COMMUNIST COVERS
Melodiya was the national label in the USSR during Communist rule. On the whole, the state-funded vocal recital recordings were issued in two formats: with plain generic covers on inexpensive paper and in a more deluxe form with glossier covers that featured a portrait of the artist. Citizens could buy music (as well as books, clothes and everything else) with state ration vouchers, but one had to pay for the nicer editions with money (or they were given to high ranking members of the party), so they are harder to find. Because the record label numbers are the same for both editions, when purchasing a Melodiya disc one can't be sure what type cover you will get (so I've learned to always inquire or see a photo first!). I prefer the diva photos, of course, and will occasionally upgrade a generic cover for a deluxe edition; yet these generic covers fascinate in their own way. The templates often involve trees and lighting fixtures for some reason, but some have very cool graphic patterns. So here is a gallery with nary a diva photo in sight.
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Click picture for close up and disc details
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EVA BANDROWSKA-TURSKA
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NADEZHDA KAZANTSEVA
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IRENA ZHUKAITE
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TAMARA PETROVA
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TATIANA SCHMYGA
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OLGA BARDINA
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GALINA KOVALEVA
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GALINA OLEINICHENKO
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OLGA BARDINA
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ALLA SOLLENKOVA
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BELA RUDENKO
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NATALYA SHPILLER
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MIEKO TAKIJAWA
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LOIS MARSHALL
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GOAR GASPARYAN
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BELA RUDENKO
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GALINA KOVALEVA
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VALENTINA KOZYREVA
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LEOKADIA MASLENNIKOVA
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EUGENIA MIROSCHNICHENKO
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ELLA AKRITOVA
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LOIS MARSHALL
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YOLANDA MARCOULESCOU
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MATTIWILDA DOBBS
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GOAR GASPARYAN
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OLGA BASISTUK
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GOAR GASPARYAN
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, but the altitudinous coloratura recital that lurks beneath is legendary.<br><br>MELODIYA 5289-56'))
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