The New Katy Lied UHQR: Clear & Present Improvements!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- My review is here! Thanks to Chad Kassem for expediting shipping on the copy I purchased in advance of release day.
===Chapters===
00:55: The Original Mastering Engineer at Kendun Makes Contact
09:27: The 3 KL Songs on the Ludwig Greatest Hits and CL on "Gold"
10:35: Four Keys Songs on the Katy Lied album
11:07: Historical Issues with the ABC Kendun Pressings
12:40: Breaking down Everyone's Gone To The Movies
17:03: Bad Sneakers
18:13: Your Gold Teeth Part II
19:50: Dr Wu
20:25: Final Verdict & More...
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As always I enjoy your reviews, and i just LOVE SD! Kudos to Bodie, sounds like he enjoys music too! Looking forward to his review....BOW WOW!
HaHa....He's a prankster for sure
I cannot wait to get my copy! So looking forward to this one, as it's the one that needed the most help, sonically. Probably my 2nd favorite SD album, next to The Royal Scam, my all time fav. Wonderful review, Tim - thanks! 🍻
I have a 1975 KENDUN-B ABC pressing and a 1978 Japanese repress. I am expecting my UHQR to arrive on Monday. Thanks SO much Tim👍👍
Mine is due here on Monday. I can’t wait!!!
I just watched. Really enjoyed it. I still can't believe you don't have Aja yet.
Hi Wilson...how are things? Miss your videos! Best, Tim
@@Universityofvinyl Hey Tim! Yeah I just realized I wasn't going to be able to do the work that is necessary to make a good show. I'm back to work and with the work schedule and a few other things, I simply do not have the time to do it right!
@@aa5az423 good to hear you’re back on your feet 👍🏻
Hi Tim you are The Steely Dan Man look forward to this video on KL! One of my fav SD albums
Great review Tim! Looking forward to getting my copy to score. This one is probably the expected wild card of the SD releases (who would have thought Pretzel Logic) would enter that space? I have some very specific songs and instrumentation I’m hoping are improved here. Keep up the great work!
Thank you David and will look forward to your always thorough shoot-outs!
@@Universityofvinyl My UHQR has a flaw about 20 seconds in on the track "Everyone Gone to the Movies". There is a scratchy distorted noise on the lyric "He's always laughing." Does yours have the same problem? Can you let me know?
@@juliosanchez95 I will let you know later today
@@Universityofvinyl thanks, I hope it is just my copy
@@juliosanchez95yes, I hear that also! I checked my ABC “AM” and you can hear it also, but very faint.
Nice review, very partial to KL, now I have to go out and buy it!
Your review coincides with the arrival of my copy. Big fan of Katy Lied. I like all Steely Dan material but fond memories of working at a local audio/record store during college when this came out. Love at first listen. Purchased OG but then snagged the MoFi when it came out. Can’t wait to compare. Can’t help but notice the Fagen Nightfly Japan issue on your now playing. My local record store specializes in Japan LP’s and I was lucky enough to get near mint RL Masterworks original. Sounds fantastic! Thx!
Class act. Mine will be here next week ...🙂👂
Received mine Friday morning. Copy 000303, pretty happy about that. Really appreciate you showing the insert material, otherwise I wouldn’t have known I’m missing the ‘Fremer’ insert!! Reached out this morning, I’m sure the Acoustic Sounds team will get me squared away. Best customer support in the business.
Can't wait to get mine, but I'll have to wait for The Royal Scam as they will be shipped to me together. I wonder why the triple zero in front of your copy #303? I would understand double zero since it's limited to 20,000. Cheers
@ I suspect it’s just the particular stamp used is a six digit model. That’s my best guess anyway. I have purchased all in the series and they are all stamped six digits.
@@saford13 Oh, you're probably right. I didn't notice that before. Mine have the 6 digits too. Steely Dan being in my top 3 favorites, I have committed to all the UHQRs as well. Can't wait to get them all in the collection! I'll be interested if Acoustic Sounds ends up sending you the Fremer insert.
