UNV and other musical art

Here is a song I have loved ever since I heard it in the mid 90's. It is called So in Love with you, by a group of guys called UNV, which is short for Universal Nubian Voices. It is still an evergreen and beautiful song. So far as I am aware, the band released only two albums and then disbanded after that. But still, to have a song that still endures is just beautiful. Hope you like it. I only found this You Tube clip by accident.



I thought I would show each of the CD covers I created for Raven Records, which specialises in back issue releases. It is interesting to see them sometimes in record / music stores and when I do, I have a smile to myself and think I created them!
I am very grateful for the opportunity I had to do so, and look forward to many more opportunities. Since then I have contributed to 2 more albums with the photography. In the CD's you see below, I was given two things, the text and the images. I was then charged with the assignment to create the covers, the art that was printed on the actual disc itself, and the booklet layout and design.

It was not easy, I was never given a brief as to what the record company wanted, so I had to create everything from scratch. I only know that whilst the company execs never knew what they wanted to begin with, they only ever knew what they didn't want after I spent so many hours creating the art. I will show you a couple of options I did for the Paul Williams CD. The other cover with the white to the left hand side, was my preference cover for the CD to run with, but as the company execs sat on the artwork for almost 14 months, another record company released an album with exactly the same picture!!! although my picture had been darkened and given a mood, that I felt would work much better. There are a ciuple of other CD's I desiged but I am having difficulty locating the artwork to upload. I think I put it in one of those "safe" places. One of them was my first disc, for Liza Minelli














These CD's are selling on the net right now! it is fun to see them sometimes. If you click on the link and then scroll down. You will see a tab that says production credits and my name for artwork is on the bottom! I wonder though that if the CD came with NO artwork or packaging whether it would sell much at all!. I say that because the artwork should hold a small degree more than last placing I submit!!! hehehehe.

http://samgoody-content.vcommerce.com/Love-Lifts-Us-Up--A-Collection-1969-1983-Front-Page_stcVVproductId2577911VVcatId463278VVviewprod.htm

POSTSCRIPT - I was at Glenn A. Bakers home yesterday and he was telling me that he interviewed Paul Williams just a week ago, and that he had a copy of the CD of the artwork I did above, and he absolutely loved it - including the way it looked. He said that he made a particular note of saying good things about the album. Nice stuff to know.

Comments

Anonymous said…
So In Love used to be my favourite song...now it just brings back too many painful memories. Love songs can get like that - they bring you back to a time and place when you hear it and it can open up old wounds. I am hopeful that there will come a time when that wound will be fully healed and it will be ok to hear those love songs again - including this song by UNV.
This version is more upbeat and sometimes helps me from being as melancholy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQYAUZmEaxs
Craig Peihopa said…
Songs do have a lot of power. There are times when I can be transported back in time, I can recall the aroma of food cooking, what was playing on the radio and even the content of some conversations. It really is a powerful medium. I hope your healing will continue. Thanks for the clip, it is a nice version. I still prefer the original though.

thanks for your comments
Anonymous said…
I should have paid more attention to this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKYYTIwW7cg
Craig Peihopa said…
It doesn't have the rhythm or the beautiful feeling that the other does, but thanks anyway. It is a shame that theband is not around anymore.
Anonymous said…
You have so much talent given to you, Craig. Always use them to bring forth so much goodness in this world of ours. The CD covers are very impressive, indeed.

Truly, music is the language of the soul. It can reach the deepest, and even the darkest recesses of the soul like nothing else can.

One music can make you feel you're on the highest pedestal, and yet, that same music at some time later makes you feel you're in your lowest of lows.

"When one door closes, another door opens" . When the music I used to love listening to gets to the point of bringing me pains and sorrows, I know it is time to make NEW BEGINNINGS, create NEW HAPPY memories, and create NEW OPPORTUNITIES even if (strangely enough), the music playing is "that" music.

Mary2
Craig Peihopa said…
Thanks for your comments Mary2. Music is a powerful tool, and your comment displays wisdom and experience. I appreciate you stopping by and commenting. Thanks especially for commenting on the CD covers. They meant a great deal to me to do them. I am really grateful.
Anonymous said…
Read your postscript Craig.
Fabulous compliment from Paul Williams.
Good for you!!!!

V2T

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