Mike Keneally Sluggo! Deluxe reissue!

[Grimjack]

An announcement from Mike:

My 1997 album Sluggo! has been out of print forever, but it’s finally coming back!

It’ll be available in a variety of formats featuring a great deal of unreleased audio and video material, and featuring new stereo and surround mixes of the Sluggo! album.

I’ve always felt the album is really good, but I’ve had reservations about the mix forever. It’s a long story (told at length in the new liner notes in the reissue packaging), but the upshot is I’m finally completely happy with the sound of the album. Sixteen years after recording it, I finally feel like I’ve finished Sluggo!

Pre-orders begin this Thursday, November 7, at The Mike Keneally Store. Packages will ship by early December. Sluggo! will be available in four formats:
1) Sluggo! Deluxe (1-CD/2-DVD package) $34 Contains:

• Instant download of the 2013 Stereo Mix of Sluggo! in mp3 or FLAC
• CD with 2013 Stereo Mix of Sluggo! plus 2 bonus tracks
• DVD-A with PCM 16/48 Stereo, DTS 24/48 5.1 Digital Surround, MLP 24/96 Lossless Stereo & MLP 24/96 Lossless 5.1 Surround
• DVD with over two hours of unreleased stereo live and studio video material, the original 1997 stereo mix, more bonus audio tracks, shots of the original tracking sheets and other items
• Digipak with all original artwork plus new liner notes

2) Sluggo! SuperDeluxe (2-CD/2-DVD package), $49

• Signed, numbered edition of 1000
• Contains all items in Sluggo! Deluxe above, PLUS:
• Live At Mama Kin, a CD of Mike Keneally & Beer for Dolphins performing live in Boston on August 15, 1998 (newly mixed by Mike Keneally and Mike Harris)
• Hand-numbered and signed by Mike Keneally

3) Sluggo! 2013 Stereo Mix download in mp3 or FLAC, $10

4) Sluggo! Original Stereo Mix download in mp3 or FLAC, $10

Finally, Sluggo! returns to the physical realm of existence! Pre-orders begin this Thursday, November 7, at The Mike Keneally Store. Packages will ship by early December.

I've had the pleasure of working with Mike over the last few months on some marketing/strategy work around his new album "You Must Be This Tall" and this "Sluggo!" reissue and have had the privilege of hearing an advance. Sluggo! is not being released, it is being LIBERATED...the rhythm section sounds absolutely thunderous and the entire album sparkles with a clarity that is nothing short of remarkable. If you're not familiar with Mike, this is the album to start with. And if you already know and love Sluggo!, you'll love this new version even more. What are you waiting for?

sluggo_superdeluxe_600.jpg

[Stickleback]

Mike Mangini plays some crazy polyrhythms on this one.

[Jay G]

Just ordered the #2 package. Very excited as this is the only Mike CD I don't have and also really looking forward to the live Mama Kin CD.

[zorknapp]

Ordered it last night, looking forward to the release!

[Rand Kelly]

C'mon Santa. I gotta wait a couple of months.....too many bills.

[No Pride]

It's one of my favorite Keneally albums. I'm actually happy enough with the original mix, even if Mike wasn't. But if I didn't already own it, I'd jump on this!

[Reid]

It's one of my favorite Keneally albums. I'm actually happy enough with the original mix, even if Mike wasn't.

I remember listening to Sluggo! for the first time back in '97, and thinking it was a huge leap forward in sound and production from the first two albums.
Although I don't have the theater system to take advantage of the DVDs, the super deluxe version is very tempting. Nice package!

[tallliman]

This is on my to-buy list. If anyone from the UK orders this, I'd be interested to know how much it all comes to. Will get this as well as the new TFATD when I'm paid!

[Polypet]

done and done. SUCH a classic record

so great that this got done - go Mike go!

Kim

[zombywoof]

... to the Christmas list with this one!

[Skeptrick]

Just ordered the Super-Deluxe version. Can't wait to hear Cardboard Dog in 5.1!

[Reid]

SUCH a classic record

Amen! I had my old CD cranked up in the car last night. I hope more people will give this great album a listen.
16 years on, Sluggo! still gives me great pleasure. Superb material, inspired performances, and it rocks like hell.
Bump!

