MR

Even freakin REO Speedwagon is remastering their old albums on CD (see front page of melodic rock.com) and that is on Good Trouble and Wheels are Turning! Is it too much to ask to get the Styx A&M albums remastered? Sheesh!

I agree although Grand Illusion, PO8 and Cornerstone have been remastered by Friday Music on vinyl. I have Grand Illusion and I have to say it sounds pretty awesome.

FormerDJMike wrote:I agree although Grand Illusion, PO8 and Cornerstone have been remastered by Friday Music on vinyl. I have Grand Illusion and I have to say it sounds pretty awesome.

Nope. Not good enough. I want the complete remastering package of all 9 A&M albums (including Caught in the Act) with 35 page booklets with extra pics/stories etc. I don't think it is too much to ask since all of them went at least gold (ok Cita didn't). They owe it to their fans. But then again the current band wants to ignore 2/3 of their history so I doubt we see this. And that is a shame.

Toph wrote:

FormerDJMike wrote:I agree although Grand Illusion, PO8 and Cornerstone have been remastered by Friday Music on vinyl. I have Grand Illusion and I have to say it sounds pretty awesome.

Nope. Not good enough. I want the complete remastering package of all 9 A&M albums (including Caught in the Act) with 35 page booklets with extra pics/stories etc. I don't think it is too much to ask since all of them went at least gold (ok Cita didn't). They owe it to their fans. But then again the current band wants to ignore 2/3 of their history so I doubt we see this. And that is a shame.

So are you saying it's JY's and Tommy's fault there are no remasters???

Toph wrote:

FormerDJMike wrote:I agree although Grand Illusion, PO8 and Cornerstone have been remastered by Friday Music on vinyl. I have Grand Illusion and I have to say it sounds pretty awesome.

Nope. Not good enough. I want the complete remastering package of all 9 A&M albums (including Caught in the Act) with 35 page booklets with extra pics/stories etc. I don't think it is too much to ask since all of them went at least gold (ok Cita didn't). They owe it to their fans. But then again the current band wants to ignore 2/3 of their history so I doubt we see this. And that is a shame.

I think this has more to do with Universal that owns the A&M catalog. I assume they do not see enough interest to warrant remastering their catalog. No if the current Styx had ownership of said maters you would have a point. It's not up to those you mentioned.

Toph:

You forgot to mention we want bonus tracks and the FULL Caught In The Act show on DVD AND CD

If I can have one thing, I want it to be the full Caught in the Act show on DVD

It's all in Universal's hands. I'm pretty sure if current Styx had any say they'd of course want that type of thing done. It'd only help the current incarnation of the band. It certainly wouldn't hurt. What's odd is I've seen less influential bands as well as those who have sold less get the treatment we so want. Go figure.

Baron Von Bielski wrote:It's all in Universal's hands. I'm pretty sure if current Styx had any say they'd of course want that type of thing done. It'd only help the current incarnation of the band. It certainly wouldn't hurt. What's odd is I've seen less influential bands as well as those who have sold less get the treatment we so want. Go figure.

I have no doubt that the personal tastes of those involved in such things at Universal comes into play here.

Toph wrote:

FormerDJMike wrote:I agree although Grand Illusion, PO8 and Cornerstone have been remastered by Friday Music on vinyl. I have Grand Illusion and I have to say it sounds pretty awesome.

Nope. Not good enough. I want the complete remastering package of all 9 A&M albums (including Caught in the Act) with 35 page booklets with extra pics/stories etc. I don't think it is too much to ask since all of them went at least gold (ok Cita didn't). They owe it to their fans. But then again the current band wants to ignore 2/3 of their history so I doubt we see this. And that is a shame.

that is a shame toph plain and simple. right again on your part.

gr8dane wrote:

Toph wrote:

FormerDJMike wrote:I agree although Grand Illusion, PO8 and Cornerstone have been remastered by Friday Music on vinyl. I have Grand Illusion and I have to say it sounds pretty awesome.

Nope. Not good enough. I want the complete remastering package of all 9 A&M albums (including Caught in the Act) with 35 page booklets with extra pics/stories etc. I don't think it is too much to ask since all of them went at least gold (ok Cita didn't). They owe it to their fans. But then again the current band wants to ignore 2/3 of their history so I doubt we see this. And that is a shame.

So are you saying it's JY's and Tommy's fault there are no remasters???

im not sure if that is what toph is saying or not.....but if it is you can take it to the bank.

if ole toph tells you the hog weighs 350.....just load him up. no need to weigh him.

