You know the covers. You’ve seen them millions of times, and they continue to captivate upon every gaze. But what is behind those marvelous covers, encased in voluptuous black wax? Admittedly, we hang our heads in shame for saying this, but there are several albums from the past few decades we’ve seen on record store shelves and in ‘top ten’ lists year after year, but have yet to experience for ourselves. More precisely, we’ve never listened to these records in any shape or form.

The ‘Grandaddy of Grunge’, Neil Young, has been on quite a roll over the last few years, musically and artistically, releasing several critically acclaimed albums, not to mention finally releasing the long, long-awaited “Neil Young Archives: Volume 1” to the masses, proving again and again that ‘rust never sleeps.’ After all, Young is pretty old for a rock and roll star. However, his love for making music and shredding guitars on stage never ceases to wane, as is evident in his latest concert documentary film, “Journeys.”

I thank the music gods on a daily basis for somehow convincing the masses to start buying LPs again. Who’s to say how that actually happened, but I’d like to think the size of the record art and sleeve has a lot to do with it.

You can’t deny the greatness of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bookends” LP cover, a simply stated black and white image that would grace their last album of the 1960s, one created by the late legendary photographer, Richard Avedon.

When I was a kid my family used to tell me about times when a new Beatles record would come out, where groups of friends and complete strangers would gather together around the record player and listen to the new album over and over. I would later see film clips and photos of teens and swinging adults playing records and obviously having a grand ol’ time. I often wondered if I was missing out on something special. Turns out I was right, and it took me my entire 20s, and quite a bit of time and money, to try to make up for it.

The era of the power-house female blues singer is long gone. Bessie Smith. Janis Joplin. Memphis Minnie. Big Maybelle. But, one of the absolute greats here is Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, whose blues will absolutely shake you to your foundation.

Like a good scotch I like a good Jazz record. Smooth, with a sophisticated bite, or with a little bit of age so as to taste and savor a bit of the barrel’s flavor and characteristics. I enjoy these qualities in my Jazz records, too, and Verve Records has been known to be a fine label when it comes to Jazz music; sophisticated and exciting all within the same rhythm of breath and beat.

It’s been pretty quiet at the Beck camp for the last few years, that is, in terms of new music from the soul/punk/pop/rock genius, despite being busy serving as record producer for the likes of Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stephen Malkmus (Pavement) and Thurston Moore (formerly of Sonic Youth). But thankfully, Mr. Hansen was recently in Nashville in 2011 recording material for his soon-to-be latest LP release, and while at Jack White’s Third Man Records during his last day in town, churned out an amazing impromptu session, which has now made it to vinyl.

I currently find myself in a difficult situation, now that “Mad Men” Season 5 is about to conclude, which leaves me and my other dedicated and faithful followers ravenous for more swingin’ Don Draper action. Options to alleviate this dilema include A) re-watching ‘Mad Men’ Seasons 1-5 all over again obsessively until the start of the next season, or B) listen to some swingin’ 60s records in hopes it’ll pass the time. With thanks to my grandparent’s hidden treasure trove of bitchin’ 60s vinyl I think I’ll be able to get my Don Draper-like fix for the next few months.

For anyone who has compiled a list of the ‘best live albums of all time’ rest assured you can bet “The Velvet Underground Live At Max’s Kansas City” is on that list somewhere.