Worst looking CD/LP artwork

[pjme]

"Bad taste"....oh lala!.
The simple fact that several GMG members are discussing these cd covers...prove, I dare say, that the marketing works.
I haven't found out yet what Fra Bernardo's artistic design credo is, but, apparently
"Wer sich am Namen des Ensembles und dem Cover stört, der möge einmal im Katalog des Labels ,,Fra Bernardo" stöbern. Schnell wird klar, dass es sich lediglich um eine poppig stilisierte Weiterentwicklung des Art-Designs von Produktionen mit dem Ensemble ,,The Sound and the Fury" handelt."

"Anyone who is bothered by the name of the ensemble and the cover should browse through the catalog of the "Fra Bernardo" label. It quickly becomes clear that this is merely a stylized, pop style development of the art design of productions with the ensemble "The Sound and the Fury"."

Source: https://hoerbar.nmz.de/2020/05/johannes-ockeghem-masses-2-beauty-farm

Anyway, these silly Beauty farm covers leave me cold. But "bad taste" - mais non!

[Madiel]

Well that doesn't help because I already realised they were related to the covers for The Sound and The Fury. Which are also terrible.

[T. D.]

Discogs lists eight releases from Beauty Farm.

Here's their discography in visual form:

[snipped]

The last one gets extra points for reminding me of Mad Max: Fury Road.

That discography is not complete.
It manifestly lacks the Barbireau title posted above.
I vaguely recall at least two Beauty Farm covers uglier than any of those on the discogs list, but the memory is too painful so I'll refrain from dredging those up... 

[George]

It's seems the Beauty Farm is in the midst of an extreme drought.

[Mapman]

Why are they drowning a clarinet?

[DavidW]

Why are they drowning a clarinet?

No, no, that is Jaws playing the clarinet! If you see a rogue clarinet approaching you in the water... GET TO SHORE!

[Peter Power Pop]

Photographer: "Now, Vanessa, if you wouldn't mind sitting as awkwardly as possible..."

[JBS]

Photographer: "Now, Vanessa, if you wouldn't mind sitting as awkwardly as possible..."

Meanwhile Wilhem is wondering why a small yellow Vespa is floating in the air behind him.

[Madiel]

Photographer: "Now, Vanessa, if you wouldn't mind sitting as awkwardly as possible..."

That really is an incredibly awkward pose for both of them. I expect it makes the picture "dynamic".

[Symphonic Addict]

Rouse: Transfiguration (works for string quartet) (Calder Quartet)

[Brahmsian]

Rouse: Transfiguration (works for string quartet) (Calder Quartet)

Okay well.....we KNOW that some people will say that this belongs in the "best CP/LP artwork" thread.  However, that won't be me. 

[pjme]

Rouse: Transfiguration (works for string quartet) (Calder Quartet)

An Alexander Calder mobile gone wrong?



But, indeed, I rather like    this skull made of iron wire, a knot of wool, sewing thread? Or is it just a droodle? The artist is  Dave Muller.
I think the drawing (etching?) fits Rouses explanation of the stringquartet
"My String Quartet No. 3 ....
The central focus of what I was hearing was a succession of extremely convulsive and unpredictable gestures rendered by the players in rhythmic unison—that is, these complex rhythms would have to be performed totally together by the four players: no small feat. The work is thus made up primarily of these rhythmically monodic ideas, though they sometimes do spin out of control into a series of imitative gestures. Though perhaps unpalatable to some, my overall description of the piece would be something akin to a schizophrenic having a grand mal seizure. This, at least, was the image to which I continually referred as I composed the music."

[Symphonic Addict]

An Alexander Calder mobile gone wrong?



But, indeed, I rather like    this skull made of iron wire, a knot of wool, sewing thread? Or is it just a droodle? The artist is  Dave Muller.
I think the drawing (etching?) fits Rouses explanation of the stringquartet
"My String Quartet No. 3 ....
The central focus of what I was hearing was a succession of extremely convulsive and unpredictable gestures rendered by the players in rhythmic unison—that is, these complex rhythms would have to be performed totally together by the four players: no small feat. The work is thus made up primarily of these rhythmically monodic ideas, though they sometimes do spin out of control into a series of imitative gestures. Though perhaps unpalatable to some, my overall description of the piece would be something akin to a schizophrenic having a grand mal seizure. This, at least, was the image to which I continually referred as I composed the music."

Interesting info, thank you, and no wonder the cover art kind of suits the mood of the SQ 3 as explained above.

[KevinP]

The usual disclaimer here. It's hardly the worst, but...

[Madiel]

The usual disclaimer here. It's hardly the worst, but...

Pretty sure this one has already been discussed. She is dancing to the very music that is on the album.

[KevinP]

Wilson brought elegance to everything she did.

The plastic patio chair did not.

[Madiel]

Wilson brought elegance to everything she did.

The plastic patio chair did not.

At the time, a plastic chair of that type was probably ultra-modern. We might think of this as cheap tacky furniture now, but the first all-plastic chair was designed in 1965 and they didn't become common until the 1980s (noting it's unclear whether the base of that chair is plastic).

So I rather doubt that the audience when this album was released in 1966 had a reaction like yours. They probably thought the chair was just as elegant as the person sitting in it.

[KevinP]

Oh, I know. It just doesn't work today.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

The usual disclaimer here. It's hardly the worst, but...

Why does this cover look bad to some people, or everybody except for me??

[Pohjolas Daughter]

At the time, a plastic chair of that type was probably ultra-modern. We might think of this as cheap tacky furniture now, but the first all-plastic chair was designed in 1965 and they didn't become common until the 1980s (noting it's unclear whether the base of that chair is plastic).

So I rather doubt that the audience when this album was released in 1966 had a reaction like yours. They probably thought the chair was just as elegant as the person sitting in it.

Wilson brought elegance to everything she did.

The plastic patio chair did not.

Oh, I know. It just doesn't work today.

Taking a quick look on eBay (re price of this album used), I suspect that the chair (now retro/vintage) would probably fetch more money than the LP. 

PD