10 "Must-have" Albums with Audiophile-Quality Sound (The Bob Ludwig Episode!)

[@johnradovich8809]

Aja, The Nightfly and Gaucho are easily in my top 10 favorite albums. Sonically and content wise.

[@jeremyfoster8366]

My personal Favorite Ludwig Cuts are: Zeppelin - II Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy Yes - 90125 AC/DC - Back In Black AC/DC - For those about to Rock The Police - Synchronicity Rush - Moving Pictures ZZ Top - Fandango ZZ Top - Eliminator Dire Straits - Brother's In Arm

[@fabiannacht1784]

1. Esquivel - Music From A Sparkling Planet 2. Opal - Early Recordings 3. Harry Partch - Delusion Of The Fury 4. The Original Telstar - The Tornados 5. Fred Lowery - Whistle A Happy Tune 6. RD Burman - Sholay OST 7. Lee Hazlewood - Love And Other Crimes 8. Ilayaraaja - Anakilli OST 9. Ilayaraaja - Azhagey Unnai Arathikiren 10. Born Bad - Volume Four

[@rtward9]

the doobie brothers 1973 album, the captain and me, sounds like it was produced yesterday, fantastic sound quality

[@mercuryscat2703]

Wow ! Probably the most informative vinyl blog I’ve seen on here . Very interesting . You’ve got me checking my pressings now as I own a good few of these . Just one thing , don’t forget the excellent Emotional rescue Stones album from 1980.

[@kingofallmediums2123]

The Marantz is very cool 😎

[@uncletoma]

Gaucho is a damn masterpiece. Such as all Steely Dan albums. I really love them.

[@ralex3697]

Agree, a true masterpiece It sat on my turntable for many months

[@starshiptrooper7670]

Yeah, I'm a hard core fan myself. Used to have Royal Scam on 8-track. Good cruising music.

[@7sevo7]

Same feelings here. I saw them live at Jone's Beach late August 2003, opened with Babylon Sisters. Something really special, I love them too.

[@79mercedes]

Fabulous album Kathy and I saw them in Vancouver - they opened with "Aja" a truly great concert!!!!!

[@diegorhoenisch62]

De gustibus. SD would, and probably is, good music to torture people with on infinite repeat. I'm glad you love them, but it is not from a lack of exposure that I can say, no! Cheers, Alan Tomlinson

[@rjgiddings]

'Slave' on Tattoo You is my favorite Stones song. Of their entire catalog.

[@thomasraven]

The real story of the Buckingham Nicks album is that Mick was auditioning studios and the Sound City folks used the BN recordings as a demo of the studio. Mick then tracked down Lindsey to ask him to join FM. And yes, he didn't want another woman in the band at that time.

[@sharpdressedvan]

Yes, and STILL many people get the chronological order of the story wrong. Even this guy with the horrific mouthful of teeth.

[@SashaS2art]

You really know your music. Ignore the complaints that you talk too much. The more information the better in my opinion. Keep doing what you’re doing and thank you. Gratefully appreciated 👍👍👍

[@kenjones6441]

At last, a man with musical taste.

[@rondelayo]

Peter Gabriel's So❤❤❤❤

[@davidstein9129]

I picked up a nice Steely Dan Boxed Set..It's Steely Dan's 'Citizen Steely Dan' It's nicely Remastered...sounds great IMO.

[@davidstein9129]

I love your videos. The recording engineers & mastering engineers are the unsung heroes in the music industry.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks much

[@Poeme340]

Gaucho is truly amazing👍

[@DeadnWoon]

Any pre-1978 studio album by Gentle Giant deserves the inclusion in such lists... Yezda Urfa, being called "Gentle Giant on steroids" deserves it, as well. Yes - Fragile, Fantasy - Paint A Picture, Queen - I...

[@bbooker7]

A wonderful and insightful guide through some wonderful music. The greatest narration. Big thanks …

[@bshah4831]

Watching your videos always leads to expense! But worthwhile. That Buckingham Nicks is great, great mastering.

[@AndyBeal1]

I am a huge fan of The Cars, and Heartbeat City is my all-time favorite album. Thank you for recommending "this side of paradise." I just bought a sealed copy and agree, it sounds like a continuation. Thanks!

