Song Notes:

THE BEATLES et al.: “Help!”

Ah, the Nakamichi 500. What a cassette deck. The pause button was so precise that you could stop and start the tape flawlessly. I once tried to get as many different songs splices as I could fit on a 45 minute cassette. I think I got upwards of 40 different songs snippets on there. This opening for “Help” is just one example of how it works. I put this on every mixed tape I made for years. And it was decades before my daughters heard the original Beatles version. Their response was, where’s the opening? —John Stix

JETHRO TULL: “Nothing Is Easy”

“Nothing is Easy” comes from my favorite Jethro Tull album, STAND UP.  I used to play this in my band. We also did “New Day Yesterday” and “See My Way” by Blodwyn Pig. Our star guitarist was Mike English. He could play anything from Andres Segovia and Chet Atkins to John McLaughlin and Johnny Winter. He nailed this song. I remember he was the first of us to ditch the band for a girl. I kept thinking, why is he doing that?  But really, wasn’t that one of the main reasons for playing guitar in the first place? What did I know. —JS

ALLMAN & WOMAN: “In For The Night”

Yes, Gregg Allman & Cher actually recorded an album together and even staged a joint tour of the U.K. in the latter half of 1977 before splitting up for good the following year. The album, TWO THE HARD WAY, is pretty much reviled by all, fans and Gregg Allman himself dismissed it. I think, however, this long-out-of-print LP holds a few fine songs and performances, “In For The Night” among them. Gregg Allman later maintained his opinion Cher couldn’t sing. My take on that is she could sing, albeit with a small vocal range … and who can deny Cher has a vocal sound that’s not only unique but also universally recognizable. Good song. —Rock Stamberg

YES/SANTANA: “Owner Of A Lonely Heart”/”Oye Como Va”

In the 70’s it was about making mixed cassettes. It was about the song, the sound and the segue. I spent endless hours working on cassettes that I would give to my family and friends on special occasions. If I had started this mixed tape idea today, it wouldn’t be a mixed tape, it would be the mashup. I love the idea of two different songs wedded together perfectly. It takes time, talent, and love to get it right. This Santana/Yes collaboration is one of the best. You know it because it sounds just the way it should. It’s natural. Mashups are the music geeks mixed tape of the day. —JS

ALICE COOPER: “Hard Hearted Alice”

From the original Alice Cooper Band’s final studio album, 1973’s “MUSCLE OF LOVE.” Widely derided, the album was originally housed in an album- sized cardboard box … and it was my first Alice album so I admit I have a soft spot for it. John and I chose this unusual-for-Alice somewhat confessional track for its grandeur as well as Alice’s fine vocal performance. A hidden gem. —RS

CSNY: “Everybody I Love You”

It’s always a nice surprise to find another a great song by an artist that you like. I love the vocal sound of CSN. I also love the acoustic guitar parts, the organ sounds and the rocking element. Part of the never-ending hunt is finding a tune that combines all these things. “Everybody I Love You” has all of these flavors and it’s the kind of song that makes an album great. This song’s been largely ignored so the discovery is quite a treat when you find it. —JS

Jimi Hendrix Experience: “May This Be Love”

Are You Experienced is one of the Mount Rushmore albums. “May This Be Love” is not on any hits package, but it would be on mine. Same thing for “Bird of Beauty” by Steve Wonder from FULFILLINGNESS’ FIRST FINALE A buddy of mine told me that Stevie Wonder went on a tear in the ‘70s and essentially wrote all of the songs from what would become TALKING BOOK, INNERVISIONS, and FULFILLINGNESS’ FIRST FINALE at roughly the same time. That’s is quite an accomplishment, especially when you think that “Bird of Beauty” is considered one of the lesser songs of that era. —JS

ELTON JOHN: “We All Fall In Love Sometimes”

Wow. A hidden beauty from Elton’s majestic masterpiece, 1975’s CAPTAIN FANTASTIC AND THE BROWN DIRT COWBOY, easily one of his best albums ever. Elton John has stated it’s his all-time favorite song and performance; Maybe it’s mine, too. Gorgeous. Soulful. Just listen. —RS

RED HOT CHIL PEPPERS: “Apache Rose Peacock”

From 1991’s career changing BLOOD SUGAR SEX MAJIC, all I can say about this chugging beauty is: Flea’s aggressively funky bass groove infects the track. This is funky from its ultimate groove-y body to its Led Zeppelin-like finale. This is the … good stuff. For real. —RS

THE BEATLES/ERIC CLAPTON: “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”

Eric Clapton with the Beatles—Who would have thunk it? Yeah, that’s what “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is. And when you hear just EC in the track, you hear the crackle of the amp and the intensity of his playing, both of which get a little muted when placed in the whole mix. EC was inspired and this song is worthy of his inspiration. —JS

GEORGE HARRISON: “I Don’t Wanna Do It”

Written by Bob Dylan and recorded by Harrison for the 1985 soundtrack to, of all things, the movie PORKY’S REVENGE. Recorded during Harrison’s self-imposed five-year sabbatical from making records, this fine track was produced by Dave Edmunds and signaled a promise of resurgence that came to fruition with Harrison’s hit LP, CLOUD NINE, released two years later. George and Bob were longtime pals and this is one of many Dylan songs George covered during his lifetime. A beauty. Listen! —RS

GEORGE HARRISON: “I’d Have You Anytime”

A Harrison/Dylan co-write that opened George’s first solo album, 1970’s ALL THINGS MUST PASS. —RS

BOB DYLAN featuring ROGER McGUINN, TOM PETTY, NEIL YOUNG, ERIC CLAPTON & GEORGE HARRISON: “My Back Pages”

Guest shots are so often offer better photos than music making opportunities. This all-star version of “My Back Pages” is the exception to the rule. Everybody loves Dylan and loves this song. Each participant here also shines with his own voice, each of which belongs on this stage, together. —JS

JOHNNY WINTER: “Highway 61 Revisited”

This version of “Highway 61 Revisited” represents is the pinnacle of Johnny Winter’s slide playing. It’s unleashed energy, almost out of control, but always on track. This is why Johnny Winter was one of great rocking blues guitarists of all time. He ended his shows with this tune for the last several years of his life. One listen will tell you why. —JS

DELANEY & BONNIE: “Comin’ Home”

Ragged harmonies, Eric Clapton’s Harrison-like guitar riff, and future Derek & The Dominoes members present and accounted for. —RS