To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=23197
90 messages

BS: Most embarrasing album?

11 Jul 00 - 11:50 AM (#255728)
Subject: Most embarrassing album?
From: Morticia

I noticed that one or two people, on the Whats this song thread, owned up to liking The Monkees and even, Gawd help us, the Bay City Rollers ( you know who you are ..Alison ). So, come on, confession time....what is the most embarrassing album in your collection? I will cough to " The Wombles of Wimbledon Common" and let the Devil take the hindmost.


11 Jul 00 - 11:53 AM (#255730)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Patrish(inactive)

"The best of Gilbert and Sullivan" - tripping hither, tripping thither, nobody knows why or whither?
Patrish


11 Jul 00 - 11:55 AM (#255731)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Amergin

John MacDermott....


11 Jul 00 - 11:58 AM (#255735)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: sledge

Adam and the Ants.

But I got better.


11 Jul 00 - 12:03 PM (#255737)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Bugsy

The Shaggs - History of the world. And I only kept it because it is SOOOOOOOO BAAAAAAAD!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers

Bugsy


11 Jul 00 - 12:07 PM (#255742)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Mbo

HEY what's wrong with the Monkees? No music I own I consider embarrasing. I love it all, or else I wouldn't have it. Most of the folk nazis would crucify me if I listed my CD collection though.

--Mbo


11 Jul 00 - 12:08 PM (#255745)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Rick Fielding

Ferrante and Teischer play "Greatest Movie Themes"!!!

I was once under contract to Columbia Records. I signed the contract.......they sent me the records!

Rick


11 Jul 00 - 12:14 PM (#255751)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Amergin

That sounds like an excuse if I ever heard one, Rick...


11 Jul 00 - 12:50 PM (#255763)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Kim C

Oh no! I love John McDermot! I don't have any of his records besides the Irish Tenors. But I love his Last Rose of Summer on the 2nd Irish Tenors record. Makes me dash for the kleenex every time.

When I was a kidling I had several of those K-Tel albums, including the disco collection. I also loved Barry Manilow then, too. Seems like at one time I had a Frankie Goes to Hollywood record. All of these things have magically disappeared along the way.

I had that Loverboy album, you know, the one with the red leather-clad behind on the cover? That was hot stuff when I was in high school. Later on I realized that guy really was an awful singer. But he looked good in those britches!

Nowadays, I can't say as I'm really embarrassed by anything on the music shelf. If you laugh at it, well, that's your business.


11 Jul 00 - 01:00 PM (#255767)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Joe Offer

Sweet and Lovely: The Best of Nino Tempo & April Stevens. The most profoundly awful recorded music I have ever heard, even though I kind of like "Deep Purple."
-Joe Offer-


11 Jul 00 - 01:25 PM (#255784)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Liz the Squeak

Geoff Love orchestra plays Bond Themes..... sorry. And I too have an Adam and the Ants LP (that's one of the big black flat things, for you youngsters out there), BOTH the Wombles LPs, 'Sing along with the Goodies' and a delightful thing called 'United Manchester United' which is the 1973 Man Utd football team with George Best in it, singing various contemporary tunes..... SO has two Yetties LP's so he can't talk!

The only records that we had in common when we married were 'Since Time Immoral' by the Kippers and 'The Ying Tong Song' by the Goons.

Sorry. I've been playing my way through the collection whilst sewing in the dining room, and have come across some screamers!!

LTS


11 Jul 00 - 01:47 PM (#255807)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Bill D

Leonard Nimoy sings.....(although, I haven't SEEN it in some time...maybe the "Taste Police" confiscated it on their last inspection)


11 Jul 00 - 01:51 PM (#255810)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Homeless

I don't have anything I would consider embarrassing, but I do have some strange things

Pickin' on Skynyrd - bluegrass versions of classic Lynyrd Skynyrd songs
Pat Boone in a metal mood - Ol' Saddle Shoes himself doing big band versions of some heavy metal classics
Stairways to Heaven - numerous versions of the Led Zeppelin song, including one by Rolf Harris.
Tacky Tunes - one of K-tel's novelty records. This one bought because it has Pete Seeger doing "Little Boxes" on it.


11 Jul 00 - 01:54 PM (#255812)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Mbo

Homeless, there's also a "Pickin' On Yhe Eagles" album which you might be interested in too. It's really good.

