Decade of Steely Dan Original CD Release

Posted by: GraemeH on 07 January 2012

Although I have all the original MCLD MCA Dan CD's I was concious of missing the track FM, which is not on any of the studio albums.

'Decade' has it as track 1 so I thought I could buy it (£2.75!) and skip the rest if the mastering was duff.......well it is very very good.  Bob Ludwig and Roger Nicholls from the original master tapes.  'Do it Again' is a particular revelation.  Highly recommended. MCAD-5570 DIDX-306.  G
Posted on: 08 January 2012 by Ron Toolsie

The FM soundtrack (I have it on the double LP release) is very very good, although being heavily biased towards the West Coast sound. I think it won a grammy for engineering or something, and certainly sounded very good indeed.  FM-the movie is a little bit more dated, but very funny in places. Sort of like a WKRP movie that is grounded even deeper in music. 

 

ISTR that the master tapes of Steely Dan were in such bad condition that they were all transferred to digital via a PCM-1630 or something, and all subsequent releases or remasterings were made from those digital transfers. 

Posted on: 08 January 2012 by GraemeH
The original release was 1983.  It would be interesting to note when that tape transfer occurred.

Funninly enough, listening to another 'Decade' just now - Neil Young - and darn good that sounds too! G
Posted on: 08 January 2012 by J.N.
Hi Graeme,

'FM' and 'Here at the Western World' mastered by Roger Nicholls are included in the 4 CD box set 'Citizen Steely Dan' which I have.

Thanks for the info about the original 1985 'Decade'. Any CD with a DIDX Cat No° seems to have excellent sound quality. As a 'completist Dan Nut' I clearly need to add an original 1985 'Decade' to my collection. I've just bagged a USA release on Flea Bay for £8.69 inc postage from the States, so it's hopefully a DIDX goodie the same as your copy.

John.
Posted on: 08 January 2012 by J.N.
Just spotted your later post Graeme. According to All Music Guide MCAD 5570 was the original release Cat N° in 1985.


Releases
Year Type label Catalog #
1985 CD MCA MCAD5570
1991 CD MCA 05570
1995 CD MCA 11214
1996 CD MCA MCAD-5570

John.
Posted on: 09 January 2012 by GraemeH
Let me know how you get on John.  Fingers crossed!  G
Posted on: 09 January 2012 by john101
You are certainly right about the sound quality of the double vinyl "FM". I have always thought it sounds fantastic. 

The FM soundtrack (I have it on the double LP release) is very very good, although being heavily biased towards the West Coast sound. I think it won a grammy for engineering or something, and certainly sounded very good indeed.  FM-the movie is a little bit more dated, but very funny in places. Sort of like a WKRP movie that is grounded even deeper in music. 

 

ISTR that the master tapes of Steely Dan were in such bad condition that they were all transferred to digital via a PCM-1630 or something, and all subsequent releases or remasterings were made from those digital transfers. 

Posted on: 11 January 2012 by Salmon Dave

I have the original 12" single of FM with remix on the b-side - also pretty amazing!

 

There's a newer 3CD compilation called Collected which sounds better than most. Includes all the odd tracks previously released (apart from Dallas and Sail the Waterway).

 

Has anyone else heard the recent 'Gaucho outtakes' - now posted on Youtube? Great backing track for 'Stand by the Seawall' and 'Kind Spirit', as well as a high quality demo for the not-made remake of 'Second Arrangement'.

Posted on: 12 January 2012 by JBGWild

Here at the Western World is also on vinyl, Greatest Hits 1972-1978 (Double), ABC Records 1979, weirdly my copy seems Portuguese! Great song, essential for all SD fans. Ive got FM on a UK 7inch single somewhere too.

 

Cheers John