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.

TIMEBOX - "THE ORIGINAL MOOSE ON THE LOOSE"

Artist: Timebox
Album: The Original Moose On the Loose
Label: Peters International
Catalog: CCLPS 9016
Year: 1977
Art Designer: Don Munz
Photographer: Don Munz
Grade: **** stars




Featuring the talents of the late Ollie Halsall and Mike Patto, Timebox were always quirky. As an example, how many bands do you know of that recorded and released a single about a Martian invasion of Earth ('Baked Jam Roll In Your Eye')?   In this case the album title and Don Munz designed cover do a good job of capturing the band's weird sense of humor.  Personally I love it ...

SANDY DENNY - SANDY

Artist: Sandy Denny
Album: Sandy
Label: A&M
Catalog: SP 4371
Year: 1972
Art Designer: not listed
Photographer: David Bailey
Grade: **** stars




I'll readily admit I'm not a gigantic fan of English folk-rock, but I make an exception for the late Sandy Denny.  There's just something special in her voice - not to sound hyper-sensitive, or anything, but the woman could sing a phonebook listing and make you sit up and take notice.   From what little I've read about her life, Denny was a tough, if highly troubled woman.  I've seen photos of her where she looks like she could take care of herself in any brawl.   And maybe that's one of the things that makes the David Bailey album cover so stunning.   Not only did Bailey managed to capture a stunning picture of Denny (she really does look gorgeous), but she looks peaceful, relaxed, and comfortable on the album cover.    

For anyone interested, the British National Portrait Gallery will sell you an unframed copy for about $20: 

http://www.npgprints.com/image/675484/david-bailey-sandy-denny

HIGH LLAMAS - TALAHOMI WAY

Artist: The High Llamas
Album: Talahomi Way
Label: Drag City
Catalog: DC 469
Year: 2011
Art Designer: Jeremy Glogan
Photographer: not applicable
Grade: **** stars




As a big fan of modernist architecture (yes I subscribe to Atomic Ranch), Jeremy Glogan's cover drawing featuring a '60s-styled house was pretty stunning ...  wide glass walls; curved flat roof; kind of a dream house for folks who love the style.