--Mbo


11 Jul 00 - 02:11 PM (#255829)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Steve Latimer

Homeless,

That Pat Boone one is a scream. I can't believe that he was serious when he did it. Apparently it got him thrown out of his church. They must have a poor taste clause.


11 Jul 00 - 02:21 PM (#255837)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: GUEST,I guess

Well the most embarrasing 'serious' album I own is by the Earl Scruggs Revue. It's a total mess. Not Bluegrass and not Rock and not Country. Pretty lousy playing as well.

g


11 Jul 00 - 02:27 PM (#255847)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Steve Latimer

Guest I Guess,

Is that the one that they do Dylans' "Song to Woody" on? My dad had that one when I was a kid and I really enjoyed some of the tracks, STW especially, but I do recall some terrible singing on it.


11 Jul 00 - 02:32 PM (#255851)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: GUEST,I guess

Boy that was quick. I don't think so Steve. Dylan's You Aint Goin Nowhere might have been on it but I hated it so much I never listened to it again. Nobody in the band could sing at all. Don't get me wrong, I love Earl Scruggs. He just can't play Rock. Bela Fleck does that.

g


11 Jul 00 - 02:47 PM (#255862)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Rana who SHOULD be working

One lp I bought which would fit into this category is Hawkwind's Space Ritual - bought on a nostalgia whim in the late 70s whilst remembering In Search of Space. Must avoid sale bins!!

Talking about nostalgia, I'm tempted to try and get early Tyrranasaurus Rex - we used to listen to it on the PA at Bearwood Skating ring during games at school (much better than the soccer, cross-country running or rugby others would choose), however, I'm too embarred to look in the T. Rex/Marc Bolan section.

Keep 'em coming!!!

Rana


11 Jul 00 - 02:49 PM (#255865)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Steve Latimer

I guess,

The one I am referring to had a catchy tune about a Swimming Hole. It also had Third Rate Romance on it, but I wouldn't classify any of it as rock.


11 Jul 00 - 03:03 PM (#255879)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Melani

Does anyone remember Mrs. Miller?


11 Jul 00 - 03:06 PM (#255881)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Wesley S

Several years ago I sold off about a third of my LP's. I went from 3,000 to 2,000. Most of the embarrassing ones went then. I seem to remember owning "Rod McKuen in Concert".


11 Jul 00 - 03:17 PM (#255889)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Alice

McGuinness Flint (way off key... yikes)


11 Jul 00 - 03:17 PM (#255890)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: dwditty

Forget about me. I can't wait to hear what Catspaw comes up with.

dw


11 Jul 00 - 03:20 PM (#255893)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Celtic-End Singer

"Please Hammer - Don't Hurt 'em" by MC Hammer (He stil had the MC in his name then. A truly atrocious waste of plastic if ever there was one.


11 Jul 00 - 03:21 PM (#255894)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Alice

then there is the "Masked Marauders" album (anyone else have that one?) with the last paragraph in the notes saying, "Leading experts now estimate that the music business is currently 90% hype and 10% bullshit."


11 Jul 00 - 03:26 PM (#255898)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: dwditty

Alice, is that an all black front cover? Seems to me Andy Warhol had something to do with it. Lou Reed, et al. I could have the wrong title, though.

dw


11 Jul 00 - 03:51 PM (#255910)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: GUEST

Rick, you should remember these guys. THE BONNIE SCOTS. THEY WERE JACKIE DICKSON AND MICK MADDEN.GREATguys but terrible. LJC


11 Jul 00 - 04:02 PM (#255913)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: GUEST,art

i don't own anything by FLORENCE FOSTER-JENKINS i wish i did.

that lady was in a category of her own, buying her own recording studio, hiring Carnegie hall for an audience of six(?)

anyone know of recordings by her?


11 Jul 00 - 04:04 PM (#255915)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: SINSULL

Mrs. Miller who sounded as if she was singing under water and off key? I loved her. Tiny Tim tried to match her style but never made it. My worst is an 8-track called Yackity Sax, free from Columbia House with ten tapes. I am embarrassed by the title. The music is dreadful "Look Mom, I'm playing jazz!"


11 Jul 00 - 04:11 PM (#255920)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Clinton Hammond2

Oh ya... I got 'roots rap' in my collection... Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5, no less... And it's on vinal...

What the hell was I on when I was a teen!?!?!?!?!

Glad I'm not on it now!

LOL!!!

