1972

One of the more wide ranging mixes in this project, 1972 includes Al Green, The Rolling Stones, Randy Newman, Can, Melanie, Jimmy Cliff, and Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris. Lots of huge huge songs, plus the only Can song, the only Steely Dan song, and (I think) the only Roxy Music song. This may be the only Elton John song, too, I'm not a big fan of his at all.

There are two songs on this I want to point out. Babe Ruth's "The Mexican" is a monster song, a major dance crossover success that was played in the discos downtown and, even five years later, the hip hop clubs uptown. It's a great song that deserves bigger exposure. Second, Denise LaSalle's "Trapped By a Thing Called Love" is an early 70s soul gem, one of the few songs in history I consider truly perfect. Everything is right where you want it.

I also included "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," a seven minute latter-day masterpiece by the Temptaions. If you've never heard this full version, you're in for a treat.

Enjoy.

Download the mix here.

1. Let's Stay Together - Al Green - 3:18
2. Walk On The Wild Side - Lou Reed - 4:16
3. Tumbling Dice - The Rolling Stones - 3:42
4. Ziggy Stardust - David Bowie - 3:13
5. Rocket Man - Elton John - 4:42
6. Sail Away - Randy Newman - 2:51
7. Use Me - Bill Withers - 3:50
8. The Mexican - Babe Ruth - 5:46
9. Spoon - CAN - 3:04
10. Virginia Plain - Roxy Music - 2:58
11. Reelin' In The Years - Steely Dan - 4:37
12. Love Train - The O'Jays - 3:01
13. Trapped By A Thing Called Love - Denise LaSalle - 2:40
14. Everybody Plays The Fool - Main Ingredients - 3:24
15. Papa Was a Rolling Stone - The Temptations - 7:00
16. Superstition - Stevie Wonder - 4:26
17. Brand New Key - Melanie - 2:22
18. Freddie's Dead (Theme From "Superfly") - Curtis Mayfield - 3:20
19. The Harder They Come - Jimmy Cliff - 3:41
20. Pink Moon - Nick Drake - 2:06
21. We'll Sweep The Ashes Out In The Morning - Emmylou Harris & Gram Parsons - 3:12