Not strictly limited to new recordings, could members provide links to what they regard as the more ill-conceived album covers in their collections? My initial vote would go to anything from EMI Angel which features that revolting rotund cherub squatting on a golden disc (e.g. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zemlinsky-Symphonies-Nos-1-2/dp/B000CNEO0M/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1281939313&sr=8-11 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zemlinsky-Symphonies-Nos-1-2/dp/B000CNEO0M/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1281939313&sr=8-11)) - truly awful. :P
What were they thinking of?
I can't stand them,either. The dog with the horn was such a great design,iconic & witty.
I was recently looking at the new/old Supraphon release of Fibich's 'Sarka' and thinking how terrible that was,also their release of Smetana's 'Libuse'. It's as if they can't even be bothered. Yet some of their old designs were really good. For example their design for Dvorak's 'The Spectre's Bride' & Novak's 'The Storm'. Spooky!!!
Worst of all,have to be some of those DG covers of Herbert von Karajan on his motorbike & posing next to his private jet,(or plane,I can't remember). I also seem to remember one with him wearing a terrible black leather jacket & some disco type lighting (Saturday Nacht Fervour?)in the background? They were up on the internet somewhere,but I can't seem to find them now.
At the other extreme,I reckon that cpo's choice of the William Trost Richards painting for their first Holbrooke release couldn't have been better or more appropriate in terms of atmosphere. It almost makes me wish Lp's were still around. I would have propped it up in front of me,while I listened. (The Dutton's good too.I like their use of those old posters. What will they do when they eventually run out?)
Quote from: Pengelli on Monday 16 August 2010, 14:07
I can't stand them,either. The dog with the horn was such a great design,iconic & witty.
We still have that on continental Europe.
How about this one. What were they thinking over at Erato?
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41AA7HKE6KL._SL500_AA300_.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.amazon.com/LOrchestre-Satie-Erik/dp/B000059ZI6&usg=__6QX4m5VCSlSnIKF0zRA1quHg1Uo=&h=300&w=300&sz=27&hl=nl&start=0&sig2=_kAwfXaJwC51dT8ELcrlZQ&tbnid=JHk1QxYb75npuM:&tbnh=133&tbnw=157&ei=b1JpTP38LY2OjAee-qHUBA&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsatie%2Blamoureux%2Bsado%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dnl%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:nl:official%26biw%3D978%26bih%3D693%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=134&vpy=71&dur=187&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=144&ty=136&oei=b1JpTP38LY2OjAee-qHUBA&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0 (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41AA7HKE6KL._SL500_AA300_.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.amazon.com/LOrchestre-Satie-Erik/dp/B000059ZI6&usg=__6QX4m5VCSlSnIKF0zRA1quHg1Uo=&h=300&w=300&sz=27&hl=nl&start=0&sig2=_kAwfXaJwC51dT8ELcrlZQ&tbnid=JHk1QxYb75npuM:&tbnh=133&tbnw=157&ei=b1JpTP38LY2OjAee-qHUBA&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsatie%2Blamoureux%2Bsado%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dnl%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:nl:official%26biw%3D978%26bih%3D693%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=134&vpy=71&dur=187&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=144&ty=136&oei=b1JpTP38LY2OjAee-qHUBA&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0)
Quote from: Kriton on Monday 16 August 2010, 16:02
How about this one. What were they thinking over at Erato?
Oh, sweet Lord, what an abomination. Now,
that's the kind of thing I was thinking of - inept, utterly tasteless and mirth- (or vomit-) inducing. There must be more of the same lurking out there - or could there be worse? :o
I have something else, utterly tasteless as well, but I can't figure out how to upload pictures here...
Just remembered, the American (what else?) label Crystal Records is rather famous for its covers. After seeing one or two, I thought the musicians were allowed to create there own cover art. After seeing the whole bunch, I started suspecting that someone over at Crystal (which is a rather fine label, actually) is probably having the time of his life creating covers that will contrast to the "normal" classical music CDs, and make people buy the CDs out of pure curiosity...
