FIVE NOT-SO-GOOD: Gospel Album Covers.

What were you THINKING???

:)

Okay, we know that it's alll about the music.  It is.  But sometimes...as gospel music lovers, we keep our standards pretty low visually.  We let the foolish, the mundane, or the boring album cover just sliiiide by, because we're used to it. 

This HAS to stop.  Our eyes deserve better.  Here's five that made the cut:

1. DOROTHY NORWOOD: Shake the Devil Off (1995). What's more scary--the flames in the background or Dorothy's mouth open like that??  And she kinda looks like she IS on fire.  This is too much.

2. RICKY DILLARD & NEW G: Unplugged...The Way Church Used To Be (2004). Now let's be clear, there are some classics on this album.  But seriously, is it really not enough to have your face AND your name on the CD one time?  Is it necessary to have your name AGAIN in big, shadowed block letters?!  Maybe we didn't get it the first time.

3. VICKIE WINANS: Share The Laughter (1999). Is that a COOGI sweater?? Now this was a comedy album...yes, Vickie Winans made a comedy album. We see this as a combo of #1 (scary mouth) and #2 (unnecessary repetition).  Self-explanatory.

4. HEZEKIAH WALKER & THE LOVE FELLOWSHIP CRUSADE CHOIR: Live in Atlanta at Morehouse College (1996). Now THIS is a classic album for so many reasons--the music and it was Bishop Heze's first album, apparent by the suit jacket that matches the array of colors in the tenors' jackets.  Did someone sew that up for him?  And his facial expression/finger pointing couldn't get more cheesy.  What tops this album cover off?  The reflection of the choir.... we HAD to see them upside down, too!

5. THE CLARK SISTERS: You Brought The Sunshine (1981).  We had to do it.  If you REALLY know gospel music, this cover is very familiar to you--those flowy dresses, the starry background, and the classic 80s typography.  (And if you don't know gospel music, that's okay too. :) We don't discriminate.)  Were we the only ones who thought their dresses kinda looked liked lingerie?  It's pretty, but a little overdone...

And that's it!  Now it's your turn-- tell us what horrible album covers you've seen in gospel music, past or present!

And visit FIVE GOOD!!