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Boz Scaggs - Boz Scaggs & Band Audio CD

A fair review of the Boz Scaggs "Boz Scaggs & Band" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Boz Scaggs reviews here, or go back to the Boz Scaggs tabs.

Boz Scaggs Band: Boz Scaggs
Title: Boz Scaggs & Band
Rating:
Release Date: 2005-12-21
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Monkey Time 2: Runnin' Blue 3: Up to You 4: Love Anyway 5: Flames of Love 6: Here to Stay 7: Nothing Will Take Your Place 8: Why Why 9: You're So Good

NOT YOUR FATHER'S "BOZ & BAND"
The following is a review I wrote when the title first appeared as a jewel-case CD. This DSD-remastered title has been released twice in the last year, once in a jewel case and now in the mini-sleeve format. The DSD-master for the MS-CD version is the same, so everything applies:

In front of me are two copies of the "Boz Scaggs & Band CD", both manufactured in Japan. The older is the 2000 re-release (Sony SRCS 9292 with a red OBI) that (a buddy who speaks Japanese says) credits no remastering, and the newer one, the DSD remaster (Sony MHCP 502 with a white OBI) that is listed on this page.

I wish to take issue with the DSD version.

From an audio perspective, the DSD-CD sounds as if someone completely re-engineered the album. The overall gain of each channel has been max'd, negatively altering the balance of the mix of the original recording. This is not just a case of additional detail/clarity emerging in the remastering process. For instance, the rhythm guitar appears in the left channel and the lead in the right. Both guitars are now WAY, and I do mean WAAAAAAY, upfront.

The ". . . And Band" title is now a joke, because the horns are far down in the mix, and even Scagg's vocals are competing with the over-amp'd guitars and bass.

Even the symbols are often distorted, especially when the band is wrapping up an up-tempo number, like "Runnin' Blue". However, this could be the remastering process revealing flaws in the original recording.

There is more definition in the DSD disc. However, that benefit comes with the price of bastardizing the original work. A recording that I have been familiar with for thirty-five years has been dramatically altered. I'm used to hearing new things sonically emerge in remastered recordings, but this is a cat of an entirely different color.

If you're my age and have heard this album for as long as I have, prepare yourself for the DSD-CD. I have a feeling it is going to be a love-it-or-hate-it thing for many listeners & BS fans. If you prefer to hear the recording as you have always remembered it, you'd better hurry up and find the older CD before they disappear into private collections.


You can see a complete list of all Boz Scaggs discography, or go back to the Boz Scaggs tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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