Randy & the Rainbows- Denise
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Album Cover Art
We are now half way through our look at Gigwise's 50 most controversial, weirdest, best and worst album covers as compiled by their crack staff. Let's explore #25:
Controversial
25. Minus – ‘The Great Northern Whale Kill’ Offensive? No doubt. Insensitive? No doubt. Controversial? No way it cannot be because the image you are looking at is of an eight-year old boy.
Mínus is an Icelandic alternative rock/hardcore band from Reykjavík. They are signed to the record label Smekkleysa. Mínus have shared the stage with, among others, Metallica, Foo Fighters, and Queens of the Stone Age. 'The Great Northern Whale Kill' is their third LP and was released 3rd of March, 2008.
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Weirdest
25. Swamp Dogg: 'Rat On!' Albino lab rat? or just playing horsey? Certainly fits into this category. This R&B artist has made many albums in his 40-year career, including this 1971 offering. To those in the know, Swamp Dogg intentionally came up with this ridiculous (some would say startingly ugly) cover shot. Per Swamp Dogg, he thought it hilarious that a black man was finally on top. Also, per Swamp Dogg, the record company, Elektra, was less enthused.
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Worst
25. Fleetwood Mac – ‘Rumours’: I disagree with it belonging along with some of the worst album covers of all time. There was a lot of personal strife within the band (Nicks & Buckingham were fighting, as ususal), so I guess Mick & his little balls stepped up.
Rumours is the thirteenth album by rock band Fleetwood Mac, released in 1977. In December 1976, prior to the release of the album, Reprise released the single "Go Your Own Way". In 1978, Rumours won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. As of 2007 the album has sold more than 30 million copies, and is on the list of best-selling albums of all time. In addition, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Rumours at #25 on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. According to Carol Ann Harris author of "Storms - My Life With Lindsey Buckingham And Fleetwood Mac" the album has sold over one million copies in the Los Angeles area alone. This rare feat puts it next to other major releases such as "Thriller" by Michael Jackson.
Hit singles included Buckingham's "Go Your Own Way", Nicks's "Dreams" and Christine McVie's "Don't Stop" and "You Make Loving Fun". Buckingham's "Second Hand News", Nicks' "Gold Dust Woman" and "The Chain" (the only song written by all five bandmates) also received significant radio airplay.
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Best
25. Prince: ‘Lovesexy’ This makes the 'best' list? The naked 'Purple one'? And he calls it a gospel LP? Great, a naked cover on a gospel album. Has he no shame?
The album is notable for the haunting gospel of "Anna Stesia," and the hit single "Alphabet St." Also notable is the cover, causing some controversy as it depicted Prince in the nude, in a seemingly devout pose. Some record stores refused to stock it or censored the cover with black wrapper.
Lovesexy is an album by Prince, released in 1988. Lovesexy was issued as a substitute record after the release of the infamous Black Album had been suddenly canceled. The Black Album and Lovesexy almost act as companion pieces, sharing the song "When 2 R In Love," but nearly opposite in theme. The album was recorded in just seven weeks, from mid-December 1987 to late January 1988, at Prince's new Paisley Park Studios, and most of the album is a solo effort from Prince, with a few exceptions. The opening track, "Eye No," was recorded with the full band (Miko Weaver on guitar, Levi Seacer, Jr. on bass, Doctor Fink and Boni Boyer on keyboards, Eric Leeds on saxophone, Atlanta Bliss on trumpet and Sheila E. on drums). Sheila E., in fact, plays drums on several tracks and sings backup, along with Boyer. Leeds and Bliss provide horns on most tracks, and Ingrid Chavez provides the intro to "Eye No". As opposed to the LP release, early CD copies of Lovesexy have the entire album in sequence as a single track, so the album is heard in the context of a continuous sequence, though later editions have it as 9 separate tracks.
Controversial
25. Minus – ‘The Great Northern Whale Kill’ Offensive? No doubt. Insensitive? No doubt. Controversial? No way it cannot be because the image you are looking at is of an eight-year old boy.
