Firehouse Five Plus Two – Volume 5: Goes South! album art
Front cover, featuring the firemen with their instruments. Group name set in Tuscan Egyptian (Vanderburgh-Wells, 1877); album title and catalog number set in Karnak (Black Condensed; Ludlow, 1936). “GOOD TIME JAZZ” set in a yet-unidentified ornamental Tuscan typeface – seems to be a more decorative version of Tuscan Ornamented #3 (Figgins, c.1846). “Trade Mark Reg.” set in a generic Scotch typeface.
Goes South! is the fifth album from the Firehouse Five Plus Two after their four-part Story series, first released in 1954 as an EP by Contemporary Records through its Good Time Jazz imprint. As well as showcasing the seven firemen and their musical talents as they travel the hallowed ragtime lands of Dixie, the album features Walt Kelly’s famed Southern swamplander Pogo Possum on the back cover as an unofficial member.
The songs on the album – all of which are now in the public domain – are led by Disney lead animator Ward Kimball (trombone and siren) alongside fellow Disneyites Frank Thomas (lead animator; piano), George Probert (assistant director; clarinet, ocarina and soprano sax), Danny Alguire (assistant director; cornet), Harper Goff (production designer; banjo – second recording session only) and Jimmy MacDonald (sound effects supervisor; drums – third recording session only); they are joined by Dick Roberts (banjo – first and third recording sessions), Ed Penner (tuba) and Monte Mountjoy (drums – first two recording sessions).
Back cover, featuring Assistant Fire Chief Pogo charming a hose snake using a clarinet (illustrated by Walt Kelly). “WHY POGO DOES NOT ENDORSE THIS ALBUM” set in P.T. Barnum (ATF, 1933); “By A Tinwhistler’s Mother” set in Alternate Gothic (No. 1; ATF, 1903). Kelly’s essay set in Times New Roman (roman and italic; Monotype, 1932). Liner notes, track listing and credits – as well as other indicia – set in ATF Garamond.
2 Comments on “Firehouse Five Plus Two – Volume 5: Goes South! album art”
Thanks, Jae.
I looked into the ornamented Tuscan used for “GOOD TIME JAZZ”. The two O’s are not quite identical, suggesting that it isn’t type. I have removed the “unidentified” label and added the “lettering” tag instead.
Ohhh, it was lettering? I did not take that into account nor did I notice.
I was almost fully convinced it was a pre-existing wooden face; someone should design one based on it though.