1995 Robert Cray Some Rainy Morning

1979 The Cars Candy-O

The 1979 album of The Cars featured the art work of Alberto Vargas.  Vargas was well known for his works in Esquire magazine as well as the inspiration for many of the pinups on the noses of World War II aircraft.  Vargas is often credited for one f the best movie posters of all time, The Sin of Nora Moran, which depicted Zita Johann.   After Esquire Vargas worked for Playboy with the Vargas Girls and his work saw a resurgence.  The passing of his wife in 1974 resulted in him losing interest and not painting.  The release of his biography in 1978 led him to two album covers for Bernadette Peters and one for The Cars.  Vargas died in 1982.

1976 England Dan and John Ford Coley Nights are Forever

Hello, yeah, it’s been a while
Not much, how ’bout you
I’m not sure why I called
I guess I really just wanted to talk to you

Yes it has been a while so what better way to return than with England Dan and John Ford Coley’s Nights are Forever album from 1976.  The album featured the cover song as well as “I’d love to see you tonight” which has the lyrics at eh beginning of the post.  While it isnt the most artistic cover of all time it represents the mood I feel today.

I am back and hopefully more great covers to come in thenear future.

1962 Freddie Hubbard hub-tones

Today I revisit a musician with a totally different style then his first cover.  Freddie Hubbard’s 1962 release of hub-tones featured many great musicians including Herbie Hancock.  Much like any other jazz release the names intertwine between albums.  Also like the music the album covers intertwine as well.

The cover was produced by Reid Miles who worked for Blue Note Records between 1956 and the late 60’s producing more than 500 covers for the company.  Miles often worked with photographer Francis Wolff to collaborate on covers that were synonymous with Blue Note Records.

Blue Note saw both Miles and Wolf depart within a few years.  With them a style and possibly an art form maybe have left with them.

Coming Soon

Taking requests for covers people would like to see and will get back to my favorites within the week.

1985 Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark Crush

While this is a painting of Paul Slater,  the theme of an Edward Hopper influences the painting as dictated by Caz Hildebrand.  The album from my readings is full of oddities.  Hildebrand decided he wanted a car, a couple, and the Hopper type theme.  Slater did the work and assumed it went well since no alterations were needed.  The main building in the center right is almost a duplicate from Hopper’s 1930 painting Early Sunday Morning.

In another interesting twist, Paul Slater was a fan of OMD yet never heard of the album.  He did read a review that said the music wasnt up tho their usual standards but the cover deserved a second look. 

Slater is one of Britain’s top illustrators yet I cna not locate one website that is exclusively his.

1971 Jimmy McGriff Black Pearl

Scrolling through some websites and books and bam this album hit me.  Jimmy Cliff’s Black Pearl was a live recording from the Golden Slipper in Newark NJ.  McGriff played the organ from age 6 on until his death in May 2008.  Along the way he recorded over 30 albums between 1963 and 1998.

While McGriff may be a good musician I did not pick this album for that reason.  I picked it simply for the brilliant attention grabbing art of John Van Hamersveld.  Van Hamerveld was better known for his Rolling Stones, Steve Miller , Greatful Dead and The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour album.  Van Hamersveld also was the creator of memorable posters for JImi Hendrix, Kiss, Cream etc.  While this is the first I have posted of his art it will by no means be the last.  You may not see the albums seen normally by him but you will see great art.

1973 Miles Davis Jazz at the Plaza

It seems that musicians that have very artistic music also let that flow into their covers as well.  This 1973 MIles Davis album is the release of a 1958 concert at the Plaza Hotel.  The sextet formed of : Miles Davis – trumpet; John Coltrane – tenor saxophone; Cannonball Adderley – alto saxophone; Bill Evans – piano; Paul Chambers – bass; Jimmy Cobb – drums.

The album was released on Coumbia records and a second album by Duke Ellington and his orchestra was released in 1973 as well with the same artwork.  I am currently searching for the artist and cover designer.

1971 The Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers

After about 20 posts I assume it is time for an album associated with pop artist, Andy Warhol.  Warhol did many many covers including those for The Velvet Underground and Nico who he produced as well.  Warhol designed the cover with an operating zipper.  The zipper in turn was scratching the record inside until Craig Braun rededigned the package with cardboard underneath as well as a zipper that only opened half way.  THe openned zipper revealed underwear of course.

Warhol  is widely known for his painting of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presely and the Campbell’s Soup label.  More information can be found at The Warhol Museum, The Warhol Foundation and Warhols.

1991 Nirvana Nevermind

Taking a break from the painted art I chose Nirvana’s Nevermind.  The picture can be seen what is wrong with society as a baby is even chase the almighty dollar. 

The picture was taken by Kirk Weddle and designed by Robert Fisher for Geffen Records.  Fisher was an art director for Geffen and now runs a studio in Los Angeles.