Album covers
Some extra ‘randomness’ (just in case the word ‘nonsense’ offends anyone, perish the thought) to get us started this week.
With the impressive artwork which graced record sleeves, particularly in the Seventies, hopefully relatively fresh in the memory from the last-but-one poll, I’d like to know which you think are the most iconic album covers (from any artist, from any decade – but no more than ten, please).
I’d also like to know which is your favourite from David’s three studio releases: ‘David Gilmour’, ‘About Face’ and ‘On an Island’.
And, because they deserve a list of their own, which are your favourites from Pink Floyd?
Remember, it’s just the cover art, not the music.
In my opinion the most iconic covers are:
Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon
Marillion – Misplaced Childhood
Deep Purple – In Rock
Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin
Well, those are one of the most iconic bands in the history of music. I might say the most iconic!
From David Gilmour’s albums I like the cover of the album of the same name.
And my favourite Pink Floyd album cover – Animals! I love the artwork!
I always enjoyed the “YES” covers by Roger Dean.
Other favourites include:
U2, Joshua Tree
Band on the Run by Paul McCartney
Sgt Pepper, The Beatles
The Faust Tapes, the music was not up to much but the cover did my head in.
Does anyone notice that some LP covers have a certain smell as well, no? It’s just me then.
Favorite Pink Floyd cover is The Dark Side of the Moon.
On an Island is the best David Gilmour cover.
Not an easy task as most of my recent purchases are CDs which I tend to listen to in the car or downloads where there is no art work, so my choice is limited to LPs when I remember just staring at the cover while listening its contents.
I was going to add Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix but I’m not sure what impression that may give!
DSOTM is the classic, in a category on its own.
Iconic album covers:
Led Zeppelin – Houses Of The Holy
Nirvana – Nevermind
Jarre – Oxygene
The Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers
Yes – Fragile
Best Pink Floyd: The Division Bell, Delicate Sound Of Thunder, Animals
Best David Gilmour: On An Island
Hi, FEd.
I think the “On an Island” cover” represents: Blue colour, how deep sea. The Island, how is lost island of “Atlantis”…
Have a nice day FEd…
Bye, Hydrea
I prefer the art to “David Gilmour”, it’s so simple.
Top 10 (in no particular order):
1. Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd
2. Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe
3. Fragile – Yes
4. Live in Gdansk – David Gilmour
5. Pulse – Pink Floyd
6. Turbulence – Steve Howe
7. Ummagumma – Pink Floyd
8. The Madcap Laughs – Syd Barrett
9. Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
10. Relayer – Yes
Get what started? What exactly is going on here? What do we get out of all this?
[It's something to discuss, to get the week started - as always. I don't know what you get out of it. Probably about as much as I get out of it: sometimes quite a lot, sometimes not much at all. - FEd]
“Wish You Were Here” is absolutely the best album cover in history.
“Hotel California” is a great one as well.
Yes “Relayer” is amazing. Roger Dean could make toilet paper look interesting!
I’ll have more later, when there is time to think. I gotta get going now.
Hi Fed,
Off topic, I know, but just checked the Danish album charts – now it seems that Mr. Gilmour is nr. 3 on the list of music DVDs (click the link, and then “musik dvd”) – but not with Gdansk, but “Remember That Night”. Strange.
Can’t say if it’s a mistake – but hey – nr.3 is okay anyway. :-)
[Strange, as you say, but it sounds good to me. Thanks for the update. - FEd]
“The Division Bell” is a great cover, but there are so many to choose from. “Dark Side” is too obvious.
I don’t know which I like best from David’s solo albums because they’re all so different and I like them all.
I’ll give you my list later.
Iconic covers:
Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan – B. Dylan
Deja Vu – CSNY
Brothers In Arms – Dire Straits
In The Court Of The Crimson King – King Crimson
Destroyer – Kiss
On The Beach – Neil Young
… and of course DSOTM, WYWH and Animals by our beloved Pink Floyd!
Hard choosing the best solo album by David – right now it’s actually About Face. Such a great collection of songs!
Cheers,
Nicholas
hi FEd,
most iconic album covers, hmmm, some come to mind, and again this would sort of reflect my own music taste. I am leaving out floyd covers here:
U2 – the joshua tree
bruce springsteen – born in the usa
beatles – abbey road
the clash – london calling
daniel lanois – for the beauty of wynona
jimi hendrix – electric ladyland
bob dylan – the freewheelin’ bob dylan
michael jackson – bad
david bowie – heroes
nirvana – nevermind
as for david’s solo records, I dearly love all three of them (both the covers and the music). OAI has been the record I have been listening to most for the last 2 years or so, no other record so often played whether it was in my cd player or on my ipod, and I think this will continue for a while. so it’s no.1. imo, it’s one of the best ever records anyway.
I’d say his first solo record “DG” comes second and “about face” would be third. both of the latter have incredible qualities even if in hindsight david might think of some of the material as not so great. I love them.
cheers, b.
[Great list, Bernhard. Nirvana's 'Nevermind' really stands out for me, too. - FEd]
I find it very difficult to divorce the artwork from the music, particularly with the Seventies albums. Staring at the cover was an integral part of enjoying the music for me. Unfortunately I don’t have the luxury of the time to do that any more but CD artwork doesn’t have quite the same impact anyway.
Favourite PF : Wish You Were Here and Dark Side of the Moon
Favourite DG : OAI, particularly the limited edition CD + DVD with the red binding
By spooky coincidence I just found an article on the BBC website about a prize for the best vinyl album artwork of 2008 (click my name).
[Thanks for that, Lynn. Can't say I think much of the six shown there, to be perfectly honest. What do you (all) think? Maybe the other 44 are better. - FEd]
Like most of the rest of you my favorite DG cover is David Gilmour. I love the inside photos of David and his family and friends.
My favorite Floyd cover is the UK version of Wish You Were Here.
I also love all the covers dome for Yes by Roger Dean. I got to meet Roger several years ago at a Yes convention in the US and told him how much I loved his art work. He was very gracious and appreciative.
But my all time favorite record cover is the cover to the Moody Blues album Every Good Boy Deserves Favour by Phil Travers. I just love the look of wonder and awe in the child’s face.
Funny thing, both Wish You Were Here and Every Good Boy Deserves Favour are my two favorite albums of all time as well.
Sharon
['Every Good Boy Deserves Favour'... An unforgettable image, that one. - FEd]
The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper & Abbey Road
His Bobness: The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan
David Bowie: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust
Paul McCartney: Band on The Run
The Clash: London Calling
Rolling Stones: Some Girls
Harvest: Neil Young
Nirvana: Nevermind
Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin IV
Of the 3 studio albums, On An Island.
Wish You Were Here and Saucerful of Secrets for the Pink Floyd albums. Although, the photograph in the gatefold of Ummagumma with David sitting in front of an oak tree is a goodie.
