Vinyl Fest #7 - Armed Forces - Elvis Costello and the Attractions

It was one of the first releases of the LP, which is quite different from most other LPs because you get 4 postcards, a 7" EP which you could only get with the LP and a fold-out design!

I rate it as OK, as it is a bit 'poppy' for my taste, but has some good playing and is worth a decent listen. My favouite songs are 'Party Girl' (Side A, Track 6), because of the sudden contrasts in the song, and 'Sunday's Best' (Side B, Track 3), because of the 3/4 'oom-pa-pa' style.

What I really like about the LP is the artwork. It's a very colourful abstract, pop art style. My favourite panel is the Mondrian-style one.

The artwork was done by graphic artist Barney Bubbles (real name Colin Fulcher), who worked with lots of musicians, including Hawkwind, Kraftwerk and Billy Bragg. Type "Barney Bubbles artwork" into Google Images to see some of his artwork. And there's a radio programme on the BBC, "In Search of Barney Bubbles":
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b018wh7h

The front cover elephant painting was done by Tom Pogson, but I can't find out much about him on the Internet. I know he did a 'Somemonsters' project in 1980, but I can only find one image from that on Etsy.

Full album:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7Hsdhjbl9gVEPVNBhKNpjbuPGC-Dyul0

Front cover

Fold-out design

Individual panels

Album slip

LP sides

Postcards

7" EP

EP sides

Everything together!

Tom Pogson image on Etsy

Quiz!

No cheating using the Internet!

Name these:
1. Nod, Jim, Dave, Don.
2. Shawnee rock 'n' roller who 'Rumbled'.
3. Blues monarch, not Albert, nor Freddie.
4. The 'Man in Black'.
5. David Robert Jones.
6. Two-tone band 'also known as'...
7. Gypsy Jazz maestro.
8. Window cleaner banned by the BBC!
9. Folk group from Dublin.
10. Japanese all-girl group whose name means 'Boy Knife'.

Self-Isolation Vinyl Fest #6 - Speaking In Tongues - Talking Heads

The first thing that struck me was the percussive sound and the use of synthesizers. In fact, it was heavily studio-produced, but the music still feels alive.

It's quite poppy, but it has lots of different layers and influences, so it should appeal to quite a diverse audience.

My favourite is 'Slippery People' (Side A, Track 4). (There's an interesting live soul version of this done by the Staple Singers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kje7M0KxnRk)

The album was promoted in the famous 'Big Suit' concert:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av3j4WStj2A

I like the geometric artwork, as well as the colours and the handwritten notes. This was done by David Byrne, who had a bit of an ego, apparently!

The two backing singers (Nona Hendryx and Dolette McDonald) are worth listening to on their own, both having great careers - even though they managed to spell Dolette McDonald's name incorrectly on the LP!
e.g.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAUmY4FfApA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dBCc_NHHx4

Listen to the full album here!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVXkJNXY_di3CI6OafQ1rYIY4OPorsdV-

Unusual embossed symbol!

Self-Isolation Vinyl Fest #5 - Fog on the Tyne - Lindisfarne.

The next LP in my Self-Isolation Vinyl Fest is 'Fog on the Tyne', by Lindisfarne.

Lindisfarne were a band formed in Newcastle in 1968. Their line-up changed many times, but this LP contains roughly the original band.

There are many versions of the LP itself, but mine is the original 1971 UK release. My dad got it from his friend when he emigrated to Australia where he was paralysed by a tick and his wife left him!

The LP has an American vocal sound although it has got a mix of influences (blues, folk and rock). I think that it is easy to listen to and relaxing, although I have no particular favourite.

The sleeve artwork is by Trevor Wiles and Franco Polsinelli. I can't find any trace of Wiles, but I think Polsinelli might have moved into restaurants, and has probably retired now. I like the monochrome pen-and-ink style on outer sleeve.

I have managed to trace the house on the right of the inner sleeve!
https://lindisfarne.org.uk/britannia/

Lindisfarne on the Old Grey Whistle Test 1971:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm_KZSYSiGc

Full album:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL94gOvpr5yt1G1GcUPVZIwe7uI28Navlc

And the official Lindisfarne website:
https://www.lindisfarne.co.uk