Fagen, Donald - MORPH THE CAT [DVD-A] 2006

[DrMabuse2001]

Just took the first full listen - first impressions...
Definitely DF all the way - there is a certain familiarity about all things Fagen/Becker/Steely Dan and this album is no different.
The surround mix was by Elliot Scheiner and it continues in the tradition of "Two Against nature" and "Everything Must GO" in it's tight syncopation and precise placement.
The drums and bass are grounded, the main vocal anchored in the centre and the backing vocals surround with a lot of warmth.
First blow by - fave track is #8 called "Mary Shut The Garden Door".
There is no one doing what the Steely Dan guys do and they do it VERY well.
If this is your thing - HIGHLY recommend it!
/\/\

[sbernstein]

What are the specs on this DVD-A?

[dr. simple]

What are the specs on this DVD-A?

I haven't bought it yet, but I looked at it at Best Buy. Like most good product, the specs are on the outside: DTS and 96/24 DVDA. Just like the other Steely Dan discs.

Is that what you were wondering?

Paul

[HiRez4Me]

DTS and 96/24 DVDA. Just like the other Steely Dan discs.

The 'Everything must go' DVD-A has an excellent 192/24 stereo track!!

Cheers,
Frank

[Guy Robinson]

The 'Everything must go' DVD-A has an excellent 192/24 stereo track!!

Cheers,
Frank

What's stereo?

[radiodaddy]

What's the packaging on this? I've seen the standard CD, and last night saw a single CD jewel case that had "5.1 surround sound" above the title. The sticky seal on the top of the disc said CD & DVD-A; the back cover had track listings marked CD and a mention of a DVD program (not listed) and the resolution specs for the DVD. Also, the little sticker on the cover plugging the single said CD & DVD Audio.

However, the area inside the front spine had the words to the effect "This disc is a DVD and will not play in CD players;" it was a single jewel case with no indication that there were two discs within (and it didn't feel quite heavy enough to be two); and neither the CD or DualDisc logos appeared anywhere on the package (the DVD, DVD-A, DTS, and Dolby Digital logos all did). The price was in line with the Warners two-disc CD/DVD-A sets, like REM or Clapton, but it didn't come in the same kind of package.


So, did I see the double-disc set? Or is Warner also releasing a DVD-A only version in a standard jewel case? What should I be looking for if I want the double?

This kind of confusing and inconsistent marketing is indicative of why the format is on life support.

[cupboy]

What's stereo?

One too many channels if you ask those guys over on SH

[fzappa]

The 'Everything must go' DVD-A has an excellent 192/24 stereo track!!

Cheers,
Frank

It does? Not on my copy. It is 96/24 on both stereo and 5.1. At least what's shown on the back of the case.
The UPC on it is 9362-48435-97. Yours?

[neil wilkes]

It does? Not on my copy. It is 96/24 on both stereo and 5.1. At least what's shown on the back of the case.
The UPC on it is 9362-48435-97. Yours?

It's incorrectly labelled.
Both my copies (One Test Pressing, One full DVD-A in SJB) are 24/192 stereo.
The full package states 24/96 on the rear, but a trip through DVD-Audio Explorer reveals it is in fact 24/192.

[JonUrban]

Please post your thoughts and comments on this new release from the founder of Steely Dan. :thumbsdow

This is a benchmark of 5.1 HiRez presentation. If all HiRez 5.1 was released in this manner, I would be thrilled.

You get a Redbook CD and a DVD-A that includes the surround mix at 24/96, the Stereo tracks at 24/96, DTS, Dolby Digital, all in a standard sized jewel box, and an in-store price of $19.99. You cannot beat this!

And that's even BEFORE I get into the music!!

[elmer]

This gets a 10 all around. This is not one of your science experiment 5.1 mixes which is good if you want to make sure that your speakers are hooked up correctly. You are totally immersed in the mix. No need to belabor the obvious Elliot Scheiner kudos. This album was recorded for 5.1 from the get go. Fagen employs the same top shelf session men he has for the last 5 - 10 years and you can hear every nuance of their contributions on this album. When ES gives you a little aural whammy like on the track "Brite Nightgown" it beats the most audacious 5.1 mix - but it's part of the music not a cheap effect.

