Any Major Favourites 2016 – Vol. 1
As I did last year, I am offering two compilations of the compilations I posted over the past year, with one song chosen from each mix (except for last year”s Any Major Favourites Vol. 1 and Vol .2, the Christmas selections, the Song Swarms for The Girl From Ipanema and By The Time I Get To Phoenix, the Any Major Disco Vol. 3 mix I posted just before New Year”s, All The People Who Died 2016, and In Memoriams). All of the songs here are among my favourite tracks from the respective mixes — the choice often was tough.
In 2016 I put up 48 mixes, plus a dozen of In Memoriams, and the Purple Rain vs Thriller post with which I think I agitated a couple of Michael Jackson devotees a little. Â But, hey, at least they commented. I”m very grateful to those who frequently comment; sometimes these comments tell stories from the commenter”s experience, which are huge fun to read. The nice comments keep this place going; but when there are weeks when virtually nobody comments, I do get discouraged and wonder how long I will keep going at this hobby. But obviously I still have fun doing it, right down to doing the covers which I doubt anybody uses.
There’ll be a second mix like this in two week’s time (next time we will turn our gaze to the inauguration if Little Hands, the mocker of disabled journalists).
Of course, I would love to know which of the mixes of 2016 you have enjoyed the most.
For once, this mix won’t quite fit on a standard CD-R, and there are no home-made covers…
1. Bruce Springsteen – Chimes Of Freedom (1988)
Any Major Dylan Covers Vol. 1
2. Warren Zevon – Mohammed’s Radio (1981)
Any Major Radio Vol. 1
3. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson – Winter In America (1974)
Any Major Flute Vol. 1
4. Dorothy Morrison – Black California (1970)
American Road Trip – Stage 3
5. Sandra Wright – I”ll See You Through (I”ll Be Your Shelter) (1974)
Any Major Soul 1974 Vol. 2
6. Minnie Riperton – Light My Fire (1979)
Any Major Flute Vol. 2
7. War – All Day Music (1971)
Any Major Beach Vol. 1
8. Boz Scaggs – Miss Sun (1980)
Not Feeling Guilty Vol. 6
9. Karen Carpenter – If We Try (1979/80)
Rod Temperton Collection
10. Kate & Anna McGarrigle – Kiss And Say Goodbye (1975)
The Steve Gadd Collection Vol. 2
11. Billy Joel – Summer, Highland Falls (1976)
American Road Trip – Stage 1
12. Francoise Hardy – Suzanne (1970)
Any Major Leonard Cohen Covers
13. Hoyt Axton – Evangelina (1975)
Any Major Mexico
14. Guy Clark – The Randall Knife (1983)
Any Major Fathers Vol. 2
15. Kris Kristofferson – Thank You For A Life (2006)
Any Major Thanksgiving
16. Drive-By Truckers – George Jones Talkin’ Cell Phone Blues (2009)
Any Major Road Vol. 2
17. Aztec Camera – Still On Fire (1984)
A Life In Vinyl: 1984 Vol. 2
18. Josh Rouse – Wonderful (2006)
Any Major Coffee Vol. 2
19. Richard Hawley – The Nights Are Made For Us (2003)
Any Major Night Vol. 1
Bonus track: David Bowie – Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide (live) (1973)
Great Covers: Ziggy Stardust
PW = amdwhah
If you were to categorize the blogs I visit daily you would find 60s revival, original country from the 40s and 50s, what my friends would call easy listening but I call lounge, 60s rock, other undefinable music, and yours, which I would define as middle of the road. But you have taught me that Billy Joel, Boz Scaggs, and Bruce Springsteen are very good when in a mix of other genres. That’s why I have never listened to one of your mixes in one sitting. I get bored with middle of the road in a constant stream. With any genre of music in a constant stream. That’s why my iPod is usually on shuffle. But I enjoy your themes, even if I can’t sit though one without fidgeting.
Today’s theme is one of those. Most of these artists I would never buy separately, although I do own Kate & Anna Mcgarrigle, Warren Zevon, and David Bowie. But together in a mix each artist compliments the other. Don’t stop compiling your mixes. That would leave a hole in my musical soul. Your country and soul series were the tops. And George Jones Talkin’ Cell Phone Blues could be one of my all time favorites.
Once again, thanks for what you do.
And of course you must include Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” in your Little Hands mix. Of course Rebecca Ferguson will never be able sing it at the coronation.
“May is kiss your ring, Oh Emperor of the World?”
I dread to think what alternative suggestion Orange Horror Clown might come up with.
Let me once again thank you for your tremendous work. Every week I’m curious what you will come up with. Eventhough I admit that I have not yet commented very often, but I am one of your silent fans for sure.
Your Soul mixes brought me here in the first place, but there is so much more to detect and to learn in and about your mixes.
As we seem to be of the same generation I realy like your ‘A Life In Vinyl’ series, please keep them coming and keep surprising me with your great ideas of themed mixes !
Thanks for the great comps you have given us. My likes are far to many to single out however Dylan and Cohen arenear the top.
Consider this one please : We Can’t Make It Here ..James McMurtry .
Thanks Again !
Great selection
A nice mix of tunes
Regards
Rhod
I don’t comment often, but I check this site every week. Without sites like this the internet would be just another ho-hum utility.
I love what you do & thank you
All the best for the new and that thing turne out to be better than expected. There is always hope.
Thaank you for the mixes as they add an other view to nusic. Even though some of the efforts not really my cup of tea others I like very much. The effort with country music historyy is one of my all time favoriet’s thnaxs again and keep going