What do you say to somebody when their CD sucks?

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 5 Apr 2002 8:00 am

... or you could say "Wow!"

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 5 Apr 2002 8:00 am

Rick GM has good advice, in my opinion. I've been in this situation myself. Someone gave me a recording and I thought it was awful. And then she asked me point blank what I thought.

I told her that it sounded like she put a lot of heart and effort into the recording.
Then, I offered advice. I put it into terms like, "I think you'd benefit from..." and "Here's something that's always good to work on..." Fortunately, her songwriting wasn't too bad, it was her execution. So I was able to say, "The song is really great, but you'd serve the song better by concentrating on..."

Be honest, but be tactful. Be sure it sounds like advice, not criticism. It's easiest if you can find specific points that you can offer as areas of improvement. If there are many, many ideas to suggest, give him as many as possible. In my experience, the person thinks that you've really gone out of your way to held him/her out.[This message was edited by Chris Walke on 05 April 2002 at 08:04 AM.]

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 5 Apr 2002 8:02 am

Buddy: Would that be something similar to your HIGH VACUUM FACTOR ???

Regards, Paul[This message was edited by Paul Graupp on 05 April 2002 at 08:03 AM.]

Buddy Emmons · Post by **Buddy Emmons** » 5 Apr 2002 8:15 am

High vacuum factor indeed, Paul. I once asked someone if they'd heard my last album and they said, "I hope so."

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 5 Apr 2002 8:44 am

Buddy, I think many of us are just hanging around waitin' to hear your "NEXT" album. Don't keep us waitin' too long..

TP

TPrior_SteelGuitarWebsite

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 5 Apr 2002 8:59 am

Well, the only thing I'll throw in here is that rock music is rather unique. You don't have to be good to be successful in most forms of rock music. It boils down to whatever the audience likes. There's a host of bands and singers that have been very famous in rock music (from Ritchie Valens to Fabian, to the Troggs, to the Turtles, to Moody Blues to Men At Work) that weren't very "good". And there are some really great bands (from Badfinger, to the Music Machine, to the Sanford Townsend Band) who had only mediocre success. It's all in the taste of the public, and no one ever knows how they will react to a new artist/band/song.

People probably told Tiny Tim he didn't have a chance, either!

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 5 Apr 2002 9:01 am

The other night we were trying to work up Oh Brother Where Art Thou so I went to a dobro setting on my Tube-Fex. I didn't like it so I just muted the strings with my right palm and kept on plunking. Then even the bar maid started asking: Who the Hell is playing a Damm B@njo ??? Everyone except me liked it so I'm thinking I might make an album and send a copy to Mike Snyder since he made me laugh by telling he was at an old folks home and as he left he told one of the parient's: I hope you get better and the guy replied: I hope you do too !!

Maybe I'll just send a copy to Mike Perlowin for his crtique and comments but I like his work too much to do that. Scratch that album idea. I've never cut anything but my finger !!

Regards, Paul

Tony Orth · Post by **Tony Orth** » 5 Apr 2002 9:27 am

Mike,
I think it depends on the reason why the CD was made in the first place. If a guy is going to "compete" in the music industry, he needs a dose of reality. If it's only for his own enjoyment, I would be kind.
When you criticize, stick to the technical stuff and don't be critical about aesthetics.
Just a thought.
My son in law has a alternative rock band and when he asks for my opinion, I only criticize and give ideas about the technical stuff. Beauty is in the ear of the beholder.

Best of luck
Tony

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 5 Apr 2002 9:29 am

It's different from anything I've ever heared.

or: You could be on to something.

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 5 Apr 2002 9:44 am

...tell him "I love the way it ends"..

...and when someone shows you their ugly baby, just smile and say "Oh, he/she looks just like you"...

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 5 Apr 2002 9:46 am

Pat, now I know what they ment by that

Marc Friedland · Post by **Marc Friedland** » 5 Apr 2002 10:22 am

Mike,
I think some of the responses on this thread are very entertaining, educational and funny. If you had never heard that cd and got motivated to start this thread, we all would have missed out on this (valuable to some extent)shared experience. With that perspective if I were you I could say to him honestly, "I enjoyed the cd, thanks for sending it." If he bugs you for more info than that, simply say something to the effect of, "although I can appreciate it, my musical focus is elsewhere and I would be far outside my area of expertise to try to offer any useful crticism." You can then switch the subject and tell him about when a drunk explained to you what all the pedals and knee levers on your psg are for. -- Marc