@@jamiesomerville5611 Nice! I’ve been very happy with all thus far! The ‘Fremer’ insert is actually out for delivery FedEx right now, should be here any minute. Acoustic Sounds took care of it asap 👍 As you, super excited for *The Royal Scam*!
Hi Tim. I very rarely buy a reissue so I can't compare it to 75 copy . At the time we never really listened critically to each release. It was all about the music. What I do hear on Katy Lied are the cymbals sounding rolled off. Didn't notice almost 50 years ago! Happy Tuesday!🇺🇸
I heard an interview with Donald Fagen where he said they were trying to make an audiophile recording and tried using a pair of Magnepans to listen in the studio. Apparently the Maggies couldn't take the hard usage in the studio and they blew them out and had to use more conventional sturdy studio monitors.
Tim the scam is my fav album
I looked and zi have Santa Maria Kendun ABC press not mint but not bad Does it matter if it is A or B? That I have to check variations are there differences or am I good with this press?
I bought at Amoeba as I only had Dan until recently on CD… I had Gaucho only on vinyl. Just got PL and Aja as well. Thanks Tim grest review Omartian is a monster just ask Christopher Cross and about 100 other LAmusicians he has played sessions or produced wrote or gave support.
I’m not sure about the 45 rpm. I never really move my turntable speed from 33 rpm.
At last The Royal Scam comes out in about 2 weeks here in the U.K. For me the band's greatest album.
Great review Tim! I was hoping for a positive on this one. Seems we may indeed have a winner. On the question about the AM vs AM 2, I think you have my email if you want to write🎸👍🏻take care!
Thank you, yes I'll shoot you an email soon 🙏🏻
On Cimcie Nichols' channel here (one of Roger Nichols' daughters), she has a recording of Roger discussing the DBX issue.
th-cam.com/video/LPQ2oAZ0RnM/w-d-xo.html
I’ve seen it, crazy stuff!
@@Universityofvinyl Yes, for sure. Thankfully having this recording of Roger confirms the DBX issues also had affected the multitracks, and it's just great to hear this problem described in detail from Roger himself.
Do you think they will ever go back and "fix" Pretzel Logic? Luckily for me I have a McIntosh C52 Preamp with the eight band EQ. Turning up both the 2.5k and 10k to 3 o'clock helps. With this EQ of the Mac I'm my own mastering engineer. See you have a Mac preamp also.
I think they’re done with PL. I have a MA 6100 integrated but currently using a vintage Scott tube amp
Bought this album when it came out in 1975. Lost my original copy many years ago. Bought a couple used old 70's copies over the years. None were great. I love this record but always sounded very compressed and the cymbals sound clipped is how I would describe it. A friend loaned me the MOFI which I never cared for. Bass boosted and dark IMO. Another thing this album came out when the general level of press quality in the U.S. had really declined post 1973 Arab Oil embargo. Finding an old copy that is relatively quiet or abused is tough. Up to this point the 1999 CD Remaster is better than any LP I've heard. Look forward to hearing this.
Great job as usual, Tim! Too bad it costs $150 to get a great version of Katy Lied. You mentioned in the video you would like to hear the Mofi of Katy Lied. I have it and it is the half speed master by Stan Rucker. I also have an original Terre Haute pressing and I found a VG ++ of the “AM” mystery cut. I put the original TH
up against the Mofi and the Mofi had a little more oomph than the original. But it was still muted/veiled and they both have been a disappointment . The “AM” smokes them both!
It was joyous to hear some brightness starting with Black Friday. Definitely my keeper! I am just not a fan of the UHQR expense wise and the opinions of people on various forums not
as positive as I would like for a record that expensive. NUFF SAID! Great job as usual and keep it going. Enjoy Katy!