Mínus is an Icelandic alternative rock/hardcore band from Reykjavík. They are signed to the record label Smekkleysa. Mínus have shared the stage with, among others, Metallica, Foo Fighters, and Queens of the Stone Age. 'The Great Northern Whale Kill' is their third LP and was released 3rd of March, 2008.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weirdest
25. Swamp Dogg: 'Rat On!' Albino lab rat? or just playing horsey? Certainly fits into this category. This R&B artist has made many albums in his 40-year career, including this 1971 offering. To those in the know, Swamp Dogg intentionally came up with this ridiculous (some would say startingly ugly) cover shot. Per Swamp Dogg, he thought it hilarious that a black man was finally on top. Also, per Swamp Dogg, the record company, Elektra, was less enthused.
---------------------------------------
Worst
25. Fleetwood Mac – ‘Rumours’: I disagree with it belonging along with some of the worst album covers of all time. There was a lot of personal strife within the band (Nicks & Buckingham were fighting, as ususal), so I guess Mick & his little balls stepped up.
Rumours is the thirteenth album by rock band Fleetwood Mac, released in 1977. In December 1976, prior to the release of the album, Reprise released the single "Go Your Own Way". In 1978, Rumours won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. As of 2007 the album has sold more than 30 million copies, and is on the list of best-selling albums of all time. In addition, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Rumours at #25 on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. According to Carol Ann Harris author of "Storms - My Life With Lindsey Buckingham And Fleetwood Mac" the album has sold over one million copies in the Los Angeles area alone. This rare feat puts it next to other major releases such as "Thriller" by Michael Jackson.
Hit singles included Buckingham's "Go Your Own Way", Nicks's "Dreams" and Christine McVie's "Don't Stop" and "You Make Loving Fun". Buckingham's "Second Hand News", Nicks' "Gold Dust Woman" and "The Chain" (the only song written by all five bandmates) also received significant radio airplay.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best
25. Prince: ‘Lovesexy’ This makes the 'best' list? The naked 'Purple one'? And he calls it a gospel LP? Great, a naked cover on a gospel album. Has he no shame?
The album is notable for the haunting gospel of "Anna Stesia," and the hit single "Alphabet St." Also notable is the cover, causing some controversy as it depicted Prince in the nude, in a seemingly devout pose. Some record stores refused to stock it or censored the cover with black wrapper.
Lovesexy is an album by Prince, released in 1988. Lovesexy was issued as a substitute record after the release of the infamous Black Album had been suddenly canceled. The Black Album and Lovesexy almost act as companion pieces, sharing the song "When 2 R In Love," but nearly opposite in theme. The album was recorded in just seven weeks, from mid-December 1987 to late January 1988, at Prince's new Paisley Park Studios, and most of the album is a solo effort from Prince, with a few exceptions. The opening track, "Eye No," was recorded with the full band (Miko Weaver on guitar, Levi Seacer, Jr. on bass, Doctor Fink and Boni Boyer on keyboards, Eric Leeds on saxophone, Atlanta Bliss on trumpet and Sheila E. on drums). Sheila E., in fact, plays drums on several tracks and sings backup, along with Boyer. Leeds and Bliss provide horns on most tracks, and Ingrid Chavez provides the intro to "Eye No". As opposed to the LP release, early CD copies of Lovesexy have the entire album in sequence as a single track, so the album is heard in the context of a continuous sequence, though later editions have it as 9 separate tracks.
This Date In Music History- October 4
Birthdays:
Nona Hendryx, who left Labelle for a solo career that saw her singing backing vocals for Talking Heads, was born in Trenton, NJ in 1944.
Bassist Jim Fielder, who played for the Mothers of Invention, Buffalo Springfield and Blood, Sweat & Tears, was born in Denton, Texas in 1947.
Marlena Davies of Philadelphia R&B group the Orlons ("The Wah Watusi") was born in 1944.
Also born on this day in 1944, Soul singer Patti Labelle.
Helen Reddy, US singer, songwriter was born in 1942.
History:
J. Frank Wilson ("Last Kiss") died of a heart attack in 1991.
Roger Miller was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996. Don’t know what took them so long.
In 1961, Bob Dylan played Carnegie Hall in New York. Of the 53 people that attended, most were friends. He made $20 from the enterprise.
In 1963, the Yardbirds invited Eric "Slowhand" Clapton to replace their old guitarist Anthony "Top" Topham. Clapton was an art-college friend of vocalist Keith Relf.
Number one on the American albums chart today in 1969 was Creedence Clearwater Revival with Green River.