[Polypet]

i'd give a hearty shoutout to the Super Deluxe package - that Mama Kin show is a stunner (that's 3 thumbs up there)

[aith01]

Just received my copy in the mail yesterday. The new packaging is beautiful! And as for the sound, it's a marked improvement to my ears.

Glad to finally have this!

[Jay G]

I must concur on the Mama Kin live set. Wow, what a scorcher. Quickly moved to the top of my list of favorite live Keneally works.

[J. D. Mack]

Whether you have this album or not, I highly recommend the deluxe reissue of "Sluggo!" The remix doesn't re-write history like some remixes do (*cough* mike oldfield *cough). It simply sharpens what was previously blurred, and it does this somewhat counter-intuitively with *less* high frequencies. It sounds right, not bright.

The 5.1 mix opens up the sound even further, but keeps the feel of the stereo remix (I've only had one chance to listen to this, so I can't give a detailed review).

Lots of bonus visual materials on the third disc. The live footage from Madison looks and sounds great (the audio is soundboard matrixed with camera microphone). (Mike, do you know what kind of camera J used? It looks a lot better than what the average consumer camcorder would have captured at the time.) And actually seeing the moment in "I, Drum Running, am Clapboard Bound" where Mike let's out a groan after making a mistake (which was kept in the final mix) is like seeing history being made (to a die hard fan like me).

Apart from all that, it's freakin' "Sluggo!" There's not a bad song on this album, which is saying a lot because stylistically, this album is all over the map. This is the album that, in 1998, I played compulsively almost daily for about a year. Hopefully someone has already bought this for you for whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year, but if it's not in your stocking or wooden shoe or whatever, do yourself a favor and pick this one up!

[Rand Kelly]

For an extra $10 you can get the Super Deluxe version which includes a live cd from Mama Kin in Boston in 1998. I haven't heard it yet but starting today I will be checking it out on the way to work. This will stay in my player until it's over which should be a week from today. The SDV is limited to 1000 copies and signed by Mike. Mine is 306/1000. The 5.1 of SLUGGO! Ripped My Head Off!!

[markwoll]

So...super deluxe it is.
Now just the waiting part.

[Rand Kelly]

So...super deluxe it is.
Now just the waiting part.

Good call markwoll. Your wait should not be as long as mine. I pre-ordered and had to wait for it to be manufactured. It was shipped earlier than Dec.9 which was predicted,so that was way cool. So, I listened to Mama Kin yesterday and all I really got through was Immigrant Song and
Why Am I Your Guy? and this cd is incredible so far. The track list will surely please all the MK&BFD's fans.

[markwoll]

Dang! No wait at all. Cali to VA in 2 days, not too shabby.
The mailman just handed me da package.
Now, on to the cd player!

mark

Mama Kin's is smoking hot. get it.

[yahonza]

Got mine late last week (361/1000), loving every bit - y'all are spot on re the Mama Kin disc - stunningly awesome!

Mike, I'm happy to see this wonderful album put out the way that you really wanted it to sound - the hard work paid off big time. I had the original, loved it, but this just takes it to the next level.

Worth every penny for the Deluxe .

Mike I hope you had a great birthday and that you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!!

Best always,

Leo

[flytomars]

I just oredered yesterday the deluxe edition based on the reviews here and the sample clip from YT,
and already I am having second thoughts whether I should have bought the super deluxe :P
Kudos to Mike to not neglecting the 5.1 fans! (actually one of the main reasons I bought this- I have no prior knowledge of MK)

[Rand Kelly]

I just oredered yesterday the deluxe edition based on the reviews here and the sample clip from YT,
and already I am having second thoughts whether I should have bought the super deluxe :P
Kudos to Mike to not neglecting the 5.1 fans! (actually one of the main reasons I bought this- I have no prior knowledge of MK)

When the SDV reaches 1000,maybe he'll offer Mama Kin as a download or just sell the thing in the nice digi-pak as is.

[zombywoof]

Got the deluxe version for Christmas. Thanks 'Santa'!

[tallliman]

It arrived today (via a trip to the Post Office to pay the import costs!). Damn fine record, love the version of Inca Roads on the live disk, had to go there first.