1968

My favorite singer of all time (and the creator of my favorite record Live at the Whiskey a Go Go) is Otis Redding. I guess everyone has their reasons for loving an artist, and I have lots of rational ones, like the fact that I think he has a spectacular voice, picks great bands to work with, and writes perfect songs, many of which have gone down in history as the greatest of all time. But a lot of people have a great voice and surround themselves with great talent. So it's not anything in particular that I can identify about Otis Redding that sends shivers down my spine every time I hear him sing. Maybe it's the aching in his voice, the fact that he can be gritty or smooth and come across world-weary and hopeful. "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay)" was his last single, a posthumous release (the first ever to go to Number One), and, with the possible exception of "Respect," the greatest song he ever wrote. His plane crash remains one of the great tragedies in music history - we often wonder if artists that die early are lionized simply because of their deaths, but Otis, like his idol Sam Cooke, is never part of that conversation. It's possible that "Dock of the Bay" wouldn't have quite the same emotion in it without that back story, but something tells me it doesn't need any more emotion than Otis put into his rendition that can be found right in the song.

Speaking of artists that died too early, 1968 begins with Bob Dylan's favorite version of "All Along the Watchtower," with the most underrated overrated guitar solo in history. Hendrix was maybe the greatest, and though we've all heard this song a million times, its power cannot be diminished by soundtracks, frat boys, or snobs trying to turn their backs on it. "Piece of My Heart" has been equally attacked, but it will withstand any pressure just as well: along with her cover of "Summertime," it's Janis Joplin's crowning acheivement.

Looking over this mix, it's difficult to find a song that hasn't been co-opted in one way or another. "I Heard it Through the Grapevine," "I Say a Little Prayer for You," "With a Little Help From My Friends." This music is so powerful and important that it's not surprising that it has been used time and time again to prop up art or products that don't measure up. Fortunately, I have yet to see an "I'm Black and I'm Proud" commercial for licorice or something, though I'm sure The Kinks' brilliant "Days" (which was a non-album single almost included on The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society) is ready to be included in a Day's Inn ad or something.

But I'm not bitter. This is still a stellar set of songs, if not quite as good as '69. Good Stevie Wonder, good Band and Simon and Garfunkel, a track from the best Van Morrison record (Astral Weeks is also one of my personal favorites if anyone is keeping score), and though I would have preferred to include "Revolution," "Hey Jude" is too big to ignore if it can fit. And makes for a nice coda to any mix (with a brief epilogue from Otis).

Okay, I've rambled enough. Enjoy the mix.

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1. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix - 4:00
2. White Room - Cream - 4:57
3. Piece Of My Heart - Big Brother & The Holding Co - 4:14
4. I Say A Little Prayer For You - Aretha Franklin - 3:36
5. The Way Young Lovers Do - Van Morrison - 3:18
6. I Heard it Thru Grapevine - Marvin Gaye - 3:10
7. I Wish It Would Rain - Temptations - 2:53
8. The Weight - The Band - 4:33
9. Mrs. Robinson - Simon and Garfunkel - 3:50
10. Stand By Your Man - Tammy Wynette - 2:41
11. Israelites - Desmond Dekker - 2:36
12. Say It Loud, I'm Black And I'm Proud - James Brown - 3:02
13. Everyday People - Sly and the Family Stone - 2:22
14. Days - The Kinks - 2:52
15. For Once in My Life - Stevie Wonder - 2:50
16. La La Means I Love You - Delfonics - 3:23
17. Crimson and Clover - Tommy James & The Shondells - 5:28
18. With A Little Help From My Friends - Joe Cocker - 4:55
19. Jumping Jack Flash - The Rolling Stones - 3:44
20. Hey Jude - The Beatles - 7:02
21. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding - 2:45