Whipped Cream & Other Delights

So I was chopping chard in the kitchen last week when my lovely wife, Lorraine, blurted out, “My favorite album cover of all time!”

Although her declaration came straight out of the blue I was not taken aback – she has a very endearing way of sometimes saying seemingly nonsensical things at weird times.

“So what is it?” I asked.

“Whipped Cream & Other Delights by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. My mom played it all the time. As a little girl I thought the cover was so cool – that lady all covered with whipped cream. I loved to just stare at it.”

That, I thought, was a good answer. But the question was even better. What makes a truly great album cover? In the interest of thinking of something interesting to post I decided to find out.

I quizzed six friends and associates. Obviously, beauty is in the eye of the beholder so I had to choose my beholders carefully. The qualifications were fairly simple – trust worthy and creative types who were both passionate about music and old enough to remember the good ol’ days of vinyl and cardboard (sorry young bucks, a CD cover is not the same as an album cover).

By the way, what does this have to do with my usual organic farming and wine rants? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

O.K. — here we go…

Jay Kell. Founder, Verge Wine Cellars. Jay was born in Arkansas and plays outstanding acoustic guitar. The boy can sing, too.

“Freewheeling Bobby Dylan – it was the first Dylan album I bought. Like nearly every human being, I was dumped and identified with the song “Don’t Think Twice”, which I must have heard originally on some classic rock station. It was only later that I found I liked nearly every other song the man’s written.”

 

Mike Brunson. Winemaker, Michel-Schlumberger. The only guy in the world I’m certain really, really loves all sorts of music as much as myself.

“I’m going with Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti and it’s changing windows (when you slid the sleeve out) in the apartment complex. On top of that, it’s their best recording.”

 

 

Judd Wallenbrock. General Manager, Michel-Schlumberger. Judd’s not afraid to dress up in full bee-keeper gear (veil included) and play bad Dylan covers on a cheap guitar to bemused winery visitors. How cool is that?

“I like the Abbey Road cover. Why? Because I like stories — stories behind wine, stories behind labels, stories behind people…and this cover stirred up one of the most controversial and sensational ’stories’ of all time. Paul is not dead.”

 

 

Wendy Rossiter. Human Resources, Michel-Schlumberger. I had to get at least one woman’s perspective on this. Besides, I love the fact that Wendy is an unabashedly HUGE Pat Benatar fan.

“The Chambers Brothers. This just popped up in my head when you asked me. In fact, I can’t even remember exactly what the album cover looks like.”

 

 

Blair Poynton. Winemaker, Jed Wines (Australia). O.K., Blair is actually a bit young to really appreciate the days of vinyl but I had to get a foreign perspective on this and the guy knows music…

“Not sure exactly but it would have to be something from the Corrs - because those three sisters are bloody hot!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Randall Filbert. Senior Consultant, Long View Associates. Old school rocker. This guy could stand up to anybody in a 70’s/80’s rock trivia contest.

“London Calling – The cover is the quintessential rock ‘n’ roll image: the frenzied electric guitarist smashing his axe before a stoned and drunk audience. It’s all presence…no past and no damn future.”

 

 

 

And, finally, for me?

“I like Maggot Brain by Funkadelic because I’m not sure exactly what to make of it. But, amazingly, if you listen to the title track the album cover suddenly seems to make perfect sense.”

Peace and Silliness,

Tony

 

 

 

p.s.  What’s yours?

Tagged as: album covers, Dry Creek Valley, Michel Schlumberger, music, organic farmiing, wine