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.

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.  

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.