{~`


11 Jul 00 - 04:16 PM (#255927)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Dee45

I have a compilation soundtrack from John Barry of all the best instrumental music scores from the Bond movies, in my car CD.
I would never dream of playing this for anyone. It is strictly for my own amusement and fantasy when driving my Austin Martin --make that VW Bug.


11 Jul 00 - 04:23 PM (#255935)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Alice

Yes, dw, that's the one, the "Masked Marauders", black cover with a woman's face in shadow and a man's hand reaching from the darkness. No names given, and at some point in one cut a person in the background saying "nobody's going to believe this sh*t." Duke of Earl and other attempts (no successes). The liner notes are signed "T.M.Christian" as in The Magic, do ya think?


11 Jul 00 - 04:32 PM (#255943)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Jacob B

I'm not embarrassed by the strange things in my record collection, I'm proud of them.

The record I'm proudest of is my copy of "Muhammed Ali Meets Mr. Tooth Decay".


11 Jul 00 - 04:56 PM (#255958)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Bert

Let's see, there's a Country Music collection of Christmas songs and a CD of music for Belly Dancing (the least said about that the better.

But worst of all was a record I borrowed once. It was Carson Robison trying to be a Square Dance Caller. 'Hook and a Whirl' I think it was, to the tune of 'When the work's all done this fall' Ugh!, needless to say I returned it.

Bert.


11 Jul 00 - 05:04 PM (#255961)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Jeri

I have a Monkees album or two, but I'm not embarassed about it; they did some good songs. Ed Ames, but I got that when I was about 13. I have a Slade album, an Alice Cooper. I guess I'm not that embarrassed about any of them. Er...anybody ever heard of Root Boy Slim and the Sex Change Band? ("Party 'Till You Puke?") Nope? Good!


11 Jul 00 - 05:12 PM (#255965)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Lonesome EJ

1) Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music. An attempt to alienate his own listeners succeeds admirably.

2)Best of Rush Getty Lee's voice affects me like chalk screeching on blackboards. A gift.

3)Graham Parker and the Rumour Stick to Me Soul plus R&B plus rock minus talent.

4) Rolling Stones Steel Wheels. Weak filler from four guys who are only in it for the bucks nowadays.

5)David Bowie Aladin Sane Two good songs, ten complete turkeys.

6) Gino Vanelli. Left with me by an ex-girlfriend, I keep it in comemmoration. Complete horseshit.


11 Jul 00 - 06:10 PM (#255978)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Callie

The single "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves.

A cassette by Air Supply which is VOMITOUS.

My family laughed at me for listening to Tibetan monks as a teenager (I was the teenager, not the monks). The recording is all chanting and conch shells. But I loved it, and had no trouble playing it alongside my ABC record, Don McLean and Split Enz.

Callie


11 Jul 00 - 06:18 PM (#255985)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Rick Fielding

Florence Foster Jenkins! Hey Art I TOO would love to hear the lady. I DID hear Ima Sumack, though.

Little John...I remember 'em well...not fondly, just well.

Guest I guess...You're a man/woman after my own heart. Scruggs was a superb banjo player with Monroe and Flatt, but with his Kids (The Earl Scruggs Review) Ughhh!

Rick


11 Jul 00 - 06:55 PM (#256012)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: zonahobo

Sometimes you can mix all kinds of wonderful ingredients and come up with something .. awful .. One we have was by Bing Crosby ... "Hey Jude Hey Bing" mixed like oil and vinegar. I don't think Bing made much hay on that album. But we still have the album (with $1.59 store sticker marked down to $1.00). It wasn't a bargain.


11 Jul 00 - 07:10 PM (#256016)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: sophocleese

One tape we were given which my kids like is a combination of Bagpipes and Dixie Banjos. Yuck!

Art and Rick there is a Cd available somewhere of Florence Foster Jenkins singing. I used to borrow it from the Hamilton Library years ago. It was hilarious, but not recommended for sufferers of perfect pitch.


11 Jul 00 - 07:20 PM (#256021)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Mbo

Well, Wizzard's combo of 50's "Jump Jive & Wail"-sque Swing with a traditional pipe tune in the song "Are Your Ready To Rock" worked well. I'd love to hear the pipes & dixieland jazz!