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 5 Apr 2002 10:40 am

You could always tell him that his music is not as bad as it sounds. -MJ-

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 5 Apr 2002 10:50 am

two truths: My good friend and co-worker Joe M. was bragging to a group of us that his son, a guitar player, was in a band that made a demo CD and he would bring one by to our next sales meeting. Well he did, and he shouldn't have, 'cause he got the in your face truth from a few folks that really knew nothing about music other than it comes out of a radio . Joe's guitar playing son was really into this very strange noisy scratchy kind a stuff, I think there is a name for that style of music but it's way beyond my knowledge. Anyway my other good friend Jim W. yells out "What the hell is that , I thought you said he played guitar ! What did he do, record a Bumble Bee ? " Well the next several hours and beers were spent by Joe defending his son..but he really couldn't..but the Beer was good ! When he asked me what I thought I just sort of said, "it's a little to strange for me to comment on". Another good friend mailed me his two piece Country band CD ( that should say it all anyway ).We tried to bring it to the CD exchange for the $3 they give you, we hid it in the stack, but the guy zero'd in on it and gave me the evil eye for trying to pull a fast one on him. Oh well, I tried..I told my Country friend that the Electronic band was holding him back but the truth was it was the best part of the CD. I just couldn't bring myself to tell him. He brought it to Nashville and tried to "Street sell it " He's still walking around I think..
tp[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 05 April 2002 at 10:51 AM.]

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 5 Apr 2002 11:09 am

Mike,

Tell him that you must have gotten a bad copy and every time he sends another one, just tell him it's another bad copy.

Rick

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 5 Apr 2002 11:13 am

The owner of Cold Blue Music, the label my CDs are on, was talking to the representative from Koch Int. about the difficulty of getting distribution in the UK, even though we are getting good reviews. The rep very simply asked him to give him "one good reason why anyone would want to buy this music".

Al Vescovo · Post by **Al Vescovo** » 5 Apr 2002 11:20 am

Mike, tell him," I really appreciate what you are trying to do. " or " I,ve heard a lot of guitar players and you are really one of them "
Al

Keith Murrow · Post by **Keith Murrow** » 5 Apr 2002 11:43 am

..[This message was edited by Keith Murrow on 26 October 2004 at 03:43 PM.]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 5 Apr 2002 12:41 pm

That's a great one, Keith. You should be a politician!

randy · Post by **randy** » 5 Apr 2002 3:10 pm

You could tell him, "I'd like to help but I no longer review CD's that Suck"

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 5 Apr 2002 3:39 pm

Mike, tell him it makes you cry. On the other hand, he might be lurking on this forum and you won't have to say anything!

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 5 Apr 2002 3:47 pm

If someone thinks enough of you to ask for a critique I believe you should be ENCOURAGING, no matter what level or style is being displayed.

If your "artistically challenged" 10 yr old daughter worked hard and did her best on an art project and the teacher said some of the things I've just read... you would be down there in a heartbeat wantin' to kick some a$$.

Once a year for the past 15+ years I have sent a recording to Jerry Byrd. No matter how bad it "sucked" he always had something encouraging to say ( I said encouraging ... not flattering...Trust me...he's not an easy sell). Sometimes it was just a "it was a good effort, Rick" as a closing statement but it was there none the less.

Every time he would not only list the things that needed work .... He would suggest ways for correcting them.

Thats what you do when you are asked for your "opinion"....You suggest ways to improve and leave them enthusiastic about improving...you ENCOURAGE.

I've taught high school for 17 yrs....its OK to joke around with your peers... but when someone asks for help (and sendin' a CD to someone for evaluation is askin' for help)... ENCOURAGEMENT is the way to go....I've seen kids RUINED by "smart a$$ teachers" who throw around shape-tongued comments thoughtlessly.

Sorry to be so serious....

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 5 Apr 2002 4:05 pm

Wow. I had no idea this thread would be so popular. Thanks for all the responses. I gues some or all of you ahve had a similar experience.

I've decided to tell the guy that he has the potential to become a good guitar player, but that he's not there yet, and then offer to help him with tips, answers to his questions etc.

False flattery isn't going to help him, nor would a put down. I think he would respect my honesty and eagerly take any advise I can give him.

About 15 or so years ago I was in the same position, and the person I sent the tape to (our occasional fellow forumite Pete Grant) was brutally honest with me, telling me exactly what was wrong with it. And it was exactly what I needed to hear. I wasn't please with what Pete had to say, but I recognised that he was right, and took his advise seriously, and learned from it, and I'm a better player because of it.

I hope the fellow who sent me the CD takes the same attitude.

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 5 Apr 2002 4:05 pm

Mike
Seems like you & I crossed this same bridge 3 or 4 years ago when you released THUNDERBIRD SUITE. I didn't like your CD at first, but after I heard it a few times it grew on me. But I didn't hold back. . . .I just told you what I thought. It's true ole buddy, you bald headed guys play some great music. ha ha

NR

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 5 Apr 2002 4:15 pm

I've often wondered why Tom Bradshaw hasn't commented on my "Quasar Steel Guitar" CD.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
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