Jimi Hendrix - "Band of Gypsys" puppet cover LP

Just picked up a copy of this which is in absolute mint condition. It's an Australian pressing (Polydor 2406 002). I remember seeing the UK edition back in the '70s and I know it disappeared. Does anyone remember the exact story of this cover (and why it was changed)?

Cheers,
Chris

 

Not sure. It doesn't look like Miles is within the puppets....

 

Oh, you mean Buddy, not Miles Davis, who was so knocked out by these performances that he asked Jack DeJohnette to play like Buddy Miles, but with jazz technique. Then he hired Billy Cobham, who it's been suggested by another forum member would be Buddy Miles with Jazz technique. Anyway, Billy Cox isn't among the puppets either, and it's clearly not meant to represent the band. I can't say officially why they used that cover in Australia but I would say the cover they did use everywhere else directly shows you what the show looked like. There's no way I personally would prefer the image on this LP, the one used everywhere else is iconic.

 

The figures on the cover represent Jimi, Brian Jones, Bob Dylan (although I'm sure I heard somebody say Jim Morrison... looks more like Dylan to me) and John Peel.

This was the original British cover of the album when it was released. Australia just followed that version as opposed to the familiar concert shot on the US release.

Cheers,
Chris

 

Yeah but that would have made a great cover for an Experience LP!!

 

I don't really know, but BOG was released by Capitol because Hendrix had signed contracts as a session musician in the early sixties that were subsequently bought by Capitol. I assume Capitol refused to share the cover with Polydor for distribution outside the US. In a rush to release, Polydor used that picture. Just my 1/2 cent.

 

YOU are correct. It's supposed to be 1966 Dylan.

 

The "puppets" one is iconic in my memory ... and so it goes. There have been many cases like this, and ones preference is almost always tilted towards the one they grew up with.

Regards,
Geoff

 

BTW - I payed $35.00Cdn for the LP (about $25.00US). I thought that was more than reasonable for this particular issue. I checked a number of sources on the 'net and found a few for sale (mostly UK editions but, also an Aussie one) and they were WAY more expensive than that.

Cheers,
Chris

 

Sounds like a bargain to me too.
Soundwize, the BOG Classic Records version is fantastic imho. Although out of print. BTW, Classic just by chance happened to find some blue vinyl Hendrix' Blues in their vaults....
Hendrix: Blues 180 gram BLUE VINYL
CATALOG #: RTH-2006BLU
LABEL: Rare Finds
PRICE: $75.00
AVAILABLE: Now


$75 bucks!!!!!!!


Gotta LOVE these guys.