ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION "ARE YOU READY!"

Artist: Atlanta Rhythm Section

Album: Are Your Ready!
Label: Polydor

Catalog: PD-2-6236
Year: 1979
Genre: rock
Grading: VG+ cover / VG+ LP
Quantity: 1

Photographer: RIck Diamond / Sam Emerson
Cover Designer:  Mike McCarty

Grade: **** stars

Admittedly concert cover shots aren't particularly original, but this one's always struck me as being kind of cool ...  I believe this one was taken at a July 1978 concert the band gave at New York's Central Park. That's me on the front - fifth row up, 35 over from the left.   Just kidding.

VIVIAN STANSHALL "MEN OPENING UMBRELLAS AHEAD"

Artist: Vivian Stanshall

Album: Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead
Label: Warner Brothers

Catalog: K 56052
Year: 1974
genre: rock
grading: VG+ cover / VG+ LP; embossed cover
quantity: 1

Artist: Peter Till
Cover Designer:  Peter Till

Grade: **** stars

The late Vivian Stanshall is all but unknown to American audiences and his 1974 debut album never even saw an American release (it reportedly sold 5,000 copies before being deleted from the Warner Brothers catalog).  Musically it's a weird combination of English comedy and some of the most gut wrenching self loathing you'll ever hear - probably not something for the average top-40 listener.  If interested, you can find a more detailed description at: http://badcatrecords.com/BadCat/STANSHALL.htm

Anyhow, meant to invoke a traffic sign, Peter Till's cover is simply eye catching.  I can't tell you how long I've spent gazing at the cover. 

ALLEN TOUSSAINT - "SOUTHERN NIGHTS"

Artist: Allen Toussaint

Album: Southern Nights
Label: Reprise

Catalog: MS-
Year: 1975
genre: soul
grading: VG+ cover / VG+ LP
quantity: 1

Artist: George Stravrinos
Cover Designer:  Ed Thrasher

Grade: **** stars

Another one where I'm at somewhat of a loss to explain why I find the cover so appealing.  Perhaps it has something to do with my Southern heritage?   Maybe the cool color scheme? 

BRIAN ENO "BEFORE AND AFTER SCIENCE"

Artist: Brain Eno

Album: Before and After Science
Label: Editions EG

Catalog: ENO 4
Year: 1977
genre: progressive
grading: VG+ cover / VG+ LP
quantity: 1

Photographer: Ritva Saarikko
Designer:  Cream

Grade: **** stars

Musically this was one of Brian Eno's most straightforward and commercial collections.  Clearly you'll want to take that with a great of salt (it is an Eno album).  Still, full of mainstream melodies and surprisingly impressive vocals, it was a collection that most folks would be able to sit through without having to make a dash for the door.

As for the cover art, well Ritva Saarikko's stark black and white photo of the man was simply stunning.  

MAVIS STAPLES "WE'LL NEVER TURN BACK"

Artist: Mavis Staples

Album: We'll Never Turn Back
Label: Anti

Catalog: 86830-2
Year: 2007

genre: soul
grading: VG+ cover / VG+CD
quantity: 1
Photographer: David Bartlett
Designer:  --

Grade: **** stars

 Born in 1959, I was simply too young to have been actively aware of the mid-'60s struggle for equal rights.  That said, this is one of those rare album covers that instantly grabbed me and simply made me think ...  Surrounded by tear gas and chaos, can you imagine how much courage and faith these two young women must have had?  I've frequently wondered who they were and what became of them.  I can only hope life proved kind to them and I can only pray that if ever tested, I'd be blessed with as much strength and courage.     

SPIRIT "FEEDBACK"

Artist: Spirit

Album: Feedback
Label: Epic

Catalog: KE 31175
Year: 1972

genre: rock
grading: VG+ cover / VG+ LP
Quantity: 1
Photographer: Don Peterson
Designer:  Spirit and Virginia Team

Grade: **** stars

There's something unique and disquieting in Don Peterson's pixilated photo of the band.   It's like something out of one of those '80s B horror flicks - the spooks are coming through the TV to grab your soul.  Anyhow, the cover was actually far better than the album itself.

MASON PROFFIT "WANTED"

Artist: Mason Proffit

Album: Mason Proffit "Wanted"
Label: Happy Tiger

Catalog: HT 1009
Year: 1969

Genre: country-rock
Grading: VG+ cover / VG+ LP
Quantity: 1
Photographer: Peter Woulf
Designer:  See/Hear1 and Now!

Grade: **** stars

I must have owned this album a decade before the grisly back panel made an impact.  I'm sure I'd actually seen the image, but for some odd reason the sight of two men hanging from an old tree just never registered with me.   Truly disturbing - though the album itself is a classic, if virtually unknown country-rock release.