DADDY COOL "TEENAGE HEAVEN"

Artist: Daddy Cool

Album: Teenage Heaven
Label: Reprise

Catalog: MS 2088
Year: 1972
Genre: rock
Grading: VG+ cover / VG+ LP
Quantity: 1

Cover Designer: Ed Threasher
Artist: David Willardson

Grade: **** stars

It's kind of funny - when it was released in Australia, the original album title "Sex, Dope, Rock 'n' Roll: Teenage Heaven" created a storm of controversy with some Australian retailers refusing to stock the LP.  In the States the set was given an abbreviated title "Teenage Heaven" and different cover art, though I'm not sure what was wrong with the original Australian cover.

PRETTY THINGS "SAVAGE EYE"

Artist: Pretty Things

Album: Savage Eye
Label: Swan Song

Catalog: SS 8414
Year: 1975
Genre: rock
Grading: VG+ cover / VG+ LP
Quantity: 1

Cover Designer: Hipgnosis

Grade: **** stars

I'm sure it wasn't the first "eyeball" concept cover, but I always thought It was attention grabbing.   It certainly caught my attention as a 16 year old ...  In fact I bought a copy largely based on the packaging.

Here's the entire gatefold sleeve -

 

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.