Some examples:
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=52568 (http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=52568)
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=52611 (http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=52611)
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=222762 (http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=222762)
Quote from: Kriton on Monday 16 August 2010, 18:42
Crystal Records is rather famous for its covers. After seeing one or two, I thought the musicians were allowed to create there own cover art. After seeing the whole bunch, I started suspecting that someone over at Crystal (which is a rather fine label, actually) is probably having the time of his life creating covers that will contrast to the "normal" classical music CDs, and make people buy the CDs out of pure curiosity...
Excellent (if that's the correct adjective) - the words 'budget' and 'shoestring' spring to mind, closely followed by 'tat' and 'pile of old'.
It did make me laugh,Kriton.
The bassoon one reminded me of that old Thomas Beecham quote,although it didn't involve a bassoon. It's just the way the things situated between her legs.
Sorry to inflict the following upon those of tender sensibilities, but I do believe I've found some absolute corkers from the Westminster Gold stable:
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8101b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8101b.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8103a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8103a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8105a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8105a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8108a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8108a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8111a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8111a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8112a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8112a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGM-8113a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGM-8113a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8115a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8115a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8118a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8118a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGM-8119b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGM-8119b.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8120a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8120a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8122b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8122b.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8126a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8126a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8127-2a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8127-2a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8130b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8130b.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8134a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8134a.jpg)
Peruse at your leisure! ;)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/Thalbergmad/4512416061.jpg)
What's wrong with that? The man has given pleasure to millions (well, maybe numbers into double figures).
Des O'Connor! Does he fit in here? An unsung singer......you just wish he wouldn't!
The Westminster Gold record sleeves really are absolutely hilarious. Encore!
But no Ken Dodd records,please.
Eric Morecambe was right!
Oh Albion....such memories. I treasured those Westminsters. I also recall the frumpy Sleeping Beauty, the Carmen suites, and the complete Ring (was is Swarowski?) with VW hubcaps adorning Brunnhilde.
The most utterly tasteless cds I know of were on RCA - the Wagner operas as orchestral suites collection. There were three of them in stark black and white and very, very provocative.
Now I have to go to that previously unknown Westminster site and see what else is there!
That was MY Beethoven 3rd PC when I had LPs!
Yet more gems from good old Westminster. Judging from previous responses, there are probably a few fondly remembered favourites in here:
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8140b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8140b.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8143b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8143b.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8153b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8153b.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8159a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8159a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8165a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8165a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8169b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8169b.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGSO-8173-3c.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGSO-8173-3c.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGSO-8176-3c.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGSO-8176-3c.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8180b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8180b.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8183b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8183b.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8184b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8184b.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8187b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8187b.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8193a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8193a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8194b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8194b.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8197b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8197b.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8226b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8226b.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8230a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8230a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGM-8235-2b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGM-8235-2b.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8240b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8240b.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8244a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8244a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGM-8270a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGM-8270a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8271a.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8271a.jpg)
http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8289b.jpg (http://www.westminstergold.com/WGS-8289b.jpg)
One question - Jean Pierre Jumez may have had nimble fingers but how many people strum away whilst on the khazi?
Other criminal records:
http://musicology.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/12/10/51qkq4rzj5l_ss500_.jpg (http://musicology.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/12/10/51qkq4rzj5l_ss500_.jpg)
http://musicology.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/12/10/stravinsky.jpg (http://musicology.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/12/10/stravinsky.jpg)
http://bp3.blogger.com/_thlFYTjJbmQ/SAOfLeKh2BI/AAAAAAAAFDw/6v0f8zOnhJ4/s800-h/IMG_1043.JPG (http://bp3.blogger.com/_thlFYTjJbmQ/SAOfLeKh2BI/AAAAAAAAFDw/6v0f8zOnhJ4/s800-h/IMG_1043.JPG)
http://www.henkdevlieger.nl/cdtristan.JPG (http://www.henkdevlieger.nl/cdtristan.JPG)
I've seen two or three of those Westminster albums,but most of them passed me by,unfortunately. Have any ever been reissued with those sleeves,on cd. I assume not. And were the creators actually serious? Surely not. If i ever see one on a secondhand stall I'll snap it up. Absolute howlers. I've seen Pans People dancing to 'Fanfare to the Common Man',(and enjoyed it!),but Liszt's (?) Hungarian dances? More please!!!!
