An infinite number of records can each be THE greatest record ever made, as long as they take turns. That's the central premise of my book The Greatest Record Ever Made!, a work in progress that's been an absolute delight to concoct so far. I hope to be able to tell you more about that project soon.
I decided to cap the book at a hard 'n' fast limit of 100 songs (though bonus material adds two instrumentals and an extraneous Beatles song, and the Buddy Holly entry is about two sides of a single 45). The list of songs I selected is not intended to be a coronation of the 100 all-time best tracks, but a reflection of a mere 100 among the seemingly infinite cuts that fancy my tickles. Really, it's just the 100 songs I chose to write about in that forum.
And I considered a lot more than those 100 chosen few. This faux TIRnRR playlist collects a few of the individual tracks I thought about discussing in the book, each one the greatest in its own infinite turn. Each of these 53 records should be considered on equal footing with the 100+ records contained within the pages of The Greatest Record Ever Made!
Most of the performers shown here are acts that don't receive their own chapter in my book. But the final set of this imaginary playlist presents alternate GREM selections by artists who do get their own chapter (or chapters, in the cases of The Beatles and The Kinks), followed by a closing instrumental by The Ventures. In the interest of lazines...efficiency, I'm not writing any entries beyond what I'm using in the book. The only exceptions are "Hey Jude" and "Walk--Don't Run," both of which can be seen via those links on this blog.
There are so many great, great songs. An infinite number. Ladies and gentlemen, we present the continuing story of The Greatest Record Ever Made!
This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl--y'know, the real one--plays Sunday nights from 9 to Midnight Eastern, on the air in Syracuse on SPARK! WSPJ-LP 103.3 and 93.7 FM, and on the web at http://sparksyracuse.org/
Spark Syracuse is supported by listeners like you. Tax-deductible donations are welcome at http://sparksyracuse.org/support/
You can follow Carl's daily blog Boppin' (Like The Hip Folks Do) at
Our new compilation CD This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 4 is now available from Kool Kat Musik! 29 tracks of irresistible rockin' pop, starring Pop Co-Op, Ray Paul, Circe Link & Christian Nesmith, Vegas With Randolph Featuring Lannie Flowers, The Slapbacks, P. Hux, Irene Peña, Michael Oliver & the Sacred Band Featuring Dave Merritt, The Rubinoos, Stepford Knives, The Grip Weeds, Popdudes, Ronnie Dark, The Flashcubes, Chris von Sneidern, The Bottle Kids, 1.4.5., The Smithereens, Paul Collins' Beat, The Hit Squad, The Rulers, The Legal Matters, Maura & the Bright Lights, Lisa Mychols, and Mr. Encrypto & the Cyphers. You gotta have it, so order it at https://tinyurl.com/ycnly8oz Digital download version (minus The Smithereens' track) now available at https://tinyurl.com/ycauy9xt
Fake This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio playlist: Other examples of The Greatest Record Ever Made!
SCREEN TEST: Sound Of The Radio
--
THE VOGUES: Five O'Clock World
GRANDMASTER & MELLE MEL: White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)
THE TEMPTATIONS: Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
THE RECORDS: Starry Eyes
THE BEAU BRUMMELS: Don't Talk To Strangers
HUSKER DU: Eight Miles High
--
STEVIE WONDER: I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)
THE PLIMSOULS: A Million Miles Away
THE CONTOURS: Do You Love Me
AMY RIGBY: Dancing With Joey Ramone
THE AVENGERS: We Are The One
ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ATTRACTIONS: (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding
--
ANNY CELSI: Empty Hangers
THE YARDBIRDS: Heart Full Of Soul
TAVARES: Free Ride
THE MC5: Kick Out The Jams
THE BEVIS FROND: He'd Be A Diamond
THE RONETTES: Be My Baby
--
THE ANIMALS: It's My Life
THE MARVELETTES: I'll Keep Holdin' On
DEL SHANNON: Runaway
THE CREATION: Making Time
THE JAM: In The City
JOSIE & THE PUSSYCATS: You've Come A Long Way Baby
--
RONNIE SPECTOR & THE E STREET BAND: Say Goodbye To Hollywood
SUGAR: If I Can't Change Your Mind
THE SAINTS: (I'm) Stranded
DAVE DEE, DOZY, BEAKY, MICK & TICH: Hold Tight
THE TOYS: May My Heart Be Cast Into Stone
JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS: Light Of Day
--
ARTHUR CONLEY: Sweet Soul Music
THE SKELETONS: Trans Am
DEEP PURPLE: Hush
THE GRASS ROOTS: Midnight Confession
ADAM FAITH & THE ROULETTES: It's Alright
THE STEMS: Never Be Friends
--
THE MODERN LOVERS: Roadrunner
PINK FLOYD: Wish You Were Here
IKE & TINA TURNER: River Deep,Mountain High
HERMAN'S HERMITS: No Milk Today
THE HOODOO GURUS: Bittersweet
THE ROMANTICS: What I Like About You
--
THE BEATLES: Hey Jude
THE ROLLING STONES: Jumpin' Jack Flash
PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS: Kicks
THE RAMONES: I Don't Want To Grow Up
NEIL DIAMOND: Solitary Man
THE SUPREMES: Stop! In The Name Of Love
THE KINKS: Days
THE MONKEES: Pleasant Valley Sunday
THE BEACH BOYS: Good Vibrations
THE VENTURES: Walk--Don't Run
No comments:
Post a Comment