--Mbo


11 Jul 00 - 08:14 PM (#256039)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Jim the Bart

I have already proclaimed myself a Monkee lover and in a forum dedicated to traditional music that should indicate that I have absolutely no shame when it comes to my musical taste. I am lucky enough to own some of the weirdest albums, casettes and CD's ever made.

1. Poe for Moderns - Edgar Allen's poetry recited over bad 50's jazz interpretations.
2. Slug Line, by John Hyatt - just really bad stuff.


11 Jul 00 - 08:28 PM (#256050)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Jim the Bart

Darn - I was just getting started when I got booted off. Actually, there are too many bad ones to mention them all. I just got my turntable hooked up after about ten years in storage and I was revisiting some old albums I hadn't heard in a long time. It just so happened I pulled out the first Earl Scruggs Revue album this past weekend. The singing was awful. And it did seem that Earl was only around to humor his kids. I also listened to a Vassar Clements album that was really lame. And I always used to like him.

The most embarassing album I ever bought, though, doesn't fit that category because of the quality of the music. I remember finding this album at a supermarket, years ago when I was just getting into folk music. All it said was "Woody" in big black letters on a silver background. I snatched it up thinking, "Hot Dog! Woody Guthrie!!" It turned out to be Woody Herman and his Thundering Herd playing Big Band Jazz. Not bad, but not the Woody I expected (insert your own Woody joke here). I guess the lesson is - read the fine print.


11 Jul 00 - 09:13 PM (#256076)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: bob jr

william shatner live in concert--------double album of shatner singing and reciting "poems and famous speeches" and a question and answer side with lame star trek questions...on k-tel gets lots of laughs when i play it to friends um also tales of topographic oceans by yes i dont know why i even have that one....


11 Jul 00 - 09:14 PM (#256077)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Bugsy

Just goes to show that one man's meat is another man's human waste.

I rememeber finding 100 copies of Roy Bailey's "Dalesman's Litany" LP along with The Johnston's "Give a Damn" LP in an electrical store going for 99c each. I bought 2 copies of each and the guy said, "You don't really LIKE that shit do you?"

No accounting for taste eh?

Cheers

Bugsy.

Wish I'd bought all 100 copies. Could have sold them 20 times over!


11 Jul 00 - 09:39 PM (#256096)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: alison

I like the Bay City Rollers, and I too have an Adam and the Ants LP (and now CD).. they were great until they did Prince Charming and all the crap that followed....

worst....... and this may open up another can of worms..... for worst Christmas LP

the Partridge Family Christmas Album....... weren't the 70's great.... hahaha

slainte

alison


11 Jul 00 - 09:42 PM (#256100)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Lucius

The advent of CD's has certainly made my collection less interesting. I still have a copy of Alice Cooper's Billion Dollar Babies that has been passed around a a wedding gift. (I was first and last married, which is how I got stuck with it).

They're all gone now , Sebastian Cabot covering Bob Dylan; Johnathon and Darlene Edwards; Electric Light Orchestra (JUST KIDDING Mbo). But I digress, I have to take issue with Lonesome EJ. In my feeble opinion, Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music--as obnoxious as it is--was a culmination of the "Sound as Music" concept started by John Cage, bless his heart. Otherwise, right on, especially the part about Geddy Lee.


11 Jul 00 - 10:01 PM (#256109)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Alice

Speaking of the Monkees, my son just discovered them on early morning re-runs. He comes to me with questions like "hey, mom, do you remember the episode about when Mickey...." I have to confess I watched them when they were first on in the 60's, but I can't remember a single program.


11 Jul 00 - 10:59 PM (#256139)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: raredance

It's so hard to decide.

There's "The Goldwaters Sing Folk Songs to Bug Liberals"

Then there is "Songs of Hawaii" by Leo Addeo and his orchestra, a truly awful collection of pseudo=Hawaiian music.

And also "Go Get 'Em Braves" excerpts from actual brodcasts of Milwaukee Braves baseball games from 1953-61. Remember the rainy night that Max Surkont fanned eight Reds in a row?

And finally "Mr. Lincoln's Party Today", speeches on national defence, taxation, limited government....by Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Barry Goldwater and Nelson Rockefeller "dramatically narrated and colorfully woven together by film and television star Ronald Reagan". Now that's folk.

rich r


11 Jul 00 - 11:50 PM (#256170)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: MarkS

Melani - been trying to forget Mrs. Miller!

