K-Tel, operating in several countries, causes a lot of confusion because the catalog numbers make no sense at all. In today’s example, 20 Dynamic Hits (no actual volume number) was released in the UK in 1973. A1 Argent– Hold Your … Continue reading The 18 February Day Thread of “20 Dynamic Hits (also Volume 2)” both by K-Tel
Moving into 1973, K-Tel gives us the “Story of Pop”. Later, they will release this as a double 8-track with the forthcoming Volume 2. Also this year, the label will start mass re-issuing realier comps as cassettes. Bill Haley– Rock … Continue reading The 15 February Day Thread of “K-Tel’s Story of Pop Vol. 1”
I want you to stay with me here, but there are no Volumes 1 through 5. A1 Anne Murray– SnowbirdA2 Glen Campbell– GalvestonA3 Sonny James– Running BearA4 Ferlin Husky– Wings Of A DoveA5 Faron Young– Sweet DreamsA6 Hank Thompson– Squaws … Continue reading The 13 February Day Thread of “24 Country & Western Greats Vol. 6” by K-Tel
No, you’re not losing your grip on reality… there are no volumes 1 through 3. Also, the jacket says “Volume 3” but the labels say “Volume 4”, so I guess trying to make sense of any of this is a … Continue reading The 12 February Day Thread of “The Best of Country Music Volume 4” by K-Tel
“Bright Side of Music”… if you haven’t figured it out yet, most of K-Tel’s titles mean absolutely nothing. A1 Lobo (3)– Don’t Expect Me To Be Your FriendA2 Donna Fargo– Funny FaceA3 Gary Glitter– Rock & Roll Part OneA4 Osmonds– … Continue reading The 11 February Day Thread of “Bright Side of Music” by K-Tel
This collection released in Canada in 1972 was sold as three LPs or two 8-Track cartridges, with the most unimpressive “cover art” you’ve ever seen. Fun fact, all of these songs were re-written to be about Jesus Christ and featured … Continue reading The 04 February Night Thread of “60 Flash-Back Greats of the Sixties” by K-Tel
No, you’re not going crazy. In fact, there is no Volume 1… although K-Tel International (a subsidiary ran from Frankfurt, London, and Dublin) released a 20 Explosive Hits. The thing that always tickles me about these collections is just the … Continue reading The 03 February Night Thread of “22 Explosive Hits Volume Two” by K-Tel
Released in 1972, this K-Tel collection celebrates everyone’s favorites from the 50’s! I feel like in 1972, these songs were probably not “cool”. I will always love Cash’s “Don’t Take Your Guns to Town”, my dad used to perform it … Continue reading The 02 February Night Thread of “20 All Time Greats of the 50’s” by K-Tel
“But Skull Ring,” I hear you complain, “You just did this two days ago!” Au contrare, mon frere. In 1972, K-Tel released another compilation with the exact same title, and nearly identical artwork, but a completely different track list. It … Continue reading The 01 February Night Thread of “25 Polka & Waltz Greats” by K-Tel (Again?!)
“Didn’t Skull Ring already do this one on April 10th of 2025?” I hear you cry. No, this is a different one than that one. That was 25 Polka Greats Volume 1 (to which there was no Volume 2). This … Continue reading The 30 January Night Thread of “25 Polka & Waltz Greats” by K-Tel
This marks one of the rare times when K-Tel puts out a compilation of a single group and not just a cash grab of 20 popular songs. Don’t be dismayed– there’s still 20 songs. The Irish Rovers are a Canadian … Continue reading The 29 January Night Thread of “The Irish Rovers Special” by K-Tel
K-Tel released this gem in 1972 in Canada, and launched a billion rockabilly bands by accident. There’s only five here I don’t know, but maybe I would if I actually heard them. A1 Chuck Berry– MaybellineA2 Gene Vincent– Be Bop-A-LulaA3 … Continue reading The 28 January Night Thread of “25 Rock Revival Greats Vol. 2” by K-Tel
Forty, count ’em, FORTY songs! About 6 of them are good. 20 Electrifying HitsA1 Ray Stevens– Everything Is BeautifulA2 Tokens– Lion Sleeps Tonight A3 Beverly Bremers– Don’t Say You Don’t Remember A4 Stylistics– You Are EverythingA5 Ronnie Dyson– Why Can’t … Continue reading The 27 January Night Thread of “20 Electrifying Hits (Plus Bonus 20 Hits of the 60’s)” by K-Tel
K-Tel’s 20 Power Hits was released in Japan in 1972. Japanese teens used to love Glen Campbell. A1 Three Dog Night– Joy To The WorldA2 The Grass Roots– Two Divided By LoveA3 Marc Bolan, T. Rex– Telegram SamA4 The Mamas … Continue reading The 26 January Night Thread of “20 Power Hits” from K-Tel
K-Tel’s Gems of the 70’s was released in New Zealand in 1972. The title Gems of the First Couple Years of the 70’s is a little unwieldly, so I get why they did what they did. A1 Tony Christie– Is … Continue reading The 25 January Night Thread of “Gems of the 70’s” from K-Tel
32 years ago today, Alice In Chains released their EP, Jar of Flies. The EP, named after a third grade science experiment conducted by guitarist Jerry Cantrell, is certified quadruple platinum in the United States. Which track is your favorite? Continue reading The 25 January 2026 Day Thread of Jar of Flies
Kino was (and is) a Soviet post-punk band that started in 1981. The band was hugely popular even though most of their music was only distributed through bootlegs. In 1986, Student filmmaker Sergei Lysenko approached the band about filming 4 … Continue reading The Night Thread of Konets Kanikul by KINO
So, entirely by accident, I stumbled upon this glorious monstrosity. What’s it about? It’s about nothing, and it’s about everything. If there is a Halloween trope, this made for TV movie uses it multiple times. Accidentally raising the dead? Yep. … Continue reading The Day Thread of The Mignight Hour [1985]
Truthfully, Taco’s album After Eight is mostly really good. I think this video takes place in the Blade Runner universe. Continue reading The Day Thread of TACO
I’m not sure “fiddle” and “hits” belong in the same title, but here we are. St. Ann’s ReelRagtime AnnieBlue Water HornpipeListen To The MockingbirdMcNab’s HornpipeRed WingTurkey In The StrawThe Mouth Of The TobiqueHaste To The WeddingShelbourne ReelSnowflake BreakdownSally GoodinDraggin The … Continue reading The 11 September Day Thread of “25 Old Tyme Fiddle Hits” from K-Tel
I really expected this to be a religious music comp, but no. A1 Looking Glass– Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)A2 Cher– G_psys, Tramps & ThievesA3 Lighthouse– Sunny DaysA4 Mouth & MacNeil– How Do You Do? A5 Hollies– Long Cool Woman … Continue reading The 10 September Day Thread of “Believe In Music” from K-Tel
