You can never judge a book by its cover art work, that same description goes for vinyl record covers too. Here’s a little post on some random record pulls off the shelf to show the contrast between different peoples ideas. Really some of these must of gone through various people to get checked off. See the JJ Band and Paul Kelly covers down the page for examples of WTF!! Then there are the concept cover, utilising the gatefold cover to the max to tell a story. The Dells pull off some pretty mad shit with their Musical Menu and Blood Sweat and Tears look liked they had a right laugh. Then there is the damn right cheesy, step forward Paul Delicato. A brilliantly fun one from Jimmy Maelen playing the congos. Plus I’ve added a few which I just love from a photographic or graphic point of view, that would be the Charles Wright and the Pat Metheny. I will add more at a later date. Weirdly as I took the photos I noticed that most are from the CBS camp.
>First three covers that got it right in my eyes….
Pat Metheny Group – Offramp ECM Records 1982 (Cover by Gerd Winner)
Love the grainy image on the dark black cover. The orange turn left sign and yellow lines setting it off. Stunning cover I think. Great LP too. The tune Are You Going With Me? is mellow and ace.
Charles Wright – Doing What Comes Naturally (Photography Michael Lawton)
Great use of the gatefold sleeve using two panoramic shots. Clever to have two Charles’s in the inside shot.
Spirit – Spirit – CBS Records (Cover photo Guy Webster Album Design Corporate Head)
This one is awesome. From 1968. Fantastic image of the five members of the band collaged together to make one. One I would like to one get framed.
>Now three WTF moments……
Paul Kelly – Hooked, Hogtied and Collared (Illustration by Peter Palombi)
Really what the hell were they thinking with this one? Maybe it’s in the lyrics of one of the tunes? I have to admit to not really listening to it.
Even though he’s been “hooked, hogtied and collared” he does look like he’s in ecstasy! and having much fun. I do hope he has a good “safe” word and I hope the lady looked after him! An image for a record cover? Haha how did that one get a pass?
JJ Band – CBS Records 1971 (Cover photos by Hans and Toto Kellerman)
I know half the band are from Brussels and the peeing boy is some kind of icon but still guys who the heck thought this was a good idea? Wrong on so many levels. But hey this is one brilliant record and one you need in your collection. Check Requiem For A Lost Planet, Shades Of Goodbye and the stomper Out Of The Darkness. Quality recording, bonkers art design.
Nino Ferrer – Nino And Radiah (Photography Richard Bennett)
When you’re rocking the old French farmer look what better way to finish the style off with a beautiful naked black goddess strutting a cool big afro on your arm. Nino a cool guy mind and this is one top album through out. Yeah of course I’m jealous!
>Now a few cheesy but fun ones……
Paul Delicato – Cara Mia – Artists Of American Records – 1976 (Cover Design Saul Saget)
Paul’s rocking The Disco Sound. Super cheesy cover but had to get this as soon as I saw it in a charity. Did have a little hope for some outrageous funky craziness but unfortunately it’s a bit wack. Still it’s a great novelty record to have.
Roger Mcguinn & Band – CBS Records – 1975 (Photography Norman Seeff)
CBS records strikes again. This one is pretty cool with the former Byrd’s guy straddling with his arms back on his chair in front of a whole heap of monitors, dials, buttons, knobs and reel to reels. No idea what they are for. I really should of taken a photo of the back cover too. Which has four members of the band in the monitors looking down at Rogers laughing as he twiddles with stuff.
Jimmy Maelen – Beats Workin – CBS (Photography Bill King. Design Paula Scher and Cheryl Machat)
CBS really going for it. This is one of my favourites. Shame the music isn’t all that but hey that is all made good by the absolute joy on Jimmy’s face playing those congos. Could he be any happier. Photographed in a record pressing plant too. This cover ticks all the right boxes. Flip the record round and production staff or maybe the band are getting in on the action. With seven inch singles all over the place. Is that actor John C Reilly at the back with the cymbal?
>To finish off the post here are two gatefold story covers.
The Dells – Always Together – Cadet 1968 (Photos by Ray Klein, Album Design by Jerry Griffith, Cover Concept by Bobby Miller)
The Dells Musical Menu. This is a splendid funny idea which someone came up with and surprisingly it got to go into production and what a joy it is. The band start off by being shaken out of the salt and pepper pots on too two slices of bacon and the words Dells written in “egg”! Then open the cover to see the gang getting chased by a folk, get scooped up by a lovely looking lady on a journey to her mouth. Best shot the one with the guys serious faces looking out from behind her teeth, getting ready for certain doom. Cue picture of satisfied lady, turn over to the back cover for an empty plate and the words “Salt and pepper, always together? Obviously….. What else is always together?….. The Dells! Naturally………. Did you enjoy your meal? hehe
Blood, Sweat and Tears – No Sweat – CBS 1973 (Cover designed by John Berg, Photos by Horn/Griner)
Sat in a steam room fully suited in their jacket and dicky bow ties. The band are surrounded by a bunch of sweaty miserable old fellers, naked apart from their towels. Open up the cover and the band look like they are having a take over of the place. Clothes are starting to come off and the old fellers looking like they are getting ready to move on. Clothes strewn over the floor they get ready to relax in the heat. Happy band members on the back. Work hard play hard – No Sweat….. Guys in a sauna! Not sure thats sells a record! Fun though.
Just a few from many many many bonkers, weird, strange, brilliant and wonderful record covers. I will do another post with some more pieces soon. Really hope you enjoyed having a look.
All the best
Mike Mongos
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