I have that very paper ad and is how I knew the photo was from 74. There might be a slight difference in the pose but definitely from the same photo session.

Maybe there is a significance there.........1974/14. The font does look like that used on the Avalon album but if you Google the Avalon cover image there seems to be two versions. Same image but different fonts. I don't know if the difference is LP to CD release or different countries?

Elegantly Ageing Hipsters,
Let's hope it's just a place holder.
We all know our hero has matured like a fine wine but he has to avoid this time machine tendency. He played this card with 'Frantic' and it was IWNSHO his weakest artwork.
Windswept quite liked the Cavesque shot that Roxy posted earlier on the album thread.
Let's hope that Roxy is actually Bryan's market research department and that he goes with that one!
November will revealed all.
a bien tôt,
W.
Ps. Sartorially, Windswept has always liked the denim shirt, Polka dot tie and herringbone jacket look.

You were 20 years out with your first guess DCJ!

Ahhh, but I placed the conditional "at least" into my observation so that should also be noted when the final scores are tabulated and carved in stone...

Actually, I am appalled that BF would dig so deep into the archive for a photo to grace a "new" album. Hey, if it was (yet another) "best of" retrospective then fine, no problem. But Avonmore is being touted as new product. What would be wrong with having the album feature a picture taken sometime in the past two years? I thought the Frantic cover failed the "truth in advertising" test, but this is just weird.

OK, maybe it is not the actual cover art work... That is a possibility but I wouldn't count on it...

I like it. It`s surprising in it`s ordinariness, and therefore daring. Just like an old family album shot. It`s all about making people stop and think.

Uh, now it`s gone, why?

Of course, I should have known you would have conditions to cover all possibilities

I don't find it weird at all and don't really mind if it is a historic photograph. I have seen some great recent shots of him around and hope that basement one would be a contender but it is his choice. Maybe using a "retro" image is a way of grabbing new or younger fans to pick up and have a look/listen.

As we have said, it may not be the actual album cover anyway so only time will tell.

Philosophical Philanderers,
Windswept has been giving much thought to the artwork and he thinks a line drawing of our hero's silhouette could be a good route. The drawing on the front of Clapton's '24 Nights' album serves as something of an inspiration but the faded photographs inside the digital booklet accompanying Leonard Cohen's new album, 'Popular Problems' also show a great possible direction.
Laughing Leonard's inside cover artwork depicts him performing his pre-show ritual of cleaning his shoes. Of course, our hero doubtless has his butler clean his Berlutis but that withstanding the idea of a series of shots or drawings depicting show preparation gives a huge intimacy to an album and makes a great connection with an audience.
Perhaps an idea best reserved for Windswept's "Re-Made, Re-Modeled" dream LP featuring those new arrangements of the classics?
a bien tôt,
W

I may try this retro photograph ploy when time comes to get my bus pass!

Takes me right back to when we were young.

Avonmore cover.. In 1974 I was a mere adolescent with a crush or infatuation...I'd quite like the vinyl version now...