[@passenger62]

Heartbeat City sounds excellent. Mastering is made easier if the original recording is of good quality, and engineer/mixer Mike Shipley was responsible for this one.

[@cliffiestuurman4158]

Wow. Thank you for the inside info on Donald Fagan and Walter Brecker. That was what vivyl was all about... "The Inside Story.." Thank you ery much

[@Stuck_in_the_70s]

Another great video Tim! Gaucho is underrated for sure, that is routinely towards the bottom of any Steely Dan album ranking, but It’s one of my favourites I love it - and it sounds fantastic. Green is an incredible album, I particularly love the harder hitting stuff on Side 2 - the “Metal Side”. Very fond memories of playing that to death on my Sony Walkman wherever I went back in ‘88! Start me up! Now that is one of the all-time best album openings - Keith Richards is the man!! Iconic album cover too (tho of course Keith looks way cooler on the back than Mick does on the front.)

[@markwissman2452]

Figured David Bowie- Let's Dance would make the list. Great album, easy to find, not very expensive and sonically a masterpiece

[@meyerkarl5276]

Does RL have to be on it to be a Ludwig. I've seen discussions about Roxy Avalon about this. If it says Ludwig on the back of the album but not in wax is it still guaranteed he did the whole process?

[@mister3566]

As a Bowie fan since 72 I'd place Let's dance as one of his worst albums.

[@ianmoffat4460]

So interesting. As a baby boomer I appreciated all of those choices. Thank you so much.

[@doodahdavesrecords4319]

I have a few of these new stories and your easy manner thanks for sharing awesome list

[@ronniefranks4351]

I have four of the ten RL albums: Bruce Springsteen, Dire Straits, Steely Dan, & Ric Ocasek. Pulled them and left them out to listen to.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Great!

[@randellstaub9556]

Great video and thank you. To preface, I am a veteran recording engineer of over 30 years and I have worked with most of the mastering engineers that you mention. I have worked with Bob Ludwig many times and I hold him in the most highest regard - he's a legend and true craftsman. However, there a few things that need to be clarified. The mastering engineer is given the master tapes that have been created by the band, producer and, ultimately, the RECORDING ENGINEER. All of the records that you mention are great sounding records but, if you have never heard the unmastered recording and compared it to the mastered version, then you have no legs to stand on. Therefore, to attribute the great sounding final product only to the mastering engineer is completely incorrect. A mastering engineer will spend one or 2 days on a project and the result will hopefully add 10 to 15% to the final work - an amount measured by the professionals involved and not the listener. Whereas, the band, producer and RECORDING ENGINEER will spend weeks, months and even years creating the musical and sonic artwork that is then sent to the mastering engineer. To give the credit for a great sounding record to only the mastering engineer is uninformed and frankly insulting . The Grammy's have a specific category for Artists, Producers and Recording Engineers. They don't have one for Mastering Engineer because it is impossible to quantify - as I mentioned above.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks much for your comment...is this Randy by chance? I definitely agree with you RE the artists & engineers are the ones who create the final mixed down art and mastering is just the "final step". I've spoken of and highlighted recording engineers in other videos. The main "thrust" of these mastering engineer videos is just to highlight great pressings that were done by specific mastering engineers. I don't mean to belittle or ignore the other people involved. Appreciate you watching and thanks for your feedback.

[@ghostsurferdream]

Keep it up,. I love your content and commentary on these albums -- you are helping me improve my vinyl collection. I love it when I already have one of your recommendations, as I feel I need to go on-line and hunt them down as soon as possible to give them a good listen on my system.

[@jameschant2740]

When you mentioned that Some Girls was the last Rolling Stones album prior to Tattoo You you overlooked Emotional Rescue in 1979.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Yep, realize that now…..

[@QuaaludeCharlie]

Thank You , Subbed , Liked and Shared :) QC

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks QC! 👍🏻

[@nickbitten6037]

Great video there and some classic ( and interesting) albums. Must see if i have any R.L. mastered albums in my collection. Greetings from the UK.

