HELP WANTED: The SD Photo Shoot
Okay, so the PR department at the St. Petersburg Times is launching a new ad campaign for columnists and critics. The idea is artsy outside-the-box pix. For my ad, one idea was to re-create an iconic album image. Sure, it's been done, but it might be cool.
I was also thinking of getting the FF and Lulu involved, a shot that blends home and work. But the FF wasn't keen on the readers who hate my guts knowing what our kid looks like. Good point.
So I come to you, gang. I'm DESPERATE for ideas. Here's the deal. For every 10 withering jokes at my expense, I'd appreciate one badass idea. Tee off on me, but then come up with a cool image. There's a record warehouse in town with some 30 million albums, and I could probably stage a shot there. But if you dream up something better, I'll gladly go with that.
The weirder, wilder the better. Push the envelope, baby!!!
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
How 'bout the original album cover for Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet? Picture this: your ample, hairless man bosoms stuffed into a way-too-tight XXXXL mesh half-shirt and ... oops, I just threw up in my mouth.
Posted by: Concealed Weapons | January 04, 2008 at 05:28 PM
Sean - I don't see how you could do better than the "Sean Daily World Tour" poster.
Posted by: Scott | January 04, 2008 at 05:29 PM
How about a recreation of the "American Beauty" cover. Instead of being covered in rose petals, you could be covered in CDs.
My mind is starting to work now. Hold on to your cannoli!
Posted by: Marissa | January 04, 2008 at 05:35 PM
Lennon/Ono's Two Virgins?
If the FF wasn't up to it, perhaps Spears could pinch hit.
Posted by: Guy | January 04, 2008 at 05:35 PM
For the record, I am not "concealed weapons" above lol
Posted by: Marissa | January 04, 2008 at 05:36 PM
1984 Album Cover, Van Halen. Just put your face on it.....
Posted by: Al | January 04, 2008 at 06:06 PM
How about a turn as Walter/Wendy Carlos on the cover of Switched-On Bach?
Other album covers to consider:
Phil Collins - No Jacket Required
The Scorpions - Blackout
Michael Jackson - Thriller (or heck, why not Off The Wall)
Supertramp - Breakfast in America
Posted by: Brad | January 04, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Sean as Springsteen a la "Born in the U.S.A."
Posted by: David P | January 04, 2008 at 06:33 PM
My Suggestions:
Bruce Springsteen - Born In The USA
Prince - Purple Rain
U2 - Joshua Tree
Fleetwood Mac - Rumors
The Clash - The Clash
Madonna - Like A Virgin
I guess the trick is to select a cool cover, while still having it be recognized by the general public with average to below average music knowledge.
Good Luck!
Posted by: Ray | January 04, 2008 at 07:07 PM
You and Spears doing the Born To Run cover. (Steve can be Clarence)
The Peter Wolf Lights Out cover.
Peter Gabriels's So
The Red Hot Chili Peppers cover where they have the strategically placed socks (four shots of you, or put your head on all four bodies in the original photo)
The AC/DC High Voltage cover.
Posted by: Bassnote | January 04, 2008 at 07:55 PM
You and Spears recreate the cover of the Blues Brothers Briefcase Full Of Blues.
You done up as Adam Ant on the Prince Charming cover
The cover of the Buggles The Age of Plastic (you have to wear the big Trevor Horn glasses)
Either David Lee Roth's Crazy From The Heat cover or his Eat 'Em and Smile cover.
Prince's Lovesexy cover.
Posted by: Bassnote | January 04, 2008 at 08:05 PM
Yeah, I would definitely pay money to see you clad in purple and ruffles, straddling a purple bike, with perhaps FF looking coy and smokey in a doorway in the background.
Posted by: LA | January 04, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Here's another idea that is not album cover related.
Picture this: You sitting on a throne made of CDs, or a graphically added cubical made of CDs, donning a crown cocked to the side, one hand in a bag of Funyons, the other on your computer keyboard, iPod headset on...
give it some thought.
Posted by: Marissa | January 04, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Well, obviously you should recreate the swimming baby on the first Nirvana album.
Posted by: Ewwwwww | January 04, 2008 at 08:51 PM
Or maybe you should be in the big Stop Making Sense suit. Although I caught a clip from the the other day and apparently I remembered the suit as much bigger than it was...
Posted by: | January 04, 2008 at 08:53 PM
What about dressed as Freddie MErcury in the leather chaps and vest.
Or a picture sitting on the throne at Mellencamps'
Posted by: sparky | January 04, 2008 at 09:38 PM
How about dressed as "Chunky A" on "Large and in Charge", bling and all. Scary thought. Especially that I remember that cd.
Posted by: Tom | January 04, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Here's one to make you cringe Sean:
You dressed in the 80's red Huey Lewis suit with black t-shirt, pulling down the sunglasses.
Posted by: Bassnote | January 04, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Aladdin Sane - David Bowie
Posted by: DG | January 04, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Hey Sean! Check your email, dude!
Posted by: Marissa | January 04, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Two alcohol-fueled thoughts:
* Something featuring you and the evolution of how we listen to music: album (could even go WAY retro with a 78); 8-track; cassette; CD; mp3. Maybe a version of the stages of man, only with this stuff.