Good to hear you agree on the “AM”
How did Chad know you were really keen to review this record and how did he know you even bought one. Asking for a friend 😊
I had been in touch with him previously when we all thought the record was going to be released this past fall.
@Universityofvinyl very cool Tim really enjoyed the review My cousin lives in Arkansas he has suggested I should come and visit and we could go visit Chad in Kansas sounds like a plan to me. I noticed GR research isn't that far away in North Texas might get to visit Ron Bernay of new record day and Danny at GR research for some listening. 😊
they did a live stream the other night and said there were most welcome to anybody coming for a visit and some listening sessions.
Tim , maybe you can give me the answer …did Katy lie or did Donald make it up ?
Haha
Was the original recording dbx or Dolby encoded? Pretty sure you can’t have both.
Great passionate analysis of the music Tim. Cheers, tony
Ps a dbx encode tape can’t be decoded by using dolby. Like vhs vs beta
The original master tape was Dolby A encoded. A remix was completed from the multi track tapes; creating a new 2-Channel 30IPS master. This was used for the original ABC pressings as well as the UHQR. Bernie made some different EQ choices in his remaster that has resulted in some good improvements over the original.
@ so how does the dbx discussion even enter as a factor if the original is Dolby encoded. You can’t have both
Well..the dbx debacle is legendary and affected the first mix attempt. What most don’t realize is that the actual “final” master tape was done with Dolby A. You can’t discuss this album without acknowledging the dbx story.
Something is wrong or missing in this dbx Dolby tale.
Have you heard this account from Roger Nichols? th-cam.com/video/LPQ2oAZ0RnM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=YUubRxBNQrl3g4AT
Tim. What cartridge do you have on the Thorens?
Nagaoka MP 200
How in the world did you get it so fast? My card just got processed Friday.
💥kismet💥
I would like to compare my Katy Lied German white label promo original to this UHQR, although I live in Canada so it's is cost prohibitive.
Royal Scam UHQR coming out this Friday 2/7
I heard April? 🧐
@@Universityofvinyl Maybe I am wrong a friend of mine told me this Friday? I ordered it from Acoustic Sounds already they say backordered so maybe not until April.
Hey tim
If I’m being honest, this album sounds better to me streaming on my Wiiw Ultra compared to my white label promo.
Well: are you being honest? Everything seems to depend on that.
As much as I enjoy your videos and reviews (and I did appreciate this as well...) I do think it would be helpful and educational if Chad and/or Bernie Grundman could comment on this new UHQR (and SACD this is forthcoming) alpng with all of the work they put in this project to get it up to "snuff" sonically. The issues with DBX and the original ABC "Katy Lied" pressing/release have been discussed "adnaseaum" but exactly what needed to be done for this new UHQR release to sound as it does, has not.
I know they did a special video for Aja; we’ll see if they have time for a deeper dive on this one. I do imagine Bernie is going through some difficult times due to the fires but yes; would love to have a look behind the curtains!
I did see the Aja video and I also saw the news reports about the "thousands" of houses/structures that were lost in the Altadena and Palisade's fires and Mr Grundman was one of the very, VERY unfortunate people to be highlighted in the reporting. I can only imagine what this might mean for his mastering work moving forward let alone the impact that this has had on his family. Just a tragic situation for so many Angelinos...
I think your copy is squeaking 🙂 Great overview, as usually Tim
i bought it in 1975 maybe our hearing has rolled off.
My Old Ears tell Me the Original I own is OK.
That’s because you have not heard this version and if you did and you thought it wasn’t better your right it’s your ears or your equipment. These are light years ahead of the the originals
@robertbyington7715 Ears and Equipment Equally. .
@
I own numerous copies of the old format and I have a 50 K system and trust me there is no comparison between the original pressings and these new ones; first off the recording technology is light years ahead of the 70s recording. People talk about the price of $150 dollars but VG copies are now close to 50 a piece. According to your premise the model T engine and the lamborghini engine are similar
@@robertbyington7715this album was RECORDED on 70’s tech.