REALLY wish bands would quit doing this...

USE THE TIME TO RECORD NEW MUSIC!!!!!!

Sell it on your website, take the record company out of it, make more money per sale.
Sorry, but why mess with classic tunes? LIve is okay, unless you rerelease live cuts every year (yeah, yeah, I know....) but to take all that time to re record your classic catalog is a ridiculous waste of time.

brywool wrote:REALLY wish bands would quit doing this...

USE THE TIME TO RECORD NEW MUSIC!!!!!!

Sell it on your website, take the record company out of it, make more money per sale.
Sorry, but why mess with classic tunes? LIve is okay, unless you rerelease live cuts every year (yeah, yeah, I know....) but to take all that time to re record your classic catalog is a ridiculous waste of time.

agreed.......i understand there is very little money in releasing new music......so my thoughts are continue to play live and make dvd's, which seem to be moneymakers for them and then write and release songs via the web......i know they have capable studios that they own so they could record for little cost and then avoid all the money associated with printing CD's and marketing and distribution........that way you still make money where you can, still tap into your creative juices and make new music and contain costs.....I am someone that woudl still love to hear new stuff they are writing even if they play very little of it live.

brywool wrote: but to take all that time to re record your classic catalog is a ridiculous waste of time.

That depends on what the listener is interested in. Some are and some aren't. Just like some would like to hear new output from the current Styx lineup while others would not. I happen to be one that would be interested well remastered versions of the releases that were just dumped over to CD without out any mastering done to make them sound good on CD. Not to mention that extras would make them better.

I just wish CITA was done right -- Re-issue it on DVD and CD as a COMPLETE show in the original track listing of the concert. Would love to see Madame Blue & Fooling Yourself on the DVD...

Does anybody know why they cut so many songs off of the DVD? The Caught in the Act version of Crystal Ball is by far my favorite version. Really would love to watch it.

Archetype wrote:Does anybody know why they cut so many songs off of the DVD? The Caught in the Act version of Crystal Ball is by far my favorite version. Really would love to watch it.

brywool wrote:REALLY wish bands would quit doing this...

USE THE TIME TO RECORD NEW MUSIC!!!!!!

Sell it on your website, take the record company out of it, make more money per sale.
Sorry, but why mess with classic tunes? LIve is okay, unless you rerelease live cuts every year (yeah, yeah, I know....) but to take all that time to re record your classic catalog is a ridiculous waste of time.

That is a different topic. That is re-recording and funny enough even though REO has released re-records the movie "Jobs" used a re-recorded version of "Roll with the Changes".

This topic is about remastering and some of the albums have been remastered and release in other formats. A company BGO released Equinox and Crystal Ball in Europe. Grand Illusion for vinyl so the remasters are done. Just got to get them released.

As far as REO and "Life as We Know It" and "Good Trouble" Rock Candy got the rights and the band is not involved and has no say in them. This is why bands do not like companies like Rock Candy. I think they produce really good fan-friendly product.

Hollywood wrote:That is a different topic. That is re-recording and funny enough even though REO has released re-records the movie "Jobs" used a re-recorded version of "Roll with the Changes".

This topic is about remastering and some of the albums have been remastered and release in other formats. A company BGO released Equinox and Crystal Ball in Europe. Grand Illusion for vinyl so the remasters are done. Just got to get them released.

As far as REO and "Life as We Know It" and "Good Trouble" Rock Candy got the rights and the band is not involved and has no say in them. This is why bands do not like companies like Rock Candy. I think they produce really good fan-friendly product.

When speaking about Styx, I find it interesting that the band member's solo releases have gotten more re-mastering and re-release attention then releases from the band that made them so successful.

Hollywood wrote:

Archetype wrote:Does anybody know why they cut so many songs off of the DVD? The Caught in the Act version of Crystal Ball is by far my favorite version. Really would love to watch it.

brywool wrote:REALLY wish bands would quit doing this...

USE THE TIME TO RECORD NEW MUSIC!!!!!!

Sell it on your website, take the record company out of it, make more money per sale.
Sorry, but why mess with classic tunes? LIve is okay, unless you rerelease live cuts every year (yeah, yeah, I know....) but to take all that time to re record your classic catalog is a ridiculous waste of time.

That is a different topic. That is re-recording and funny enough even though REO has released re-records the movie "Jobs" used a re-recorded version of "Roll with the Changes".

This topic is about remastering and some of the albums have been remastered and release in other formats. A company BGO released Equinox and Crystal Ball in Europe. Grand Illusion for vinyl so the remasters are done. Just got to get them released.

