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.