Benny Goodman: "The Great Benny Goodman"

Released in 1956,

this is a terrific compilation album,

part of Columbia's commemoration

of 25 years of recording Benny Goodman.

Among others, this recording also includes

Harry James, Gene Krupa, Teddy Wilson, and Lionel Hampton.

Kenny Rankin: "The Kenny Rankin Album"

Released in 1976

(although my copy has 1977 on the sleeve and label),

this was Kenny Rankin's sixth (6th) studio LP.

Kenny's great vocal abilities are taken to some

extraordinary places in this recording,

and not always in a forgivable manner.

Nevertheless, as always,

he is smooth and fun

and ultimately enjoyable.

Read more about Kenny Rankin HERE.

Design: Pacific Eye & Ear

Photography: Luigi Cazzaniga

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

The Ink Spots: "The Incomparable Ink Spots"

I was unable to discover for sure

when this album was released,

but most likely sometime in the

early to mid-1950s.

The Ink Spots were at the height

of their popularity in the 1940s.

Read more about The Ink Spots HERE.

The red vinyl LP below

is what was in this jacket

when I 'inherited' it.

Clearly,

it is not the platter that originally

came with the jacket.

This red LP is a Crown label

(not Craftsmen)

and it is a "Hits" compilation.

Soundtrack: "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"

Released in 1969,

here is the musical environment

for George Lazenby's only outing as James Bond.

John Barry and Hal David collaborated,

and Louis Armstrong recorded the 'title' song,

"We Have All The Time In The World."

Bread: "Baby, I'm-A Want You"

Released in 1972,

this was Bread's fourth (4th) studio LP.

This was also their most successful recording,

reaching #3 on Billboard's Hot 200 Album Chart.

Read more about Bread HERE.

Photography: Frank Bez

Art Direction: Robert Heimall

Gallery: "Nice To Be With You"

Released in 1971,

this was Gallery's first (1st) of two studio LPs.

The title song "Nice To Be With You"

(which was produced by Dennis Coffey and Mike Theodore)

was a huge hit.

They were not quite "one-hit wonders"

because they did have a couple of other songs

that charted pretty well -

their cover of Mac Davis' "I Believe In Music"

and Tom Lazaros' "Big City Miss Ruth Ann."

Photography: Ransier & Anderson

Art Direction: Glen Christensen