Jay Ferguson - Shakedown Cruise

So I was working on the top 40 of 1979 and realized that Shakedown Cruise by Jay Ferguson in its 45 version is nowhere to be found on compact disc timing in at 3:12 (not 4:12, which is the LP version and an entirely different mix). Is it possible anyone knows if it is on an import or if the overseas 45's have a better quality pressing of the track?

Thanks Ed, but there is a known issue with this particular 45. After getting in touch with Aaron the overseas 45 might have to be acquired to have any chance to have a good digital copy. Hopefully it will be better than the 45's produced here in the states.

Hykker,

Aaron said that the 45's were not produced with great quality here in the US. Further complicating matters is that the LP and 45 are two different mixes.

Aaron had to do a lot of attempts for example on Years by Wayne Newton because the quality of Curb's 45's were not great. I would assume its a similar issue here with this 45.

Yes, the USA 45 was cut at really high levels, and was
hard to track without distortion or sibilance. Even the
production room Thorens TD 124 Mk II, and SME 3009 II
tonearm with Stanton 681A couldn't track it without
breakup at work, at 3 grams tracking force (maximum for
this stylus)

I only have the 45 version on the Asylum 'Spun Gold' reissue 45. I am by no means an audiophile, but I don't detect any distortion that jumps out at me. Unlike the vast, vast majority of the Elektra/Asylum 'Spun Gold' reissue 45s (which feature the LP versions), the 'Thunder Island' b/w 'Shakedown Cruise' reissue 45 features both songs in their 45 lengths/versions.