Oh & my apologies to Des O' Connor fans everywhere.
Gorgeous pouter Anna Moffo trumped by a spaghetti bolognese?
Lets petition Parliament to bring Westminster back!
And Tracey Emins unmade bed. I knew she'd pinched the idea from some mad genius.
Quote from: Albion on Tuesday 17 August 2010, 07:35
Yet more gems from good old Westminster. Judging from previous responses, there are probably a few fondly remembered favourites in here:
They're Amazing, Albion!
I particularly like Brahms being represented by a greasy English breakfast and Wagner by the hippie belle with the Volkswagen hubcaps in front of her breasts. Do you reckon it's worthwhile speculating about the "why", or are they just unassuming jokes?
Quote from: Kriton on Tuesday 17 August 2010, 14:35
Do you reckon it's worthwhile speculating about the "why"?
Probably not. The Westminster Gold covers were 'created' by Christopher Whorf, who designed covers for innumerable albums (rock, pop, jazz, just about anything in fact) from the 1960s onwards. Probably a very interesting chap, he seems to have had something of a lingerie fetish:
(http://webextras.allmusic.com/200809/f3efcf758112f552.jpg)
(http://webextras.allmusic.com/200809/94fb434c2e03c417.jpg)
(http://webextras.allmusic.com/200809/312ffa7b0a453d5d.jpg)
They really are funny,aren't they! Poor old Des can't compete.
OOPS!
When those Westminster covers came out (after years of covers that were as innovative as the average dedicated fan of Paul Badura-Skoda), it was clear that someone on staff had a great sense of humor and a healthy respect for the Volkswagen ads that had revolutionized U.S. print advertising in the late 1960s. A girlfriend at the time was in advertising and was making funny commercials for the Monkees TV show. I remember thinking (based on my experiences with her) that Westminster had hired a clever ad person who hadn't the slightest interest in classical music. Of course, that didn't prevent Westminster from giving, say, Carlos Chavez his best shot at international fame as a conductor.
Look carefully. What the heck?
http://lpcoverlover.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08.resized/img_1910.jpg (http://lpcoverlover.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08.resized/img_1910.jpg)
Quote from: mbhaub on Wednesday 18 August 2010, 03:46
Look carefully. What the heck?
http://lpcoverlover.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08.resized/img_1910.jpg (http://lpcoverlover.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08.resized/img_1910.jpg)
Well, it's not called "piano artistry" for nothing...
Ooo, spooky!
What about this one? Simply not Mahler, I'd say:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41X5nUUQGPL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
There are interesting ones that aren't Beethoven and Brahms, either.
Design-wise, classical music covers have rarely been as interesting as those of other genres of music. Partly that's due to the fact that you're often dealing with series, which require a more-or-less uniform approach and ties you to a certain format. But there also seems to be a lot of disinterest doing the rounds (BIS, for instance). Naxos is an interesting case, since their design purposely emphasises the 'cheapness' of their CDs - a very clever trick, albeit with rather poor results.
I did a couple of covers for Sterling (e.g., the Raff Violin Concerto one), and the problem was also simply getting all the information in and still maintain some graphical attractiveness. But there are very good ones, as well. Modern RCA releases are generally well-designed; and although I can't always say I find them pretty CPO's covers are very effectively recognisable and usually convey the right atmosphere. Telos' design is usually quite good, too.
For me, the Karajan-next-to-his-plane or the Karajan-with-the-new-mrs-Karajan-watercolour designs represent the very worst in design. But that may have something to do with my distaste for Karajan and everything he stands for.
Quote from: Ilja on Wednesday 18 August 2010, 10:32
the problem was also simply getting all the information in and still maintain some graphical attractiveness. But there are very good ones, as well.
