LADY SAPPHO & SATYRICONS Hair Ellis Larkins NUDE cover

$

37

The THIRD and final album in this week's bizarre trilogy of "Hair" related releases is this mysterious album by Lady Sappho & The Satyricons, titled simply and effectively "Hair!"  It's from 1971 on the Stanyan label.  Comes in a GORGEOUS sleeve depicting 14 beautiful 1880's pinup girls on back (several of which are topless and in remarkably good shape!), and a front cover picture presumably of Lady Sappho herself, looking very much like a Mister Sappho in women's clothing!  It's a total mystery looking at this album sleeve as to the real identity of Lady Sappho and her Satyricons, with liner notes written by "Lord Sappho (a relative)" and such credits as "Sound Effects by God!", "Photography by ?" and "Recording Engineer:  Tyrone Trash".  A little digging online reveals the true identity behind this album as none other than jazz pianist Ellis Larkins (see!  I told you it was a MAN in that dress!), as revealed by Rod McKuen in this interview: 

"Long, Beautiful, Luxurious And Easy To Listen To HAIR" by Lady Sappho & the Satyricons is basically Galt McDermott’s score for the Broadway musical "Hair" done in a very easy listening style. Lady Sappho is really the exquisite jazz pianist Ellis Larkins. Ellis is probably best known for his albums with Ella Fitzgerald and Mildred Bailey, among others. I met Ellis when he backed me on a pair of songs for my "Alone After Dark" album.

Some years later when I started my own label, Stanyan Records, I felt that Ellis had been neglected as a solo artist and I decided to record a series of albums with him and his trio. Despite the fact that we recorded Chris Conner and Sylvia Syms and other jazz artists, Ellis’ first album languished on store shelves because Stanyan was not known primarily as a jazz label. I bet a friend that if the cover and the blurb was right anything could be sold or at least be noticed. "Hair" was over covered as far as recordings went so I decided to make the challenge even tougher. I did yet another version of the score (plus an original composition of mine entitled "Bald, Missing From The Original Scalp.". The cover and liner were plastered with 1880’s tintype pinups of ladies with lots of hair and other attributes. The sales were just fine and those who actually played the album no doubt discovered that McDermott had written a very lyrical score. Particularly as played by Ellis Larkins. I have to admit that when Wade Alexander, president of Stanyan, started getting calls from booking agents regarding the availability of Lady Sappho we were all a bit stumped. 

(above taken from the Rod McKuen-Flight Plan website)

Personally, I would have attempted to book a few of the lovely topless Satyricons on the BACK cover before placing a call to...ahem, "Lady" Sappho herself, but that's just me.  This one's perhaps the WEIRDEST of all 3 "Hair" pieces.  Original 1971 pressing on the Stanyan label.  WAS sealed, opened and played ONCE, so cover/vinyl both in NEAR MINT shape.   Winning bidder pays $3.00 media mail shipping in the US, $6 to Canada, and $11 everywhere else. in the world.  Paypal, Bidpay, cash, checks and money orders accepted.  Please check out my other auctions for more obscure pop, psych, garage and "Hair" related goodies!