New remastering of Steely Dan's Katy Lied review by Fremer

I remember reading an interview with Donald Fagen and Walter Becker many years ago. During the interview both men discussed the production of Katy Lied, and their frustration with a new 24 track reel to reel tape deck that was supposed to offer state of the sound reproduction at the time. Fagen stated that no matter what they did with this audio component, they could not get the sound they wanted.  He also said that after dealing with one unsuccessful take after another he was tempted to throw the tape deck out a window of the multi story recording studio they were working at.

IMHO,  despite how great the songs on Katy Lied are,  the sound of the album is very flat and one dimensional. Completely lack luster.   A far cry from the wonderful and dynamic sounding production that Aja would be a few years later.  

So I'm not surprised to hear that a remastering of the original album would still leave much to be desired, as much as I really enjoy the music on the album. 

IME, fidelity wise, Katy Lied is one of the worst sounding albums I have ever heard.

And I have always lamented about this given how much I love the songs on this album.  

Unless it’s been covered many times, I’m shocked that NO ONE has mentioned how creepy the lyrics are on KL!! When I was younger I didn’t notice, but now I feel a little dirty whenever I listen, especially knowing Becker’s troubles with the law as it relates to pedophilia!!…. 

@boostedis Um, no one has mentioned the lyrics because (a) we know them, (b) the band is named after a sex toy in Burrough's Naked Lunch (go read it), and (c) this is fiction not prurient tabloid fact-bait. 

As for your mention of  "knowing Becker’s troubles with the law as it relates to pedophilia" can you share some evidence that what you know is true? If you're speculating, perhaps out of respect for the man you can delete your comment.

What I’ve read is that DBX noise reduction was to blame, not tape machines, but in the liner notes, FWIW, there are no complaints to back this up.

In the liner notes, Fagan and Becker do mention "our splendid double Magneplanar monitor. system and newly acquired and fabulously expensive Audio Research D-76 tube power amps", which would reinforce the assertions about Becker at least being an audiophile.

I've only heard the 1999 remastered cd of KL and have never found the sonics detract from enjoying the music.

This UHQR Steely Dan release was the most interesting to me. I own the MFSL and was always disappointed. We’ve since read how the issues in the recording process affected the SQ. So apparently this new UHQR has managed to increase fidelity to an originally flawed recording. I'm gonna pass.