Moving (briefly) away from the sheer awfulness of this chamber of horrors, three companies which I regularly purchase from can pretty much always be relied upon for attractive artwork. I would say that Chandos, Hyperion and Dutton actively enhance the appeal of their discs with superb, often quite cleverly thought-out, design. The Dutton posters are endlessly fascinating and there is usually some link between them and the music on the CD, but for a supremely attractive solution to the problem of the series (uniformity, yet distinction between discs) my vote goes to Chandos' fabulous Cyril Scott series:
http://www.cyrilscott.net/images-Cyril/CS_discog_images/Symp3.jpg (http://www.cyrilscott.net/images-Cyril/CS_discog_images/Symp3.jpg)
http://www.cyrilscott.net/images-Cyril/CS_discog_images/CHANmartynB.jpg (http://www.cyrilscott.net/images-Cyril/CS_discog_images/CHANmartynB.jpg)
http://www.cyrilscott.net/images-Cyril/CS_discog_images/VlnConc_Fest_vol3.jpg (http://www.cyrilscott.net/images-Cyril/CS_discog_images/VlnConc_Fest_vol3.jpg)
http://www.cyrilscott.net/images-Cyril/CS_discog_images/cello%20Conc.jpg (http://www.cyrilscott.net/images-Cyril/CS_discog_images/cello%20Conc.jpg)
Simple, evocative and beautifully carried out. Now, back to
Space Escapade ...
Although they couldn't possibly compete with the 'best' of WG, here are some more ideas that should never have left the drawing board:
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album16/cover161.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album16/cover161.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album15/cover155.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album15/cover155.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album15/cover157.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album15/cover157.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/albumtwofer/twofer52.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/albumtwofer/twofer52.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/albumtwofer/twofer31.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/albumtwofer/twofer31.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/albumtwofer/twofer21.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/albumtwofer/twofer21.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album14/cover142.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album14/cover142.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album14/cover144.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album14/cover144.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album13/cover136.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album13/cover136.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album12/cover126.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album12/cover126.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album11/cover115.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album11/cover115.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album10/cover103.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album10/cover103.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album9/cover94.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album9/cover94.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album8/cover86.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album8/cover86.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album7/cover73.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album7/cover73.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album7/cover76.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album7/cover76.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album7/cover77.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album7/cover77.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album6/covers61.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album6/covers61.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album6/covers67.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album6/covers67.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album5/covers56.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album5/covers56.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album4/cover45.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album4/cover45.jpg)
http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album2/carmenbuns.jpg (http://www.rockonchicago.com/tristan/album2/carmenbuns.jpg)
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j6tJqjGiGDs/RsckouZSkhI/AAAAAAAAADg/eUX3mos1OXc/s200/elijah.jpg (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j6tJqjGiGDs/RsckouZSkhI/AAAAAAAAADg/eUX3mos1OXc/s200/elijah.jpg)
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j6tJqjGiGDs/Rsck3OZSkkI/AAAAAAAAAD4/KViGrl0w8cE/s200/maazelstraussspace.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j6tJqjGiGDs/Rsck3OZSkkI/AAAAAAAAAD4/KViGrl0w8cE/s200/maazelstraussspace.jpg)
Quote from: Albion on Wednesday 18 August 2010, 11:15
Quote from: Ilja on Wednesday 18 August 2010, 10:32
the problem was also simply getting all the information in and still maintain some graphical attractiveness. But there are very good ones, as well.
Moving (briefly) away from the sheer awfulness of this chamber of horrors, three companies which I regularly purchase from can pretty much always be relied upon for attractive artwork. I would say that Chandos, Hyperion and Dutton actively enhance the appeal of their discs with superb, often quite cleverly thought-out, design. The Dutton posters are endlessly fascinating and there is usually some link between them and the music on the CD, but for a supremely attractive solution to the problem of the series (uniformity, yet distinction between discs) my vote goes to Chandos' fabulous Cyril Scott series:
http://www.cyrilscott.net/images-Cyril/CS_discog_images/Symp3.jpg (http://www.cyrilscott.net/images-Cyril/CS_discog_images/Symp3.jpg)
http://www.cyrilscott.net/images-Cyril/CS_discog_image
(http://www.cyrilscott.net/images-Cyril/CS_discog_images/CHANmartynB.jpg)
The Scott series is a textbook example of how such a cover should be done: stands out among other CDs yet introvert, and a good reflection of what the music's about. The Chandos Gliere series is another example of how something can symbolise the music without having to resort to clichés. I'm not that enthusiastic about Hyperion's covers, mainly because of their (IMO) frequently inappropriate use of type.
