Justo Almario: "Forever Friends"

Released in 1985,

this is one of many fabulous recordings

from a woodwind artist

whom I would rank easily in the top five

woodwind soloists

EVER.

If you have not heard Justo play,

you MUST go find his music immediately.

Your life will be re-arranged.

Guaranteed.

Read more about Justo Almario HERE.

Cover Design: Buddy Jackson

Photography: Mark Tucker

Alabama: "Christmas"

Released in 1985,

this holiday album was a HUGE success for the boys.

This was their tenth (10th) studio LP.

Read more about the history of country music mega-stars Alabama HERE.

John Fogerty: "Centerfield"

Released in 1985,

this was John Fogerty's second (2nd) solo LP

(not counting the unreleased "Hoodoo" LP).

This was also his most successful outing as a solo artist.

For more about John Fogerty's career, go HERE.

John Fogerty: "Centerfield"

Released in 1985,

this LP from the former frontman of Creedence Clearwater Revival

showed some traction on the charts.

Good, solid,

fun to listen.

Read more about John Fogerty HERE.

Art Direction & Design: Laura LiPuma

Artwork: Bob Fogerty

Front Cover Photography: Stuart Watson

Back Cover Photography: Richard Litt

Terry Talbot: "Face to Face"

Released in 1985,

this is one of only a few solo LPs

released by Terry.

He and his younger brother John Michael Talbot

started a little band called

Mason Proffit

some of you might remember.

Steve Green: "He Holds The Keys"

Released in 1985,

this was Steve Green's second (2nd) SOLO LP.

He had already established himself

in the Christian music recording world

by his association with the group TRUTH,

and singing background for the Gaither Trio,

then tenor on the first two LPs by "The Gaither Vocal Band"

(a group which has boasted very distinguished membership over the years),

and with a rock group called White Heart.

More about Steve Green HERE.

Design and Photography credits unknown.

Barbra Streisand: "The Broadway Album"

I truly wish I had removed the cellophane before I took the pic,

but... oh, well!

Released in 1985,

this was Barbra's forty-third (43rd) LP

(depending on how one counts)

Great article about this LP HERE.

Photography: Richard Corman

Art Direction: Lane/Donald

Amy Grant: "Unguarded"

Amy Grant started out very young as a gospel singer.

She later enjoyed some mainstream commercial success, too.

This LP was released in 1985,

this was Amy Grant's ninth (9th) LP.

Very popular in the 1980s!

Read more about Amy Grant HERE.

Design: Kent Hunter

Photography: Mark Tucker

Stylist: Julie Miller

Phil Collins: "No Jacket Required"

Released in 1985, this LP is

Phil Collins' biggest selling album, to this day.

Great story about the album, its title, and its music HERE.

Album design: Phil Collins

Photography: Peter Ashworth

This one? Canada.

We Are The World

This LP, released in 1985, was irresistible for at least three reasons:

1. All proceeds went to charitable aid for crises in Africa.

2. The song itself was just simply and absolutely HUGE at the time.

3. The one-time only supergroup "USA for Africa" was such a ridiculously stunning gathering of superstars from virtually every genre of music it was a fabulously historical recording.  It is still utterly crazy to look at a list of the artists involved in this project.

For more details go HERE.

Sade: "Promise"

This is Sade's second LP, released in late 1985.

Includes the huge, delightful hit "The Sweetest Taboo."

I fell in love with Sade's fabulous voice and her band's playful jazz style the instant I first heard them, which was actually with a track from their first LP "Diamond Life" - "Smooth Operator."

For me, this is the type of music that can calm me and lift me up at the same time.

Soundtrack: "Miami Vice"

Wow. 

What a huge phenomenon was "Miami Vice" twenty-five (25!) years ago

(it ran for five seasons on NBC, 1984-89).

I liked the TV show well enough, but the main reason I wanted this soundtrack was Phil Collins' song "In the Air Tonight" - but of course Jan Hammer's awesome instrumental tracks and the presence of Glenn Frey, Chaka Khan, and Tina Turner did not hurt either.

Didn't think to record the artwork/photography credits before I shipped this off to a fan in Oregon.