Billion Dollar Babies ~ Alice Cooper
Wish You Were Here ~ Pink Floyd
Dark Side of the Moon ~ Pink Floyd
Animals ~ Pink Floyd
Turn of the Cards ~ Renaissance
Revolver ~ The Beatles
Aladdin Sane ~ David Bowie
Close to the Edge ~ Yes
Journey to the Centre of the Earth ~ Rick Wakeman
Mott ~ Mott the Hoople
Of David’s solo efforts I’ll keep this Short and Sweet and say that his debut is by far my fav.
OK, most iconic, Non-Floyd or related LP covers that come to mind (10 only) are:
The Who – The Who Sell Out
The Clash – London Calling
Pearl Jam – Ten
The Small Faces – Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake
The Beatles – Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band
Aerosmith – Draw The Line
Fleetwood Mac- first self-titled LP
Marillion – Script for a Jester’s Tear
Fish – Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors
Queen – News of the World
David Gilmour’s self titled first LP is by and far my favorite album cover. In my mind it sets the tone and mood for the musical journey contained on the disks inside the sleeve.
By and far my favorite Pink Floyd album cover is the pseudo-psychedelic pastiche of A Saucerful of Secrets. The colors and shades of the image, all enmeshed within one another, really calls my attention to the details of this first Hipgnosis cover.
Great random thoughts entry, FEd!
Darren
Innuendo by Queen is one that sticks in my mind, it had all sorts of bizarre (but very good) drawings on it.
Hi FEd,
I started my list when I first saw this entry in my RSS reader before it was gone for the “Blog Action Day” post:
Ozzy Osbourne – Bark At The Moon
Uli Jon Roth – Electric Sun
Iron Maiden – Piece Of Mind (Derek Riggs has done some of the greatest covers!)
AC/DC – If You Want Blood You’ve Got It
The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Electric Ladyland
Nirvana – Nevermind
Motorhead – Orgasmatron
Mike Oldfield – Platinum
Judas Priest – Rocka Rolla
Frank Zappa – Sheik Yerbouti
David Gilmour – David Gilmour
Pink Floyd – The Dark Side Of The Moon
Best regards,
Taki
Hi Ed,
Just 10 .. mm I can’t choose…
Harvest was one of the first labels that promoted good art work. There is a nice book (“Harvest Festival”) of their collection.
Storm Thorgerson and his team is one of the most remarkable art designer studios from the great Atom Heart Mother, Richard Wright, Alan Parsons till Mars Volta, Catherine Wheel, Muse…
Roger Dean of course, Fragile, Tales.
Rodney Matthews was a student from him.
A new one in the Prog scene is Ed Unitsky, he did some marvellous art work for the Tangent, Guy Manning, the Flower Kings (the inner sleeve is madness) and I’m just listening to a South Australian band Unitopia with his art work. It’s a shame the booklets are so small nowadays.
And maybe “Child of Never Ending Love” by Tanned Leather (1972), should be mentioned. Don’t know who made the cover.
Let’s start with Pink Floyd.
I don’t like the cover from Dark Side of The Moon. I like seeing it, but that’s because of the music.
I think Piper At The Gates of Dawn and Saucerful of Secrets covers simply ridiculous (quite the opposite opinion about the music, though…). Meddle, Atom Heart Mother, The Wall, The Division Bell and Final Cut are OK. I like Obscured By Clouds, A Momentary Lapse of Reason. Animals and Ummagumma are terrific.
But my favorite is definitely Wish You Were Here. That guy on fire shaking hands with the other one is magnificent.
“David Gilmour” and “About Face” are ordinary covers. Nothing special about it. “On An Island” is nice.
My favorites from other artists are:
-Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (The Beatles)
-In The Court Of The Crimson King (King Crimson)
-London Calling (The Clash)
-Untitled Album (Led Zeppelin)
-Physical Graffiti (Led Zeppelin)
Quite a difficult list. Maybe something like this (in no particular order):
War of the Worlds – Jeff Wayne
The Roaring Silence – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
The White Album – The Beatles
Greetings from Asbury Park N. J. – Bruce Springsteen (vinyl-version, the CD isn’t as good)
Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd (a great cover in all its simplicity, spite the fact that the physics isn’t correct)
Best Pink Floyd covers: DSotM, Wish You Were Here (both fire man and robot shake) and Atom Heart Mother
Gilmour’s best is OAI, gives the same blueish feeling that the album gives.
Abbey Road – The Beatles
Fragile – Yes
Head Hunters – Herbie Hancock
Houses of the Holy – Led Zeppelin
The Kink Kontroversy – The Kinks
Live at Leeds – The Who
Revolver – The Beatles
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles
Sketches of Spain – Miles Davis
The Who Sell Out – The Who
Animals, Atom Heart Mother, Dark Side of the Moon, The Division Bell, Relics, A Saucerful of Secrets, Ummagumma, Wish You Were Here.
I feel that Relics is underrated for its tremendous artwork by Nick! (I also got Nick’s canvas for Whatever It Takes last week, it’s wonderful.) Ummagumma looks fantastic on vinyl. Wish You Were Here is notable for the 5 different pieces of artwork included throughout too.
As for David’s, I’d say On An Island. The former two don’t shout out very much to me. On An Island is just lovely to look at (again, especially on vinyl).
Do you have a particular list of your own, FEd?
[Not yet, but I'm sure I will. - FEd]
[Can't say I think much of the six shown there, to be perfectly honest. What do you (all) think? Maybe the other 44 are better. - FEd]
I agree with you FEd, those 6 covers on the page that Lynn found aren’t really that impressive to me.
I think the extra effort required when Photoshop et al weren’t available is reflected in the genius of the truly great album cover – as epitomised by Storm Thorgerson’s reluctance to use computer-generated imagery in his art.
[Good point. - FEd]
1. The Beatles–Sgt. Pepper
2. Pink Floyd–Animals
3. King Crimson–Larks Tongues In Aspic
4. Genesis–A Trick Of The Tail
5. Miles Davis–Live Evil
6. Pink Floyd–Wish You Were Here
7. E.L.P.–Brain Salad Surgery
8. YES–Close To The Edge (inside cover)
9. YES–Relayer
10. Jethro Tull–Thick As A Brick (with newspaper)
My absolute favorite Floyd cover is from a bootleg called Libest Spacement Monitor that has a black cover with a gold embossed cover and a pop-up giant pig when you open the album up. They’re extremely rare!
There has always been something about LP covers that is sadly lacking in CD cases – a one square foot tile which could be a canvas for some truly great artwork. some of my favorites are:
Pink Floyd – Ummagumma, Delicate Sound of Thunder, Momentary Lapse of Reason
The Beatles – Abbey Road, Revolver
Santana – Abraxas
Led Zeppelin 3 (for the wheel)
Uriah Heep – Look at Yourself (for the mirror)
Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers (for the zipper)
Traffic – Low Spark of High-heeled Boys (for the cut corners)
And just about anything by Roger Dean.
