Neil Diamond: "Hot August Night"

Released in 1972,

this was Neil Diamond's tenth (10th) album,

his second live album.

This double album remains one of Neil Diamond's

most successful recordings.

Whatever your personal opinion of Neil Diamond,

based on your musical tastes,

he is indisputably among the greatest

singer/songwriters of the late 20th century.

In case you need to remind yourself,

or hear it for the first time,

here is the entire recording:

HOT AUGUST NIGHT

Read more about Neil Diamond HERE.

Photography: Ed Caraeff and Tom Bert (Peggy Jo Studios)

Art Direction: George Osaki

Liner Notes: Karen Shearer

Mac Davis: "Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me"

Released in 1972,

this was Mac Davis' third (3rd) studio LP.

Most reviewers agree that this album was Mac Davis'

"breakthrough" recording.

Interestingly, the Wikipedia article on this record

credits Mac Davis with "beatboxing."

I am not sure that term was in use in 1972,

since I believe it was coined in the 1980s

as a reference to human imitation of electronic drum sounds.

Nevertheless, it is an accurate description

of some of Mr. Davis' vocal stylings.

Read more about Mac Davis HERE.

Photography: Ed Caraeff

Bee Gees: "Spirits Having Flown"

Released in 1979,

this was the Bee Gees fifteenth (15th) studio LP,

their first after the mega-sensation

of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.

Just admit it.

You danced to their music

more than once,

and not just all alone

in your bedroom, either.

Read more about the Bee Gees HERE.

Art Direction, Photography, Design: Ed Caraeff Studio

Bee Gees were accompanied on this album by some

Chicago horns: Lee Loughnane, Walter Parazaider, and James Pankow;

also Herbie Mann appears on this recording.

Jim Stafford: "Jim Stafford"

Released in 1974,

this was Jim Stafford's debut solo LP.

Known for such hits as "Swamp Witch,"

"Spiders & Snakes," "My Girl Bill," and "Wildwood Weed,"

in the mid-1970s, he has been a popular

stage presence in Branson, Missouri,

since 1990.

Read more about Jim Stafford HERE.

Design: David Larkham

Photography: Ed Caraeff

James Gang: "Bang"

Released in 1973,

this was James Gang's sixth (6th) studio LP.

James Gang was one of the most notorious bands

EVER

for personnel changes.

Usually no more than three or four at a time,

during their first ten years they had nearly

twenty different band members.

After their first ten years (1966-76)

they broke up

until 1996 when Joe Walsh, Dale Peters, and Jimmy Fox

reunited to resurrect the fabulous sounds of the

James Gang.

Read more about James Gang HERE.

Cover Design: David Larkham

Photography: Ed Caraeff