FROM the unintentionally funny to the completely bizarre, Steve Goldman’s collection of more than 500 record covers are something to behold.
Collected over a seven-year period from charity shops and online marketplaces, Goldman’s selection criteria is stringent: Is this one of the worst record covers in the world? The exhibition of this collection, Worst Record Covers, which can currently be seen at the Williamson Art Gallery in Birkenhead, is a unique celebration of some of the most questionable design choice in music history.
From the unintentionally funny to the completely bizarre, Steve Goldman’s collection of more than 500 record covers are something to behold. Collected over a seven-year period from charity shops and online marketplaces, Goldman’s selection criteria is stringent: Is this one of the worst record covers in the world?
Goldman explains that to get into his collection, a cover “has to make me laugh! There are plenty of covers which are bad for the wrong reasons – sexist, homophobic, racist, gory etc – you won’t find any of these. I want records where the designers have tried to do something that’s gone horribly wrong”.
Visitors will have the opportunity to have their say on which is the best – or worst – via a public vote to select a favourite. This is an exhibition which can be enjoyed by the whole family, and younger visitors can enjoy games and activities, including designing their own worst record covers.
The exhibition will run from November 15 2023 until 27 January 2024 and although entry is free Goldman is a stroke survivor and is staging the exhibition in aid of Different Strokes, a charity helping younger stroke survivors.
On Friday, December 15 at the Floral Pavilion, the team from Birkenhead’s own Skeleton Records will be playing some of the best tunes from the 500+ records in the exhibition, plus a few of the best, worst and most unexpected Christmas records. Homebrew Bottle Shop will be providing the bar, while Skeleton Records will be bringing a pop-up vinyl shop so you can pick up some last-minute Christmas gifts.
The exhibition’s opening will also mark the publication of Goldman’s book The Art Of The Bizarre Vinyl Sleeve, published by Easy On The Eye Books. The text is written by Simon Robinson with a foreword written by comedian Stewart Lee.
To book tickets for the Worst Records Christmas Party go to floraloavilion.com
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