STAPLE SINGERS - WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN ?

Artist: The Staple Singers
Album: Will the Circle Be Unbroken?
Label: Vee Jay
Catalog: LP 5008
Year: 1969
Designer: not listed
Photographer: not listed
Grade: **** stars




By some odd coincidence I bought this album at a yard sale the same week Pops Staples died.  Not sure what that means in the overall scheme of things, but I've always thought it made for an interesting factoid.   Anyhow, I grew up with early/mid-'70s Staple Singers so anytime I stumble across something from their earlier catalog, I grab it. 

Clearly intended as a political and social statement, you certainly had to admit the shackle cover was arresting.  Hard to imagine anyone having the courage to slap something as controversial on an album cover in this politically correct environment.

TYRONE DAVIS' GREATEST HITS - '70s DESIGN CHEESY AND WONDERFUL

Artist: Tyrone Davis
Album: Tyrone Davis' Greatest Hits
Label: Dakar
Catalog: DK 76902
Year: 1972
Designer: not listed
Photographer: not listed
Grade: **** stars




In the early 1970s the Brunswick/Dakar family of labels was encountering major financial difficulties and in an apparent effort to generate some quick cash, released a string of "Greatest Hits" packages, including this set by Tyrone Davis.   Brunswick/Dakar clearly didn't bother to spend much money on the artistic side of the enterprise given all of the albums featured the same basic design - a slew of "gold" records  splayed against a black backdrop with some very '70s font stylings.  I have to admit the anonymous design is so bad it actually grabs your attention ...

And for anyone interested, the album itself is quite good, collecting a slew of Davis' late-'60s and early-'70s hits and non-hits.   The guy certainly had a fantastic soul voice and I dare you to sit still through something as good as 'Turn Back the Hands of Time', or 'Can I Change My Mind'.

BAN THOSE GOLDEN BISQUITS

Artist: Three Dog Night
Album: Golden Bisquits
Label: Dunhill
Catalog: DSD-50098
Year: 1971
Designer: Peter Whorf
Photographer: Ed Caraeff
Grade: **** stars




So here's another one that makes you shake your head in wonder.  Released in 1971, "Golden Bisquits" was Three Dog Night's sixth album and their first "best of" compilation.   Supposedly the band was originally interested in releasing the set under the title "Dog Style", but ABC/Dunhill management were less than thrilled by the risqué title, opting for the more conventional "Golden Bisquits".   Ironically the original cover art proved equally problematic.   Featuring a photo taken by Ed Caraeff for the band's "It Ain't Easy" album, the original cover art featured the band in a relaxed, easy-going poise.   The only problem was the photo featured the band naked.  True, the soft focus and orange tint meant you couldn't really see anything, but it was pretty obvious Danny Hutton, Chuck Negron, Cory Wells and the rest of the band were enjoying a bit of nature.  Apparently afraid the cover would limit sales, ABC/Dunhill marketing management quickly rushed out a bland, repackaged version of the set.  And if you want to see what the replacement art looks like ...

INSIDE THE ASYLUM CHOIR - THE BANNED COVER

Artist: Asylum Choir
Album: Smash
Catalog: SRS 67107
Year: 1968
Designer: Lou Kimzey
Photographer: not applicable
Grade: **** stars

 

 

So the thing about this cover is the fact it was banned ...  Yeah, in 1968 American merchandisers apparently saw the toilet paper image as a major threat to the buying public, hence the refused to stock the LP.  Smash management found themselves having to quickly design an alternative (far blander) cover.  You can see a copy of the replacement cover to the left.   Today you have to laugh about it  ...  Boy were times different back then.  Come to think of it, the busy tile work on the wall was probably more offensive than the toilet paper (wonder if it was double ply?). 

 

JOHN LENNON AND THE PLASTIC ONO BAND

Artist: John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
Album: John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
Label: Apple
Catalog: SW 3372
Year: 1970
Designer: not listed
Photographer: Dan Richter
Grade: **** stars

 

 

In contrast to the pastoral cover photo which captured John Lennon and Yoko Ono lazing about in New York's Central Park, his first post-Beatles LP is a pretty challenging listening experience.  Later known as an actor, Dan Richter, then working as an assistant to Lennon and Ono, took the photo with a throw-away instamatic camera.   And I guess that's what makes it so appealing to me - the photo is gorgeous and you'd never know it captured two of the most famous people on the planet ... 

HOTGUN - GUINNESS TAX SCAM RELEASE

Artist: Hotgun
Album: Hotgun
Label: Guinness
Catalog: GNS 36014
Year: 1977
Designer: not listed
Artist: not listed
Grade: **** stars

 

 

Most releases on the Guinness tax scam label didn't carry design credits (or even performance credits) and this 1977 release is no exception.  So first let me say I'm not some kind of gun nut.  I don't have a gigantic collection in my home, nor do I worship at the feet of the NRA. In fact, as the parent of two young sons, the subject matter is a bit troubling.  That said, the cover has a distinctive '70s feel that's always reminded me of something Ray Lichtenstein might have done which gives it a certain "wow" factor.  Guinness certainly didn't spend a lot of money on the cover art and in many respects the artwork is better than the music.  

GEOFF MULDAUR AND AMOS GARRETT

Artist: Geoff Muldaur and Amos Garrett
Album: Geoff Muldaur and Amos Garrett
Label: Flying Fish
Catalog: FF 063
Year: 1978
Designer: Laura Karp
Artist: Yasu Yogi
Grade: **** stars

 

 

Folk art ?  American primitive ?   Beats me and frankly I don't really care since Yasu Yogi's cover art is simply stunning.  Great concept (the fact they were signed to the Flying Fish label made it even funnier); great colors ...   a classic cover.