Long before he issues an LP himself, Gary surveys the sleeve of a long-player he's listening to, part of a reasonably modest collection including at least one Bach album by the look of it, and several EPs or 45s. Closer scrutiny reveals the wording on some of the spines: High Society, 10 Guitars Visit Hawaii, Me and My Shadows, Songs for Swinging Lovers, two Sinatra titles, I Wanna be Bobby's Girl, and something by Julie London.
With its high auto-changing spindle and its restricted access, this kind of cabinet made it quite hard to put records on without handling the playing surface, and without risk of scratching it.
The photos are all beautifully exposed and there is evidence of a studio light rather than flash, in the heavy shadow and the muted reflection in the polished wardrobe.
It's easy to see why, since there is a disproportionate vista of stripy sock, and the contemplative pose accidentally masks one of the classical pinups that were no doubt intended to lend gravitas to the whole effect.
On first glance they seem to be pinned to the wall, but in fact it looks like a moveable panel of some sort, suggesting that this photo-session was a planned, rather than a spontaneous, affair.
One is reminded of Lewis Carroll's wonderful poem, Hiawatha's Photographing (do go and read it here) (RC)
At least the shoes aren't laced up wrong! (MC)