Most embarrasing album? Has to be the Village Fugs


11 Jul 00 - 11:51 PM (#256172)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Peter Kasin

"Oak, Ash and Thorn Sing Earth, Wind, And Fire."

But really - The most embarrasing album I have is a recording of a farting competition. It was recorded in England in the 50's, and is called "The Original Crepitation Contest." The funniest thing about it is the warning on the cover: "For Mature People."

-chanteyranger


11 Jul 00 - 11:59 PM (#256178)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Rick Fielding

Wait a minute, hold the presses...My all time WORST album was "Up With People"! Most embarrasing as well, cause if someone sees it they might think:

1. I'd buy ANY album endorsed on the back cover by John Wayne, Pat Boone and Walt Disney

2. That I'd own something partly sponsored by The John Birch Society for anything other than laughs.

Rick


12 Jul 00 - 12:01 AM (#256181)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: catspaw49

Ohmygawd......Chanteyranger, buddy, friend, old pal.....Man, it may be an embarassment for you, but I'd LOVE to have another copy of that!!!! (Typical Spaw, I know....) Now I know its completely immature, puerile, etc, etc, etc........but I loved that turkey. All the farts had names and he goes for the thundersprecht at the end and...........Ah man...PLEASE.....Run me a copy.....I'll give you gold, frankincense...the foreskins of 300 camels, whatever............

I also used to have the entire collection of Doug Clark and the Hot Nuts..............BTW, we had a discussion on the 'Cat before about your album!

Spaw


12 Jul 00 - 01:29 AM (#256215)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Peter Kasin

Absolutely , Spaw. I love that album, too! As a matter of fact, I'm a "connisewer" of off-the-wall, bad, cornball, you-name-it records. Keep a special section of 'em at home. It includes Jim Nabors, Lawrence Welk, "Frank Fontaine Sings Like Crazy" and other such golden nuggets. To tell you the truth, I'm not really embarrassed by them.What puzzles me is, every time I've taken a date home and tried to set the mood with candlelight and the farting record, they've never returned my calls for a second date. So - send a personal message with your address and I'll tape it for you.

-chanteyranger


12 Jul 00 - 01:37 AM (#256217)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Lonesome EJ

7) Robert Plant Salutes Tennessee Ernie Ford

8)Pollo Wolly Doodle All the Day: Steve and Edie Sing Songs of the American Frontier

9)There's A Whole Lalo Schifrin Goin' On


12 Jul 00 - 01:45 AM (#256219)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Peter Kasin

Oh, by the way 'Spaw, I appreciate your offer! I've operated on 299 camels, so if you could just spare that one....


12 Jul 00 - 08:25 AM (#256286)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Ella who is Sooze

Rockys backwards and forwards in remorse....

Here are two of my worst...

Bought for me when I was born... The Wombles.

Bought by me out of my pocket money....

THE NOLANS (bursts out laughing at the ridiculousness of it... well I was only 8 (ish)

Do I redeem myself, by saying my first single I borrowed and never gave back was Blonde's Heart of Glass.

Ummmm don't thinks soo

Oh well, digs in for the winter duration.

There we go, feel better now I have got that off my chest.

Ooops

There's also the Adam and the Ants collection I have

But in the middle of all this nonsense.

I begged my mum and dad to keep the Simon and Garfunkel 8 track cartridge we had, and get it put onto tape for me when I was 7, am I redeemed? Still have the tape. not the 8track cartridge though...

Ella


12 Jul 00 - 08:40 AM (#256290)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler

I was in the middle of a reply to this thread when we lost all power. Not just me, whole neighbourhood! Now back so here goes again, fingers crossed (perhaps the whole tale was too gruesome). I think I've told it before on another thread (and I don't have Art's excuse for CRS)but when has that ever stopped me?
When I worked in scenic Deptford in the 1970s and lived in sunny Peckham I had to pass Chris Wellard's record shop each day and usually droped in for a rummage throught the bargain bin and the excellent jazz and blues section. One day when I got my purchases home instead of "Satch plays Fats" or similar, I had a Des O'Conner record which had got in the wrong sleeve. Chris W exchanged it without hesitation, he was only worried that I might have played it without noticing and been taken ill! (well he was used to my musical tastes by then). Alas, after I moved the shop closed and I believe he is now only a wholesaler. Former colleagues attributed his closure to the loss of my trade, though my former employers who called in his lease and built on the site had more to do with it!
RtS


12 Jul 00 - 10:26 AM (#256333)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Steve Latimer

I recently read an interview with Lou Reed. He was saying he is trying to get Metal Machine Music released on CD, but the record company won't do it. He is thinking of funding it himself. I had it on vinyl and thought that Lou must have owed the record company an album and that he didn't have one ready so he just went into the studio, turned all the machines on and recorded it. Turns out he is proud of it for some reason. I thought it was complete crap.


