Gospel

The Original Blind Boys of Alabama on Savoy Records. (1961)

Thanks to Laura Levine for this very cool one (that I’ve never seen): “Thought you might enjoy this one. (Brooklyn!) At first I thought it must be a Harvey cover as well, but the credit on the back cover reads PANCHO PACHECO. (?)“

James Cleveland Sings Songs My Mother Taught Me”

Cover art by “Harvey”. One of many gospel and jazz illustrations by the artist on the Savoy label.

“Throughout the 1960’s Harvey produced paintings for the covers of Savoy Records and their subsidiaries Sharp, Regent and Gospel. Most, but not all, were gospel albums. More than 190. The record jackets are signed on the front, “Harvey”, and on the back of many of the records Harvey is given credit for the album art. No other name. No one knows for sure the identity of the mysterious Harvey to this day. According to long-time Savoy producer Lawrence Roberts, Harvey lived in New York and was very secretive. They would send him a title or concept and he would produce the painting.” The paintings were not expensive and they paid him in cash. I wish I had some of these paintings. I wonder where they are today!