Okay, FEd, now I have to go through my old albums to relive my younger days!
Cheers;
Bill C
[It does seem like a damn good excuse to go through the old record collection. - FEd]
The outside of David’s first solo album cover was too grainy. The picture was OK, but it was “ho-hum.” I know that some people would argue that the graininess is considered “artful” and thus somehow beautiful, in reality it’s an incredible waste. It’s like “Obscured by Clouds.” Unbelievably good music, but who-except for a hardcore fan–is going to buy it with a muddy unfocused cover.
If Pink Floyd/David had released better album covers with OBTC/DG both would have sold twice the copies they did, if not more.
David’s second album kind of has a stock 80s look. It’s OK. I thought the inside picture with Dave and his guitar looked posed and corny. He’s supposed to be a rebel, in his leather… Again, it was a yawn of a cover. Dave needed a shave. An album cover with a close up of a guy who needs a shave. Ho hum. When you are used to covers like Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here, and get unshaven David. It was a disappointment.
Loved the music, though.
How about The Sex Pistols’ “Never Mind the Boll**ks”?
1. Every Pink Floyd cover is awesome
2. Gilmour – On An Island (the two others….not so good..)
3. Affinity – Affinity
4. Moody Blues – In Search Of The Lost Chord
5. Dimmu Borgir – Stormblast (devil face cover)
6. Omar Rodriguez Lopez Quintet – The Apocalypse Inside An Orange
7. The Strokes – Is This It
8. Kansas – Point of Known Return
9. The Clash – London Calling
10. Syd Barrett – The Madcap Laughs
Hi FEd.
My top 10 album covers would be:
Led Zeppelin: In Through the Out Door
Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
Eagles: Hotel California
Boston: Don’t Look Back
Dire Straits: Brothers in Arms
Supertramp: Crime of the Century
Meat Loaf: Bat Out of Hell
Pink Floyd: The Division Bell
U2: Rattle and Hum
Pink Floyd: Meddle
As for David’s albums, I’d have to go with On an Island. I admit it’s as much because of the strength of the material as it is for the art work.
I’d like to suggest a future topic. That would be a question as to everyone’s favourite Richard Wright contributions to the Pink Floyd sound.
I know we’re all still mourning his loss, but I think Richard and his family would be okay with us celebrating his musical contributions.
I’m somewhat embarrassed to say that now that he’s gone, I listen to the music with a different perspective than I did before, realizing just how much he influenced the Pink Floyd landscape.
Cheers.
Jeff
I love all Pink Floyd’s covers. For myself, I think they have a spiritual and philosophy message.
I love too all the Jean Michel Jarre’s covers, like Oxygene, Equinoxe or Rendez-Vous.
… well, okay, I love everything about my favorite musicians. =D
Hi FED, my favorite Pink Floyd album cover cover/design is Wish You Were Here.
Hope all is well in England.
[I wouldn't know, I'm in Wales, but thanks. - FEd]
Ten iconic album covers, hmmm?
Well, I bought the Eagles albums not just because from time to time they came up with some darn catchy tunes but because I had their album covers up on my walls. I loved the decorated steer skulls. Hotel California’s cover peeved me.
Born To Run – Bruce Springsteen (STILL MAKES FOR A GREAT POSTER)
Diamond Dogs – David Bowie (shocking tends to be memorable)
A Night At the Opera – Queen (I will have that phoenix tattooed on me someday)
Any Iron Maiden cover because of Eddie
The Beatles – The Beatles (look, there are a lot of black album covers but this is the only white one I can think of)
Legend – Poco
Surf’s Up – The Beach Boys
Late For the Sky – Jackson Browne
Zoso, Runes, Whatever you want to call it – Led Zeppelin
The Unforgettable Fire – U2
Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath
My favorite David Gilmour album? I’m not picking one and you can’t make me.
Pink Floyd album covers:
Dark Side of the Moon – I can stare at that for hours without being in the least stoned or high. It’s perfect.
Obscured By Clouds
Meddle – what is that anyway? I love it.
The Division Bell – see above.
But my favorite poster is for the back catalogue. That poster completely cracks me up.
The Beatles – Abbey Road
Aerosmith – Get a Grip
Dream Theater – Metropolis Pt 2: Scenes from a Memory
Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms
The Strokes – Is This It
Oasis – Definitely Maybe
Metallica – And Justice For All
Green Day – Dookie
Led Zeppelin – Physical Grafitti
Smashing Pumpikns – Zeitgeist
Favourite PF cover: Division Bell
Favourite DG cover: David Gilmour
[I always hated the Smashing Pumpkins, but that's a great cover... and I've been waiting for that Aerosmith album to come up. Good list. - FEd]
I like the cover for “On An Island.” It’s his best solo album cover. Its bluish hues and general look is very soothing and dreamy. It’s good.
I thought that the silhouette of David was a tad too big, though. It would have been more effective if it had been slightly smaller, where it becomes, “everyman.” Where you can imagine it’s you there, and not him. But it’s his music, and if he wants himself to be recognizeable on the cover, he should do it. I liked it.
I do have to admit that I generally prefer lush rich colors and would rather see a (borderline surrealistic) photo on the cover of a solo album (Lord how I love the sumputous cover Richard Wright had for Wet Dreams), but “On an Island” is good.
The box set is even better. I think I’ve already ranted about the difficult-to-read dark font colors against a dark background in the CD booklet…
I hope David uses Storm for his next CD/DVD… And he’s simply got to use “Tree of Half Life” for that one final Floyd album.
The first Boston album and Bat Out Of Hell really stand out for me, worth a mention is Hotel California.
David’s first album is pretty cool and the cover of DSOTM is well………
No Secrets ~ Carly Simon
Sticky Fingers ~ The Rolling Stones
Read into that what you will…
My wee dictionary defines “iconic” as “pertaining to portaits or figures” or “following a traditional style of art” … now I know you like us to do as we are told F’ed but in this case I’ll opt for the looser definition of something that has become of itself a symbol or motif ….
1. Dark Side ….
2. Nevermind
3. Revolver
4. Abbey Road
5. Velvet Underground & Nico
6. Never Mind the B*llocks …
7. London Calling
8. Born in the USA
9 Screamadelica
10. Rage Against The Machine
And all of them pretty important records to boot.
Fav Gilmour … On an Island
Fav Floyd – Animals
Are you beginning to believe, F’ed?
[That Liverpool can win the Premiership this season, you mean? It's early days yet and it takes a lot for me to get carried away. (I was wondering who'd mention the Warhol banana...) - FEd]
About the Pink Floyd album cover I love all. Some more, some less… but each with something of particular.
