2. misc-audio
  3. 167295-139155

Does Steely Dan sound bright to you?

This is going to sound like a somewhat random question but I’m wondering how many of you find Steely Dan’s recordings to sound a bit bright. I’m particularly thinking of Gaucho, and Aja but some other recent recordings, too, such as Fagen’s Nightfly.

My typical media include streaming (CD and HD quality) and CD’s. I have not played my old vinyl because I’m presently without a turntable.

At first I thought it was my system and it was driving me a little bit mental; eventually, I decided it wasn't my stuff, it was their stuff. Because most other recordings on the same system with no other changes don’t typically have the brightness of Steely Dan.

Whether or not you’re a fan (I am) Steely Dan has often been a go-to for testing out equipment, so I imagine there will be experiences people have had about this.

P.S. Any other recordings which, for you are unnaturally bright?


128x128hilde45
dinov's avatar
dinov
805 posts
 
No, all top notch recordings. They were known for that. 
sokogear
1,058 posts
 
Hey pgaulke60 - ALL SD should is good (mostly great) and should be appreciated.

As far as not being a band, I guess you have never seen them in concert this century. They've had minimal personnel changes in like 20 years and they tour pretty much every year. Listening for the sonics? Are you nuts? How early are you talking? They stopped touring in the early 70s when "they stopped being a band" and restarted around 2000.

They are the best sounding live band anywhere. I've heard critics say they are too perfect. They create the complex soundscapes just fine live in concert. Check out Alive in America (unfortunately only available on CD). Nice disc.

Yes you are biased. Very, just like a friend of mine who doesn't like SD because Sirius has them in heavy rotation on their Yacht Rock channel, just like Boz Scaggs, another favorite of mine. 

Fagen said he only played 40 records growing up - Miles and Trane heavy in the rotation.
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,409 posts
 
I recall a LOT of EQ on SD's early LP's, which could be described as being bright for certain instruments and vocals.

Sometimes the drums sounded like they were replayed through a clock radio and then miked direct to the board.

Also BIG reverb on some of the bass lines as well as keyboards.

Compression on vocals that could be mistaken for tape over saturating...

This said, they are studio albums (never to be mistook for live or open room recordings) and all of this manipulation ended in an award winning sound for the time.

I've never listened to them on CD, just LP and though 

DeKay
Admin
Audiogon Official
Well, I mean, they did go to Bard College ...

I'll be here all week. Please tip your servers.
jetter
2,977 posts
 
Sorry for this obviously off topic posts, but I have noticed that glupson has not posted in a month.

Does anyone have any information on what is going on with him. I always enjoy his posts.

In 20 years I never had one post deleted by the mods. In the last week I have had four of my last five posts deleted, so I am wondering if this has anything to do with glupson’s absence?
More to discover