@
Yea the original album but not the reissue
I hate to rain on his parade, but he needs better/more neutral equipment to judge sound quality.
🤷🏻♂️
@@Universityofvinyl What does that mean?
NO offence, get a higher system--klipch;s are horrible Mcintosh's suck not refiined--Love all oF your vids-
I admire the passion and dedication....
I have a decent thrift store copy and it sounds good to me so I'll stick to that myself.
Leave the UHQR to the real SD fanatics so they can enjoy it.
I like the band but after Can't Buy a Thrill it's always been hit or miss for me so I'll stick to the record I have and be happy about it. I'm missing a few (Countdown to Ecstasy, Gaucho, Aja, though I have this one on 8-track hehe). Will get them if I come across them in the wild and if price/conditions are correct. And I'll be set.
Now, if they were to release all the UHQR on SACD (in a Boxset, maybe?), I'd probably get those.
Hope it's better than the Pretzel Logic muffled mess.
I only wish these new vinyl remasters were $1000 a pop. These buffoons would still buy them.
Well, we do have the Electric Recording Company limited pressings for circa $600 and they always sell out.
Snake oil, yeah?
I'll just wait for them to come to their senses and release a mass-market edition at $30 or less.... which will happen after all the people willing to spend $150 or more for a single album already bought them and there are no more sales to look forward to/ This version is for those who've spent $50,000 on their stereo gear.
There is a 180-gram 33 1/3 vinyl available for only $30.
@@MichaelTrogdon1990 Mmm hmm. I noticed you didn't say where it was available.
Got this coming tomorrow but the Royal Scam is the last 45 I'm buying........no more 45's or one steps for me.
I hear ya…..
They are the best. 2 discs is the way to go.
Played Pretzel Logic UHQR last night and Katy Lied UHQR tonight. To these ears both could use some more top end. Will be getting the SACD when it comes out. Trying to relax to some great music and having to get up every two to three songs and flip it is a PITA. Like I said The Royal Scam is the last 45 for me.
Sit next to your turntable. Problem solved.
Great sounding album. They should have left off Everyone's gone to the movies, which borders on making molestation sound ok.
?????
They can’t just delete a song from a record because it offends you.
@MichaelTrogdon1990 I meant at inception. One might reflect on why it doesn't offend you. It's not exactly presented as anti-abuse, or to bring more insight (see Only Women Bleed, That Smell, Sympathy for the Devil). Here endeth the lesson.
@@Mst-bh9tiDidn’t mean to sound aggressive. I never said the lyrics weren’t offensive to me. Of course they are and the song doesn’t condone the subject matter. Mr. Lapage is obviously a very bad guy. Think of it like a character Quentin Tarantino would write in one of his movies. From what I understand, Becker and Fagen were inspired to write the song about a real life person. So yes, I don’t deny the lyrics are offensive, but it’s not enough to stop me from enjoying the song especially the instrumentation.
Hopefully this is the last Steely Dan album they release They need to do other bands besides Steely Dan!!
Nope! Tough shit.. There's still 1 more, the greatest Steely Dan album ever! - The Royal Scam. Muhahahaha! 🥳🥳😜
@ Can’t wait till the yacht rock party ends!!
@@R3TR0R4V3 I'm excited for that one. My 2nd favorite Steely Dan song is "The Caves of Altamira". The whole album is great though. I love Bernard Purdie's drums on that record.
@@davepounds8924 There is no yacht rock party. Steely Dan was one of the only remaining top bands that didn't have their classic catalog reissued on high quality vinyl during the vinyl comeback. Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, etc. had all been reissued except for Steely Dan. The Royal Scam is the last Steely Dan album in this series and it'll be released in a few months.
@@R3TR0R4V3 Correct. ☑
$150.00 for a Steely Dan record? LOL.
Better this than another Miles Davis re-issue.