My thoughts about JTA

wadcorp · **Posted:** Wed Aug 01, 2012 3:22 am

Actually, I really like understated quality of the cover design, which contrasts with the up-tempo nature of the album's music.

It's similar to Bill's use of the Ampex tracks as a foil or relief from the main tunes.

The cover is straight-forward, almost academic.

Then, you crank up the disc…

.

felixt1 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 01, 2012 9:24 am

Agreed, for me it's a bit like picking up a plain covered hardback book and opening it to find inside - fantastic stories with bright, colourful illustrations

Bill Nelson · **Joined:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 4:40 pm **Posts:** 8467

major snagg wrote:

I'm not keen on the rather plain artwork. I'd have preferred a more colourful cover design.

As I've probably explained elsewhere, the understated cover was something I was very keen to have. I deliberately wanted it to be subdued and not go for a 'louder' look. It was all part of my desire to underplay the rock aspect of the album, to keep it outside or at least on the fringe of the genre, (which is also why I made the Ampex tracks as an 'album within an album.')
Also the dark and distressed photographs of guitars, amps and recording gear. The idea is that rock is a rusting, ancient wreck, a thing of the past, (or at least my past.)
I suppose, it might also have something to do with my rebel nature too...I still enjoy going against expectations and sometimes can't resist the temptation to throw a spoke in the wheel...even at 64 years old!
Oh, and there's a sense of mickey-taking in the album's sub-title...I mean, 'Priapus Stratocaster?' C'mon, it's a jokey reference to 'cock rock,' is it not? :lol:

The album is not quite as straightforward as it might at first seem...it's the work of a sly prankster. (Which is why one of the images is of a clown guitar.) :wink:

MondoJohnny · **Posted:** Wed Aug 01, 2012 3:50 pm

Bill stop making fun of us! :lol:

To me the artwork and the Ampex tracks are just part of the albums identity, I couldn't really take them separately, or replace anything. I actually hadn't considered the cover, but I guess it is much less flashy than they usually are. Maybe I will have to look it over a bit more though.

asterisk · **Posted:** Wed Aug 01, 2012 3:57 pm

Plus they do bring to mind the original Ampex 4-Track boxes. Intentional, or added ‘bonus’? :wink:

major snagg · **Posted:** Wed Aug 01, 2012 7:35 pm

Ah well, shot down in flames again. At least the latest CD by The Flower Kings which I bought at the same time as Joy Through Amplification has a nice cover

. . . all a matter of taste I guess. After The Satellite Sings has a nice cover.
but it's about the music . . . I like the new CD Bill . . . so lets forget about the artwork for now . . .

GettingOnTheBeam · **Posted:** Wed Aug 01, 2012 7:40 pm

Bill Nelson wrote:

major snagg wrote:

I'm not keen on the rather plain artwork. I'd have preferred a more colourful cover design.

As I've probably explained elsewhere, the understated cover was something I was very keen to have. I deliberately wanted it to be subdued and not go for a 'louder' look. It was all part of my desire to underplay the rock aspect of the album, to keep it outside or at least on the fringe of the genre, (which is also why I made the Ampex tracks as an 'album within an album.')
Also the dark and distressed photographs of guitars, amps and recording gear. The idea is that rock is a rusting, ancient wreck, a thing of the past, (or at least my past.)
I suppose, it might also have something to do with my rebel nature too...I still enjoy going against expectations and sometimes can't resist the temptation to throw a spoke in the wheel...even at 64 years old!
Oh, and there's a sense of mickey-taking in the album's sub-title...I mean, 'Priapus Stratocaster?' C'mon, it's a jokey reference to 'cock rock,' is it not? :lol:

The album is not quite as straightforward as it might at first seem...it's the work of a sly prankster. (Which is why one of the images is of a clown guitar.) :wink:

If you play "JTA" backwards you will hear Bill utter the phrase "cock rock is dead" many times.

major snagg · **Posted:** Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:54 pm

Why on earth do you want to underplay the 'Rock' aspect of the album. Your guitar playing on this CD is fantastic. If you're that concerned/afraid ? why did you do it ?
Oh boy, you are difficult and contrary sometimes . . . you seem to be your own worst enemy and critic from hell.
If you had the backing of a bigger organisation (ok, I know you've unhappy memories of that situation), I'm sure that they'd have given this great CD a more eye catching cover. I'm sorry but do you perhaps prefer to sell only to a small army of dedicated fans ? Think of your pension Bill. In a record shop, I'm sure that the this cover alone would cause buyers to keep flicking through to the rest of the CD's in the N section.
Ah well, what do I know . . .

Bill Nelson · **Joined:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 4:40 pm **Posts:** 8467

I do appreciate what you're saying and am grateful for your thoughts but I find it difficult to approach music from the angle of simply selling more albums. It's not an approach I'm comfortable with. I have no real understanding of other people's tastes and therefore can only follow my own, especially if I'm to remain happy enough to continue making music.
So, far from being my worst enemy, I'd say my conscience is my very best creative guide. It's what has carried me this far, through an almost 40 year career of recording music, when many of my contemporaries have either given up or fallen into the ignominious pit of self-parody.

As I've been saying, there's a little more to this album than might immediately meet the ear...The guitar playing is deliberately overplayed almost to the point of absurdity, to where it becomes a surreal dream of rock music, rather than the 'real' thing...It's wilfully inauthentic. (Or should that be 'unauthentic?') But that lack of authenticity was exactly where the fun was for me whilst making it. My artistic joy lies in the album's haziness, its contrariness, where it wavers between generic parody and something altogether more sublime and maybe bizarre. It's the album's subtle contradictions that appeal to me, rather than its surface adherance to rock music's signifying swagger.

Of course, the listener doesn't need to have all this stuff in mind to enjoy the album...but I certainly had to have it in mind to be able to make the album in the first place. :wink:

Andre · **Posted:** Thu Aug 02, 2012 1:55 am

I understand you perfectly Bill, I think. The album cover is exactly what you wanted it to be, and that's just great with me. Interestingly, the cover would appear to be perfect for the album if it only contained the ampex tracks. Thus the rock tracks are the added bonus...or a scratch on the record...Just an idea from somebody who hasent even heard the CD yet...(I did order it last night though) :oops:

www.billnelson.com

My thoughts about JTA

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