Any Major Dude With Half A Heart

This is the second compilation of tracks that appeared on mixes posted in 2019 (and, in one case, in the last days of 2018), with links to the particular posts — just in case you missed something good, following the first collection posted last week.

I have been wondering if I should switch this operation to the posting of Spotify playlists, to keep up with the times. Do you, the reader, have any opinions either way on such a move?

As always, this mix is timed to fit on as standard CD-R, but this time without covers. PW in comments.

1. The Who – Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) (1991)
   Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Recovered
2. Steely Dan – Daddy Don’t Live In That New York City No More (1975)
   NYC: Any Major Mix Vol. 3
3. Giorgio Moroder – Arizona Man (1970)
   The Originals: Schlager edition
4. Jimmy ‘Bo’ Horne – Dance Across The Floor (1978)
   Any Major Disco Vol. 7 – Party Like It’s 1978
5. New Order – Shell Shock (1986)
   Life In Vinyl 1986 Vol. 1
6. Chris Rea – On The Beach (Summer ‘88) (1988)
   Any Major Beach Vol. 3
7. Lucinda Williams – Are You Alright? (2007)
   Any Major Music from ‘The Sopranos’ Vol. 2
8. Mindy Smith – Fighting For It All (2004)
   Any Major ABC: 2000s
9. Rusty Wier – High Road, Low Road (1976)
   Any Major ABC of Country
10. George Harrison – You (1975)
    Beatles Reunited 77 (1977)
11. Bob Marley & The Wailers – Turn Your Lights Down Low (1977)
    Any Major Babymaking Music Vol. 1
12. Sly and the Family Stone – Stand! (1969)
    Any Major Woodstock
13. Tammi Terrell – All I Do Is Think About You (1965)
    Any Major Originals – Motown
14. The Young Rascals – A Girl Like You (1967)
    Any Major Blue-Eyed Soul
15. Laura Nyro – Wedding Bell Blues (1967)
    The Originals – 1960s Vol. 1
16. Arthur Alexander – Anna (Go To Him) (1962)
    The Originals: Beatles
17. Louis Jordan – Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby (1944)
    Any Major Hits From 1944
18. Sarah Vaughan – You Never Give Me Your Money (1981)
    Beatles Recovered: Abbey Road
19. Edith Piaf – Notre-Dame de Paris (1952)
    Any Major Churches

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As every year, the mixes of the past year are revisited by the choice of one favourite song from them — like an annual Greatest Hits of Any Major Dude. I hope it is useful to provide a link to the relevant mix in the playlist, so that you might discover a mix here or there which you missed.

The past year I have focussed especially on the series of lesser-known originals of famous hits, sorted by themes. I’ve posted one a month, except in December and the preceding month, when I posted a mix of samples used in famous hits. I plan to continue with The Originals.

I’ve also been asked to carry on with the Any Major Soul series, which is going to hit the 1980s. One series which is inevitably coming to a close in 2020 is the Beatles Recovered series, whereby I have marked the 50^th anniversary of the release of a Beatles LP with a mix of covers of the songs on that album. The final Beatles LP, Let It Be, came out in 1970, so in April that series will end. Or will it? I started the series with A Hard Day’s Night in 2014; so there are two uncovered albums, Please Please Me and With The Beatles. I might still cover them.

Another series I’ll terminate is Life In Vinyl, which saw two volumes for 1986 last year. I might still do a 1987 mix, marking ten years on from the first of these compilations. But I don’t think these mixes are popular anymore.

So, to the first of the Any Major Favourites of 2019 mixes.

1. Camille Yarbrough – Take Yo’ Praise (1975)
   Any Major Original Samples Vol. 1
2. Shuggie Otis – Strawberry Letter #23 (1971)
   The Originals – Soul Vol. 1
3. Jimi Hendrix – Angel (1971)
   Any Major Babymaking Music Vol. 2
4. Alex Harvey – Delta Dawn (1971)
   Any Major Originals: The 1970s Vol. 2
5. Jerry Jeff Walker – Mr. Bojangles (1968)
   Any Major Dogs
6. Robber Barons – Music For A Hanging (2004)
   Any Major Murder Songs Vol. 2
7. Neil Young – Harvest Moon (1992)
   Any Major Moon
8. Bruce Springsteen – Growin’ Up (1978)
   Any Major Teenagers
9. Keith Whitley – When You Say Nothing At All (1988)
   The Originals: 1990s & 2000s
10. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom (1986)
    Life In Vinyl 1986 Vol. 2
11. Carole King – It’s Going To Take Some Time (1970)
    The Originals: Carpenters edition
12. Chaka Khan – Any Old Sunday (1981)
    Any Major Week Vol. 1
13. Kool & the Gang – Too Hot (1979)
    Any Major Soul 1979
14. Lou Rawls – The Alphabet (1970)
    Any Major Sesame Street Pops
15. Richie Havens – Lady Madonna (1968)
    Beatles Recovered – Yellow Submarine
16. Country Joe McDonald – Feel Like I’m Fixing To Die Rag (Live, 1969)
    Any Major Woodstock
17. Stuart Hamblen – This Ole House (1954)
    The Originals: Rock & Roll Years
18. The Bobettes – Mr. Lee (1957)
    Any Major ABC: 1950s