[@michaellourie4252]

Tattoo You....WOW...You've done it again!! I followed your recommendation and found a Masterdisk RL pressing. It sounds like a fancy audiophile lp. Truly wonderful stuff. Thank you so much for improving my life!! Sound has a truly physiological effect on us....well on my anyways. Take Good Care, and Thanks again!!

[@cahabatunes380]

Gaucho is a great album, my favorite track off of it is Time Out of Mind. Raised on Radio by Journey was also mastered by RL. If you don't have it you need to get it, sounds incredible and not a bad song on the whole album! - Russ

[@Stuck_in_the_70s]

Time Out of Mind is fantastic - some awesome guitar playing by the great Mark Knopfler on that track.

[@AI_Surfer]

One of the great Robert Ludwig masters which I never see anyone talking about (but they should be), is 'The Stranger' Billy Joel. Masterdisk 'RL' in the dead wax. Great video!

[@Universityofvinyl]

Yep, I have a copy but not the RL, need to upgrade

[@AI_Surfer]

@@Universityofvinyl Fortunately ‘RL’ pressings of ‘The Stranger’ aren’t too terribly difficult to track down, once you’re on the lookout for it. Columbia issued White Label Promos of ‘The Stranger’ for the ‘RL’ pressings, so that helps it to stick out a little more while searching for it.

[@lazygoon]

My favorite baseball stadium which is no more hangs on your wall. A lot of childhood memories. Great video.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks, gotta love Tiger Stadium 👍🏻

[@theclassicrockjunkie7353]

To find Journey - Escape with the RL in the deadwax is not easy to find in the wild.

[@sabingratz]

Great video, thanks for putting it out! One correction that you might want to make (possibly with a graphic): It was Donald Fagan who signed with Warner and made Nightfly, not Walter Becker. I'm sure that is what you meant to say but just wanted to mention it since I noticed the "video typo":). Thanks again for the content.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Oops, good catch

[@rc2257]

Thanks so much for this video! I loved all the stories of the albums. Makes me appreciate this amazing recordings even more.

[@dilbyjones]

Really glad I found your stuff, great great work.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Much appreciated!

[@darrelljim]

This is my first time watching any of your videos. Excellent information. I especially found the Gaucho story to be interesting! I love how you did a double take when you said "You Might Think" during the Rick Ocasek part. Anyway, looking forward to watching your other videos and also to pulling some of these albums out for closer inspection when I get home.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks much! I think this is one of my most watched vids, thank you for commenting. 👍🏻

[@justinmolinari229]

Another great video in this series. Can’t wait for your future big video w/Kevin Gray ! That will be another monster

[@bk6678]

Best sounding album I own is Pirates by Ricki Lee Jones. I have four from your list.

[@cirenosnor5768]

Good call and I think Rickie’s self titled first record sounds even better. ❤️

[@philippejanssens9066]

al di meola has good quality albums

[@rangerrecon]

Bob Ludwig is THE God of mastering. Before I ever knew what master was, I knew that I had some albums that sounds great (good stereo, sound stage, presence of instruments, clarity in higher frequencies, etc.) and other that didn’t. The only common factor was that all of the great sounding albums were mastered by Bob Ludwig at Masterdisk - none of the dull or otherwise poor sounding albums were.

[@brisci]

Wow I have very similar musical tastes as you! I never thought of the mastering engineer having such a impact on the record but it seems obvious now.

[@JJL-1962]

So I took some time today to organize my collection and while organizing I would randomly grab a record to play. I played She's The Boss by Mick Jagger, Think Visual by The Kinks and Sting's ...Nothing Like The Sun. along with several others. I hadn't play these three in a while and took notice of the great sound. After playing each record, thanks to you, I checked to see who mastered the record. These three were all mastered by Robert Ludwig and it shows.

[@rodlinn4000]

Wow! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@timwestcott361]

Land Of Dreams - in my top 10 all time. Genius compositions ..

[@kirbyduncan567]

Thank you for your videos. Really great music history and awesome music recommendations!

[@mr.145]

Fabulous Baker Boys soundtrack,is mega quality.

[@renevw5812]

For me, i did not know album 4. I'm going to look into it.

