Black Sabbath: "Heaven and Hell"

Release in 1980,

this was the ninth studio LP for Black Sabbath,

but the first to feature Ronnie James Dio

as the lead vocalist.

He had just replaced Ozzy Osbourne in that role.

Artwork by Lynn Curlee and Harry Carmean

Read more about Black Sabbath HERE.

Pat Benatar: "Crimes of Passion"

Released in 1980,

this was Pat Benatar's second (2nd) studio LP.

Read more about Pat Benatar's career HERE.

Art Direction: Billy Bass

Cover Design: Ria Lewerke-Shapiro

Photography: Leon LeCash

Telex: "Neurovision"

Released in 1980,

this was the second (2nd) studio LP

from Belgian synth-pop group Telex.

Read more about Telex HERE.

Sleeve by Ever Meulen and Eddy Flippo

Jim Nabors: "The Heart-Touching Magic Of..."

Released in 1980,

this was a "TV-only" offering

from the surprising voice of Jim Nabors.

All the world marvelled

at the sonorous quality

of the singing voice

that belonged to

"Gomer Pyle."

Read more about Jim Nabors HERE.

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils: "Ozark Mountain Daredevils"

Released in 1980,

this was The Ozark Mountain Daredevils'

seventh (7th) studio LP,

their second self-titled recording,

and their first and only project with Columbia

after having six (6) LPs released by A&M.

Read more about The Ozark Mountain Daredevils HERE and HERE.

Barbra Streisand: "Guilty"

Released in 1980,

this was Barbra Streisand's twenty-second (22nd) studio LP,

and it was her most commercially successful recording.

Read more about the making of this LP HERE.

Photography: Mario Casilli

Van Halen: "Women and Children First"

Released in 1980,

this was Van Halen's third (3rd) studio LP.

Read a little bit more about the comings, goings, ups and downs of Van Halen

HERE.

Art Direction: Richard Seireeni

Cover art concept: Pete Angelus

Photography: Norman Seeff

Steve Winwood: "Arc of a Diver"

Released in 1980.

All voices and instruments = Steve Winwood.

Read more about Steve Winwood HERE.

Cover Art: Tony Wright

GLAD: "Beyond a Star"

GLAD's second studio LP,

released in 1980.

Art/Design/Photography credits unknown.

I mean, I'm sure they are available somewhere,

but I couldn't find 'em.

Poco: "The Songs of Richie Furay"

Released in 1980, this LP is simply a compilation of Poco tracks that were penned by band member Richie Furay.

Illustration by Jim McMullen

Design by Paula Selvie

Kate Smith: "Her Very Best"

Popular radio star of the 1930s-'40s, Kate Smith is perhaps best known

for her rendition of Irving Berlin's "God Bless America."

This particular LP was a compilation released in 1980.

You can find more about Kate Smith HERE.

Seawind: "Seawind (A&M)"

Amazing Hawaiian Jazz Band!

These talented musicians were breaking musical ground in the late 1970s that would essentially lead to whole new genres of jazz and funk styles.

The rhythms, the horns, and most of all Pauline Wilson's incredible voice will knock your socks off and have you listening to this music over and over again.

The band released two different eponymous LPs.

This one is the 1980 A&M release.

(The other was released by CTI in 1976.)

There is a nice little article about the band HERE.

Art Direction: Chuck Beeson

Illustration: Chris Hopkins, Willardson and White

This album went to a fan in California.

Private Lightning (eponymous)

Released in 1980.

File this under "Great Music That Never Made It To The So-Called Big Time."

Raucus and highly enjoyable!

Read a great review HERE.

This LP generated some unexpected competition during its online auction;

ended up with a fan in Massachussetts (the band is from Boston).

Queen: "The Game"

Queen's eighth (8th) studio album, "The Game" was released in June 1980.

This was the only Queen LP to reach #1 in the US, and it is tied with "News of the World" with 4 million copies sold.

Memorable tunes from this album include "Another One Bites the Dust" and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love."  Their song "Rock It (prime jive)" pre-dated Herbie Hancock's popular "Rockit" by a few years.

This album went off to a new home in France.

Genesis: "Duke"

I hate to admit it, but this album was my introduction to Genesis.  "Duke" is the tenth (10th!) studio album by Genesis.  It was their first album to go Platinum, followed by four more that each went multi-Platinum.  The huge pop hit from this LP is "Misunderstanding," unquestionably a great song.  The rest of this album is also tremendously enjoyable.

"Duke" prompted me to investigate earlier Genesis recordings, several of which I subsequently purchased and nearly wore out.

 

My copy of "Duke" joined several others on an all-expenses paid one-way trip to Canada.

The Doors' Greatest Hits

No doubt about the fact that any "Greatest Hits" collection from The Doors would be enjoyable and filled with powerful music. All of the hits are here: "L.A. Woman," "Love Her Madly," "Hello, I Love You," "Light My Fire," "Riders on the Storm," "Roadhouse Blues," "Love Me Two Times," "People Are Strange," "Break On Through." Certainly an LP worthy to be owned and loved.

This LP was released in 1980, long after Jim Morrison had gone to his rest (one hopes but can't help but wonder) in Paris.

My copy flew to its new home in Texas in late 2007.