...anyway bought the royal scam 8 track, later wen cds became the go too...katy lied/ pretzel logic, aja, i really took notice to listen to steely dan as a band....i think there a perfect radio band/ ol days/ am radio/ then fm radio...yeah..imma big fan of the dan or steely dan now..great review by ya...peace
Great review
Curious if you could do a follow up and compare with new (2022) Grundman mastered Geffen pressing as well.
Probably not, maybe fore one of the other Steely Dan releases. David over at Audio Excursions did a great comparison between the UHQR and the digital cut though.
Good review very accurate I have also heard all 3 pressings with a similar opinion and the UHQR being the best of the 3. Just curious what audio gear are you using?
Thanks! Im using a Pure Fidelity Horizon turntable with a Hana Umami Red cartridge. You can see my full gear list in my “state of the stereo” video from a few months ago.
Appreciate them now more then when I was younger. Hillarious. We’re you into vinyl at age 10. Also, you look like Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Not a shot. Enjoy your channel. 5:20 does it sound snappy?
Damn that’s a gorgeous turntable
Unless quoted someplace by Fagen or Katz, I doubt very much that an upright piano was used at these sessions.
"Plum & Juicy"
That. Is. All (mic drops) 😉
Excellent comparo.
I have the UHQR and I’ve never heard those other two. My UHQR isfar, far, far superior to any other vinyl I’ve ever heard, not just Steely Dan but anyone. I can imagine these other releases are great in their own way but I can’t imagine them being as good as the UHQR. The textures and imaging and separation are beyond anything Ive ever heard.
Great review Michael! Can you do the Thriller one-step mofi?
I decided against doing that one because so many other channels have done it so well. I like the videos from both Melinda Murphy and Audio Excursions/Safe and Sound
If you think Steely Dan is simple music then not only won’t you buy can’t buy a thrill but you obviously don’t have a clue. Nobody was more phrenetic than SD when it came to recording standards or production values
The AP is great no doubt I've heard it. I'm not sure it's fair to compare 33 rpm to a 45rpm. all things being equal. 45 will generally will be better. Good luck finding a clean 72 ABC cheap these days. Also 70's ABC pressings vary in quality and many were played to death as it was a popular record.. The Speakers Corner is better than it gets credit for and the pressing is quiet. Is it worth $150? No😀Be interesting to hear a take on the new UMG copy. I also find the AP fancy box annoying.
Excellent review , what is the turntable in the background , thanks.
Very good review, thank you
Thanks for watching!
Side note: Speaker Corner's CEO Kai Seemann recently told in a RUclips interview that the sale of their classical titles has declined, so they do not seriously forecast new titles to be released :( As a matter of fact, due to the policy of the 3 majors of basically not lending any original tapes at all, Speaker Corner is having trouble to release any new title, regardless of its genre...
That is sad news :/
I was hoping you would compare the current Geffen 33 rpm version to the Speaker's Corner and OG.
Steve Westman did that I think, I recommend checking out his video!
UHQR no question about it.
In Canada $280 Canadi annot for me.
Thanks for this. The children’s blocks pressing from 1973 is great too!
Unrelated question: going to Phoenix on business. Will visit In Groove just because of Mike. But is there a place where I’m most likely to find sub-discogs prices for used rock/jazz vinyl?
Perhaps, check out Record High in Phoenix, they are another great store that I dig.
@@poetryonplastic how about Zia?
@@slistone1940 i rarely find good stuff there, but it’s totally fine for new/in-print normal records
I love Steely Dan but l can imagine the cost of getting a copy of these UHQ releases in the UK would be astronomical even more eye watering than the basic cost in the US. I have mainly Japanese copies which look very pretty and an early Mofi Katy Lied which probably sounds the best of the lot despite its age and probable hard life. The saddest news for me though is Analogue Productions taking a break from classical, Noooooooooo!
At least he’s repressing the classical already in the catalog
@@poetryonplastic phew! That’s very reassuring information
My OG sounds awesome. Here in Germany they want for the UHQR 45 RPM 290 Euro (305 US Dollar). I don't go with this criminal prices. Mr. Kassem should continue to sell his expensive stuff only in the USA. These huge cardboard boxes are superfluous hipster shit anyway.
I buy MCA copies of Steely Dan records (at least when i can get them for about $10-15 just for reference purposes. I play them for people to show the difference between a well mastered lp and a weak,muddy version.
Its quite insane to see shop owners charge over $30 for these pressings. They dont seem to realize that these are vastly inferior sounding. And I dont think many new vinyl enthusiasts know either.
And by now,everyone is getting hip to the Mofi debacle that was finally exposed 3 years ago. Now they dont sell anymore and are even more grossly overpriced than when they did. Go figure.
Love the video, but a true comparison would be a blind fold test. You’ll always be bias with spending $5 and $150.
I ranked the most expensive album last…
Go original ABC Records pressing every time. Specifically the original Black label design.
Too bad you didn’t throw in a MCA reissue (I believe the first reissue is actually the MCA Coral issue, a Blue label design with the rainbow, as opposed to the 1978 tan MCA design. The cloud MCA is the 1980’s issue) for more comparison.
Btw what is a link to the turntable light you are using??? Thanks in advance!
Check the link in the description :)
@@poetryonplastic please shortcut my search…
@@primeanalogrecords Its the Uberlight Flex amzn.to/3Hni6Z4
@@poetryonplastic You're the best!
Hey Michael! I ordered 2 for Christmas, one for my daughter, and one for me! Amazing light! Love the dim ability and color change options! Great recommendation! Thank you!
Doesn't an open turntable collect a lot of dust
I have an acrylic cover for it, but yes Arizona is very dusty.
If only money is not issue-I have original that I am okay with.
The original is a very impressive record, I may revisit it from time to time even with the UHQR
Waste of money these Audiophile pressings. Just get a second hand copy, stream or cd . It's about enjoying the music
the answer is none. If you want that dweeb rock, go visit your local supermarket.
Stop wasting your money on this stuff. I bought the Steely Dan when it came out and happy with that.
Easy to answer, why buy boring music? Don't buy any, sell them all.
🤨🔎 sorry, trying to find who asked you for your opinion
@@thomascars1 Easy, just read the title of the video🤷
Its not Walter Becker it was Donald Fagen man, that was the singer...little mistake there.