About David’s album, the best is the cover of “On an Island”. I like the representation of David as a cartoon on my preferred colour (blue).
Bye Bye.
How is this for irony? Today I took a stroll in a used book shop and found the book, “Classic Album Covers of the 60s” by Storm Thorgerson. I thumbed through it, quite a nice book but didn’t buy it. I still may if it is still there.
Were you aware of this great book?
Odd how these things happen sometimes. Instead of all roads leading to Rome it is like all roads lead to Gilmour. The lucky thing is that we can visit there anytime and at no cost.
Thanks.
Andrew
[I wasn't aware of it. I wasn't aware of the article that Jan mentioned, either. Spooky. - FEd]
Hi FEd.
My computer came down with a HUGE virus last night after I let my nephew use it to do a paper for school! I think he may have ventured into some dark alleys in addition to doing research on brilliant minds of the 20th century. I’ve packed it off to the PC doctor for a visit.
I’ll give random answers off the top o’ my head to the random nonsense o’ the day …
Revolver, The Beatles
Sgt. Pepper, The Beatles
The white album, The Beatles ;^)
Ummagumma, Pink Floyd
Meddle, Pink Floyd
Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd
Electric Ladyland, Jimi Hendrix (Sirius is just playing Voodoo Child (slight return) at the moment)
Disraeli Gears, Cream
Santana, Santana (lion’s-head drawing)
What can I say? I’m a child of the late ’60s-early ’70s!
On An Island, David Gilmour — All of the album art is gorgeous and very evocative of the heart ‘n’ soul of the music within!
Live in Gdansk, David Gilmour — ditto
Peace and love to you all!
Gabrielle
[Kids, eh? - FEd]
Atom Heart Mother is pretty iconic IMO
Sgt Peppers – is also
Never Mind the B*llocks – must be up there
Look at Yourself – Uriah Heep with it’s mirror sleeve
Elvis Presley’s debut album – I guess is an iconic sleeve
John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton
Space Ritual by Hawkwind – for the way it all opened out
The White Album by The Beatles
Any YES album sleeve by Roger Dean
…and finally, Dark Side of the Moon
Very difficult: My favorite David Gilmour album is still his debut solo album
Even more difficult: My favorite Pink Floyd album is Ummagumma.
I love these lists, even if my choices are nothing if not predictable.
The best David Gilmour is OAI, even the CD package is wonderful, with no tacky plastic jewel case to be seen. Of course the vinyl version is even better.
For The Floyd, in order: DSOTM, The Wall and The Division Bell.
1 & 2. Bowie, so many to choose from, but I will opt for Aladdin Sane & Diamond Dogs
3. Roxy Music, again I am spoilt for choice, but it is Stranded
4. Beatles, Sgt Pepper (with Revolver, a close second)
5. Queen, Queen2
6. John Barry, Goldfinger (or most of the 1960s Bond soundtracks)
7. Who, Live At Leeds, fantastic inserts, especially the Maximum R&B poster which graced my bedroom wall for many years.
8. Who, Quadrophenia, I was in awe of the lads at school who owned fishtail Parkas which had the obligatory Who symbol on the back.
9. Fleetwood Mac, Rumours, “Stevie Nicks”
10. Stones, Sticky Fingers
How about a list of great albums with rubbish covers; Pet Sounds anyone?
['Tis a bit naff... Maybe next time on the worst covers. But only if I can include 'The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking' without anyone getting their knickers in a twist. - FEd]
I just want to do Pink Floyd covers. Here is my order for all of them:
The Final Cut
The Piper…
A Momentary Lapse of Reason
A Saucerful of Secrets
Meddle
Atom Heart Mother
Wish You Were Here (sticker/logo)
Animals
Ummagumma
The Wall (LP)
Dark Side of the Moon
The Division Bell
I also like the cover for the recent single for “Money” that copies the SACD of Dark Side.
I was going to say something pertaining to the album/music connection but, after reviewing the posts above, realize that LynnR stated just about what I had been thinking. The late ’60s-early ’70s album art was very much a part of the listening experience.
I also agree that, with the advent of the compact disc and online downloading of music in bits/pieces, there has been something lost of the overall experience. Speaking on behalf of myself at 57, I really miss that album/art/liner notes/music full-meal-deal. It was very much a multi-scensory experience, as are the memories!
Velvet Underground (Andy Warhol banana art) is another iconic album cover.
Have a good week, FEd.
Peace!
Gabrielle
I’ll bite…
David Gilmour favorite: On an Island
Floyd favorite(s): Ummagumma (the proper British cover of course). Dark Side too, of course. Icon much? =)
Other favorites:
Supertramp – Breakfast in America
Richard Wright – Broken China
The Who – The Who Sell Out
The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper
The Grateful Dead – Shakedown Street
Blind Faith – Blind Faith
Elton John – Here and There
This is a fun poll I must say!
['Broken China' is a good one. - FEd]
Hi Fed and all.
My fav album covers:
NUMBER 1 AND ALL TIME ICONIC, WISH YOU WERE HERE. I HAVE TO ADD RELICS…
ANIMALS, MEDDLE, DARK SIDE OF THE MOON.
I’M CHUCKING IN BAND ON THE RUN, PAUL McCARTNEY.
DIVISION BELL. PULSE.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE FINAL CUT. ONLY KIDDING.
IF THIS INCLUDES THE INSIDE COVER THEN THE WALL HAS TO BE INCLUDED.
There are some good Genesis, but bollocks to them, this ain’t their site.
Regards
Damian
Great list of albums jackets, two I didn’t see so far are Foxtrot and Selling England by the Pound both with Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett as part of Genesis, what the hell might as well throw The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway in mix also.
Later all.
George
I think Dark Side of the Moon is the standout cover of the seventies. Black Sabbath had some good covers – I liked Salisbury especially. Yes had some great artwork in this period also.
My favourite cover of David’s would have to be On an Island and my favourite Pink Floyd cover would be Ummagumma.
Wilko
This was a tough one FEd, I got some tears of sadness & joy doing it. Apart from Floyd & David I only went through the vinyl and I’m bending the rules a bit, 10 Aussie covers.
1) On an Island
2) About Face (I always wanted to ask if David still has the leather coat)
3) David Gilmour
PF (this is a tough one):
1) Wish You Were Here
More
2) The Division Bell
3) The Dark Side of the Moon
4) Animals
5) Meddle
6) A Momentary Lapse of Reason
7) Relics (I have the coin cover)
9) Atom Heart Mother
10) A Nice Pair (aparently there are some rare ones of these with a dentist picture in the top right box)
11) Ummagumma
12) The Wall
13) Obscured by Clouds
Australian covers:
1) Red Sails in the Sunset (Midnight Oil)
Towards the Blues (Chain)
2) Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC)
3) Hooked on Hooks (Skyhooks)
4) Waltzing Matilda (Bushwachers)
5) Crowded House (Self titled)
6) Armistice Day (Midnight Oil)
7) Space Race (Mi-sex)
9) Twentieth Century (Cold Chisel)
10) Collectors Works (Hunters & Collectors)
Cheers.
