Michael Bolton: "Michael Bolton"

Released in 1983,

this was actually Michael Bolton's third (3rd) studio LP.

This was his first recording with Columbia,

and his first recording using his stage name.

His previous recordings had been under his

given name - Michael Bolotin.

So, for all you music snobs out there

who 'sniff' and look askance

at this artist,

I say, "Give him a chance."

Take a closer look at his story

and his credits.

Before he made it big as an 'easy listening'

soul ballad singer,

Michael had some success as a rock star...

From this album - watch and listen:

Fools Game

The hair is pretty amazing, though, right?

Read more about Michael Bolton HERE.

Design: Allen Weinberg

Photography: David Kennedy

Juice Newton: "Dirty Looks"

Released in 1983,

this was Juice Newton's fifth (5th) solo LP.

Gotta love the pure '80s design of the album art!

Read more about the life and times of Juice Newton HERE.

Photography: Aaron Rapoport

Art Direction & Design: Kosh, Ron Larson

John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band: "Eddie and the Cruisers"

Released in 1983

with the release of the film,

this soundtrack enjoyed more popularity

than the movie itself.

Read more about the movie and its reception HERE.

Julio Iglesias: "Julio"

Spanish singing star Julio Iglesias

was wildly popular throughout the Spanish-speaking world

for many years before he achieved stardom in the USA.

This compilation LP was released in 1983 and went multi-platinum.

Read more about Julio Iglesias HERE.

Placido Domingo: "My Life for a Song"

Released in 1983;

one of the Spanish classical tenor's

attempts to appeal to a broader, more commercial audience.

One of the famed "Three Tenors"

(with Italian Luciano Pavarotti and fellow-Spaniard Jose Carreras).

Find out more about Placido Domingo HERE.

Larry Elgart: "Hooked on Swing 2"

Released in 1983.

This is a very fun, dance-your-socks-off recording.

It consists of several medleys wrapped in relentless BEAT.

And in case you did not know it,

Larry Elgart is fully legit.

Read more about him HERE.

Illustration by Tom Lundstrom.

GLAD: "No Less Than All"

This was GLAD's fourth (4th) studio LP,

and it was released in 1983.

I was drawn very quickly to the extraordinary vocal arrangements of this group.

In particular, a track called "The Reason"

which is on their second LP ("Beyond a Star")

was recorded acapella.

This highlighted the vocal talent with goosebump-inducing tight harmonies.

GLAD later released several acapella projects.

Read more about them HERE.

Art Direction: George King

Cover Illustration: Illustrated Alaskan Moose

Anne Murray: "A Little Good News"

Released in 1983

(the album art is a dead giveaway!)

this was Anne Murray's 20th studio LP.

I have a bit of a weakness for female vocalists,

a fact that will probably become increasingly clear in this museum.

Design/Art/Photography credits unknown;

i.e., I did not record them and could not discover them

in the pictures or by research on the web.

David Bowie: "Let's Dance"

Released in 1983, "Let's Dance" was David Bowie's 15th studio LP.

The title cut was one of Bowie's biggest international hits,

and still a personal favorite of mine, thank you.

One notable tidbit about this album is that it featured Stevie Ray Vaughn on lead guitar.

The album art is SOOO 1980s!

Cool, huh?

This album ended up with a collector in Italy.

Phil Keaggy: "Underground"

This is Phil Keaggy's eighth (8th) LP, released in 1983.

Recorded entirely in Keaggy's basement "studio," he plays all of the instruments and did his own mixing.

It is essentially a compilation of demo tracks, and it is well worth the listen.

Although the inner sleeve (below) lists photography and design credits, I did not capture them and zooming in does not provide enough clarity to see them.

This LP went to a fan in Minnesota.