[@paolaginelli5277]

I suggest " Living Colors " Album by Dave Samuels mastered by Bob Ludwig !!!! Beautiful LP and beautiful sound !!!! Special !!!!

[@753Jackson]

This is great content and an education. Thank you for making these videos 👍

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks for the kind words and happy it's helpful

[@kenw.8013]

Another great video-I have most of these, the Rupert Holmes has me intrigued, will have to seek that one out.

[@a1guitarmaker]

I got chills when "Third World Man" was mentioned in this video.

[@Universityofvinyl]

As it should be 😁

[@rofgabor]

I never understood the Springsteen craze, and I have not seen him ranked in any other review site.

[@Universityofvinyl]

🤷🏻‍♂️

[@BOBBRADLEYCHANNEL]

Great choices! I always love finding RL in the deadwax. Always a nice surprise.

[@meyerkarl5276]

Just got boys and girls for 10 bucks.

[@memyselfmyvinyl894]

Thanks for this. I'll look for some of these.

[@luciferrsam9994]

A couple harder to find RL’s are late 60’s reissues of The Doors Soft Parade and The Butterfield Blues Band East West

[@donbeals8894]

Just discovered your channel and thoroughly enjoyed the classic rock Back stories- thanks

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks!

[@richardpeiser4359]

Hey UV... This was a lot of fun!... You present a smart and informative platform for all things music.... Gaucho needs more buzz---a contemporary and sophisticated album, it's like The Long Run was to Hotel California(see Aja!), a tough act to follow....Thank you for the intel on this one and Take Care, Ghostrider Rick

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks! Check out my Steely Dan vinyl guide videos

[@kemosabe551]

Need to get a Ludwig copy of BITU, but I do have Tunnel of Love (1987), also mastered by RL and easily available. I recall preferring TOL to BITU for sonic clarity, less reverb and distortion tricks with Bruce’s vocal. Side 2 on TOL also is an absolute no-song-skip gem.

[@Universityofvinyl]

I just picked up a mint Live 75/85 today, looking forward to spinning it

[@gregrupert9613]

Hey great video. Live in Lancaster Pa and have eight used record stores in the local area. Found SD Goucho and RS Tattoo You RL masterdisc. Got Gaucho in NM for $17.50 and Tattoo You for $10. What a steal. Tomorrow is the Keystone Record Collectors monthly show so going mining for more.

[@gregrupert9613]

So the immaculate copy of the RL Escape RL album turned out awesome. That hint about the embossed raised jacket was a great hint. The find was inexpensive and audio sound was so sharp a separation was amazing.

[@tigertiger1699]

Cheers🙏

[@69100leegrant]

Really enjoyed this video. Just subscibed. Nice one.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks for the sub!

[@didiermarchant3024]

Hello I just discovered your channel with this vid and immediately subscribed of course ;-) Thank you for great content. Cheers.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks!

[@BubblesBubbles]

Ludwig cut a bunch of R.E.M. albums..."Green" is one of them. Great stuff!

[@drdavidsands]

Cheers

[@thesupergamermario3701]

Hello, can you tell us what speakers you use with your Marantz 2230. Also do you the built in phonostage or do you have a separate one? If you have mentioned this on previous videos i apologize im new to your channel. I have a marantz 2225 myself and wanted some advice. Thank you.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Hi! I have a pair of vintage Boston Acoustics A200s which my 2230 seems to power very nicely. I don’t have a separate phono stage but might consider one. I have a room tour video where I go into more detail. Thanks for watching!

[@TheLastOilMan]

All the best copies of any album were cut in Japan ! FYI. That includes MFP and UK masters !