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This is the second compilation of tracks that appeared on mixes posted in 2018, with links to the particular posts — just in case you missed something good. The first mix is here.

As mentioned in the first volume of the 2018 retrospective, the coming year will see quite a few posts on The Originals. There will be two Beatles Recovered mixes, the first of which will run within the next few days. And a whole lot of other fine stuff.

Thank you to all the people who post comments. They are the oxygen for this endeavour.

This year I’m thinking of taking the step of asking readers for some support in covering the costs of hosting this site. I’m still considering the best way of doing that; I just want to cover the costs, rather than receive remuneration for what is really a labour of love, so something like Patreon wouldn’t seem most suitable. Your good ideas in that regard would be very welcome.

But in the meantime, enjoy this mix of great songs, which is timed to fit on as standard CD-R (though this time without covers). PW in comments.

1. The Main Ingredient – Everybody Plays The Fool (1972)
Any Major Soul Train

2. Odyssey – Native New Yorker (1977)
NYC: Any Major Mix Vol. 2

3. The Dells – Oh, What A Night (1969)
Any Major Music from ‘The Sopranos’ Vol. 1

4. Mel Tormé – Blue Moon (1960)
Song Swarm: Blue Moon

5. Elvis Presley – If I Can Dream (1968)
Any Major MLK

6. Johnny Cash – Roll Call (1967)
Any Major Jones Vol. 2

7. The Hollies – Bus Stop (1966)
Any Major ABC: 1960s

8. Mott The Hoople – All The Way From Memphis (1973)
Any Major Music From The Wonder Years

9. Commander Cody – Cry Baby Cry (1978)
Beatles Recovered: White Album

10. Emmylou Harris – Racing In The Streets (1982)
Great Covers: Darkness On The Edge Of Town

11. Bright Eyes – First Day Of My Life (2005)
Stars Pick Your Songs Vol. 3: Celebs

12. Karma – Pachelbel (1998)
Any Major Impossible Love

13. Michael Kiwanuka – Cold Little Heart (2017)
Any Major TV”ˆTheme Songs Vol. 4

14. Camelle Hinds – Sausalito Calling (1995)
Any Major Flute Vol. 5

15. Fatima Rayney – Hey (1997)
Any Major Happy Songs Vol. 1

16. Stevie Wonder – Knocks Me Off My Feet (1976)
Any Major Soul 1976 Vol. 2

17. Isaac Hayes – I’ll Never Fall In Love Again (1972)
Covered With Soul Vol. 23

18. Ben E. King – Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You (1970)
Any Major Dylan Covers Vol. 5

19. Labi Siffre – It Must Be Love (1971)
Any Major Originals: The 1980s

20. Abba – Waterloo (German version, 1974)
Stars Sing German

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As I have done for the past few years, I am putting up two compilations of tracks from the compilations I posted over the past year, with one song chosen from each mix (except for the Any Major Favourites 2017 mixes, the Christmas selections, the Any Major Disco Vol. 7 mix I posted just before New Year-s, and In Memoriams).

In 2018 I put up a total of 46 mixes, plus the 12 monthly In Memoriams. Among those 46 mixes were the first three in the series of The Originals — lesser-known originals of famous hits, sorted by themes. I plan to post more of these this year. And the supply of these lesser-known originals is endless; my collection numbers more than 800 of them.

As always, the mix is timed to fit on a CD-R length. I’ve not bothered with home-distilled covers for this offering. PW in comments, where you are always welcome to say something.

