Imperials: "Heed the Call"

Released in 1979,

this was the Imperials' twenty-seventh (27th) album.

The Imperials were (are!) a gospel institution.

Together for over fifty years,

they have had personnel changes over that span,

but they are still going strong.

Their latest recording: "Still Standing" (2010).

"Heed the Call" includes several enjoyable, inspirational tracks.

The musical style - like the suits in the back cover photo - reflects the time.

WHENEVER I SPEAK HIS NAME

PRAISE THE LORD

Read more about the Imperials HERE.

Cover Illustration: David Gaadt, The Graphic Truth

Back Cover Photo: Goss Photography

The Atlantics: "Big City Rock"

The Atlantics were a Boston New Wave band.

"Big City Rock" was their debut album,

and the title track the only song

that caught a bit of national attention,

unfortunately.

Read a bit more about The Atlantics HERE.

Art Direction/Concept/Design: Stuart Kusher

Photography: Earl Miller

Lettering: Rod Dyer, Inc.

Tin Huey: "contents dislodged during shipment"

Released in 1979,

this was Tin Huey's third (3rd) studio LP.

Part of the experimental rock scene that has been called "The Akron Sound."

Read more about Tin Huey HERE.

Cover Art: Mike Holmes

Back Cover Photo: Jeff Day

Airbrushing on Back Cover Photo: Stephen Nicol Price

Bill Evans and Toots Thielemans: "Affinity"

Released in 1979,

this is one of several LPs released

shortly before his death in 1980, and

this is one of dozens of examples

of the enticing keyboard artistry of Bill Evans.

In this case,

he is accompanied by

the inimitable harmonica stylings

of Toots Thielemans.

Read more about the life and times of Bill Evans HERE.

Art Direction: John Cabalka

Paintings: Ark Wong

Back Cover Photo: Doug Wetstein

Design: Eric Monson

Pablo Cruise: "Part of the Game"

Released in 1979,

this was Pablo Cruise's fifth (5th) studio LP.

This album marked something of a decline

in Pablo Cruise's popularity.  Their previous two recordings,

"A Place in the Sun" and "World's Away"

had been huge successes with multiple top hits.

Read more about the rise and fall and resurgence of Pablo Cruise

HERE.

Illustrations and Cover Desgin: Greg Brown

Insert photography: J. J. Morris

Bee Gees: "Spirits Having Flown"

Released in 1979,

this was the Bee Gees fifteenth (15th) studio LP,

their first after the mega-sensation

of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.

Just admit it.

You danced to their music

more than once,

and not just all alone

in your bedroom, either.

Read more about the Bee Gees HERE.

Art Direction, Photography, Design: Ed Caraeff Studio

Bee Gees were accompanied on this album by some

Chicago horns: Lee Loughnane, Walter Parazaider, and James Pankow;

also Herbie Mann appears on this recording.

George Benson: "Livin' Inside Your Love"

Released in 1979,

this was George Benson's seventeenth (17th) studio LP.

Reminder: if you haven't listened to some George Benson lately,

you need to correct that egregious lapse in musical judgement.

Read more about George Benson HERE.

Art Direction: John Cabalka

Photography: Tom Bert

Design: Brad Kanawyer

The Imperials: "...featuring Terry and Sherman"

Released in 1979,

this is a compilation album

put together after

Terry Blackwood and Sherman Andrus

had left the group.

The Imperials have been around for nearly fifty (50) years.

In the '60s and '70s they were known for recording with Elvis Presley.

Read more about The Imperials HERE.

Cover Design: LeAnn J. Matthews

Photography: Dill Beatty

BeeGees: "Greatest"

Released in 1979,

this was a compilation album

commemorating the huge sensation

that was the BeeGees

in the late 1970s.

All the great songs from "Saturday Night Fever,"

plus "Jive Talkin'"

"Fanny"

"Nights On Broadway"

"How Deep Is Your Love"

Admit it.

You love it.

Bette Midler: "Thighs and Whispers"

Released in 1979,

this was Bette Midler's fifth (5th) studio LP.

Art Direction: Sandi Young

Photography: William Coupon

Chicago: "13"

Released in 1979,

this was Chicago's thirteenth (13th) LP 

(duh!)

Being as it was 1979,

the band's producers insisted on

bending their style distinctly

disco-ward.

The results were not as barfy as they could have been,

but still....  really?  

Chicago? Disco?

Kudos to Da Boyz for surviving!

Seals & Crofts: "Collection"

Released in 1979,

this was a special collection

of the best of Seals & Crofts.

Read more of the history of Jim Seals and Dash Crofts HERE.

Karla Bonoff: "Restless Nights"

Released in 1979,

this was Karla Bonoff's second (2nd) studio LP.

Read more about Karla Bonoff HERE.

Led Zeppelin: "In Through The Out Door"

Released in 1979,

this album from one of the

great bands of the British Invasion

has an unusual artistic story

both musically and graphically.

Read more about it HERE.

Album concept and artwork: Hipgnosis

Dan Fogelberg: "Phoenix"

Released in 1979,

this was Dan Fogelberg's fifth (5th) solo studio LP.

Very talented singer/songwriter,

taken from this world at a relatively young age.

Read more about Dan Fogelberg HERE.

Webber and Rice: "Evita"

Released in 1979,

this is the cast of the original American production of "Evita."

Read some history of the musical HERE.