The distortion is on just about every song. The reason for distrusting American Recordings also goes to a previous release by the Red Devils, it was a live recording (I don't recall the title) it was also distorted in the vocals and I returned that as well. I recall reading reviews after I returned that cd that mentioned this distortion and warning people of it. I also find it curious that neither American Recordings or Lost Highway Records have not responded on their websites to other complaints in regard to the distortion on the Jayhawks recording.
vocal distortion on Jayhawk's Rainy Day Music
I have recently listened to two different copies of Rainy Day Music and both have vocal distortion. I have heard of this problem at other sites on the web so I don't believe it is in pressing. I believe the producers/engineers (Rick Rubin?) have turned up the levels on the vocal tracks to the point of distortion. While I enjoy the music on this release I just can't bear to listen to it. On some of the threads I've seen reviewers claim to like the distortion, stating that it brings back a sixties sound for them. I find it inexcusable to record something this obnoxious. By the way, this is not the first American Recordings release to have this vocal distortion. A number of years ago I purchased an American Recordings release of a Red Devils live cd that had the very same distortion. I am now wary of all American Recordings. I have yet to see American Recordings or Lost Highway Records resond to the many complaints on this issue.