Quote from: Albion on Wednesday 18 August 2010, 11:42
Although they couldn't possibly compete with the 'best' of WG, here are some more ideas that should never have left the drawing board:
[snipped]
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j6tJqjGiGDs/Rsck3OZSkkI/AAAAAAAAAD4/KViGrl0w8cE/s200/maazelstraussspace.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j6tJqjGiGDs/Rsck3OZSkkI/AAAAAAAAAD4/KViGrl0w8cE/s200/maazelstraussspace.jpg)
Thanks. The image of Lorin Maazel coming at me with big blue hands will continue to haunt me for some time to come...
As eventide fast approaches once more, I reach for a disc to settle down with. Should it be Clas Pehrsson on Bis with his (literal) banquet of recorders?
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaxMlnoKZyY/SU09hPJyIcI/AAAAAAAAA3A/ZcXlIOd5VgE/s400/clas-pehrsson-recorder-album-cover.jpg)
No, what the heck, I've had a tiring day chipping five layers of paint off lintels and window sills - I deserve a break. So it's another bottle of wine and some more easy listening for me (Rufinatscha can wait until tomorrow):
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaxMlnoKZyY/SWwiVnFmi6I/AAAAAAAABRo/Y6qw7TO2CUo/s1600/mallet-mischief-harry-breuer-band.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaxMlnoKZyY/SX0_U3akDBI/AAAAAAAABjo/AR6Rca3P-xg/s320/viva-congalongmax-max-bygraves-album.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaxMlnoKZyY/SXUA_Q4B-BI/AAAAAAAABco/O4YigczPXlc/s320/singing-postman-best-of-album.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BaxMlnoKZyY/SW5sWu3td4I/AAAAAAAABUA/pCmFZdUEJVg/s320/mrs-mills-knees-up-party-album.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BaxMlnoKZyY/SVmXKpO6CHI/AAAAAAAABDQ/kj7dqVa7jvY/s400/have-harp-can%27t-travel-stanley-johnson-orchestra.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaxMlnoKZyY/SVBVdSz-rFI/AAAAAAAAA64/p-pKWbbJtDI/s400/geraldine-ricky-trees-talk-too-album.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BaxMlnoKZyY/SVBVALwGtaI/AAAAAAAAA6w/IAobbLY8j10/s400/gary-dee-bradford-sings-for-you.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaxMlnoKZyY/SVBQVYoLsBI/AAAAAAAAA5w/TBAf5j6dozE/s400/father-robert-wright-reverernd-rythm.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaxMlnoKZyY/SU23wCbzQZI/AAAAAAAAA3g/wbcPgiLqWgc/s400/all-my-friends-are-dead-freddie-gage.bmp)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaxMlnoKZyY/SU09uSWq3SI/AAAAAAAAA3I/EbYcmCis7UU/s400/colonel-sanders-tijuana-picnic-album.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaxMlnoKZyY/SU038zhklGI/AAAAAAAAA2I/VfBxVcSNTgY/s400/blast-off-ferrante-teicher.jpg)
Thank you Albion, you've provided many chuckles, smiles, and laughs for the past few days. Bravo! I can't wait to show Pat Sheridan (tuba soloist) that he made the Unsung Composers site. (He conducts a local British style brass band. But I've never seen the cd.)
Oh dear, will they never learn? ::)
(http://www.hungaroton.hu/files/hungaroton/image/diskimages/fej%C3%A9r%C3%BAj.jpg)
Your list of solemn sounding names brought back memories of your legendary A.C.H.O.S. This time I have a nice new printer,capable of A3 prints,with which I can reproduce some of the most inspiring examples in gargantuan,throat catching detail.
