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The difinitive recording of AJA

I have just listened to the SHM SACD recording of Steely Dan's AJA. I am not overwhelmed with the sonics. The cymbals are still too faint, the bass lacks punch and snap and the vocals still seem hidden behind a piece of cloth. I much prefer the MFSL gold CD of this title. As far as vinyl goes, the current Cisco version seems more lively than MFSL. So, which is the ONE COPY of this album that is THE MUST HAVE? I am also looking for the MUST HAVE recording of Supertramp's CRIME OF THE CENTURY. Again, I have the new SHM recording, the MFSL gold CD, the MFSL vinyl pressing, and the Speakers Corner vinyl addition. I like both vinyl versions over the CDs with the Speakers Corner version being better -- more punch, imaging, and gutsy. Feedback please.
128x128dramapsycho
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,942 posts
 
I also have both the SHM and the MOFI CD's. I agree the MOFI is the best CD copy I have heard.

On vinyl, I have probably 10-12 different copies of AJA. I am a HUGE Steely Dan fan. I also like the Cisco, but I prefer the last Japanese release that was done a few years ago. I also have a German copy that is wonderful.
g_m_c
443 posts
 
if you can afford it, go to tom ports site http://www.dccblowout.com/
he sold me an amazing copy of aja (as well as all of the dan's portfolio). there is no comparison.
he has also found great copies of supertramp.
get on there and read his discription of aja on cisco, mfsl, and his found copies.

http://www.dccblowout.com/search_adv.aspx?sp=steely+dan+aja&option=s_name&min_price=&max_price=&manuf=&cate=&so=3
kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
I can't really offer you much advice about AJA, (Not one of my favorite Steely Dan albums to be honest), but I agree that the MoFi LP is just okay.

However, for the Crime of the Century LP, I can offer some advice, which is that you already own one of the best versions available, (i.e. The Speakers Corner version). This compares very favorably to all of the versions I have heard, including the UHQR that MoFi put out "back in the day".

As far as CD copies of either album? (Who cares when one has vinyl to listen to?! Needless to say, guess what media format I like the best?!) ;-)

My two cents worth anyway.
jesusa0
155 posts
 
I´m sorry but I disagree.

I rather choose the SHM version of Aja vs the Mofi. I think this last one sounds colored and slow, if you prefer warm.

The SHM version brings the guitars forward -like all SHM Steely Dan´s CDs- and Chuck Rainey´s bass sounds very good too.

Daniel
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