[@latheofheaven]

WOW! No wonder you are going so strong, you went from 2000 subscribers a year ago to nearly 60,000 now! 😲 Ah, Gaucho... My very favourite Steely Dan album by FAR! The sound quality when I first heard it on my system (I bought it shortly after it came out) was bloody AMAZING! At the time my friend and I would use that as one of the Demo albums on my system. I had always thought it was one of the first digitally mastered albums, but apparently recently I heard that it actually was not digitally mastered. I'll hafta go back and check out the song you like best, I only really remember the stellar Hey 19 and even better yet, Babylon Sisters. My humble apologies, but I am not really a Singer/Songwriter person. Vocals/stories just don't usually interest me. As a guitar player and composer (using both expressions *extremely* loosely) the instrumentation, compositions, and arrangements are what I like. Although, I DID sample the Bryan Ferry and I must admit that it has nice, almost hypnotic arrangements. And yes, again... 😊 I think Heaven on Tattoo You is one of *THE* most beautiful songs I've heard. And *YES!* You can talk about Zeppelin *ANY* time you want mate! 😁

[@Universityofvinyl]

Great commentary, thank you for watching

[@kkoller8952]

Great video... lots of good info about the music behind the music. Love your setup....looks like you have a Sony PS-70 or 75 turntable with Nagaoka 110 cartridge connected to a smaller Marantz receiver? Can't beat those Sony turntables for pure good sound. Once you experience a turntable with a Biotracer tonearm, you may never go back! Also, your other system with the Sansui and H/K 730 receiver.... Harman Kardon are so under the radar and one of the best buys in vintage audio.... no Marantz tax on these! 😂Now I need to find my copy of Buckingham Nick's to see if it has the Sterling Stamp!

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks, I still have the HK 730! I’ve evolved my main system to an integrated McIntosh MA 6100 and purchased a Thorens TD 145.

[@sammencia7945]

36:17 Well, there it is. A Unicorn. That, my friends, appears to be a NM- of the BL SS LZ2. Wow.

[@nicholas6823]

Found 3 so far in my collection. Gaucho which I already knew was RL, Born the the USA and Boys and Girls which I had just found for $2 a couple of weeks ago and bought on a whim. All great sounding and very different recordings. Thanks for the info. Have you done one for AZ yet?

[@Universityofvinyl]

Stay tuned for AZ ;)

[@KoolKatDave]

I believe the Buckingham Nicks album was at one point practically free, but it seems those who are selling it now on EvilBay got the memo about how great it is...

[@mrfabchild4188]

Love the psychedelic poster on your wall - is it original ?

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks! It is a 2nd run original from Wolfgang’s Vault

[@starshiptrooper7670]

Hello! Today was my first class at the University. Enjoyed the Gaucho (love the Dan) and Tattoo You stories. I know B.L. had nothing to do with the Beatles Abbey Road but what is your opinion of the work done on that record (production, engineering)? Thank you sir.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks for watching! With Abbey Road I have the deluxe 3 LP remastered/mixed Giles Martin cut and I think it sounds excellent. I am seeking a clean UK original and would love to compare.

[@starshiptrooper7670]

@@Universityofvinyl If u find one let me know what u think!

[@fernandoalbarran682]

Esquivel the best‼️‼️‼️

[@Afe.j.69]

Roger waters amused to death is one of the best sounding albums ever!

[@realjaxon]

I'm going to have to look at my 'Buckingham-Nicks', 'Gaucho' and 'Escape' and as much as I hate to look at Springsteen's backside, the 'Born In The USA' albums now. I've looked at my 2 different Zep II albums half a dozen times, and they still don't have the RL etched onto them.

[@HARTYNMUGHES]

Do you hate looking at his backside because it wriggles your jimmies and you’re ashamed?

[@realjaxon]

@@HARTYNMUGHES You make perfectly no sense at all. Run along and play.

[@Scotttyist]

You might think... that that was a deliberate Cars reference :)

[@cvee2614]

Good choices there but not a fan of Bruce, I'd substitute Alan Parson's Turn of a Friendly Card, Spirit's 12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus or John Coltrane's Ballads and/or Roxy Music Avalon not necessarily in that order by should be in any serious collectors line-up. Lesser known instrumental - Dick Schory's Supercussion form the early 60's, amazing Dynagroove pressing and just an amazing LP to ring-out your system. Thanks

[@Universityofvinyl]

Avalon 💯

[@leematthews6812]

Was The Second Arrangement the only song that got wiped while recording Gaucho? Probably urban myth but I heard a few others went the same way....

[@TONEScott]

Just caught this… subscribed. Not sure yet if you’ve covered John Golden, but he’s one that is “right up there” in my professional experience. - TONE.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Thanks Tone! I have a playlist dedicated to mastering engineers and have an episode on Golden. Thanks!