I'd buy them!
Oh dear! The world of bassoon recordings has not moved with the times either -
(http://www.forrestsmusic.com/images/CD405.jpg) (http://www.forrestsmusic.com/images/CD322.jpg)
(http://www.forrestsmusic.com/images/CD157.jpg) (http://www.forrestsmusic.com/images/cd315f.jpg)
I think I'll probably pass.
Glad to see Gloria Cheng on CD. I believe she was a graduate student when I was an undergraduate at UCLA. Of course, that was in my previous life. (You only live twice, Mr. Bond).
Quote from: Albion on Saturday 02 April 2011, 23:31
Oh dear! The world of bassoon recordings has not moved with the times either -
(http://www.forrestsmusic.com/images/CD405.jpg) (http://www.forrestsmusic.com/images/CD322.jpg)
(http://www.forrestsmusic.com/images/CD157.jpg) (http://www.forrestsmusic.com/images/cd315f.jpg)
I think I'll probably pass.
If you are bassoonist, or happen to like bassoon music, all of these disks are very fine musically speaking. Yes, the artwork, and some the schtick is dated, but the musicianship is beyond criticism. Crystal Records really does need an art director who isn't stuck in the '70s.
The Bassoon Brothers discs are /supposed/ to be silly though.
Very possibly so, but humorous intent does not excuse poverty of conception or disguise ineptitude of execution ...
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51kmn0hosIL.jpg)
;D
Quote from: Kriton on Wednesday 18 August 2010, 06:00
Quote from: mbhaub on Wednesday 18 August 2010, 03:46
Look carefully. What the heck?
http://lpcoverlover.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08.resized/img_1910.jpg (http://lpcoverlover.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08.resized/img_1910.jpg)
Well, it's not called "piano artistry" for nothing...
It was a spoof/comedy album. See Jo Stafford on wikipedia for info. Funny stuff as well - the performances are hilarious.
Rob
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9nKbRW8wVKk/TE2g873GHJI/AAAAAAAAAVk/aP5IpNhRfWM/s1600/Heino+-+Liebe+Mutter.jpg)
German delights..
Great thread! I was in need of a big laugh! ;D ;D ;D
Well, you can certainly get that from looking through these pages!
I'll add some new ones during the evening.
Morten
Let me present to you the Swedish band Gert Jonnys (well, of course they had to be Swedish). Enjoy!
(http://img.nrk.no/img/395500.jpeg)
(http://img.nrk.no/img/395476.jpeg)
(http://whykinks.net/air/202_gertjonnys.jpg)
(http://www.svenskadansband.se/data/media/2030/xD0207-Gert-Jonnys.jpg)
Forget ABBA, this is the new flavour!
Morten
Quote from: Albion on Wednesday 18 August 2010, 17:39
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaxMlnoKZyY/SVBVdSz-rFI/AAAAAAAAA64/p-pKWbbJtDI/s400/geraldine-ricky-trees-talk-too-album.jpg)
Which is the puppet?
Great thread!
Quote from: J.Z. Herrenberg on Thursday 13 October 2011, 19:57Which is the puppet?
The one with layers of varnish covering the grain - oh, sorry, that could apply to either.
::)
Thank you for reviving this amazing, hilarious thread - I would never have noticed it otherwise. :) It's a goldmine of bad taste.
Mind you, I think some of the covers are aesthetically significant as exemplars of contemporary grotesquerie. And, after all, paradoxically, we are actually enjoying looking at them! It's like choosing to go to horror movies to be terrified or sickened! ???
There is a latent thread within this, of course, which may be worth starting separately, looking at the extreme counter-examples, like the lovely Cyril Scott covers. What do you think? Too big a topic?
That Heino, Liebe Mutter... cover is hauntingly horrible!!!!! Antidotes required!!!!!