12 Jul 00 - 12:29 PM (#256440)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Jim Dixon

I once had an album of songs recorded by Simon and Garfunkel when they were high school kids using the name "Tom and Jerry." It was awful. I think I only listened to it once. I don't know what happened to it. Actually, I wish I had it now because it might be worth something as a collector's item. This particular album was issued AFTER they became famous as Simon and Garfunkel. I don't know if it was a reprint of an earlier album, or if it was just a bunch of old tapes thrown together to exploit their new fame. I do remember that the cover had the name "Simon and Garfunkel" and showed a recent (post-"Sounds of Silence") photo of them. In other words, it was designed as a ripoff. I don't recall the label, but I'm rather sure it wasn't Columbia.

By the way, I was (and am) a big Simon-and-Garfunkel fan, but my admiration doesn't extend to Tom and Jerry.


12 Jul 00 - 01:10 PM (#256478)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Wolfgang

Florence Foster-Jenkins, The Glory??? of the human voice, is truly the most remarkable album I own. If you want to get a feeling of her (near perfect) timing and her (approaching perfectness) intonation, listen here. The book to read when listening to her singing is Das Soprano-Project, De Iaculatione Tomatonis (in cantatricem) by George Perec (The soprano Project: On the throwing of tomatoes on female singers). I cite from the English abstract: "The harder you throw the louder they yell".

Wolfgang


12 Jul 00 - 01:21 PM (#256484)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Wolfgang

a little follow-up on Florence Foster-Jenkins copied from the web:
"Florence Foster Jenkins On Oktober 25th 1944 one of the most bizarre personalities of the musical world gave a concert in New York's Carnegie Hall: Florence Foster Jenkins. She had rented the hall herself and it was soon sold. Florence was a legend in her own time but to call her a singer would be misleading. An enthusiast that had to bring her love for music to public expression, but whose joy of song went beyond her ability. Very excentric in her performances, she was also well-known for her clothing which she designed herself (often with feathers and wings). Very self-confident Florence was determined to perform annually for the public in New York, most of the time in smaller clubs that she had founded herself. Characeristic is the anecdote that she presented the guilty party of an automobile accident with a box of cigars since she could sing a higher F than ever before after the incident. One month and one day after her performance at Carnegie Hall Florence Foster Jenkins died at the age of 72."

Wolfgang


12 Jul 00 - 05:04 PM (#256657)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Jim Dixon

Someone earlier mentioned Tiny Tim. He was living in Minneapolis when he died in 1996. The local paper did an obituary about him, and I was surprised by what I read. I didn't know him, but the obituary made me wish I had. A couple of things I remember: A trick he liked to do at parties was to ask every woman her name, and then sing a song that had her name in it. Apparently he knew a million obscure songs. He deliberately chose the ukulele as his instrument because it was small, cheap, portable, and easy to learn, and he wanted to promote more people singing and playing for the joy of it. He was a proselytizer for homemade music. More power to him! And to those who keep his memory alive! I don't have any records by him, but I wish I did.

Click here for a memorial web site.


13 Jul 00 - 10:02 AM (#257047)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: GUEST,JMCC

Masked Mauraders - this was the staff of Rolling Stone mag pretending to be a Stones, Dylan, etc jam session. A pretend bootleg.

Jim Dixon - The S&G album was an attempted rip-off. It was the Tom & Jerry tracks issued as S&G on the Allegro label. Paul Simon took legal action and had it withdrawn. He claimed that had it been issued as T&J he would not object but releasing it as S&G was ripping off fans.

My personal entry for this is an E.P. on EMI Odeon called Sameir and his Swinging Sitars play the Sound of Music. I beleive there is a coresponding L.P. This is a genuine release although I might have Samier's name wrong. I'm not with my collection at the moment.
love, john.


13 Jul 00 - 01:10 PM (#257162)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Steve Latimer

Wolfgang,

That sound clip is incredible, LMAO. Thank you.


