Post #121665 by ikitnrev on Mon, Oct 25, 2004 6:38 PM

Yes, I have these two versions of the LP too - it is a quite spectacular cover photo of erupting lava.

My guess is that 'Percussion Spectacular! came out first, and then they found themselves with the song 'Yellow Bird' becoming a hit single, the only top 40 single of Arthur Lyman's career. (it peaked at #4 on the singles chart in 1961)

Because at this time Arthur Lyman already had a dozen LPs released - and at least 3 of those LPs already featured erupting or flowing lava on the cover, they probably renamed the entire LP 'Yellow Bird' so people would buy the correct LP.

My copy of 'Percussion Spectacular' actually has a yellow sticker - shaped like a silhouette of a flying bird - on front, with the words 'Includes Hit Version of Yellow Bird' on it. With the rise in demand for the song and LP, they probably decided it would be cheaper in the long run to simply rename the LP for future pressings, rather than keep on adding yellow stickers to the covers.

So, in order of appearance ...

1. plain 'Percussion Spectacular' cover
2. 'Percussion Spectacular' with yellow bird sticker
3. renamed 'Yellow Bird' LP (and no sticker)

Vern