Best Ofs are a tricky lot, as they are like ideas, coming and going, fulfilling but never quite lasting. So, I offer to you, dearest listener, an extremely whittled down version of the albums that I discovered and rescued last year, discarded, unwanted, and stranded in thrift stores (with the exception of Golden Retriever, my one 2012 release endorsement to you) that I offer to you as a lasting legacy of petroleum gone good (mileage may vary).
- Phil Harris – “Some Little Bug Is Gonna Find You” – Southern Comfort (Mega)
- Audience – “The House on the Hill” – The House on the Hill (Elektra)
- Richard Linhas – “Rhizosphere” – Rhizosphere (Aural Experience)
- Darrell De Vore – “?” – Gravikords, Whirlies and Pyrophones (Ellipsis)
- Various Artists – “Side 1” – Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle (Scholastic)
- Christine Price – “Momotaro” – Japanese Folk and Fairy Tales (CMS)
- Narrators – “Side 2” – Crystal Odyssey (CBS)
- Golden Retriever – “Serene Velocity” – Occupies With The Unspoken (Thrill Jockey)
- Henry Mancini – “Charlie’s Angel’s” – Mancini’s Angels (RCA)
- Johnny Western – “Cowpoke” – Have Gun, Will Travel (Columbia)
- The Couriers – “There’s No One” – S/T (Hymntone)
- The Lamplighters – “Salty Dog” – Gabe’s Dirty Blues (Gabe’s)
- Rosemary Clooney – “Why Don’t Ya Haul Off and Kiss Me” – Rosie’s Greatest Hits (Columbia)
- Harry Nilsson – “Joy” – Son of Schmilsson (Victor)
- Wendy Carlos – “1. Allegro” – Switched On Brandenbergs (CBS)
- Ween – “Stroker Ace” – White Pepper (Elektra)
- Mel Torme – “Superstition” – Live at the Maisonette (Atlantic)
- Box of Chocolates – “Good Side” – Fearful Symmetry (High Beem)
- Prefab Sprout – “Faron” – Two Wheels Good (Epic)
- Comateens – “Cinnamon” – Pictures on a String (Mercury)
- Sparks – “Wonder Girl” – Collection (Rhino)
- Nina Hagen Band – “White Punks on Dope” – Nina Hagen Band (CBS)
- Jamie Linders – “The Great Pretender” – Menopause the Musical (S/R)
- Bugs and Yosemite Sam – “Heartbreak Hotel” – Bugs and Friends Sing Elvis (WB)
- Andre Previn – “Toccata in D Minor” – Rollerball (UA)
- Narrator – “Side 2” – Hear How to Handle Your Boat (Hear Now)
- Don Buchla – “Thunder and Lightening” – Gravikords, Whirlies and Pyrophones (Ellipsis Arts)
- Narrator – “Side 1” – Crystal Odyssey (CBS)
- Narrator – “Side A” – Exploring the New World (Standard School Broadcast)
- Golden Retriever – “Serene Velocity” – Occupies With The Unspoken (Thrill Jockey)
- George Benson – “Come Together” – Shape of Things to Come (A&M)
- Ray Charles – “Sinner’s Prayer” – Hallelujah (Atlantic Recording Corp)
- Ike and Tina Turner – “Find a Substitute” – It’s Gonna Work Out Fine (Sue)
- Chambers Brothers – “To Love Somebody” – Love, Peace and Happiness (Columbia)
- Janice Joplin – “Work Me, Lord” – Kozmic Blues (CBS)
- Henry Mancini – “What’s Happening!!! Theme” – Mancini’s Angels (RCA)
- Jimmy Cliff – “Look at the Mountain” – Follow My Mind (Reprise)
- Poogy Tales – “Track 5, Side 2” – S/T (Hed-Arzi)
- Norman Connors – “Jump Street” – Slewfoot (Buddah)
- Yellow – “The Race” – Flag (Polygram)
- Spike Jones – “Frantic Freeway” – Spiked (BMG)
- Frankie Goes to Hollywood – “Scrapped and Trapped” – S/T (ZTT)
