Bizarre Records

Norman Ray
“That’s Him”
Gospel Recordsing #1001

Faith Singers
“I’ve Been On the Mountain”
Audio Dimension # 573N10

Continental Oil Company
“Charge!  1966 Sales Program”
1966, Conoco

“Here comes the crusty, hard-as-nails Old Trooper and his dedicated horse Reveille riding hard out of Fort Conoco to bring you the news of Conoco’s 1966 Sales Program.  The Old Trooper is a new symbol that embodies the aggressive spirit and bold new challenge to the petroleum market place.  He’s the leader of the ‘espirit de corps’ for Conoco sales people everywhere.  You’ll see him often in 1966.  Listen to his words of wisdom as he calls the troops together to whip up enthusiasm for the new year.  Jump into the spirit of his challenging call to arms… CHARGE!”

The Australian Jazz Quartet
s/t
Bethlehem #BCP-6002

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Hickory
“Whiskey Woman”
Country Kitchen #2010

The cover of Hickory’s album appears to have been taken at one of those old timey carnival shooting galleries (notice the fake bottles and colored targets).  Since the band is from Houston, it was probably at Astroworld.  (Aaaand, confirmation:)

Patsy Silver
“Roll Call”
1980. RLA Coastal #81480

I guess THIS is the place: Lou’s Saloon, Corpus Christi TX

And Patsy is leader of Western New York’s Hardest Rockingest band, Silver Xtreme! (WARNING! Hilariously Awesome Website!)

Gentle Ben featuring Sonja
“Barroom Stories”
Jewel #81063

This cover has it all.  Literally.  Rainbow suspenders, fringe vests covered in feathers, light beer, cheap cowboy hats, and a giant freaking head of hair.

It does fondly remind me of one of the BizarreRecords classics, however:

Vision
s/t
1985, Heartland Records

I’ve never seen a record with such a difference in the band’s look between the front and back covers.  The front cover looks like a band that might have opened up for The Fixx on their “One Thing Leads to Another” tour.  The back cover looks like the band that played your weird drunk uncle’s second wedding.

  Facebook, like everyone else.

The Eastham Band
“Texas Prison Rodeo Presents: Behind the Walls”
1977, HER-A-IV

From the liner notes:

The colorful history of the Texas Prison Rodeo dates from 1931.  The Rodeo has been held each year, except during the 1943, when no Rodeo was held because of the war.  Each year it gets bigger and better. 

Dr. Harley Rex has been directing the Rodeo Band since 1964, and since that time, the music program has been incorporated into the Wyndham School District.  This year, Dr. Rex’s music directors on the various units have won national honors in several contests….  The Eastham Band and Choir, directed by Gene Ronsonette, received the Sweepstakes Award.  The Louisiana Pacific Corporation sponsored this Nation-wide contest and the judges stated that “our presentation showed the epic struggle of the Blacks and Spanish in an attempt to find their place in American Society.”

  Torn down.

Rogue Male “First Visit”
cover art: Peter Gudynas
1985, Elektra/Asylum

A relic of the days when metal was a lot like punk, only with longer hair, more leather, and wider-legged guitar stances.

Peter Gudynas is actually a very talented Sci-Fi book cover artist.  Some of his work is beautiful.  All I can think of is maybe the band ASKED for the “retarded Terminator” look.

Still rockin it, sans the band & mullet.

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