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Worst record ever?

I had the misfortune of spotting Sarah Vaughan's "Songs of the Beatles" at my local record store and, intrigued, I bought it since it was only $2. I'm still traumatized a few hours after listening to it; who and why would ever release a record that bad? I love Sarah as a jazz singer but her rendition of the Beatles' songs is absolutely atrocious. I just can't believe someone made a decision to actually release it.
actusreus
57 responses Add your response
fidobite
7 posts
 
Appalling recordings are numerous but how about "award winning" recordings that turn out to be really disappointing? Case in point: Robert Plant / Alison Krauss "Raising Sand" album of a few years ago? I bought this as I'm a HUGE fan of Alison Krauss and have certainly enjoyed most of Plant's production with LZ over the years past. I was shocked at the poor recording quality and not very impressed with the material itself. I think the accolades had more to do with both parties star status than with this effort. Compare the recording quality/arrangements on RS with any of Alison's last 6 or 7 albums which are simply stellar.
thepigdog's avatar
thepigdog
257 posts
 
I have all of Ry Cooder's recordings except "bop Til You Drop".  I gave it to my cousin who then tried to give it back. I'm not sure where it ended up but I know where it should be!
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Bob Til You Drop was in fact the worst record ever produced. Execrable.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 

Ry Cooder is very serious about the sound of his guitars and amps (and creates incredible tone), so when he heard about this new-fangled recording system---digital, he was eager to try it. Bop 'Til You Drop was the first digitally recorded Pop (non-Classical) album, and Ry was extremely disappointed with the sound of the album---he hated it.

Ry returned to analog recording, but it wasn't until he heard a Water Lily recording that he was again interested enough to pursue a new recording system. His comment upon hearing that WL album was "Why don't my albums sound this good?". He contacted Water Lily's genius recording engineer Kavi Alexander, who records with tube mics and an analog recorder with tube electronics by Tim de Paravicini, designer and builder of the great EAR-Yoshino consumer electronics. Ry and Kavi have done a couple of records together, including the Grammy-winning (for audio engineering) A Meeting By The River.

Too bad about the sound of Bop 'Til You Drop---the music is great. Ry is one of the best guitarists in the world---just ask any pro!

thepigdog's avatar
thepigdog
257 posts
 
I agree that Ry is great, however "pro's" look/listen to music differently than I. So their opinions don't carry any more weight than other music lovers.  I do enjoy reading bdp24's thoughts, though. And other contributors as well.
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,461 posts
 
fifobite,

I agree with you about Raisin Sand. I rarely play it due to the boring music and the poor sound quality. Yet there was so much acclaim. 
I will  be leery of any future purchases of music where T- Bone is the producer. I think he got the sound he wanted, albeit garbage can sonics.

ozzy
rockadanny
1,224 posts
 

How come Bruce Jenner never took a stab at singing?

Golden opportunity missed! Wouldn’t it have been terrifically bad had Bruce laid down tracks for an album before his transformation, then as Caitlyn Marie, added harmony to the mix. The first ever male/female duet sung by the same person! Yet another great idea squandered.

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