Space invasion
Although the lovingly crafted mix tape will always have a special place in my heart, there are some good commercially produced compilations available. One of my very favourites is Space Invasion, a Ronco LP from 1980. It has many, many merits:
- A high-tech space invaders themed cover which advertises ‘20 galactic hits’.
- Quite possibly the most wide-ranging selection of music that I’ve ever seen on the type of record that boasts ‘as seen on TV’ on the cover: from The Shadows, Elton John and Sheila B. Devotion to OMD, The Carpenters and Hawkwind, all your favourite space themed hits are here.
- It features not one, but two space themed songs by Dollar.
- And the magnificent ‘Eve of the War’ and ‘Forever Autumn’ from Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds.
- It strategically places the relatively rare ‘Theme from the Space Invaders/Firecracker’ by Yellow Magic Orchestra between Hot Chocolate and Deep Purple.
- It cost a mere £2 from Walthamstow Market.
So do you have any compilations that can beat Space Invasion?!
February 18th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
obviously SI is gem but I’ve got some motown comps that aren’t too shabby (sorry that was cheap).
I was listening to HELP war child cd from 1995 today on the train and was surprised how good that was and how well it hung together.
Having said the sheer vigour of the NTWICM series takes some beating
February 19th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
NTWICM doesn’t count. That’s just a stack of current chart hits chucked together; it’s not a lovingly crafted compil. like Space Invasion.
February 19th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I was planning to suggest the might K-Tel trio red hot run of – Disco Fever, Disco Stars and Action Replay – but are basically chart comps (although possibly the best you’ll ever get)
We Do Em Our Way punks bands including the Pistols, Slits, UK Subs and Stranglers covering standards is worth tracking down
http://www.discogs.com/Various-We-Do-Em-Our-Way/release/1118715
More recently (and I’ve probably rolled this out before) Working Mens Soul is a killer comp – and features selected highlights from Caberet Bands of the seventies – genius
http://www.licoricesoul.com/lsd014-tracklisting.php
February 19th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Ah, thanks for reposting PM. Do you actually have that ‘We Do ‘em Our Way’ comp? What’s the Dickies cover of Nights in White Satin like? It both intrigues and frightens me.
I’m sure I have a compilation called Disco Fever (it’s got the wonder T.S.O.P on it + many, many others) but sadly the free poster of John Travolta is missing.
February 19th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
I’ve got various garage band comps from american reissue label which are pretty good i thought we talking about commercial chart comps. Because there’s things like nuggets and the two tone compilations.
February 19th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
BTLP, PM is cheating a bit – those compilations aren’t exactly mainstream commercial and are clearly too good. Not that Space Invasion isn’t good. It’s genius!
But are there any other themed compilations that cover all forms of chart music like SI? Other than love compils obviously. Maybe there is a stupendous Worlds Best Driving Songs Ever that I’ve yet to find. Actually I do have a free CD from Q mag of driving songs which is pretty good…