Our third – but not last! – Stones cover.
A double album, it’s got some great songs (especially “Tumbling Dice”), and really hangs together, with a particular emphasis on the band’s blues and rock ‘n roll roots. Many critics consider it one of the top albums of all time. Jagger, interestingly, wasn’t a fan, preferring to have done something more new and experimental.
The cover photo was from the collection of Robert Frank, a very influential and acclaimed photographer.
It’s from his 1958 book The Americans (of which I have a copy), and was taken outside Hubert’s Museum and Flea Circus, a popular “dime museum” near New York City’s Times Square. There are pictures of burlesque queens, circus freaks, “The Human Corkscrew,” and “Congo the Jungle Creep” (that last one taken by the equally talented and famous Diane Arbus).
The back cover and inside liner have photos of the band done in the same style, by Frank and also by Norman Seef (who you’ve seen here before).
Frank actually has almost 40 more credits on discog.com, including stuff for Tom Waits, New Order, and Jerry Garcia.
He made it to 94, passing away just last year. And here's some more of serious stuff (that second one is one of my favorite photos ever):
Frank would eventually move into film, directing the Stones’ Cocksucker Blues. Because of some rather interesting legal issues (basically, the film shows the band breaking the law numerous times), it can only be seen with Frank in attendance.
The designer was John Van Hammersveld:
He's got 146 credits, including for Jefferson Airplane, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Cream, the Doors … Here are some of my faves:
Of course, he's also responsible for this:
The album was mostly recorded at a chateau in the south of France. The band were tax exiles there – hence the title. Brave boys!
Here are some more Stones album covers I like and I don't think I've shared yet:
This one seems to have more homages than parodies:
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