Any Major Favourites 2025
Ten years ago I first issued a review of the past year’s mixes (other than In Memoriam and Christmas) in Any Major Favourites collections, with a song from each — a favourite — representing the compilation. In the tracklisting, I give a link to the particular mix these tracks come from, for easy click-through in case you missed it the first time around. I also have these links in a PDF file that is included in this mix (the typeface used is Calibri). You can also revisit past years’ collections.
Lately I have updated every dead link I could find in posts throughout this place, so most mixes are live again (other those which I don’t have anymore).
This year I resumed the Any Major Soul series with a full mix of soul tracks from 1960, while also reviewing the soul year 1985. While I will continue the series in 1961, I’m not sure whether there’s great demand for a volume covering 1986, including from myself. I’ll compile one, but if I don’t like it, I won’t post it. But if I do, you’ll be sure it is good.
Two Songbooks last year were recycled when Brian Wilson and Sly Stone died within days of each other. It was a year of Songbooks: Van Morrison, Pete Townshend, Stevie Wonder and Neil Young (the latter two are awaiting follow-ups).
And there were two brand-new concepts. Any Major Sunshine Pop is a stand-alone mix, but Any Major Band will see further volumes.
So, which Any Majors have I listened to most? The Any Major Sunshine Pop and Any Major Morning Vol. 3 mixes got especially frequent play, as did the Van Morrison Songbook. The Any Major Hits of 1975 Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 were fun go-to sets, as were the Any Major Albums of 1975 and 1985 sets.
Which mixes have you enjoyed in particular?
- Status Quo – Rockin’ All Over The World (live) (1985)
Live Aid – 40 years ago - Stingray – The Man In My Shoes (1979)
Any Major Band Vol. 1 - Grand Funk – Bad Time (1975)
Any Hits from 1975 Vol. 1 - Doc Holliday – Fire On The Mountain (2005)
Any Major Southern Rock Vol. 2 - Southern Comfort – Harvest (1972)
Any Major Neil Young Songbook - Michael Johnson – Right Through The Heart (1980)
Not Feeling Guilty Mix Vol. 14 - Roberta Flack – Mr. Magic (1975)
Roberta Flack Sings Covers - Bill Withers – Oh Yeah! (1985)
Any Major Soul 1985 - PJ Morton feat. Susan Carol – Good Morning (2023)
Any Major Morning Vol. 3 - Luther Vandross – Evergreen (1994)
Luther Vandross Sings Covers - Ray Charles – Living For The City (1975)
Any Major Stevie Wonder Songbook Vol. 1 - Ike & Tina Turner – I Want To Take You Higher (1970)
Any Major Sly Stone Songbook - Al Matthews – Fool (1975)
Any Hits from 1975 Vol. 2 - Linda Lewis – This Time I’ll Be Sweeter (1975)
Any Major Albums of the Year: 1975 - Dusty Springfield – Tupelo Honey (1973)
Any Major Van Morrison Songbook - John Prine – He Was in Heaven Before He Died (1975)
Any Major Heaven Vol. 1 - Dave Alvin – Surfer Girl (2006)
Any Major Brian Wilson Songbook - Mark Knopfler – Back To Tupelo (2004)
Any Major Songs About Elvis Vol. 1 - China Crisis – You Did Cut Me (1985)
Any Major Album of the Year: 1985 - The Jam – So Sad About Us (1978)
Any Major Pete Townshend Songbook - Phil Lynott – Yellow Pearl (1980)
Any Major TV Theme Songs Vol. 5 - Paul Revere & The Raiders – Cinderella Sunshine (1968)
Any Major Sunshine Pop - Rosco Gordon – Just A Little Bit (1960)
Any Major Soul 1960
PW = amdwhah
This year I especially enjoyed your tribute to Brian Wilson, and your LiveAid feature (oops just realized I didn’t comment on LA but I meant to). And thanks again for recognizing my fellow Ohioan (USA)the late Eric Carmen, who barely got a mention in any other media!! Thanks for all you do; AMDWHAH
Love your 80s mixes! Would love ’86!