As far as REO and "Life as We Know It" and "Good Trouble" Rock Candy got the rights and the band is not involved and has no say in them. This is why bands do not like companies like Rock Candy. I think they produce really good fan-friendly product.

I know Friday Music did the Remasters for Grand Illusion, PO8 & Cornerstone on vinyl. Not sure if the band was involved or not but they did receive copies of it when it was pressed on 180 gram vinyl.

Here's what their website says about it:

Friday Music is very honored now to present once again The Grand Illusion, which also begins our exclusive Styx 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl Series. This exceptional high quality album is now mastered impeccably from the original A & M Records tapes by Joe Reagoso at Friday Music studios with Kevin Gray.

This limited edition masterpiece is also housed in a beautiful first time gatefold cover and includes all the hits you remember like Come Sail Away, Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) and Miss America.

This album truly ushered a new level of popularity for Styx, and has kept them at the top of their game ever since. The Grand Illusion - truly a fine album for the audiophile vinyl domain.

As for Dennis's solo albums I believe he is the one that remastered those. I think the re-issue of Desert Moon that came out in the last 10 years or so was because he wanted it done and he remastered it himself.

FormerDJMike wrote:As for Dennis's solo albums I believe he is the one that remastered those. I think the re-issue of Desert Moon that came out in the last 10 years or so was because he wanted it done and he remastered it himself.

I was not aware that Dennis was involved in any of the reissues of his solo albums. I know that BGO just released remastered versions of Desert Moon and Back to The World. Additionally, they released remastered versions of Tommy's Girls with Guns and What If. If I remember correctly that makes it the third time that Tommy's first two solo releases have been reissued.

I have Girls With Guns on CD and I bought it about a year ago from Amazon. It has a Universal Logo on it... I dont have it on me at the moment but the disc itself it White and something like "Universal Classics". It was also remastered.... So we have the original release on CD, the 1996 Water Dog Reissue, the Universal one that I have and now the double disc set.

Looks like the version I have is the 2007 version, I paid 14.99 for it.

http://www.amazon.com/Girls-With-Guns-Tommy-Shaw/dp/B000008KMT/ref=sr_1_2_title_1_aud?ie=UTF8&qid=1386595981&sr=8-2&keywords=tommy+shaw+girls+guns+cd

Look how much the 1996 version sells for. Crazy!

As for Desert Moon I remember reading that Dennis wasn't happy with fans having to pay $300 for a used copy on CD. So he remastered it himself. I don't know who released it because I don't have it, I am one of the lucky ones who has one of those original 1984 CD's. Amazingly in 1987 I found Desert Moon and Back To The World at "Record Bar" in the mall (remember Record Bar?). Both CD's were only 4.99 each so I grabbed em.

FormerDJMike wrote:As for Desert Moon I remember reading that Dennis wasn't happy with fans having to pay $300 for a used copy on CD. So he remastered it himself. I don't know who released it because I don't have it, I am one of the lucky ones who has one of those original 1984 CD's. Amazingly in 1987 I found Desert Moon and Back To The World at "Record Bar" in the mall (remember Record Bar?). Both CD's were only 4.99 each so I grabbed em.

How do the Dennis/Tommy BGO Remasters sound? Is the sound improved?

Hollywood wrote:

FormerDJMike wrote:As for Desert Moon I remember reading that Dennis wasn't happy with fans having to pay $300 for a used copy on CD. So he remastered it himself. I don't know who released it because I don't have it, I am one of the lucky ones who has one of those original 1984 CD's. Amazingly in 1987 I found Desert Moon and Back To The World at "Record Bar" in the mall (remember Record Bar?). Both CD's were only 4.99 each so I grabbed em.

How do the Dennis/Tommy BGO Remasters sound? Is the sound improved?

Not sure. I did get the DM\BTTW disc but I haven't had a chance to listen to it. I got it since it's the first time a remastered version of BTTW has been done. The TS releases I didn't bother getting the BGO release since I have the others that came out before. I was kind of surprised that BGO released them since those two TS album have been done before by other labels.

FormerDJMike wrote:As for Desert Moon I remember reading that Dennis wasn't happy with fans having to pay $300 for a used copy on CD. So he remastered it himself. I don't know who released it because I don't have it, I am one of the lucky ones who has one of those original 1984 CD's. Amazingly in 1987 I found Desert Moon and Back To The World at "Record Bar" in the mall (remember Record Bar?). Both CD's were only 4.99 each so I grabbed em.