1. Rodriguez – I Wonder (1970)
Any Major ABC: 1970s

2. The Allman Brothers Band – Blue Sky (1972)
Any Major Guitar Vol. 2

3. Steely Dan – Kid Charlemagne (1976)
The Larry Carlton Collection

4. Jackson Browne – Somebody’s Baby (1982)
Not Feeling Guilty Mix Vol. 9

5. Aretha Franklin – Something He Can Feel (1976)
Aretha Sings Covers

6. Thelma Houston – I Just Gotta Be Me (1969)
The Joe Osborne Collection

7. Darondo – Didn’t I (1972)
Any Major Music from ‘The Deuce’

8. Gil Scott-Heron – New York City (1976)
Any Major New York City Vol. 1

9. Badfinger – Without You (1970)
Any Major Originals: The 1970s

10. John Lennon – Nobody Loves You (When You’re Down And Out) (1974)
Beatles Reunited: Photographs

11. Wilco – Impossible Germany (2007)
Any Major Guitar Vol. 1

12. Andre Williams – Pardon Me (I’ve Got Someone To Kill) (2000)
Any Major Murder Songs Vol. 1

13. Ben Kweller – On Her Own (2009)
Any Major Women Vol. 1

14. Garth Brooks – Friends In Low Places (1990)
Any Major Friends Vol. 1

15. Roy Clark – Thank God And Greyhound (1972)
All The People Who’ve Died 2018

16. Lovin’ Spoonful – Daydream (1966)
Any Major Whistle Vol. 2

17. Jerry Jeff Walker – Mr. Bojangles (1968)
The Originals: The Classics

18. Earth, Wind & Fire – I’ll Write A Song For You (1977)
Any Major Soul 1977

19. Pacific Express – Give A Little Love (1978)
Any Major Soul 1978

20. Vicky Leandros – L’amour Est Bleu (Love Is Blue) (1966)
Any Major Eurovision

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This is the second of two compilations of tracks from the compilations I posted over the past year, with one song chosen from each mix.

Last year this blog celebrated its 10^th birthday. Things have changed from those days; the number of music blogs is diminishing, and even the MP3 culture is being drowned by a migration to listening to streaming audio.

It was fun looking back at ten years in 2017, and at some of the nice feedback this blog used to get from media, especially, of course, Playboy which featured Any Major Dude With Half A Heart as the only website in its annual Music Guide in 2013 (the mix I posted to mark that occasion went back up by popular request). I featured right above the then still new-fangled Kendrick Lamar. I was also pleased by the many nice comments on the 10^th anniversary from readers. Comments are the lifeblood to keep this site going.

I mentioned in the blurb for the first of these mixes that I don”t know how much longer I”ll run with this blog, though I have no immediate plans to call it a day. Indeed, I have loads of great ideas for new mixes, so I hope to be posting two more great compilations of songs from 2018″s compilations”¦

1. Wilco – Any Major Dude Will Tell You (2000)
Any Major Steely Dan Covers
2. Counting Crows – You Ain”t Goin” Nowhere (2012)
Any Major Bob Dylan Covers Vol. 4
3. Ben Folds – Fred Jones Part 2 (2005)
Any Major Jones
4. Joe Ely – Every Night About This Time (1992)
Any Major Night Vol. 2
5. The Jayhawks – Tampa To Tulsa (Acoustic Version) (2003)
Any Major American Road Trip Part 7
6. Pure Prairie League – Amie (1972)
Any Major Freaks & Geeks
7. Stone The Crows – Fool On The Hill (1970)
Beatles Recovered: Magical Mystery Tour
8. Five Man Electrical Band – Werewolf (1974)
Any Major Halloween Vol. 4
9. Dave Mason – Save Me (1980)
Michael Jackson Backing Vocals Collection
10. Earth, Wind & Fire – On Your Face (1976)
Any Major Soul 1976 Vol. 1
11. Natalie Cole – Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (1978)
Beatles Recovered: Sgt Pepper”s
12. Al Green – Funny How Time Slips Away
Al Green Sings Covers
13. Melba Moore – Get Into My Mind (1975)
Any Major Soul 1975 Vol. 2
14. Andrea True Connection – More, More, More (1976)
Any Major Disco Vol. 5
15. First Class – Beach Baby (1974)
Any Major Beach Vol. 2
16. Wet Wet Wet – Temptation (1987)
Should Have Been A UK Top 10 Hit ““ Vol. 3
17. Fine Young Cannibals – Blue (1985)
Life In Vinyl 1985 ““ Vol. 2
18. Jimmy Radcliff – There Goes The Forgotten Man (1962)
Bacharach & David Songbook Vol. 1
19. Elvis Presley – What A Wonderful Life (1962)
Elvis movies mix & quiz
20. Karel Gott – Rot und schwarz (1969)
Any Major Schlager Covers Vol. 1

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As I did last year and the year before that, I am putting up two compilations of tracks from the compilations I posted over the past year, with one song chosen from each mix (except for the Any Major Favourites 2016 mixes, two mixes of songs from my favourite compilations over the past decade, the Christmas selections, the Any Major Disco Vol. 6 mix I posted just before New Year”s, and In Memoriams). All of the songs here are among my favourite tracks from the respective mixes.

