james taylors merry xmas

[jmorris]

so, i'm sitting here this morning as kids are opening up presents and james taylors "have yourself a merry xmas " comes on the radio. I'll tell you, to my ears it has the worst sounding sax recording I have ever heard. If someone here on this forum posted it in the mp3 section they would be hung. Anyone else know this tune and sax sound? It's funny as some things become acceptable if produced by big star or big studio.

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Morris


I think the ULTIMATE song of TERRIBILITY I've ever heard happened on the old ED SULLIVAN show way back when I was just learning some music. Well, Barbara Striesand [ex. sp.] let his YOUNGER SISTER sing some obscure song for her FIRST and most assuredly, HER LAST TIME. She was absolutely terrible.

How can anyone sing so great as Barbara S. and have a sibling sing like Martha Stewart?

It makes for an interesting world of music and show biz.

Green Hornet

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Originally Posted by jmorris

so, i'm sitting here this morning as kids are opening up presents and james taylors "have yourself a merry xmas " comes on the radio. I'll tell you, to my ears it has the worst sounding sax recording I have ever heard. If someone here on this forum posted it in the mp3 section they would be hung. Anyone else know this tune and sax sound? It's funny as some things become acceptable if produced by big star or big studio.

The world is rife with "pro" recordings that sound awful. Pro does not equal good, it only means they got paid for it.

In this case I don't know that particular track, but with vocalists like James Taylor there tends to be an emphasis on the vocal track and a bit of apathy for the technical quality of the accompaniment.

On a novelty song such as a Christmas song it could also be that they just didn't want to spend the extra money getting the sax just so: "Sax in one take people! I gotta move on and get Geddy Lee's 'Little Drummer Boy' and Billy Corrgan's 'Good Kind Wencenslaus' in the can before lunch. Then I have to go kill myself."

G.

[jmorris]

you could be right Glen but check it out,do a search. The sax is so damn airy and clicky. I mean it just sounds like crap. I love James Taylor but I'm a bit surprised to have something like that on one of his albums.

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Originally Posted by jmorris

you could be right Glen but check it out,do a search. The sax is so damn airy and clicky. I mean it just sounds like crap. I love James Taylor but I'm a bit surprised to have something like that on one of his albums.

Yeah, I know the feeling. I feel the same thing every time I listen to how they muffed "Danny's All Star Joint" from Ricky Lee Jones. What a great dynamic arrangement and energy crescendo, and the result sounds like there's pillows thrown over the speakers.

It just goes to show you that just because something has brand names on the label or liner notes doesn't necessarily mean anything. Everybody makes mistakes, and time and money often trump quality and care.

G.