GREAT ALBUMS WITH GREAT ALBUM COVERS

We love great albums.  We love great album covers.  When you get both in one package it totally enhances the experience, right? Right.  So let's cut the bullshit commentary—which, let's face it, isn't enhancing the experience at all—and let's get right to it. 

Great Albums With Great Album Covers

A Wizard, A True Star by Todd Rundgren

Abraxas by Santana

Bitches Brew by Miles Davis

In A Silent Way by Miles Davis

Nevermind by Nirvana

Sunburn by Blake Babies

The Heart Of Saturday Night by Tom Waits

Crazy Rhythms by The Feelies

Beauty And The Beat by The Go-Gos

Entertainment! by Gang of Four

School Days by Stanley Clarke

Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ by Bruce Springsteen

Toys In The Attic by Aerosmith

Ram by Paul and Linda McCartney

In The Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra

The Iceberg/Freedom Of Speech...Just Watch What You Say by Ice-T

THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION OF MARY WELLS

The Definitive Collection of Mary Wells

Mary Wells was supposed to be Diana Ross before Diana Ross was supposed to be Diana Ross.  But I suppose Diana and the rest of The Supremes were destined to be the premier girls of Motown.  Wells began her Motown career when she recorded her own song "Bye Bye Baby" and watched it hit number 8 on the R&B charts.  But, it was the Smokey Robinson-penned hit "My Guy" that brought her to number one and became an instant classic.  Wells had less success when she left Motown and went to 20th Century Fox and you can probably thank Motown head, Berry Gordy, for having a hand at that—he did NOT want his former artists to prosper without him.  But this compilation, The Definitive Collection, is essential listening for casual Motown fans who may not have listened to anything besides The Supremes, The Miracles and The Temptations.  Among the album's 17 songs are such addicting singles as "My Guy," "Laughing Boy," "The One Who Really Loves You," "Old Love (Let's Try It Again,) " "Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right," "What's The Matter With You Baby" and "Whisper You Love Me Boy."   I recommend checking out all of those songs if you are short on time.

The Definitive Collection of Mary Wells

LIVE: BLOW YOUR FACE OUT BY J. GEILS BAND

Live: Blow Your Face Out  By J. Geils Band

J. Geil's band formed in Boston in 1967.  A sextet, they developed a cult following and made several attempts to release a hit record.   For the most part, those attempts fell flat until 1980 when they reached number one with a song called "Centerfold."  Their following release—and their third live record—Showtime went gold and then, all of sudden, J. Geils Band started to implode.   It began when frontman Peter Wolf called it quits in 1983.  That was a pretty big loss and the rest of the band followed his lead in 1985.  

J. Geil's Band, decided to pack up their instruments and hit the road once again in 1999.  Then twice again in 2005.  Then thrice again in 2009.  2012 marked another reunion tour, but let's just say guitarist J. Geils refused to get on the bus  and the others left him behind.  Geils filed a lawsuit against his former bandmates, because he didn't appreciate the band's continued use of his name.  I can understand why he is pissed.  I'd be a little ticked off if Sean Penn or Harold Ramis started a blog called jamiedoesmusic.com

Anyway, we were supposed to talk about an album, weren't we? Well, remember when I told you that Showtime was the group's third live album in 15 years? That should indicate something, right? Actually, it does! 

This band absolutely kills it live! That's how they became a cult favorite.  Their repertoire consisted of originals, Doo Wop and Soul standards.  In many ways, it would be accurate to describe J. Geils Band as a bar band that played arenas.  

And when you listen to Live: Blow Your Face Out, the group's second live album, it's pretty clear why J. Geil's Band play such large venues.  In nearly 75 minutes, they never miss their mark.  It is an absolute party and the fun doesn't stop between songs.  Frontman Peter Wolf is hilarious! He used to be a Radio DJ, so it makes sense that he is as good at speaking as he is at singing.  

Live: Blow Your Face Out was never a hit at the cash register like Frampton Comes Alive.  But like Peter Frampton's seminal masterpiece, it's one of the best live albums of all time.  

Live: Blow Your Face Out By J. Geils Band