In 2017 I put up a total of 44 mixes, plus the 12 monthly In Memoriams. One labour-intensive series came to an end with the American Road Trip, which covered the USA in some detail over seven mixes in a reasonable (if not very efficient) itinerary. I also think I”ve posted my final Halloween mix, and perhaps the last one in the eight-part series of soft rock mixes I”ve called Not Feeling Guilty.

Lack of good feedback suggests that the Life In Vinyl series is not very popular anymore. That might be due to 1985 being a pretty bad year for music, and the remainder of the 1980s wasn”t much better. Though I think that the mixes were quite good, I might not carry on with that.

Some regular favourites will continue, especially Any Major Soul. I”m having great fun doing the mixes based on the selections of music of guests on the BBC radio show Desert Island Discs. The mix of music from Freaks & Geeks was well received, so there”ll be more of that, with a compilation of music from The Deuce coming up. I”ve been playing that one to death already in my car.

Periodically I might put together mixes in tribute of big names that have died. In 2017 I did so for Chuck Berry and Walter Becker of Steely Dan by way of cover versions of their songs. The series of covers of Bob Dylan songs has one more instalment to go.

So I have plans and, I hope, some nice surprises in store.

As always, the mix is timed to fit on a CD-R length. I”ve not bothered with organic home-crafted covers for this offering. PW in comments, where you are always welcome to say something.

1. Billy Joel – Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway) (1981)
Any Major Year
2. The Band – Atlantic City (1993)
Any Major Springsteen Covers
3. Leon Russell – Too Much Monkey Business (1992)
Any Major Chuck Berry Covers
4. Little Feat – Dixie Chicken (1973)
Any Major American Road Trip – Part 6
5. Michael Stanley – Subterranean Homesick Blues (1973)
Any Major Bob Dylan Covers Vol. 3
6. Bill LaBounty – Comin” Back (1982)
Not Feeling Guilty Mix Vol. 8
7. Ernie Hines – A Better World (For Everyone) (1972)
Any Major Protest Soul Vol. 1
8. Isaac Hayes – For The Good Times (1971)
Covered With Soul Vol. 22
9. Della Reese – Games People Play (1969)
All The People Who’ve Died 2017
10. Gil Scott-Heron – The Bottle (1974)
Any Major Flute Vol. 4
11. Bama The Village Poet – Welfare Slave (1972)
Any Major Protest Soul Vol. 2
12. Nina Simone – Mississippi Goddam (1964)
Stars Pick Your Songs Vol. 2: Actors
13. Brother Joe May – When The Lord Gets Ready (1959)
Any Major Decade: Best of Saved!
14. Warren Smith – Red Cadillac And A Black Moustache (1957)
Any Major Roads Vol. 3
15. Bob Dylan – My Back Pages (1964)
Stars Pick Your Songs Vol. 1: Musicians
16. Teddy Thompson – I”m Left, You”re Right, She”s Gone (2007)
Any Major Elvis Covers
17. Strawberry Switchblade – Since Yesterday (1985)
Life In Vinyl 1985 – Vol. 1
18. Dexys Midnight Runners – Until I Believe In My Soul (1982)
Any Major Whistle Vol. 1
19. Hildegard Knef – From Here On It Got Rough (1969)
Curious Germany – The Collection

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This is the second mix of one favourite song each from mixes I”ve posted in 2016 (excluding the Christmas mixes, Song Swarms and In Memoriams).

Last time I asked you to tell me which mixes you enjoyed over the year, and if you didn”t do so then, please let me know now.

Of course, the first person I make these compilations for is myself. I listen to some of them for months before I post them. I love sharing them, and I really enjoy it when other people enjoy them too. But I wouldn”t make them if it wasn”t for me listening to them. The home-brewed covers”¦ those I make exclusively for you (though I don”t know if anyone actually uses them).