The DM remaster came out around the same time as the DDY domestic hits package. It was on UNI Special Markets or something. It was out for quite awhile and easy to find.

Haven't done any comparison of the BGO, but it's clean. Both albums on a single CD.

As for the Styx remasters, we've covered that a million times on this board over the years. I've addressed them even in interviews. Bottom line is that the label sees no value in doing it, and at this point with physical product all but minimized, why do it? Outside of the rumored GI Deluxe Years ago and the announcement of the remasters in 1995 after GH (which then magically were never talked about again), the Styx catalog has been largely ignored on CD except:
[*]The terrible Audio Fidelity gold CD of GI. Avoid.
[*]The Japanese SHM CDs, of which all were remastered specifically for those EXCEPT Cornerstone and PT. CITA sounds the best it ever will on CD.

So that's it folks. Our only real hope IMO is that with Hi-Rez downloads coming in fashion, they will show up on HD Tracks or something like that.

StyxCollector wrote:

FormerDJMike wrote:As for Desert Moon I remember reading that Dennis wasn't happy with fans having to pay $300 for a used copy on CD. So he remastered it himself. I don't know who released it because I don't have it, I am one of the lucky ones who has one of those original 1984 CD's. Amazingly in 1987 I found Desert Moon and Back To The World at "Record Bar" in the mall (remember Record Bar?). Both CD's were only 4.99 each so I grabbed em.

The DM remaster came out around the same time as the DDY domestic hits package. It was on UNI Special Markets or something. It was out for quite awhile and easy to find.

Haven't done any comparison of the BGO, but it's clean. Both albums on a single CD.

As for the Styx remasters, we've covered that a million times on this board over the years. I've addressed them even in interviews. Bottom line is that the label sees no value in doing it, and at this point with physical product all but minimized, why do it? Outside of the rumored GI Deluxe Years ago and the announcement of the remasters in 1995 after GH (which then magically were never talked about again), the Styx catalog has been largely ignored on CD except:
[*]The terrible Audio Fidelity gold CD of GI. Avoid.
[*]The Japanese SHM CDs, of which all were remastered specifically for those EXCEPT Cornerstone and PT. CITA sounds the best it ever will on CD.

So that's it folks. Our only real hope IMO is that with Hi-Rez downloads coming in fashion, they will show up on HD Tracks or something like that.

I have been surprised at both A&M's and Universal's attitude towards Styx' back catalog based on how successful they were. They should have done this when the band reunited back in '95.

Don't forget DDy and Styx have A&M/Universal in court over royalties.

At this point i don't think we will see any remasters or re-released albums. They would need a unified fan base to get to the larger market and that won't happen with the division of the fanbase as it is now.

StyxCollector wrote:
As for the Styx remasters, we've covered that a million times on this board over the years. I've addressed them even in interviews. Bottom line is that the label sees no value in doing it, and at this point with physical product all but minimized, why do it?

Sorry but I call bullshit on that statement. If REO can do it, why can't Styx? Or are we admitting that REO has more demand than Styx does. Either that is the case, or they could do it but Styx (or A&M) is choosing not to and ultimately doing a disservice to its fanbase

Toph wrote:

StyxCollector wrote:
As for the Styx remasters, we've covered that a million times on this board over the years. I've addressed them even in interviews. Bottom line is that the label sees no value in doing it, and at this point with physical product all but minimized, why do it?

Sorry but I call bullshit on that statement. If REO can do it, why can't Styx? Or are we admitting that REO has more demand than Styx does. Either that is the case, or they could do it but Styx (or A&M) is choosing not to and ultimately doing a disservice to its fanbase

REO may be involved and Sony may not care. A lot of times bands pay for this stuff themselves to do archival releases. Styx does not own their masters. The record company makes the shots, and as I've said and in talking to record company folks in the past associated with Uni, there's no interest in doing anything new with the Styx catalog here in the US. Stuff like the PT release in Japan is not a widespread release.

StyxCollector wrote:REO may be involved and Sony may not care. A lot of times bands pay for this stuff themselves to do archival releases. Styx does not own their masters. The record company makes the shots, and as I've said and in talking to record company folks in the past associated with Uni, there's no interest in doing anything new with the Styx catalog here in the US. Stuff like the PT release in Japan is not a widespread release.

So I guess this means there must be a decent demand for this stuff in the japan market. Hence the prior SHM releases and now the PT release. I think there would have to be some real $$ involved for anyone from Styx to be motivated to do something with it and that's not the case.