The Covers
Here is one of my more esoteric posts but it’s Friday, during a pandemic, and I am allowed.
Seeing that NFT sale of a piece of Beeple’s artwork going for over 69 million dollars, it got me to thinking. Artwork, like music, is subjective. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and all that. While I can’t see a growing sector of the art market starting out with such an explosive sale, someone, somewhere, felt compelled to spend an incredible amount of money on a truly unique, one of a kind, piece of art. If this is where the NFT field starts, where does it go from here?
Find Beeple’s art and you will see someone who has mastered the digital realm. He really has some very unique pieces and I am sure, they will attract more interest now that this particular piece set this unreal record.
As with anything, it’s all how you value something that really matters. I do get the NFT space and I have nothing against it. Unique things have value. People buy things that are unique for investment purposes and for purposes of ego. Comes under the “I can afford it so I am going to buy it. I will show everyone.” Good for them.
I like my unique art from different places. Album covers for instance.
Going back to the mid-60’s, you will find some unbelievable artistic achievements on the front and back covers of vinyl records. I know, I know, it’s mundane and passe in this world of digital this and digital that but if you really look at some of the great album covers of all time, you will see beautiful paintings, unique psychedelia and some really awesome photography.
Once again, I will attempt a list of sorts of the greatest album covers of all time. It is by no means all inclusive nor is it actually that accurate but it is a start.
To me, these covers are art as well and should be held up as such.
In no particular order:
Abbey Road by the Beatles
London Calling by The Clash
Shoot Out at The Fantasy Factory by Traffic
Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones
Bat Out of Hell by Meatloaf
Layla by Derek and the Dominoes
Queen Jazz by Queen
Monster by Steppenwolf
Happy Trails by Quicksilver Messenger Service
Aqualung by Jethro Tull
Some others include:
Silk Degrees by Boz Scaggs
Cosmos Factory by Creedance Clearwater Revival
Their Satanic Magisties Request by The Rolling Stones
Twister by Chubby Checker
Blood On The Tracks by Bob Dylan
Blind Faith by Blind Faith
Electric Warrior by T-Rex
Crown of Creation by Jefferson Airplane
In the Court of The Crimson King by King Crimson
Mott the Hoople by Mott the Hoople
There are hundreds more. Let me know what you think.