If I want to know from you what you liked, I should tell you what mixes of 2016 I liked best. I have played the American Road Trip series a lot. I already have the complete collection, and I”ll hold on to that until I can actually make such a road trip. The Any Major Radio, Coffee and Road mixes (especially Road Vol. 1, and the third volume as well, which I have to post) have been frequent companions in my car, as have the Dylan covers mixes. I really love the Any Major Mexico mix as well.

I”ve also enjoyed the one mix that I didn”t make, but Prince. His party playlist was released after his death, and it was splendid (the song I picked for the present mix has been on a playlist I”ve been planning for years. Maybe this February.). He truly was Any Major Prince.

Obviously I stand by the other mixes as well. The Any Major Soul and Not Feeling Guilty mixes are such a joy to compile, because they make me listen to different tracks from albums I”d normally not play. And I really enjoy the research that goes into making the collections of songs involving individuals, such as, this year, the Steve Gadd and Rod Temperton Collections. The vast investment in time is really worth it.

If you didn’t let me know in Any Major Favourites 2016 Vol. 1, I would still love to know which of the mixes posted here in 2016 you have enjoyed the most.

As always, this mix is timed to fit on a standard CD-R. PW in comments.

1. Steve Earle – Satellite Radio (2007)
Any Major Radio Vol. 2
2. Jim Photoglo – Fool In Love With You (1981)
Not Feeling Guilty Mix Vol. 7
3. Billy Preston – She Belongs To Me (1969)
Any Major Dylan Covers Vol. 2
4. George Harrison – Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll) (1970)
Beatles Reunited: Smile Away
5. The Band – It Makes No Difference (1978)
Any Major Unrequited Love
6. Al Jarreau – Could You Believe (1977)
Saved! Vol. 7: The Soul Edition
7. Margie Joseph – Sign Of The Times (1975)
Steve Gadd Collection Vol. 3
8. The Soul Children – We’re Gettin’ Too Close (1974)
Prince Is Your DJ
9. Dusty Springfield – I Can’t Wait Until I See My Baby’s Face (1967)
Any Major Flute Vol. 3
10. Roy Redmond – Good Day Sunshine (1967)
Beatles Recovered: Revolver
11. Lloyd Price – Under Your Spell Again (1962)
Any Major Halloween Vol. 3
12. Anita O’Day & Billy May – I Could Write A Book (1960)
Any Major Love In Black & White
13. Randy Newman – Birmingham (1974)
American Road Trip – Stage 2
14. Hall & Oates – Las Vegas Turnaround (The Stewardess Song) (1974)
American Road Trip – Stage 5
15. Sugar Billy – Super Duper Love (Parts 1 & 2) (1975)
Any Major Soul: 1975 Vol. 1
16. Sir Mack Rice – Muhammed Ali (1976)
Muhammad Ali: A Musical Tribute
17. The Whispers – It’s A Love Thing (1980)
Any Major Disco Vol. 4
18. Mighty Mo Rodgers – Black Coffee And Cigarettes (2011)
Any Major Coffee Vol. 1
19. The Cars – You Might Think (1984)
A Life In Vinyl: 1984 Vol. 1
20. Nick Heyward – Whistle Down The Wind (1983)
A Life In Vinyl: 1983
21. Bj̦rn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid РSanta Rosa (1972)
American Road Trip – Stage 4

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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.  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

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Last week we had 21 songs from 21 mixes posted on this blog in 2015. Here are 19 more songs from 19 more mixes posted in 2015. That gives us 40 mixes, though there were a couple more, in addition to the monthly In Memoriam posts.

Nobody has asked me which was my favourite Any Major Mix of 2015. I will still venture an answer. I think I’ve played the Any Major Roads Vol. 1 mix the most, along with both Not Feeling Guilty mixes, Vol. 4 and Vol. 5, and Any Major Winter.

I dare not ask which mix you liked in particular, since readers of his blog are very shy people, aside from a few comment section regulars, whom I love very much. Still, which Any Major Mix (or mixes, of course) did you particular enjoy the past year “” or, indeed, ever?

