PERTH COUNTY CONSPIRACY - Breakout To Berlin

Artist: Perth County Conspiracy

Album: Breakout To Berlin

Label: Rumour
Catalog: KC 1015

Year: 1977

Designer: Abie Sussman and Bob Defrin

Photographer: not applicable

Design artist: Noel

Grade: *** star

 

 

I'm at somewhat of a loss to explain why I like this one - the bright color; the Brandenburg Gate cover?   The weird story behind the album - hippy Canadian band records an album in East Germany ...

DENNIS COFFEY - Back Home

Artist: Dennis Coffey

Album: Back Home

Label: Westbound
Catalog: WB 300

Year: 1977

Designer: Abie Sussman and Bob Defrin

Photographer:
Design artist: Bruce Evans
Grade: * star (miserable)



Hum, I guess you could blame the artistic concept on the era - after all it was the mid-1970s when smoking was still considered to be a normal social activity ...  how many of you can remember ashtrays on restaurant tables?   Does't matter - it's still a hideous album cover.  Simply awful.   Makes me want to go rinse with mouthwash. 

BAMBOO - Grandpa was way cool in '69

Artist: Bamboo

Album: Bamboo

Label: Elektra
Catalog: EKS-74048

Year: 1969

Designer:

Photographer:
Design artist: not applicable
Grade: ** stars



I shouldn't point a finger at anyone since there are some hideous photos of earlier style mistakes I've made - stay away from my high school yearbook unless you want to see the plad prom suit ...  Regardless, you have to admit that Dave Ray and Will Donicht  may have set the standard with their '60s hippy threads !!!  Way cool there guys and I bet the grandkids are impressed as all. About the only things missing are the love beads and a Nehru jacket.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - Springsteen's coolest package - Greetings from Asbury Park

Artist: Bruce Springsteen

Album: Greetings from Ashbury Park

Label: Columbia
Catalog: KC 31903

Year: 1975

Designer: John Berg

Photographer: Tichnor Brothers
Design artist: not applicable
Grade: **** stars

 

I love the beach; been going there since I was a young child (Alabama and Delaware rather than the Jersey shore), which might partially explain why I think this is such a cool cover. The tacky, detachable, oversized beach postcard is just a classic.   

LES SINNERS - Perhaps the cover had something to do with why this was Les Sinners last studio LP

Artist: Les Sinners

Album: Le Chemin de Croix de Jos Roy

Label: CBS
Catalog: PFS 90383

Year: 1976

Designer: Daniel Poulin

Photographer: Daniel Poulin
Design artist: not applicable
Grade: * star (disturbing)




I'm a big fan of the Canadian band Les Sinners, but have to admit this 1976 release was a surprise to me.  I found it at a yard sale and originally wasn't even sure it was by the same band.  The strange title which seemingly translates as "The Way of the Cross for Jis Roy", coupled with bizarre, semi-religious artwork (a hand seemingly rising from the grave), didn't exactly make for an inviting package.  I'll let you be the judge.   By the way, anyone out there know what the plotline was on the album ?   The lyrics are in French and I've never been able to find a review that explains the story line.

DELBERT MCCLINTON - what's that in your wallet guy ?

Artist: Delbert McClinton

Album: Genuine Cowhide

Label: ABC
Catalog: ABCD-959

Year: 1976

Designer: Tom Wilkes

Photographer: Ron Slenzak
Design artist: not applicable
Grade: ****



Unforturnately this is one of those covers that doesn't lend itself to a flat screen presentation.  To get the full effect you need to hold the embossed cover in your hand.  And yes, the cover reflects a worn wallet with an equally worn condom showing through.  Original copies of the LP were embossed so that the condom was even more obvious.  You had to wonder how in the world ABC executives were ever convinced to go along with this one ...

CURTIS MAYFIELD and Ernie Barnes

Artist: Curtis Mayfield

Album: And Here's Soemthing To Believe In

Label: RSO
Catalog: RS-1-3077

Year: 1980

Designer: Glenn Ross

Photographer: not applicable
Design artist: Ernie Barnes
Grade: **** stars




1980's "And Here's Something To Believe In" is one of those Curtis Mayfield albums that seems to have skirted by without a lot of notice.  Shame, since the album includes several classic tunes (Tripping Out'').  

That said, the late Ernie Barnes cool cover painting is what initially caught my attention.  Barnes has had his work featured on a number of albums (Donald Byrd's "125th Street NYC", B.B. King's "Making Love Is Good for You", Marvin Gaye's "I Want You" Faith Hope and Charity's self titled LP), but this is the cover that I find the most mesmerizing.  There's just something mesmerizing in Barnes painting of a female DJ.  I've spent hours looking at the work's details.   I think the painting was titled "Late Night DJ", but I'm not certain.  Anyone out there know ?