G’day FEd,
I did dig out 10 overseas LP covers as well:
1) Aqualung (Jethro Tull)
Still Life (Rolling Stones)
2) The War of the Worlds
3) A Question of Balance (The Moody Blues)
4) Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie)
5) Autoamerican (Blondie)
6) Little Creatures (Talking Heads)
7) Led Zeppelin IV
9) Tango in the Night (Fleetwood Mac)
10) Crisis? What Crisis? (Supertramp)
Cheers,
snow
[I've been expecting 'Aqualung', but 'The War of the Worlds' slipped my mind completely. - FEd]
As promised, more of my list of the best album cover art:
The Beatles “Revolver” and “Sgt Pepper.” They were among the first to get innovative in their cover art, and not just use a photo of the artist.
The Stones’ “Beggars Banquet” as reissued, not the ho-hum cover they were forced to use in the late 60s when the original design was censored.
The Stones “Let It Bleed.” I used to stare at it for hours.
King Crimson “Court of the Crimson King” is simply breath-taking. Too bad the artist died so young.
Led Zep “Presence.” That is one weird cover, tells a story but you never really figure out what the story is supposed to be.
Of the DG covers, “OAI” is definitely the best! “About Face” shows David trying to be something that he’s clearly not, and the original “David Gilmour” album cover is a throwaway that gives no indication of the great music inside.
Favourite Pink Floyd covers:
1. Animals
2. Wish You Were Here
3. A Delicate Sound Of Thunder
4. Ummagumma
5. Dark Side Of The Moon
6. Is There Anybody Out There?
7. The Wall
8. Atom Heart Mother
9. A Momentary Lapse Of Reason
10. The Division Bell
Most iconic album covers:
“Sgt. Pepper´s Lonely Heart Club Band” – The Beatles
“Dark Side Of The Moon” – Pink Floyd
“Sticky Fingers” – Rolling Stones
“Born In The USA” – Bruce Springsteen
“Thick As A Brick” – Jethro Tull
“Queen II” – Queen
“Brothers In Arms” – Dire Straits
“War” – U2
“Nevermind” – Nirvana
“Invisible Touch” – Genesis
I prefer “On The Island” cover, then “David Gilmour” and in third place “About Face”
Favorite Pink Floyd covers:
“Dark Side Of The Moon”
“Division Bell”
“Piper At The Gates Of Dawn”
“A Momentary Lapse Of Reason”
I could only think of four:
The Who – Who’s Next
Beatles – Abbey Road
The Doors – Strange Days
Fleetwood Mac – Rumors
My favorite of David Gilmour’s: On An Island
My favorite of Pink Floyd’s: Wish You Were Here, The Division Bell, Ummagumma, Animals, A Momentary Lapse of Reason
What’s yours, FEd?
[I've got a few in mind, but I'm curious to to see if anyone lists them. There are many fine Beatles covers, but one of my favourites is their 'Live at the BBC'. The Pink Floyd cover that I like best is 'The Division Bell'. My favourite of David's...? Probably his 1978 debut: I like its graininess (it feels a bit like a compromise - a modest reluctance to be fully on-show and in-focus, perhaps?) and the fact that, after all the mystery and wonder of Pink Floyd, it's just three friends doing what they enjoy doing... which clearly isn't posturing for the camera out in the cold. (Although, after writing all that, it's just a photo at the end of the day, isn't it?) - FEd]
Pink Floyd – DSOTM (classic)
David Gilmour – About Face
Yes albums
Led Zeppelin – Physical Grafitti
Eric Clapton – Riding With The King
Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers
I think Animals must be one of the greatest and most iconic be one of all time. Good album too.
As for David’s solo records: I like the first one best.
Henning
Hi!
In my opinion, the most iconic covers (except Pink Floyd ones) are:
Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
King Crimson – In The Court Of The Crimson King
Genesis – Selling England By The Pound
The Velvet Underground & Nico
Grateful Dead – Aoxomoxoa
The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Axis: Bold As Love
Queen – Innuendo
Iron Maiden – Fear Of The Dark
Guns n’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction
Nirvana – Nevermind
My favourite David cover is On An Island, I really love it.
About Pink Floyd…it’s not easy to choose, because there are many covers I like, but I think my favourite ones are Animals, Dark Side Of The Moon and A Momentary Lapse Of Reason.
Ciao,
Alessandra
Another great “random” topic, FEd.
[It's something to discuss, to get the week started - as always. I don't know what you get out of it. Probably about as much as I get out of it: sometimes quite a lot, sometimes not much at all. - FEd]
Mr. Rollo obviously falls into the latter category….
Ten of my personal favourite covers are:-
Sgt.Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band : The Beatles, 1967
In Search Of The Lost Chord : Moody Blues, 1968
Tommy : The Who, 1969
Led Zeppelin III : Led Zeppelin, 1970
In Search Of Space : Hawkwind, 1971
Tubular Bells : Mike Oldfield, 1973
Rubycon : Tangerine Dream, 1975
Rainbow Rising : Rainbow, 1976
Out Of The Blue : ELO, 1977
Breakfast In America : Supertramp, 1979
As for the BEST of David’s, it has to be On An Island.
And Pink Floyd:-
The Division Bell (I’ve even got a cycle top that I wear when I’m out and about on my bike, click my name)
Meddle
Animals
WYWH
DSOTM
[Snazzy. Saw a 1994 Tour T-shirt decorated with Swarovski crystals yesterday. What next? - FEd]
[If Pink Floyd/David had released better album covers with OBTC/DG both would have sold twice the copies they did, if not more. - Dr. Rock]
Interesting point this. I have never not bought a CD/record because of the artwork. The artwork is just that, is the flipside, a cracking abum cover but the music is shite?
Cheers,
Paul
Off the top of my head!!
The Who Sell Out
Rubber Soul
Strange Days – The Doors
Sticky Fingers – Rolling Stones
Nevermind – Nirvana
Ummagumma – crazy, I just really like it
More – same reason
OAI by DG, very iconic, a personal ‘classic’.
Good luck to all.
Personally, I think that the cover of LIG is the best of the Gilmour catalog, however you asked for studio releases. So I will go with the first one. I like the style of that photo. So much that whenever I see a copy of that one at a used record show I end up buying it. I have about 4 copies already.
From the Floyd catalog, I have to say that it would be Animals.
By the way, I did go back and buy that Storm Thorgerson book. Lucky it was still there and glad I did, lots of interesting covers from the 60s. The amazing thing is that many have no reference as to who designed them.
I still need to compile my other artist list. Stay tuned.
