JUICY LUCY "JUICY LUCY"

Artist: Juicy Lucy

Album: Juicy Lucy
Label: ATCO

Catalog: SD 33-325
Year: 1969
Genre: rock
Grading: VG+ cover / VG+ LP
Quantity: 1

Art Designer: not listed
Photography:  Peter Smith

Grade: * star

Ah, the infamous Juicy Lucy album cover ...   As a teenager I can remember this cover generating quite a stir amongst friends.   Today when I look at it I almost feel guilty. 

 

So here are the US and UK covers.  Clearly the US version is slightly more sedate.

 

US pressing

 

UK pressing

 

Clearly concerned about American consumer sensibilities ATCO management elected to give the album's US release somewhat toned down packaging.  The US cover was certainly racy for the late-1960s, though nowhere near as attention drawing as the UK original which featured a somewhat haggard looking exotic dance by the name of Zelda Plum spread out on a bed of fruit.  The funny thing is that what was clearly intended as an erotic cover came off as anything but ...  Personally I always felt bad for the fruit.  Seemed like a massive waste of good produce.  And you had to feel bad for Mr. Plus.  Hopefully she was paid a great deal of money and went on to enjoy a long and fruitful life.  Shame on the band for exhibiting such poor tastes.

 

CASTON & MAJORS "CASTONS & MAJORS"

Artist: Caston & Majors

Album: Caston & Majors
Label: Motown

Catalog: M6 814S1
Year: 1974
Genre: soul
Grading: VG+ cover / VG+ LP
Quantity: 1

Art Designer: Katrina Pettersson and Douglas Boyd Designs
Photography:  not applicable

Grade: **** star


Yeah, this die-cut, gatefold sleeve looks a bit like a high end Christmas card, but there's something very peaceful and charming about the cover art.  I guess the cut out was supposed to look like a bell, though the top part actually looks a little bit like a penis.

SPARKS "ANGST IN MY PANTS"

Artist: Sparks

Album: Angst In My Pants
Label: Atlantic

Catalog: SD 19347
Year: 1982
Genre: rock
Grading: VG+ cover / VG+ LP
Quantity: 1

Art Designer: Larry Vigon / Ron Mael
Photography:  Eric Blum

Grade: * star


I can hear Sparks fans showering abuse on me, but you've got to admit there's something truly disturbing seeing Ron Mael in a wedding dress ...  This one's wrong on so many levels.