13 Jul 00 - 01:11 PM (#257163)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Steve Latimer

Wolfgang,

That sound clip is incredible, LMAO. Thank you.


13 Jul 00 - 02:20 PM (#257181)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Steve Latimer

I'm sorry, I have gone back to the sound clip about twenty times and for everyone I could share it with. SHE MAKES YOKO ONO SOUND GOOD!!!!!


13 Jul 00 - 02:38 PM (#257192)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Little Neophyte

My Wedding Album


13 Jul 00 - 02:43 PM (#257195)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Wolfgang

Glad you liked her, Steve. She gives a more liberal meaning to the expression "near perfect pitch".

Wolfgang


13 Jul 00 - 03:13 PM (#257212)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Irish Rover

Florence Henderson sings Brady favs.(with the Brady Bunch) When it's time to Change........


13 Jul 00 - 03:54 PM (#257235)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Liz the Squeak

~I was reminded today of the Party Swingers singalong album (things like My old man, You are my Sunshine, and Roll out the Barrell) that is in my cellar (hopefully it will flood again soon) and a Chas 'n' Dave Christmas CD that I bought to frighten Micca with, and actually found myself liking parts of...... Then there is the 'Box and Banjo' CD, bought for same purpose. An album of Christmas music played on the eponymous box and banjo. Made Christmas a bit different......

LTS


13 Jul 00 - 04:32 PM (#257250)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Peter T.

Hey, I love "Walking on Sunshine" -- Katrina and the Waves. In fact, if I had a convertible, I would drive up and down the streets with it blaring in the summer sun.

Embarrassing albums by people who should know better:

Most embarrassing recent album released (I don't own it, thank god): George Martin's tribute album to the Beatles ("In My Life") -- and a TV special to go with it!!!! -- George, George, we know you are going deaf, but Goldie Hawn????????Excruciating mess.

Most embarrassing string of recent albums released: Sinead O'Connor seriatim.

Most embarrassing string of albums ever: Paul McCartney and Wings.

Most embarrassing album in my collection: The Notting Hill Soundtrack.

yours, Peter T.


13 Jul 00 - 06:34 PM (#257324)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: sophocleese

Wolfgang thank you for letting me know the name of that album. I heard a wonderful thing about her accompianist. He was very adept at trilling two notes whenever she hit some note that was in the crack between them. Listening to her singing is an astonishing experience, listening to him trying to back her up is another.


14 Jul 00 - 02:59 PM (#257738)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Hollowfox

We should have a new thread about "Strange Albums in Our Collections". My embarrasing albums are some exotic juvenile pressings with designs in the vinyl: Barbie (as the doll), and Strawberry Shortcake (a noxious doll sold about 15-20 years ago; it was infused with bad perfume). I've never played them, honest.


14 Jul 00 - 03:11 PM (#257747)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: catspaw49

Yeah, well, Karen still has the "picturedisc" vinyl of Barry Manilow. Unfortunately it HAS been played.

Spaw


14 Jul 00 - 03:23 PM (#257751)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: catspaw49

OHMYGAWD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was letting Wolgang's link load while I put in the previous message and now that I have heard it.......

Geeziz.....There are NO WORDS to describe that Wolfgang. Is there perhaps a word in German, because I can't think of anything in English that suitably captures anything like THAT!!!! Maybe if you could combine hideous, shrill, pathetic, humorous, gawd-awful, and about 50 others..............

A voice like that could sterilize frogs at 100 paces........Its so crappy it could knock a buzzard of a shitwagon.............mygawd..........

Spaw


14 Jul 00 - 06:24 PM (#257838)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: DADGBE

Florence Foster Jenkins' annual concerts in New York's Carnegie Hall were still happening during my misspent youth. They sold out every year and tickets were hard to find. The one concert of hers I was fortunate enough to attend was a remarkable experience.

The carryings on at midnight showings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show don't hold a candle.


14 Jul 00 - 08:05 PM (#257873)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Alice

Embarrassing albums by people who should know better as Peter T suggested: Leonard Nimoy (only heard part of a cut and I ran screaming to turn off the radio/tv whatever it was on....). William Shatner, on the other hand, turned his campy attempt to record songs into a career of radio and tv advertising as he laughs all the way to the bank.


15 Jul 00 - 12:31 AM (#257985)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: JennieG

I believe that Florence Foster Jenkins' accompanist was a gentleman by the name of Cosmo McMoon - I assume that was a nom de piano!