*Something akin to the Sgt. Pepper album cover, featuring music icons, with you as Paul (the cute one, natch.)
* You as Sir Tom on one of his Live in Vegas album covers -- bow tie hanging, open collar, masculine stance, panties flying. It could work. I'm seeing this being in demand as a full-sized poster, actually.
Posted by: jane | January 04, 2008 at 11:53 PM
OK -- that was three ideas. Told you they were alcohol-fueled.
Posted by: jane | January 04, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Wow, I just got back from my "playlist" night. And although my evening couldn't have been any weirder (but admittedly wickedly fun and, hoo boy, memorable as hell) -- where's my pal Stephanie Hayes when I have to unload serious emotional baggage? oh yeah, she's rocking out and being famous -- you guys are putting a rather bizarro nightcap on things.
I like the Purple Rain idea. Thriller, too. And of course anything linking me to Tom Jones is brilliant.
Posted by: Sean Daly | January 05, 2008 at 01:07 AM
In honor of Sean's feud with a certain 80s pop star, how about this? (And thank you, Photoshop!)
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg227/rufftufftuesday/2167665034_b68f257c5f_o.jpg
Posted by: David P | January 05, 2008 at 01:37 AM
David P.... BRILLIANT!! How excellent was that! Here I am, sick with a head cold and wide awake at 4:23 in the morning (#%@$# the Thera-flu/Niquil combo for not working), when I decide to boot up the computer and there is your creative artwork! Cracked me up and made me feel better, if only for a moment! Pure Genius!! LOL
Posted by: Carla | January 05, 2008 at 05:26 AM
Oh pooh! Photobucket isn't cooperating at the moment. I wanted to post a link to the cover I made for Sean.
I'll link it to myspace, I guess. Let me know if it works
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.editAlbumPhoto&albumID=1263026&imageID=19115531&MyToken=ca21e362-c25d-4524-9295-3f6d9ec375a5
Sean, two versions of it are sitting in your email box.
Posted by: Marissa | January 05, 2008 at 07:25 AM
Okay, that is sooo good David P, I might just go with that. Seriously. Plus I look so dapper, dashing. And I'm pretty sure you took about 10 pounds off. Thanks!
Gotta go track yours down, Marissa...
Posted by: Sean Daly | January 05, 2008 at 07:59 AM
I'm gonna have to wait to gush about yours, Marissa. Access to my work email from home is lousy. No attachments, etc.
Posted by: Sean Daly | January 05, 2008 at 08:05 AM
All righty! Photobucket is now being a good boy.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m78/marissa65/personal%20and%20family/SDasTJ2.jpg
Posted by: Marissa | January 05, 2008 at 08:29 AM
David P's is awesome!
But just change it to Sean Daly and the News.......perfect because you're working at a .....wait for it.....NEWSPAPER!
Posted by: Al | January 05, 2008 at 02:03 PM
LOL LOL ... Good one Al!!! ha ha ha!
Posted by: Carla | January 05, 2008 at 02:06 PM
For the record, I'm not included in this photo shoot. I'm not actually a critic or a writer at the Times. Just a lowly web editor. I'm just glad I get a chair to sit in each day. (Queue the Schoolhouse Rock ditty "I'm Just a Bill")
Posted by: Spears | January 05, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Awwww poor Steve... well I certainly wouldn't Veto you!
Posted by: Carla | January 05, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Jeez, way to bring us all down, Steve. What, did they run out of shrimp on the cruise?
Posted by: Sean Daly | January 05, 2008 at 05:02 PM
So Sean... you going with the Sean Daly & the News album cover?? It's pretty awesome!
Posted by: Carla | January 05, 2008 at 05:10 PM
Glad the Huey cover is a hit. Another idea: Sean could dress like the Maxell "blown away" guy from the old commercials:
http://img.yezzz.com/zm3181469.jpeg
He might need a butler to bring him his music, though... Spears?
Posted by: David P | January 05, 2008 at 05:15 PM
Hey! I'm not at home, but still felt the need to see what's been going on while I celebrated Christmas with my family.
I hope everyone is having a fantabulous weekend. Have you missed me in my 15 hour absence? I didn't think so!
Night night...
Posted by: Marissa | January 06, 2008 at 12:33 AM
David's Huey suggestion has a far more serious possibility (and he's clearl more photoshop savvy than I). What I made for you, Sean, was for entertainment purposes...and to show the world what you'd look like if you weren't porpoise smooth.
Posted by: Marissa | January 06, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Wow! This place was nearly a ghost town while I was away. What gives? Did everybody have something else to do this weekend?
Posted by: Marissa | January 06, 2008 at 11:19 PM
What about that great Who's Next cover, of the boys "watering down" the slag heap?
Posted by: Dave Gray | January 07, 2008 at 02:34 AM
What about that great Who's Next cover, of the boys "watering down" the slag heap?
Posted by: Dave Gray | January 07, 2008 at 02:34 AM
Why have a creative or graphics department if you're going to get readers to do the work for free?
You are supposed to do the work. Or what am I subscribing for?
Posted by: Chris | January 07, 2008 at 10:38 PM
All I care is that you're fully clothed.
Posted by: Bob Croslin | January 08, 2008 at 02:05 AM