Just days after recording what would be her biggest hit, 27 year old Janis Joplin died of a heroin overdose at Hollywood's Landmark Hotel in 1970. "Me and Bobby McGee" would reach number one in early 1971, her highest chart success since "Piece Of My Heart" with Big Brother and The Holding Company in 1968.
Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" album went to No. 1 in America in 1975.
The song "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" was released by Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1969.
John Lennon released his "Walls And Bridges" LP in 1974, which would go on to top the Billboard album chart a few weeks later. Recorded during his estrangement from Yoko Ono, it turned out to be the last record that Lennon recorded without input from her.
In 1963, Billboard Magazine reported that hot-rodding songs were the latest teen fad, replacing surfing songs. Among the top tunes was the Beach Boys' "Little Deuce Coupe", which sat at #15 on the Billboard chart. Capitol Records started supplying DJ's and record retailers with a book of hot-rod terms.
Also in 1963- The Beatles made their first appearance on the UK rock and roll TV show Ready Steady Go!, where they were interviewed by fellow performer, Dusty Springfield.
"Abbey Road", the last album recorded by The Beatles, entered the UK charts at number one in 1969. The L.P. would go on to be the group's biggest seller in Britain, although "The Beatles" (the white album) sold more in North America.
Queen had their second US number 1 song when "Another One Bites the Dust" hit the top of the Billboard chart in 1980. Earlier in the year, "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" also went to head of the hit parade.
Michael Gibbins, drummer for Badfinger on their hits "Come And Get It", "Day After Day" and "No Matter What", died in his sleep in 2005 at the age of 56.
Nona Hendryx, who left Labelle for a solo career that saw her singing backing vocals for Talking Heads, was born in Trenton, NJ in 1944.
Bassist Jim Fielder, who played for the Mothers of Invention, Buffalo Springfield and Blood, Sweat & Tears, was born in Denton, Texas in 1947.
Marlena Davies of Philadelphia R&B group the Orlons ("The Wah Watusi") was born in 1944.
Also born on this day in 1944, Soul singer Patti Labelle.
Helen Reddy, US singer, songwriter was born in 1942.
History:
J. Frank Wilson ("Last Kiss") died of a heart attack in 1991.
Roger Miller was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996. Don’t know what took them so long.
In 1961, Bob Dylan played Carnegie Hall in New York. Of the 53 people that attended, most were friends. He made $20 from the enterprise.
In 1963, the Yardbirds invited Eric "Slowhand" Clapton to replace their old guitarist Anthony "Top" Topham. Clapton was an art-college friend of vocalist Keith Relf.
Number one on the American albums chart today in 1969 was Creedence Clearwater Revival with Green River.
Just days after recording what would be her biggest hit, 27 year old Janis Joplin died of a heroin overdose at Hollywood's Landmark Hotel in 1970. "Me and Bobby McGee" would reach number one in early 1971, her highest chart success since "Piece Of My Heart" with Big Brother and The Holding Company in 1968.
Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" album went to No. 1 in America in 1975.
The song "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" was released by Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1969.
John Lennon released his "Walls And Bridges" LP in 1974, which would go on to top the Billboard album chart a few weeks later. Recorded during his estrangement from Yoko Ono, it turned out to be the last record that Lennon recorded without input from her.
In 1963, Billboard Magazine reported that hot-rodding songs were the latest teen fad, replacing surfing songs. Among the top tunes was the Beach Boys' "Little Deuce Coupe", which sat at #15 on the Billboard chart. Capitol Records started supplying DJ's and record retailers with a book of hot-rod terms.
Also in 1963- The Beatles made their first appearance on the UK rock and roll TV show Ready Steady Go!, where they were interviewed by fellow performer, Dusty Springfield.
"Abbey Road", the last album recorded by The Beatles, entered the UK charts at number one in 1969. The L.P. would go on to be the group's biggest seller in Britain, although "The Beatles" (the white album) sold more in North America.
Queen had their second US number 1 song when "Another One Bites the Dust" hit the top of the Billboard chart in 1980. Earlier in the year, "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" also went to head of the hit parade.
Michael Gibbins, drummer for Badfinger on their hits "Come And Get It", "Day After Day" and "No Matter What", died in his sleep in 2005 at the age of 56.