1. Diana Ross – The Boss (1979)
Any Major Funk Vol. 8
2. Janis Ian – Fly Too High (1980)
Any Major Disco Vol. 2 ““ Pop Edition
3. Ambrosia – You’re The Only Woman (1980)
Not Feeling Guilty Mix Vol. 5
4. Rita Coolidge – That Man Is My Weakness (1971)
The Jim Keltner Collection Vol. 1
5. John Lennon – How (1971)
Beatles Reunited ““ Everest (1971)
6. The Rolling Stones – Winter (1973)
Any Major Winter
7. B.B. King – Ghetto Woman (1971)
The Ringo Starr Collection
8. Hall & Oates with Eddie Kendricks & David Ruffin – My Girl (1985)
Live Aid ““ 30 years ago
9. The Intruders – Rainy Days And Mondays (1974)
Covered With Soul Vol. 20
10. The Ebonys – You’re The Reason Why (1973)
Any Major Soul 1973 ““ Vol. 2
11. Salsoul Orchestra feat Loleatta Holloway – Runaway (1977)
Any Major Disco Vol. 3
12. Juluka – Scatterlings Of Africa (1982)
A Life In Vinyl: 1982
13. Billy Idol – Hot In The City (1982)
Any Major Summer Vol. 5
14. Sweet – Fox On The Run (1975)
Any Major Glam Vol. 2
15. T. Rex – Metal Guru (1972)
Any Major Teen Dreams
16. The Redskins – Bring It Down (This Insane Thing) (1985)
Should Have Been A UK Top 10 Hit ““ Vol. 1
17. Depeche Mode – But Not Tonight (Extended Remix) (1986)
Any Major B-Side
18. Godley + Creme – Under Your Thumb (1981)
Any Major Halloween Vol. 2
19. Humble Pie – Drive My Car (1975)
Beatles Recovered: Rubber Soul

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In my younger days I was an enthusiastic mix-tape compiler. The lucky girls who were the objects of my affection would be blessed with my carefully compiled cassettes. I have no doubt whatsoever that they profoundly appreciated the education they were receiving, never mind if they liked Whitney Houston and I inducted them into the delights of Prefab Sprout or The Rock Lobsters. Funny enough, I ended up marrying none of them. Not that my future wife escaped my aggressive mix-taping, but by the time we were dating, I had the consideration to compile songs in her favoured genres.

As the regular reader will know, I still enjoy making mix-tapes. I love selecting the music, even as I hate omitting good songs to keep within my set length of one standard CD-R. I enjoy sequencing the songs; it’s perhaps the most creative part of the process. And I love playing the mixes, mostly in my car.

Here is a compilation of songs that featured on compilations that ran during the past year, with a second mix coming next week.

1. Odyssey – Use It Up And Wear It Out (1980)
Any Major Disco Vol. 1
2. Jorge Ben – Taj Mahal (1976)
Copy Borrow Steal ““ The Collection
3. Bill LaBounty – Livin’ It Up (1982)
The Steve Gadd Collection Vol. 1
4. Michael McDonald – I Keep Forgettin’ (1982)
The Louis Johnson Collection
5. Karl Kikillus – Another Shore (1983)
Not Feeling Guilty Mix Vol. 4
6. Alan Price – Groovy Times (1978)
Any Major Love
7. Tim Rose – You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away (1972)
Help! Recovered
8. The Dells – Dock Of The Bay (1969)
Covered With Soul Vol. 21
9. Margie Joseph – Touch Your Woman (1973)
Any Major Soul 1973 ““ Vol. 1
10. Bettye Crutcher – Up For A Let Down (1974)
Any Major Soul 1974 ““ Vol. 1
11. Sammy Davis Jr – Keep Your Eye On The Sparrow (Theme of Baretta) (1976)
Any Major TV”ˆTheme Songs Vol. 3
12. Tony Joe White – I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby (1972)
The Originals ““ Elvis Presley Vol. 2
13. Little Feat – Truck Stop Girl (1970)
Any Major Roads Vol. 1
14. Alison Krauss – Forget About It (1999)
The Jim Keltner Collection Vol. 2
15. Rilo Kiley – The Angels Hung Around (2007)
Saved! Vol. 6 ““ The Angels edition
16. The The – Heartland (1986)
Should Have Been A UK Top 10 Hit ““ Vol. 2
17. Garland Jeffreys – R.O.C.K. (1981)
A Life In Vinyl: 1981
18. Paul McCartney & Wings – Maybe I’m Amazed (live, 1976)
The Beatles: Reunited and live
19. Dusty Springfield – You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (1966)
The Bobby Graham Collection
20. Edith Piaf – Notre-Dame de Paris (1952)
Any Major Paris In Black & White
21. Smiley Lewis – One Night Of Sin (1956)
The Originals ““ Elvis Presley Vol. 1

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