George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue

Mini post.  I was over at Half Priced Books buying a couple dozen records today and got this one.  Whoa.  Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.  Side note - my dad saw him play in person, live - as they say.  Pretty cool, I think.  But this record cover, which is the main purpose of this blog - the record album covers and jackets - with this racey photo, I just had to post it - major league camel toe, and all.

The One He's With - Stephen Stills

Not all Christmas records - this is a Stephen Stills killer solo album.  This is the back cover - where I am commenting from.   Singing back-up vocals on this record are folks like Rita Coolidge, Graham Nash, Cass Elliot, and John Sebastian.  On track one, side A (Love the One You're With) Stephen plays guitars, organ (guessing Hammond B3) and percussion.  Guys I read about this summer from Laurel Canyon are photogs Henry Diltz and Gary Burden.   What a buy today, at fifty cents!  This is a classic record.  How about on Go Back Home, "2nd Lead Guitar" is credited to Eric Clapton.  My gosh, and Jimi Hendrix plays on Old Times Good Times, also on side one.  He is wearing a Dave Osborn, Minnesota Vikings away jersey.

Handel's Messiah - 250 Years Later

George Frideric Handel.  This is a one-record album and for it having been played so much, it's in great condition.  Born in Germany, trained in Italy, he spent most of his life in England.  The Brittish Bach, as my dad referred to him.  On Columbia's Masterworks label, reading from the back album cover: performed by the New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein conducting, with the Westminster Choir.  Handel was born Feb. 23, 1685, and passed away in 1759 - 250 years ago.   Withstanding the test of time, this oratorio was first scored as Easter music - but it is and remains synonimous with live Chrirtmas performances at community churches.

This Month's Theme - Christmas Records

On Capitol Records, in Full Dimensional stereo, here is Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song.  Click on this post's title link for Nat doing his classic version of The Chrismas Song.  With a host of other holiday classics - this is certainly in most people's top ten Christmas records.  Reading from the album, the title track was written by - Mel Torme' and Robert Wells.  The rest of the songs are by some guy named Trad. Adapt.  Below the Capitol logo on the front cover is a seal that the record received Gold Record Award audited and certififed by the RIAA.