MALIBU, Calif., Dec. 9 -- Gary Burden's design of the Neil Young Archives, Volume 1 has been nominated for a 52nd Annual Grammy Award in the Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package category.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091209/NE23589 )
Lead art director and designer Gary Burden, R. Twerk & Co., says he had "no idea 'the archives' were entered into the awards, so it was a huge surprise when we received a phone call and learned we were nominated. This is just so cool and I am really happy for Neil, too." This is Burden's fourth Grammy nomination for design. Burden, representing his company R. Twerk & Co., has received three other Grammy nominations for 'Best Package of the Year.'
The long-awaited Neil Young Archives, Volume 1 (1963-1972) is a luxe boxed set. It was conceived as a time-capsule of Neil Young's musical and personal journeys from 1963 to 1972. The elaborate box contains multiple cds/dvds/bluerays (depending on the version, there are three), a replica of Neil Young's revealing personal journal with a faux embossed leather cover, and a "stash" box (look in the corners for reproductions of pot seeds). The box was designed to last a long time, and also designed with sustainability in mind. "The Mohawk paper we used is FSC-certified, recycled with PCW content and made with windpower," said Burden.
Burden and Neil Young have been collaborating on album cover art for more than forty years and have become lifelong friends. They still enjoy working together and are currently at work on Volume II, and a myriad of other packages.
Read about the design of Neil Young Archives, Volume 1: http://garyburdenforrtwerk.com/archives/231
Read about the designer's sustainability vision for the Neil Young Archives, Volume 1.
Read about the collaboration between Gary Burden and Neil Young on the project.
See Gary Burden's complete discography.
Gary says he will 'definitely' be going to the Grammy Awards in January, "It is very cool that the years of work Neil, my wife Jenice and I put into the packaging of Neil's archive is recognized by my peers as being worthy of a Grammy. I immediately recalled my first Grammy nomination in 1969 for Richard Pryor's comedy album. I went to Western Costume to rent an outfit. I got a tuxedo with sequin lapels and stripes on the trousers that was made for Elvis Presley. It fit me perfectly. Sweet!"
Gary Burden started designing album covers at the suggestion of Mama Cass after he did a short stint as an architect, designing Cass' home. Shortly thereafter, Burden had designed Joni Mitchell's "Blue" cover, albums for Steppenwolf, Three Dog Night and The Mamas and the Papas all of which went gold and platinum. Burden created Crosby, Stills and Nash's first album cover artwork, The Doors' "Morrison Hotel" and four album covers for the Eagles including "Desperado," several for Jackson Browne, Judee Sill, Laura Nyro, and many others even making a cover for Zydeco artist Clifton Chenier.