Thanks.
Andrew
In my opinion the most iconic covers are:
1) Pink Floyd: Wish You Were Here (outer and inner cover)
2) Queen: A Night at The Opera/A Day at The Races
3) Dire Straits: Alchemy
4) Pink Floyd: The Division Bell (all cover alternatives/formats tape/LP and CD)
5) Pink Floyd: PULSE (first ed with flashing LED)
Cheers,
Davide Elia
My favourite sleeves are:
In the Court of the Crimson King – King Crimson
Every Good Boy Deserves Favour – The Moody Blues
Point Of Know Return – Kansas
Blind Faith – Blind Faith
10,000 – Tool
Moving Pictures – Rush
Aqualung – Jethro Tull
Nursery Crime – Genesis
Silence, Night & Dreams – Zbigniew Preisner
Avalon – Roxy Music
Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
David Gilmour studio album cover: On An Island
Roy Harper: Whatever Happened to Jugula. I had to hide that one from my mum.
David’s first solo. I got the gate fold, very atmospheric.
The Division Bell. The cover work for this album is vast. Each time you look you see something different.
Another fun topic FEd…tough to nail down only 10 (of course)…
Well, here goes my list in no particular order:
1. Rage Against The Machine: Rage Against The Machine
2. Jane’s Addiction: Nothing’s Shocking
3. Nirvana: Nevermind
4. The Cars: Candy-O
5. Yes: Fragile
6. Van Halen: 1984
7. Rush: Hemispheres
8. Beck: Odelay
9. Dangerous Toys: Dangerous Toys
10. Cream: Disraeli Gears
David Gilmour – On An Island
Pink Floyd – Atom Heart Mother
Cheers and a Happy Monday to All!!!!!!!!!!
[When you are used to covers like Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here, and get unshaven David. It was a disappointment. - Dr. Rock]
I like that he needs a shave. What difference does it make if he shaved or not?
[There is considerably more facial hair on display in the inner-sleeve of 'Meddle'... - FEd]
Hi FEd.
Going along with what Andrew and Lynn found…I also found this book online by Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey Powell – 100 Best Album Covers.
I checked it out and it tells the stories behind them and who created them…the Santana Abraxas one is good.
Can I add the link???
[You can - and you can click Rob's name if you're interested in it. - FEd]
hi again FEd,
off-topic: an update regarding DG Stratocaster delivery times:
just got a call from my local guitar dealer here in vienna (klangfarbe), the initial delivery date for my NOS model has been pushed back from mid october (order date mid august) to approx. mid december or maybe january.
according to a fender representative I was rather early in the line of orders, and guitars would be shipped out of course by order number. the demand for the guitar seems to be rather high.
I am a little disappointed to be honest, but then all good things need some time, so I can wait. besides I have a few other guitars to play on while this one will arrive.
all the best,
bernhard
[Thanks for the update, Bernhard. It's nice to know what's going on, but not nice to learn that some people could be waiting until the New Year and beyond. Let's hope that's not the case. - FEd]
UMMAGUMMA.
I haven’t chimed in here in a while but I was just browsing thru the comments and had to chuckle when I read that the FEd “hates” the Smashing Pumpkins.
HA! I do too! I just read in the news today that they “honored” Pink Floyd by performing a cover of Set the Controls… I just don’t see the connection between what they are trying to do and what PF have accomplished.
I was at the RnR hall of fame induction ceremony when Corgan inducted them. I was quite upset that he had the honors and then even played with them on WYWH.
Having said that, James Iha’s lone solo album I adore. It’s a completely different music (jangly pop love songs with great melodies).
ANYWAY, as far as Gilmour covers…I like them all really. The 1st one is my favorite. It captures a moment well. The back cover has a nice vibe to it as well – but who is the bearded old man way in the back??
Wish You Were Here…for me that album contains the greatest artwork as it is a perfect match for the music.
[Can't say I ever noticed a bearded old man. Hmm. - FEd]
ok , i am going to join in , better late then never !
my favourite sleeve artist is mark wilkinson . he is an an amazing cover artist both for fish era marillion and fish solo . he has also done really good other work noticeable among them a beautiful painting of syd barrett for a dvd cover .
if i am to pick 10 sleeves i like ( picked randomly as they come into my mind ):
10: dark side of the moon
9: wish you were here
8: fish – 13th star
7: jean michel jarre – oxygene
6: marillion – the best of both worlds
5: queen – news of the world
4: meddle
3: on an island
2: fish – vigil in a wilderness of mirrors
1: marillion – misplaced childhood
[Now that's how to count down to a Number One. The suspense, Linda, nearly killed me. - FEd]
Wish You Were Here is a masterpiece – I have a 40″ poster on my wall of it.
I love the Final Cut, for its simple lines, and the guitar music book is beautiful. And the inlay for On An Island is also lovely.
Not so sure about Meddle, and I think Waters’ Amused to Death could do with a refreshing new look (though the idea is good).
Tom
I almost forgot to mention I thought the pictures on the inside of “On an Island” were fantastic. I like the David and wife Polly pictures. I can’t stand John and Yoko pictures–not after reading the many books of what happened to poor John. Polly is OK. I liked the kid diving and my favorite was the windmill picture. It had a breezy fun quality–it made me think of the cover of MORE (which is one of the few blurry covers I really like).
I loved the photos on the inside of the David Gilmour album a lot too.
I liked the lyrics printed on the inside of About Face–clearly, in a simple font.
I wish he’d do some of the solo stuff in concert. “Love On The Air” “I Can’t Breathe Anymore” There’s so much in the deep catalogue that’s never been mined.
I hope he also starts doing two or three old Rick Wright songs each concert. “Summer of 68″ “It Would Be So Nice.” Wasn’t that the first Pink Floyd song he ever played guitar on? What fun that one is!!! Pure Joy!!
[I like that he needs a shave. What difference does it make if he shaved or not? - Catherine]
[There is considerably more facial hair on display in the inner-sleeve of 'Meddle'... - FEd]
You are both right. I absolutely love the inside of Meddle.
Maybe it was the stark quality of the About Face photo. Maybe when the individual follicles on the face are portrayed as prickly as they are in the picture–beauty is lost… I dunno. I just hate that photo and think, “Go shave David,” whenever I see it.
There are other unshaven David photos that don’t bug me in the least…
I guess my favorite Pink Floyd cover would be Wish You Were Here and my favorite David Gilmour cover would be his first album.