[@TONEScott]

@@Universityofvinyl gonna check it out!! John’s a good friend. Amazing engineer!

[@northcarolinavinylpicker]

Love your channel. So much great info. I wanna start a channel , just need to take the first step. On the buckingham nicks is the RL on both sides or only b side?

[@Universityofvinyl]

Mine only has RL on one side, join the fun, take the plunge. Cheers, Tim

[@Brio-ko8lf]

Great video but no Moving Pictures??? Or Clapton??

[@Universityofvinyl]

Covered Moving pictures in a diff video, didn’t want a repeat…. Thanks for watching

[@jasonsmith2032]

Thank you for your insight! I listened to my Steely Dan first and then to my Zeppelin II which is not a Ludwig. Does the Ludwig just have more bass drum? I have no problem with the bass on this copy but maybe bass drum could be more pronounced. Thank you again. I'll also listen to Journey later.

[@Universityofvinyl]

The Zepp II has more of everything and is pushed to the limit in a good way

[@jandekker6055]

Omar Hakim is a drummer.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Yup, brain fart 🤷🏻‍♂️✌🏻

[@EricBrettJones]

Omar Hakim the famous jazz guitarist??

[@3015axe2]

Only CDs Has Quality Sound 😊

[@yambo59]

THE NIGHTFLY is glaringly absent from this list, best production values ive ever heard on vinyl, many high end experts agree.

[@Universityofvinyl]

I featured Nightfly in a previous video so didn't want to double up on this one. Totally agree though!!

[@patricknicolucci5073]

What do you think about Mobile fidelity pressings ? I have a copy of AJA thats sounds great

[@Universityofvinyl]

Definitely like them, especially the 2nd gen

[@graemefarquharson465]

How about Cupid @ Pshyche by Scritti Politti from 1985

[@TheHififink]

Who is the gaucho, amigo? Why is he standing in your spangled leather poncho And your elevator shoes? One of my favorite tracks!

[@Universityofvinyl]

same!

[@carlrudd1858]

I'm certain all those records have amaZing sound. I must say that your range is rather narrow. That's all really common 1980's fare. No Country, no Jazz, no psychedelic... Maybe you have it, but you didn't select it. Don't get bent, I left + feedback.

[@davidsecord6412]

The parallels between the Eagles and Steely Dan are interesting. Besides Steely Dan telling the cheating girlfriend to "Turn up the Eagles the neighbors are listening" is the Eagles returning the favor in one of their songs. The Eagles did their magnum opus "Hotel California" and then released "The Long Run" which was disappointing and was the end of the Eagles (along with Don Felder not knowing who Alan Cranston was.) Steely Dan releases their magnum opus "Aja" and then releases "Gaucho" which was disappointing. Mostly laconic, devoid of really interesting themes or songs emblematic of what was to come on "Two Against Nature" (which, fatuously, garnered a Grammy.) Oddly, when Donald Fagen decided to release "The Nightfly" we saw a repeat of this. "The Nightfly" was wonderful, full of great ideas and tunefulness. His next solo release was......once again......a disappointment. So, whether "Gaucho" was a well-recorded album or not is not up for dispute. Compared to the songs of "Aja", it is weak. When I attended the CES the year that "Aja" was released, every, single turntable was playing it to demonstrate equipment, especially speakers. No such tribute was forthcoming with the release of "Gaucho" at that year's CES. "Aja" gets a relisten a couple of times a year. I can't remember the last time I looked forward to hearing "Gaucho" again. Pax.

[@murff625]

Toy Matinee

[@dennisbloomquist9220]

I know you are focusing on sound quality, but Rupert Holmes?

[@audiotomb]

The RL Gaucho MCA rainbow is the only label. All the other Steely Dan albums get the black ABC label. KNow you went into this in depth but if someone is watching just this video ABC vs the rainbow MCA which sounds terrible in comparison

[@richardrose2606]

This video would have been twice as good at half the time. But I think Land of Dreams is a very good album.

[@cogdj6452]

Is the Buckingham Nicks RL the 1st pressing? I keep finding STERLInG only without the RL.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Yes RL = 1st