HENDRIX - WAR HERO

Artist: Jimi Hendrix

Album: War Hero

Label: Reprise

Catalog: MS 2103

Year: 1972

Designer: Paul Jansen

Photographer: not applicable

Grade: **** stars

 

This is one of those covers where the appeal is hard for me to articulate.  It's certainly not the most clever, or innovative concept I've ever seen - jjust a close up drawing of Jimi Hendrix's face.  That said, there's something remarkable in Paul Jansen's cover art work.  I never met Hendrix and I'm not even a giant fan, but the close-up just seems to nail the essence of the man.  Plus I think I could grow a moustach that's at least as good as what Hendrix was sporting.)

SCAFFOLD - FRESH LIVER

Artist: Scaffold

Album: Fresh Liver

Label: Island

Catalog: ILPS 9234

Year: 1973

Designer: Tetsunari Yoshimura

Photographer: Fin Costello

Grade: * star

 

Wow, not a lot to say here, other than Scaffold managed to come up with one of the ugliest cover concepts imaginable. 

BLOODROCK - U.S.A.

Artist: Bloodrock

Album: U.S.A.

Label: Capitol

Catalog: SMAS 465

Year: 1973
Genre: rock

Designer: John Hoernie

Photographer: not applicable

Grade: * star

Not a big Bloodrock here so take these comments with a grain of salt - the cover is probably the album highlight.  That said, I can't say I'm a big fan of John Hornie's cover.  It's colorful and kind of Peter Max-styled pop-art cool, but a tad too graphic for my tastes.   Hum, guess I could say the same thing about Bloodrock's musical catalog.