Steve Martin: "Let's Get Small"

Released in 1977,

this was Steve Martin's debut LP.

Of course, by the time this recording was published,

he had already made a name for himself

with The Smothers Brothers, Johnny Carson, and Saturday Night Live.

Read more about the amazing life and times of Steve Martin HERE.

Art Direction & Design: William E. McEuen

Graphics: Dean O. Torrence

Photography: Norman Seeff

Jose Feliciano: "Feliciano!"

Released in 1968,

this was Jose Feliciano's fourth (4th)

and most successful studio LP (in the US).

This LP includes several excellent covers of great songs,

but it Jose's cover of The Doors' "Light My Fire"

that literally caught fire with listeners everywhere.

The album also includes enjoyable covers of

"Sunny"

"California Dreamin'"

"Here, There, and Everywhere"

"Always Something There To Remind Me"

"And I Love Her"

"The Last Thing On My Mind"

Illustrations: George Bartell

Frank Sinatra: "Nice 'N' Easy"

Released in 1960,

this is a delicious collection of ballads

from The Voice.

(The TV show should have to pay royalties to the Sinatra family)

Honestly,

this album will carry you back to another time and place.

Almost enough to make you want to

light up a Chesterfield and pour yourself a glass of Jack Daniel's.





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."