My ten favorites are:
Eliminator – ZZ Top
Agents Of Fortune – Blue Oyster Cult
Van Halen – Van Halen
One Of These Nights – Eagles
Cheap Thrills – Big Brother & The Holding Company (love the Robert Crumb cover)
Sticky Fingers – The Rolling Stones
Morrison Hotel – The Doors
Quadrophenia – The Who
Kick Out The Jams – MC5
Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles
Hoss
['One Of These Nights' is a good one. 'Desperado', less so. - FEd]
Damn, there are SO many memorable covers… My favorites are by far Hipgnosis’ and Storm’s works, amazing art…
There are a lot of details involving a physical album, but if we talk strictly about covers… It’s really hard, but I’ll try to mention my favorites:
You know what, I’ll omit Pink Floyd’s covers, I think most of them are masterpieces, such as many who read this blog, so why mentioning them…
XTC – Go 2 (I have NEVER heard their music, but this cover is just so cool and unique)
The Alan Parsons Project – Stereotomy
Depeche Mode – Violator
Iron Maiden – Killers (Memorable image of Eddie)
Roxy Music – Country Life (sexy)
Nine Inch Nails – Further Down The Spiral
Tool – Lateralus
UNKLE – War Stories
The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Electric Ladyland
Tenacious D – The Pick Of Destiny (They freakin’ rock!)
Well, those are just a few album covers that I really like, of course, there are MANY more, they wouldn’t fit in a single post…
[The cover for Jimi Hendrix's 'Are You Experienced' is God-awful, though. So hurried. His 'Ultimate Experience' compilation, however, is a really nice one and, as you say of 'Killers', provides a memorable image of the man. - FEd]
I think that the best cover is P.U.L.S.E because there’s so much detail in it that you discover something new every time you look at it. And it represents a lot of the Floyd career.
My second choice would be Queen II by Queen. A simple picture but what a great one!
Favorite Gilmour…On Island of course…even if I prefer the live version of it!
Hi Fed, here is my list (without Floyd):
David Bowie: Aladdin Sane
Dream Theater: Falling Into Infinity
Iron Maiden: Powerslave
Led Zeppelin: II
Led Zeppelin: Presence
Styx: The Grand Illusion (it´s not exactly a popular band today, I´m very aware of that but hey – it´s about the covers and I must admit that I´m thankful to them. Would I not have stumbled over Styx as a teen in the eighties I suppose I would still stick to pop-radio.)
For David´s albums I prefer David Gilmour (1978) over About Face and On An Island.
And my favourite Pink Floyd covers are: A Momentary Lapse of Reason, Division Bell, Animals, Ummagumma, Dark Side of the Moon.
Irene
Hi FEd.
Well these are random but my favourites from my memory banks are as follows:
1. The Division Bell with its Elysian Fields once you see beyond the stone/steel heads etc etc. I could go on about the joys of this album’s artwork.
2. A Nice Pair – Pink Floyd – I love Storm’s talking pictures i.e ‘A Fork in the Road’ ‘Flashback’ ‘A Frog in the Throat’, etc.
3. Kiss – Destroyer
4. Rolling Stones – Their Satanic Majasties Request
5. AC/DC – Highway to Hell
6. Queen – News of the World
7. Black Sabbath – Greatest Hits
8. Pink Floyd – Animals
9. Pink Floyd – Ummagumma
10. Pink Floyd – Atom Heart Mother
Favourite DG album has to be About Face. I especially like the back cover with David sitting with his beat up Esquire.
I forgot…
Supergrass – I Should Coco
[Very good. Like that one. - FEd]
An honorable mention that seems to be absent in this poll is the cover for Pink Floyd’s PULSE CD.
The packaging is excellent and the little pulsing red light on the spine is brilliant.
It’s a great live album and an inventive cover that has been sadly overlooked.
[Agreed. Love the swirling note about putting it in your potting shed, too. - FEd]
OK, by all of my bands I have to choose uno cover from each. Well, here goes.
The 10 non-Pink Floyd album covers:
1) Genesis – The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
Supertramp – Even in the Quietest Moments
2) The Who – Who’s Next
3) Rush – Signals
4) Queen – News Of The World
5) Styx – Pieces of Eight
6) Iron Maiden – Piece of Mind
7) Eagles – Hotel California
9) AC/DC – Back in Black
10) Kansas – Two For the Show
Pink Floyd cover : Wish You Were Here
David Gilmour cover : self-titled
Ten that nobody’s mentioned yet (not all necessarily ‘iconic’, but interesting enough to stand out in my mind:)
U2 – Boy
Coldplay – Viva La Vida
Frank Sinatra – In the Wee Small Hours
James Dean Bradfield – The Great Western
Neil Young – Neil Young
Michael Jackson – Dangerous
Joni Mitchell – Both Sides Now
Paul McCartney – Run Devil Run
Weezer – Pinkerton
Idlewild – The Remote Part
And what about Pink Floyd’s ‘Works’?
Iconic for me is still Dark Side of the Moon. Also, Abbey Road, Animals, Atom Heart Mother Need to take a better look at what I have. (Ugh, mostly classical and who cares about covers of Wagner?)
Pink Floyd cover favs are DSOTM and Division Bell. Close is MLOR and Echoes doing a bit of a play on the Ummagumma.
David’s covers..much as I love David’s face (shaven or otherwise…(and still beautiful today)… I love On An Island. Blue suits the mood of the music, and love that the figures of David and Polly and used throughout. And that David is recognizable on the cover on an island of blue.
Jan
I have enjoyed reading everyone’s comments about album covers.
I have not taken part because it is so difficult to research all the ones I think I remember. I don’t have my collection to refer to anymore. My husband removed the hifi and a thirty year album collection (and a lot of other stuff) from the family home at the time we were splitting up twelve years ago.
It’s amazing how much of ones personal history comes back to your mind when you hear a song, see an album cover, converse with other music fans. Sometimes I get bad memories. I get extremely upset and angry that by stealing so much from me he has affected the way my present life is. It doesn’t matter how much I feel that I am glad to be rid of him, THE COST WAS WORTH IT, at times like this when I can’t join in, I am steaming mad angry.
Fed, I had to say this. I know it’s unusual but I expect you’ve wondered why I haven’t commented.
An extremely angry MOUSE
[Understood. - FEd]
Hmm… difficult to narrow it down to 10, but I managed to choose:
Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd
Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin
Quiet Nights – Miles Davis (this isn’t his best musical work, but the cover is nice)
White Album – The Beatles
The Division Bell – Pink Floyd
Monk’s Blues – Thelonious Monk
Meddle – Pink Floyd
The Wall – Pink Floyd (if the inside cover counts)
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles
Not in any particular order, though. It was too hard to choose just 10, much less order them!
Anthony
[I really miss that album/art/liner notes/music full-meal-deal. It was very much a multi-scensory experience, as are the memories! - Gabrielle]
I agree. I miss the act of opening a brand new vinyl album.
They were covered with a thin plastic. I used to run my fingernail along the edge that opens to cut the plastic. Sometimes I’d get a nasty paper cut from the cardboard. It would smart for days, but using scissors was for sissies. Then came the sickly sweet smell of fresh vinyl and new cardboard. Mmmmmmmmmmmm! Now that brings back so many memories!
