Monday, January 21, 2013

SKIN ALLEY - TWO QUID DEAL


Artist: Skin Alley
Album: Two Quid Deal
Label: Stax
Catalog: STS 3012
Year: 1973
Designer: Ron Gordon and the Grafe
Photographer: not applicable
Design J. Edward Barker
Grade: ** star



Overlooking how this British blues-rock outfit ever got signed to Stax (as if a soul label would have a clue in terms of how to market the band), the J. Edward Barker cover illustration probably didn't help non-existent sales.  Mickey Mouse's deviant brother offering the buyer a tab of LSD soaked cheese ?   I've always found the grinning mouse kind of disconcerting.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

BOOT - "BOOT" ON GUINNESS



 

Artist: Boot
Album: Turn the Other Cheek
Label: Guinness
Catalog: GNS 36002
Year: 1977
Designer: not listed
Photographer: not listed
Design not listed
Grade: **** star




SInce this one was released on a known taxscam label (Guinnesss), it shouldn't come as a major surprise that there were no credits for the album artwork.  That said, the cartoonish cover looked an awful lot like something R. Crumb might have done.  Maybe that's the cover's appeal to my eye.  

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

LES MCCANN - Live at the Bohemian Caverns


Artist: Les McCann
Album: Live at the Bohemian Caverns Washington D.C.
Label: Limelight
Catalog: LM 82046 (mono) LS 82046 (stereo)
Year: 1963
Designer: not listed
Photographer: not listed
Design not listed
Grade: **** star



C'mon, even if you're not a beebop fan, you've got to admit the cover art is clever.  Great color scheme and a wonderful concept.