As far as the music is concerned, this is Donald Fagen/Steely Dan territory no doubt - the lyrics are a real treat and bear your attention - dark, funny, even touching at moments. Great session work all around - Howard Levy ( a great, under the radar jazz harmonicat) lays down a tremendous solo on the Ray Charles inspired "What I Do." Jon Herrington, Wayne Krantz and Hugh McCracken guitar playing never disappoints. The only extras are a screen capture for each song -nothing to get excited about - to be quite honest, I couldn't care less - give me more DVD - A mixes like this and I will gladly trade the lousy EPK's and self - indulgent video nonsense usually served up as "bonus" content.

[Guy Robinson]

I listened to the CD on the way home in the car. After it was done I was thinking that the music was good and would probably take a few listens to get into fully like most good titles. Then when I got home I played the DVD-A. WOW!! This is another of those ES demo discs. Discrete surround, warm, lots of good clean bass. No over emphasized top end. I wasn't going to buy this one a few days ago because basically I felt the song I was hearing all the time, "The H Gang" was just more of the same and IMO this is still the weakest song in the set. Am I ever glad I picked it up. It wasn't the easiest thing to find here in Toronto either. The HMV stores in the malls seemed to get one copy each and of the 4 BestBuy and Future Shops I went to didn't have any copies either. I had an HMV put their one copy away for me fairly early this morning. I think they made a mistake as well because it was priced at $19.99. I have to give this a 10. It's going to spend a lot of time in my player.

[DrMabuse2001]

As far as the music is concerned, this is Donald Fagen/Steely Dan territory no doubt - the lyrics are a real treat and bear your attention - dark, funny, even touching at moments.

I read a local interview with Donald Fagen (he played in Toronto last night) and he stated that he saw this album as the end of the trilogy began with "Nightfly". Saw the three albums as symbolizing birth/mid-life/death...
Guess this makes Morph The Cat - death...YIKES!

[bobou2]

Love the mix
Love the songs
Do not love no on screen lyrics

A 9

[Cai Campbell]

Another exceptional Donald Fagen release with another exceptional Elliot Scheiner surround mix! The music is excellent and very accessible. I warmed up to it right away, much more quickly than I did with Kamakiriad.

Nine strong points here.

Warner Bros. rocks! The DVD-A titles trickle out, but at least they're still supporting high-rez surround releases.

[JonUrban]

.....

Warner Bros. rocks! The DVD-A titles trickle out, but at least they're still supporting high-rez surround releases.

This is a good point. I like the fact that it's full 24/96, 5.1 and stereo as well (not that I'd ever play it that way ).

Right now, I'm really loving "It's What I Do"! Great tune.

[Cai Campbell]

Right now, I'm really loving "It's What I Do"! Great tune.

Yeah, that's a great tune, probably my #2 at the moment. Personally, I'm groovin' most on the title cut, along with the reprise. Heck, this is a great ALBUM! Becoming a lost art, I'm afraid.

This disc really made me want to give the "Nightfly" DVD-A another spin. Man, that disc is without a doubt in my top five of all surround titles.

[Paul Cordingley]

This is a sweet thread! Can't wait for my copy to arrive! I *love* reading about great DVD-A's!

[JonUrban]

NOTE: I merged the two "MORPH" threads for future reference! You all are not hallucinating!

[analogdemon]

OK I am completely impressed. Donald Fagen is now on #3 and has yet to put out a bad album. The music is awesome, the mix is beautiful. A greasy, unapologetic 10!

[Don C]

I've listened to it three times now. The sound quality is as good as it gets. The music is not quite as engaging as Nighfly, but a bit better than Kamakiriad. I'll give it a 9.

[Frantic]

Unbelievable

This IMHO rates a solid 10

ES has mixed another classic!

The band is superb and Fagen shines. I am very impressed with the multiple guitar work as it dances around the room. A throwback to earlier work.

I do not need extras with efforts such as this. My favorites at this writing are H-Gang and Brite Nightgown. Although all are quite good.

How can DVD-A be put on a back burner? It does not get any better than this!

[bugdaddy]

certainly agree with the consensus on the mix. zowie! those rhythm guitars can't help make you smile. but you know, when i put this in context with the last fagen and and the last two steely's, i'm thinking i've heard these same tasteful grooves a time or two (or more) before. i give it an 8 (10 for the mix).

[Jens]

I agree with radiodaddy and splinter7:
Some people at the record company have been sleeping. It seems like they've prepared a CD version, a DVD-Audio version and late in the process decided to have a two-disc version (I was going to say Dual Disc but then realized that would add to the confusion) but mixed up the artwork for the different editions.

[Nova]

This mix is tight ! with plenty of BASS . I cant get the DTS mix on my 563A themenue only shows Advanced Resolution 5.1 and the stereo mix ? am I missing some setting on the Pioneer ??