There are three albums I remember, two being K-Tel and one being Ronco, that stick out in my head. It's where I learned about a lot of particular artists.


K-Tel's Soundwaves.
I've often raved about this album and that it introduced me to Prince with "I Wanna Be Your Lover" snugly placed on side A. It was never released on CD, but I do own two copies of it on vinyl. I also recreated the track list in iTunes.

SIDE ONE
Upside Down - Diana Ross
Funkytown - Lipps, Inc.
Could Have Loved You For a Long Time - The Spinners
Let's Get Serious - Jermaine Jackson
I Wanna Be Your Lover - Prince
The Empire Strikes Back Medley - Meco
I Was Made For Loving You - KISS
You Better Run - Pat Benatar

SIDE TWO
Steal Away - Robbie Dupree
Tired of Toein' the Line' - Rocky Burnette
Let Me Love You Tonight - Pure Prairie League
Do That To Me One More Time - Captain and Tennille
Lost in Love - Air Supply
Take A Little Rhythm - Ali Thomson
Into The Night - Benny Mardones



K-Tel's Full Tilt
This was always had a very different feel to me, and it took me longer to warm up to it, but now I love it. I don't own this one at all anymore, but did recreate the track list (sans the Jimmy Hill song because I simply can't find it) in iTunes. I am not sure what version of the Cheap Trick song was used for the album. I don't remember it being live, but it could have been.

A1 The Tide Is High (Blondie)
A2 Let My Love Open The Door (Pete Townshend)
A3 Whip It (Devo)
A4 Hot Rod Hearts (Robbie Dupree)
A5 Take Your Time (Do It Right) (S.O.S. Band)
A6 I'm Happy That Love Has Found You (Jimmy Hall)
A7 Who'll Be The Fool Tonight (Larsen-Feiten Band)

B1 He's So Shy (Pointer Sisters)
B2 You're The Only Woman (Ambrosia)
B3 Shining Star (Manhattans)
B4 Midnight Rocks (Al Stewart)
B5 Misunderstanding (Genesis)
B6 Ain't That A Shame (Cheap Trick)
B7 Hit Me With Your Best Shot (Pat Benatar)



Ronco Present Solid Gold
I don't remember where I got this album, but it was always very eclectic to me. Some of the songs I just could not listen to back then, but things like "Car Wash" and Marvin Gaye were instant favorites to me. I don't have many of these songs, so I'm slowly trying to find them and rebuild the tracklist in iTunes.

Side 1: 1. HOT - ANGEL IN YOUR ARMS
2. ANDREW GOLD - LONELY BOY
3. JENNIFER WARNES - RIGHT TIME OF THE NIGHT
4. THE SYLVERS - HOT LINE
5. ENGLAND DAN - ITS SAD TO BELONG
6. HOT CHOCOLATE - SO YOU WIN AGAIN
7. THELMA HOUSTON - DONT LEAVE ME THIS WAY
8. JOHNNY RIVERS - SWAYIN TO THE MUSIC
9. BARRY MANILOW - WEEKEND IN NEW ENGLAND

Side 2: 10. ABBA - KNOWING ME KNOWING YOU
11. MARVIN GAYE - GOT TO GIVE IT UP
12. STEPHEN BISHOP - SAVE IT FOR A RAINY DAY
13. ROSE ROYCE - CAR WASH
14. MELISSA MANCHESTER - COME IN FROM THE RAN
15. ANDREA TRUE CONNECTION - NEW YORK YOU GOT ME DANCING
16. ADDRISI BROTHERS - SLAW DANCIN DON T TURN ME ON
17. BAY CITY ROLLERS - YOU MADE ME BELIEVE IN MAGIC
18. JIMMY BUFFETT - MARGARITAVILLE

What are some favorite compilation albums from the past that you remember? Were there any that turned you onto any particular artist(s)? Do tell!

D.I.Y.: Shake It Up: American Power Pop II (1978-80)

http://www.amazon.com/D-I...B000008F4O

Found this in a discount bin at Wal-Mart over twelve years ago and it opened up my idea of guitar-driven pop in a way I'd previously been oblivious to. I would have to say that half the songs from this comp are the reason I got into writing the music I write now.


[Edited 8/23/09 3:25am]


Various Artists - Gothic Rock, Vol. 1 [Cleopatra]

http://shopping.yahoo.com...1921156793

This one took longer to appreciate fully, but without, I may never have known about Tones On Tail, one of my favourite bands of all time.


[Edited 8/23/09 3:26am]

I have a ton of K-Tel albums that I bought a few years ago for $1 each Those were alot of fun in the 70s.