This one just showed up on my door today and all I can say is OMG! This version trounces all others I've heard and by no small margin. It's a must get if you don't already have it. The "Breath Of Life" is all happening in this one.
A couple of questions, Is this an MCA disc? What's the catalog number? Where did you get it? How much?
Thanks Dave, are there any other identifying features? Is Steve in the credits? What was the year of release? I promise no more questions!
Tyler, Steve was never entered into the credits on Aja. The pressing considered to be Steve's version is the original Japanese pressing made at the CBS/Sony plant. There is no barcode on the back insert, and the clear plastic ring on the disc has "CSR COMPACT DISC" repeating. The matrix code is "DIDX-55 21A1" or something very similar. For the sake of completeness, the version ascribed to the Nichols master has identical inserts. The difference is that the disc was pressed in Japan at the JVC plant. There is nothing stamped on the clear plastic ring on the disc, and the matrix code is "MCAD-37214 XXXXX," where "XXXXX" represents any of a number of combinations of letters and numbers. It should be noted that Grant (vinylrec) and I have both found that the two Japanese pressings look identical on EAC. I listened to the two pressings many months ago and preferred the CBS/Sony pressing. Was I biased because I thought it was the Hoffman version? Perhaps. I haven't bothered to do the comparison again.
Ok, to identify this one... On the face of the CD it has the DIDX-55 right below the catalog number on the right-hand side to the right of the "Compact Disc" logo in smaller print. Below that says: Manufactured in Japan for MCA Records Inc., 70 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California___U.S.A. WARNING. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a of applicable laws. PRODUCED BY GARY KATZ All songs composed by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen Published by ABC/Dunhill Music. Inc.__BMI P (it actually has a circle around the P) 1977 ABC Records Inc. On the furthest out-side ring before the actual data starts (still inner-ring though) it says DIDX-55 21A1. Then on the most inner-ring in the clear plastic it say Compact Disc CSR which repeats 3 times. Mine also came in it's original smooth sided jewel-case. The back-panel artwork has no binary code. The booklet is the exact same as the Nichols version. No reference to Steve at all.
Dave, I asked this in the first-pressing thread, but which Nichols version are you comparing it to? Nichols has mastered Aja a few times.
I'll be satisfied listening to my JVC-pressed (J) issue, i.e. "The Disc Formerly Known as The First Nichols Version"
The Nichols version that I have is not from Japan. The back artwork is identicle to the SH Japanese version, including no bar-code, except where it says DIDX-55 on the SH version, it says DIDY-55 on the Nichols version. It was made in the US. I really don't believe that for only 5000 pressings they would be switching pressing plants, but I guess there is always the possibility that they pressed at both plants at the same time
O.K., you have an early CRC version. I have this disc too. Frankly, I don't remember if I compared it to my Japanese pressings.
Dave, how about those amazingly rich drum sounds about 2.5 minutes into track 2? I don't understand why anyone would replace this mastering with anything. Ever. They do pop up on ebay every now and then, just pester sellers of AJAs with questions about whether their CDs have the right features.
Dave, Remember, when this thing came out, CD's were new. A pressing run of 5,000 was a lot. Most people were still buying LP's, especially for "catalog" titles (4 bucks vs. whatever). A few years later it was a different story, but for that time it was considered a big pressing run.. Glad you like my version. I haven't played it in many years...
Did Steve remaster any other Steely Dan titles? If so how can they be Identified? I have a Can't Buy A Thrill dated 1972 withMCAD31192 JVC 1T in the inner ring. Manufactured in the USA for MCA Records MCAD31192 on label.
Yes, the drums sound fantastic freb. It's so much more though as well. It's the proper presence of the instrumentation that the Nichols version and the MFSL just don't have as well as the realism/imaging of the voicings. Unbeatable on my system. Steve, thanks for the info. I didn't realize that was considered a large output back then. You should give it a listen. It made me realize exactly how much I love this album and how much I was missing in the digital medium.
So are all the US made versions not Steve's version? Besides being made in the US, my Aja has all the same features Dave listed above, insert and disc printing - wise, except for the following: The jewel case is the ribbed edge. The CD has DIDX-000055 printed on it under the catalog number which is MCAD-37214, not MCAD-37294. The matrix number in the inner ring has only DIDX-000055 4 The clear hub has molded into it a "D" in a box with stars either side of it. (which plant is that, BTW?) And, of course, the line "Manufactured in U.S.A. for MCA Records, Inc..." with the rest following exactly what Dave says his has. I'm assuming mine is the Nichols version since it's US made, but are we sure?
Sorry, cat # mis-type. It's the same. No, that's the Roger Nichols mastering you have there except for mine is DIDY and not DIDX like Steve's. That's why I was initially fooled because of the no bar-code situation. I would think that the "D" refers to the Denon plant. They sure sound different to me though.
My pleasure Joel. I searched so long and hard for this one that I totally forgot about it until about a month ago so then I searched the entire Forums here to make sure I had all of the info. I needed and then hit the old eBay and low and behold there was one that had a buy it now for $10.00. I emailed the seller requesting my info. and bang, it was mine. Good luck on your search.
Very interesting thread, did not realize Steve had done this one. Just checked my copy, collecting dust for many years, and it's a Winner! Guess what's first into my CD player tomorrow?