And how many albums did I buy just because of the cover – probably too many, but there were some glorious discoveries.
Dark Side of the Moon is perhaps the most simplistic, most recognizable album cover in rock history. A prism with the rainbow band of colors……THAT’S IT!!! Very striking and most recognizable to the average music fan.
There’s a reason why all 4 members of Pink Floyd instantly choose it as the album cover for Dark Side of the Moon…….need I say more.
Anyway, here’s my list of Pink Floyd album covers:
1) Dark Side of the Moon
Animals
2) Pulse
3) A Momentary Lapse of Reason (love how it’s a live photo, not computer generated)
4) Delicate Sound of Thunder
5) Wish You Were Here
6) Atom Heart Mother
7) The Wall
9) Piper At The Gates of Dawn
10) Meddle
As for solo David Gilmour covers:
1) Whatever the next David Gilmour solo album is
2) On An Island
3) David Gilmour (self titled album)
4) About Face
damn, this is tough, i grew up with albums and picking 10 is a real cranium bender, so i offer this:
crosby, stills, nash & young – deja vu
jefferson airplane – surrealistic pillows
santana – abraxas
z z top – recycler
led zeppelin – in through the out door
heart – dreamboat annie
van morrison – astral weeks
cream – disraeli gears
miles davis – bitches brew
emerson, lake & palmer – brain salad surgery
honorable mention:
the who, neil young, dire straits, bob dylan, CCR, the cure, david bowie, tom waits, metallica, U2, the beatles
favorite pink floyd (tie) – echoes & a collection of great dance songs
favorite david gilmour: on an island
DSOTM – the simplicity of this cover will make it endure
indefinitely, people young and old have seen this image
and the young will eventually purchase it just to see what all the fuss is about, thus the next generation of
PF/DG fans will roam the earth…….amen.
what’s next ? posters ?
enjoyed it…take care…fats
[How did I forget 'Disraeli Gears'? Thanks for the reminder, Fats. - FEd]
I forgot to mention favorite of David’s three solo albums.
My pick was his 1978 self titled solo effort. I remember acquiring on cassette in March of 1988 when my dad bought me the cassette after a station in my native Boston, MA played “There’s No Way Out of Here”.
I liked all three of David’s solo albums equally but give the edge to his self-titled effort (done quickly but with great results) followed by On an Island (which took I assume 2 years to make but well planned and organized and phenomenal) and About Face (which is a great record but even David admitted to US radio personality Redbeard that “it had some great moments but the whole flavor of it is too ’80s for my current tastes”).
Hello FEd,
may I add other three covers to my list? I know they should have been only 10, but I didn’t think about them when I wrote my first list.
I would like to add Incredible String Band – The 5000 Spirits Or The Layers Of The Onion, Caravan – In The Land Of Grey and Pink and 13th Floor Elevator, the album with the same name.
I think all of them are very iconic!
Bye,
Alessandra
[But only if I can include 'The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking' without anyone getting their knickers in a twist. - FEd]
Cherry Vanilla certainly didn’t!
Hello,
simply just three covers for me:
1) Dark side of the moon
2) On an Island
3) Broken China
A hug from Rome
diana
[Can't say I ever noticed a bearded old man. Hmm. - FEd]
Ok, I am looking at the back sleeve right now and there is a person standing way in the back right to the left of David’s vest. The person has long white hair and what looks like a fake white beard. This person is wearing pants that are rolled up at the ankles. He/She is standing between David and Willie but way in the back.
Who is this person?
[Isn't it a lady wearing a scarf? - FEd]
Iconic album covers, well most of my favourites are from the seventies (best decade by far) well you can’t beat the old vinyl format.
Tarkus – Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Hall of the Mountain Grill – Hawkwind
Timewind – Klaus Schulze
Tubular Bells – Mike Oldfield
Clear Air Turbulance – Ian Gillen Band
Nude – Camel
Bedside Manners are Extra – Greenslade
Houses of the Holy – Led Zeppelin
Abraxas – Santana
Tales from Topographic Oceans – Yes
Chris Foss & Roger Dean are two of my all time favourite SF artists.
Best DG artwork has to be On an Island.
Best PF album covers in no particular order:
Animals
Wish You Were Here
More
Meddle
Dark Side of the Moon
A Saucerful of Secrets
Favorite album covers:
1. Kansas, Point of Know Return
2. Rush, Hemispheres
3. Boston, Don’t Look Back
4. Yes, Yessongs (the vinyl cover had 4 gates in the gatefold!)
5. Led Zeppelin III (the vinyl version with the little rotating disk that changed the picture in the windows!)
6. Asia
7. Yes, Tales from Topographic Oceans
8. Alan Parsons, Try Anything Once (OK, only have this one on CD, but the cover is pretty cool)
9. Stevie Nicks, Bella Donna (man… she was always beautiful, but on that cover…)
10. The Who, Who’s Next
Favorite Gilmour cover: On an Island
Favorite Pink Floyd covers:
1. PULSE (would love a poster of that cover! Tried to find the album on vinyl, but it goes for a few hundred dollars)
2. WYWH
3. Delicate Sound of Thunder
4. Ummagumma
5. Division Bell
6. The Wall
7. Animals
8. DsotM
9. A Nice Pair
10. Meddle
Album Covers:
Marillion – Script For A Jester’s Tear and Fugazi. Also Iron Maiden – Killers and Motorhead.
I do miss the big old album covers, not the same on CD.
Anthony
[Isn't it a lady wearing a scarf? - FEd]
I suppose it could be. Kind of a high forehead though! Hmmm. I actually have access to a high resolution PDF of the photo and still can’t figure it out. Bizarre!
I think the reason I picked this of David’s three studio albums as my favorite cover is because it just looks like the three guys were in the barn recording the record and just stepped outside for a quick snapshot – unrehearsed, not posed. It was a no-nonsense album with a no-nonsense sleeve. It was stark and the grainy image lent itself to the winter scene as it almost had a “chilly” feel to it.
The music on that record just goes to show David’s genius…he just effortlessly banged out those melodies in a relatively short time period. No pretentions and no fluff either.
Despite David’s recent comments in Mojo about being rather embarrassed by most of the tracks on that record – it’s always been a favorite album of mine.
[Well said. - FEd]
[I find it very difficult to divorce the artwork from the music, particularly with the Seventies albums. Staring at the cover was an integral part of enjoying the music for me. Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of the time to do that any more but CD artwork doesn't have quite the same impact anyway. - LynnR]
[I really miss that album/art/liner notes/music full-meal-deal. It was very much a multi-scensory experience, as are the memories! - Gabrielle]
[I agree. I miss the act of opening a brand new vinyl album. - Andrew S]
what about the ‘great day for freedom’ ipdf option … you have the imagery and the music.