In addition to being a world-class jazz musician, Sun Ra was a world-class eccentric. He claimed to be an alien from Saturn, his album covers reflected that as well as his fascination with ancient Egypt. Are you ready to space … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Sun Ra

Old & In The Way was an early side project of Jerry Garcia’s. It was something of a bluegrass super band with Jerry, Vassar Clements, David Grisman, John Kahn, and Peter Rowan. I’ve always been fond of this 1973 album … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Old & In The Way

It’s time to get funky at First Draft. This 1975 album from Kool & The Gang really brings the funk. Here’s what James Brown had to say about the band: “They’re the second-baddest out there…They make such bad records that … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Spirit Of The Boogie

In 1974 George Harrison was at a turning point in his career. He had begun a lucrative and enjoyable side hustle as a movie producer. He started his own record label, which was named for his first release on it. … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Dark Horse

Rumor has it that I like puns. So did long time Boston Pops maestro Arthur Fielder. Are you ready to boogie down? Me neither. Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Saturday Night Fiedler

Switched On Bach was featured in this space not long ago. It’s time to give Father Christmas equal time. Here are some random tracks from Sy Mann’s 1969 LP: Have yourself a Moogy Little Christmas, y’all.   Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Switched On Santa

Have yourself a meaty little Christmas. Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Cheesy Swedish Christmas Covers

The Jayhawks are one of my favorite bands. They are not, however, known for their album art. I do quite like this wintry, snowy, ice peoply cover, which was shot in Hollywood Township, Carver County, Minnesota. Musically, Hollywood Town Hall … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Hollywood Town Hall

Trumpeter/Singer Chet Baker was the Jazz matinee idol of the Beat generation. He was handsome as all get out and as cool as a cucumber. Album covers from his prime reflect his status as the Marlon Brando/James Dean/Dean Moriarty of … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Chet Baker

I did a search for albums with food-inspired covers. That’s how I stumbled into Home Cookin’. Jimmy Smith was the master of the Hammond organ; one of my favorite instruments. He also apparently liked diner food; as do I. Although … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Home Cookin’

I have a soft spot for both gypsy jazz and early album cover art. This 1953 LP scratches both itches as it were. Note that the image on this video is a variation on the cover above: Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Swing From Paris

Aaron Copland meets Emerson Lake & Palmer. Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Aaron Copland

The Impressions were one of the most politically engaged bands of the 1960’s as well as one of the most soulful. In fact, co-founder Jerry (The Iceman) Butler was first elected a Cook County Commissioner in 1985 and still serves … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: The Impressions

I wrote about Country Joe McDonald last Saturday so it’s only right to discuss his band’s 1967 album, Electric Music for the Mind and Body. The band’s name combined McDonald’s nickname with that of Barry (The Fish) Melton: Country Joe and … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Electric Music for the Mind and Body

The great soul keyboard player Booker T. Jones was blown away by Abbey Road: I was in California when I heard Abbey Road, and I thought it was incredibly courageous of The Beatles to drop their format and move out musically … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: McLemore Avenue

A Few Small Repairs came out twenty years ago and was recently re-issued in a fancy new edition.  It was Shawn Colvin’s commercial breakthrough, became a big damn hit, and won several Grammys. Who doesn’t like a break up album, … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: A Few Small Repairs

Atomic Rooster was a British prog-rock band best known to me for their swell name and the fact that Carl Palmer was their first drummer. Atomic Rooster also had some terrific roostery album covers beginning with their debut album. Here’s … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Atomic Rooster

Switched-On Bach was revolutionary when it was released in 1968. It brought the original Moog synthesizer to the masses.  It also has a swell cover with a hint that Walter Carlos would eventually become Wendy: Trans-Electronic Music Productions Inc. Here’s some … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Switched-On Bach

I’m reading Dave Weigel’s brilliant history of prog rock, The Show That Never Ends. One of the earliest prog bands were the Soft Machine who took their name from the title of a book by beat generation icon William S. … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: The Soft Machine

I’ve selected Bad Company’s debut album because the cover spawned the logo that the band uses to this day. The logo was designed by Hipgnosis and still  adorns Simon Kirke’s drum kit as well as providing a backdrop for their … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Bad Company

Another Wednesday, another Sixties psychedelic album cover. I’m familiar with the loopy grandeur of Manfred Mann’s hit version of Bob Dylan’s The Mighty Quinn but I’d never seen the album before. It has a wicked cool cover by Victor Moscoso … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: The Mighty Quinn

In 1968, everyone had psychedelic album covers even the King of Salsa, Tito Puente. In Spanish-speaking countries, of course, the tile was El Rey. Whatever you call it, it’s a swell record with a groovy cover, baby or is that  bebé ? … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: The King Tito Puente