STEALERS WHEEL - SELF TITLED 1973 LP

Artist: Stealers Wheel
Album: Stealers Wheel
Label: A&M

Catalog: SP 4377
Year: 1973
Art Designer: Patrick Byrne
Photography: not applicable
Grade: **** stars

 

I've always found the late Scottish painter John Patrick Bryne's primitive paintings fascinating.  I'm apparently not the only person to feel that way.   He's created work for The Beatles (who contemplated putting one of his works on the cover of what became "The White Album"), Donovan, The Humblebums, a slew of Gerry Rafferty LPs, and a couple of Stealers Wheels collections.  Anyhow, rather than reinvent the wheel, courtesy of the Vinyl Revolution Blog, here's a link to a short, sweet, and informative overview of Byrne's career:

http://blog.vinylrevolutions.co.uk/2012/04/18/john-patrick-byrne/

 

DAVY AND THE BADMEN - WANTED!

Artist: Davy and the Badmen
Album: Wanted!
Label: Gothic

Catalog: WA 063-64
Year: 1963
Art Designer: unknown
Photography: unknown
Grade: ** stars

 

My ten year old saw this one and said he could design a better cover.  I believe him. 

RICHARD ALEXANDER - JESUS IS MY BATTLESHIP

Artist: Richard Alexander
Album: Jesus Is My Battleship
Label: Alex

Catalog: RA 101 A/B
Year: 19??
Art Designer: unknown
Photography: unknown
Grade: ***** stars

 

There's just something fascinating about a Gospel/soul album featuring a cover that reflects one of the most efficient killing machines known to mankind.  I'm sure Alexander was trying to underscore the strength of his belief.   I certainly can't criticize that.  On the other thand I'm not sure how Jesus would feel having his name slapped on the side of an American battleship, though I suspect he wouldn't see it as an honor.  

OUTSIDERS (DUTCH) - WONDER WHAT THE LIABILITY ISSUES ARE ...

Artist: Outsiders
Album: Outsiders
Label: Relax

Catalog: 30.007
Year: 1967
Art Designer: unknown
Photography: unknown
Grade: **** stars

 

C'mon, you've got to admit this was a pretty cool idea ... let's put the band in a large wooden crate and hang them from a massive crane over an Amsterdam harbor loading pier.   Oh, tell the band to look like they're having a good time, or we'll drop their sorry butts into the water.   By the way, Wally Tax and the band delivery a classic '60s R&B and beat band album.  

FOCUS - DUTCH MASTERS

Artist: Focus
Album: Dutch Masters
Label: Sire

Catalog: SSAD 7505
Year: 1975
Art Designer: Fred Marcellino
Painting: David Byrd Artists Associates
Grade: **** stars

 

I'm old enough that I can remember cigarette and cigar advertisements being run on television (geez that seems so long ago).   Anyhow, this 1975 Focus "greatest hits" package had a hysterical cover concept based on an old Dutch Masters cigar boxes.   Maybe it's a reflection of my age, but I thought it was funny (and no, I don't smoke cigars, or cigarettes).

SPENCER BAREFOOT - UGLY FEET

Artist: Spencer Barefoot
Album: Spencer Barefoot
Label: Magna Glide
Catalog: MGS 323116
Year: 1977
Art Designer: Stephen Soban
Photographer: Sarah Longacre
Grade: * star




In spite of the artist name, this album apparently featured a series of demos recorded by a guy by the name of Spencer Tracy.   Released by bubblegum pop masters Jerry Kasenetz and Jeff Katz on their Magna Glide label, about all you can say is the cover concept was somewhat lacking.  No idea who PEO was, but the man had some of the ugliest feet I've ever seen.

MUSIC TO MASSAGE YOUR MATE BY

 

Artist: Robert Wortherspoon
Album: Music To Massage Your Mate By
Label: ALA
Catalog: ALA004
Year: 1976
Art Designer: Robert Wortherspoon
Photographer: Robert Wortherspoon
Grade: **** stars




My wife gets credit for bringing this one to my attention.    So this one gets high marks for the creepiness factor - the guy just looks like a child molester.   Released by the Los Angeles-based ALA label, the record was marketed as an instructional item, complete with a detailed and rather explicit instructional manual insert ...   The music was credited to Deny McReynolds and Rue Barclay (hopefully that wasn't them on the cover).  Geez, it's enough to make you think about looking into becoming celibate.