InSides

Francoise Hardy - Self Titled

This is an example of a record that I only bought for the cover. I knew who Francoise Hardy was, knew that she was very beautiful, but didn’t know any of her music. I was mezmorized by the picture in a “french new wave” kinda way when I found it in a junk shop for a dollar. The record was pretty beat up, but thankfully the song “Le Temps de ‘l’amour” was free from scratches. I listened to it continuously for a month on my turntable. Unfortunately, the song is used in the trailer for the new Wes Anderson film, so clearly I am not as cool as I thought I was. 

Roy Harper - Flat Baroque and Berserk

Mr Harper has never shied away from tackling the big social issues except notably, the hunting of protected animals or the preservation of patterned wallpaper. Velvet, or to use its proper name, Flock wallpaper popularly adorned the walls of many drinking establishments across the British Isles. With the wholesale refurbishment of pubs, as they are called, that started in the 1980’s and continued right through to the economic boom of the early 21st century, flock can barely be seen anywhere in today’s high street or country lane. A lamentable condition of our present times.

Not the first pressing, as you can see (the EMI logo is there above the Harvest logo -and besides I don’t have that sort of money) but I like to think of it as a 2nd pressing original. I know Roy Harper’s earlier albums such as this cracker often unjustifiably overshadow his later work but what a cover! Hold out for an original, it does sound better than the 80’s reissue for sure. But do buy any of the latest re-releases as, I hope, some cash will flow to the Stormcock himself. Happy belated Birthday Roy.

Cover Design by Lon Goddard.

InSides

This blog is dedicated to all you out there that never realized your favourite album had a gatefold sleeve, or was even produced originally to be a vinyl record.

Or, this blog is dedicated to one of the pinnacles of human civilization: the 12” album, and the artwork that decorated it.

Or, in the post World War II period, people felt the need to express themselves in an individual manner that served to be counter to the prevailing, aging notion of the state. In many countries the diminution of the state, both in terms of power and/or its hold on the minds of the individual had deteriorated. Personal expression was in and music was its favourite vehicle.

Or, we like buying records, preferably with sleeves. One thing that is often overlooked is the album cover. People can view best album covers on the internet, or worst album covers (thanks Pitchfork,) but how about a place to find some interesting album artwork? Well here it is. 

Ray Barretto -The Other Road

This wonderful gatefold sleeve accurately depicts that in life there are two paths you can go by. On the one hand it will be stormy. But if you choose the road to the futuristic Logan’s Run city, it will be at least sunny. I found this album after looking for a copy of Mr Barretto’s Acid or Hard Hands, after reading the great Wax Poetics article about this man. But I couldn’t afford them. Thankfully this gem came up. And what a sleeve!