JennieG


15 Jul 00 - 01:24 AM (#257996)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Jim the Bart

By the way - I pulled out the McGuiness Flint album "Lo and Behold" and played it just today and except for the very last song it was great. IMHO


15 Jul 00 - 02:22 AM (#258007)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: GUEST,Banjo Johnny

Most embarrasing: The Kennedy Family Album, -- came out just before the asassination.

Worst album: Telly Savalas Sings Your Christmas Favorites

Worst genre: all Christmas albums.

Worst selection: Amazing Grace played by Pipes & Drums

== Johnny in Oklahoma City


15 Jul 00 - 03:19 AM (#258020)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: rangeroger

Horst Jankowski "With Love"
I also have an album that I have listened to from time to time, trying to find some redeeming value in the music.It is "Grey Life" by Val Stoecklin. The cover is Mr. Stoecklin playing a Martin 12-string, which is why I bought it.
Every couple of years I will dig it out and listen to it. I never make it all the way through the album. It is just no good.
rr


15 Jul 00 - 03:54 PM (#258255)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: GUEST,George

How about some of Helen Reddy's stuff? Did she do one called "You And Me Against The World". If someone said that to me, I'd say "I'm changing sides."


15 Jul 00 - 11:08 PM (#258427)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Little Hawk

I vote for William Shatner. He has got to take top honors on this one, although the competition is fierce, to say the least. Actually, you have to fork over at least $50 (Canadian)to buy a William Shatner album at typical record collector's meets in the Toronto area. I've been to a couple of those with my friend John Ashe, who is a lifelong record collector. You should see his basement...it's like the archival history of popular music of the 20th century, most of it in mint condition, but even John doesn't have the William Shatner album. He wasn't willing to pay $50 for it. Neither was I. It is just godawful...I heard some of it once on CBC radio. Why is it so expensive? Maybe it's a Canadian thing...after all, Shatner is a Canadian from Ontario. He even went to the same university that I attended at one point. How about that, eh?

Little Hawk (George Coventry)


16 Jul 00 - 12:12 AM (#258468)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Peter Kasin

100 sterilized frogs, Spaw? That reminds me of another record in my collection, "The Rhino Brothers Present: The World's Worst Records!" It's got "Surfin' Tragedy" by The Breakers, "Kinko The Klown," "Big Girls Don't Cry," to mention only a few. There's even a regurgitation bag provided with the LP. The front cover shows someone in a lead suit getting ready to dump a pile of '45's into a trash can. Maybe this and the farting record should be in a "weird records" thread, since I'm not seriously embarrased to own them. I really can't think of a record I own that really embarrasses me, since I seem to have a special place in my loins for the weird stuff. But - if I did own a Barry Manilow recording....


16 Jul 00 - 09:48 PM (#258919)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: GUEST


17 Jul 00 - 12:21 AM (#258979)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Lonesome EJ

My friend Jack was dating a woman at the time when Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was playing, she had the soundtrack and loved it, and insisted he love it too. If you've seen the movie, it has about 10 minutes of background music by the Swingle Singers, the accapella group who performed vocal instrumentals, something like

Obba dobba da, da dobba da dobba da

which is either pretty funny or pretty irritating depending on your mood. Anyway, he was driving with a friend when this came on, and the particular substance they had been abusing caused them to laugh at this music to a level of hysteria which caused his friends eyes to tear up to the point that he drove off an embankment. When the car finally came to rest, upside down, Jack's side was aching where he had broken two ribs, his friend was only partially conscious, and the Swingle Singers were still going

Doo ba doo ba doo, ba doobie doo doobie doo

and all Jack could do was muster the strength to pop the tape out of the deck because, as he says, "if we were going to be found dead, I didn't want them to think that that was the kind of shit we listened to."


17 Jul 00 - 01:13 AM (#258993)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: Melani

Although I don't have the privilge of owning it, some years ago I heard on the radio an Irish group called The Bogmen doing a rather unusual version of "Rock Around the Clock". They were described by the host as a bunch of middle-aged guys who apparently made the recording on a tape deck in somebody's kitchen. For devotees of awful music, it's certainly worth a listen.


17 Jul 00 - 01:15 AM (#258994)
Subject: RE: BS: Most embarrasing album?
From: GUEST

That was Tommy and Colm Sands.

And it was a clever pastiche