I don't know if we can see any improvement here:
(http://ring.cdandlp.com/lerayonvert/photo_grande/114754420.jpg)
Morten
Cute doggies improve anything. :D
Not the pavement - sorry 'sidewalk'...
Quote from: M. Henriksen on Friday 14 October 2011, 11:55
I don't know if we can see any improvement here:
Morten
Yes, he does at least look human in this one. :)
Pity about the poodles though.... yuk! (sorry JimL!)
Morten.... please reassure us that dreadful thing isn't actually in your personal record collection!!! ???
The emoticons are totally inadequate for this thread! We need one for "nauseous"! ;D
Quote from: semloh on Friday 14 October 2011, 22:05
Quote from: M. Henriksen on Friday 14 October 2011, 11:55
I don't know if we can see any improvement here:
Morten
Yes, he does at least look human in this one. :)
Pity about the poodles though.... yuk! (sorry JimL!)
Morten.... please reassure us that dreadful thing isn't actually in your personal record collection!!! ???
The emoticons are totally inadequate for this thread! We need one for "nauseous"! ;D
Well, yeah, from the other end he does kind of do the poodles a disservice... :(
I'm sorry.. or glad to say it's not a part of my collection. Heino's music is still unsung to me. And I have no plans to change that.
Morten
... I thought you meant Heino Eller...
Quote from: M. Henriksen on Friday 14 October 2011, 11:55(http://ring.cdandlp.com/lerayonvert/photo_grande/114754420.jpg)
What a pity that they ran out of room for the
U and the
S.
;D
Heino was quite popular in the Netherlands a few decades ago. So I have been exposed to his dark timbre... But there are pills.
Quote from: Albion on Monday 17 October 2011, 08:44
What a pity that they ran out of room for the U and the S.
;D
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Clever!
The rarely recorded Brahms 8th Symphony:
(http://www.abruckner.com/getimage.asp?id=/editorsnote/discographichorror/denonessentialsama/&filename=brahms_apocalypsis.jpg&mode=3)
The back side of a 1958 recording of Bruckner's 9th Symphony:
(http://www.abruckner.com/getimage.asp?id=/editorsnote/discographichorror/livingstagels1009b/&filename=08.jpg&mode=3)
(It's a shame they don't provide timings. I would be fascinated to learn how long that fourth movement lasts.)
As long as the average finale of Bruckner's 3rd as performed by Knappertsbusch... ;) (the scherzo is in -3rd- place, which rather spoils the effect and makes one look for another explanation, easily found. Then one remembers that while the opening movement of Bruckner's 9th has misterioso, it's Feierlich misterioso - Bruckner would have had a lot of revising of not just the finale to change the 9th that much. Easier to suppose it's just a misprint for the 3rd, like a still-existing CD recording of his "symphony no. 7 in E minor".)
Quote from: Hovite on Tuesday 18 October 2011, 22:34
The rarely recorded Brahms 8th Symphony:
(http://www.abruckner.com/getimage.asp?id=/editorsnote/discographichorror/denonessentialsama/&filename=brahms_apocalypsis.jpg&mode=3)
Yes, well, actually this is a symphony by Johannes' little brother Wilhelm "Duke" Brahms. > ;D<
That Brahms 'Apocolypsis" cover may be the funniest album cover I have ever seen in my life.
Belatedly... according to this site (http://www.abruckner.com/recordings/Knappertsbusch/Hans) Knappertsbusch recorded the Bruckner 9th on 10 February 1958; then again Apocalyptic is the nickname for the 8th ; then again... and again...
so er... erm... yes. :) Right.
It does say he provides "mythical" interpretations. Of mythical movements, I suppose
A couple of recent candidates here for the Hall of Shame, one of which is almost on a par with the hilarious cover of the Paul Daniels/Bryn Terfel 'Elijah' of some years back, and another which looks more appropriate for a sequel to the Addams family films:
http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/search.php?searchString=frederick+pahud (http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/search.php?searchString=frederick+pahud)
http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Decca/4784732 (http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Decca/4784732)
Nice to see that even the best of today's performers have a sense of irony.