David Hepworths More Deep 70s Underrated Cuts From a Misunderstood Decade

David Hepworth has been writing, broadcasting, and speaking about music since the 70s. He was involved in the launch and editing of Smash Hits, Q, Mojo, and The Word. He was one of the presenters of BBC TV's The Old Grey Whistle Test and one of the anchors of the BBC's coverage of Live Aid in July 1985. Following the success of his 4CD set Underrated Cuts From A Misunderstood Decade, Edsel is proud to announce a new release.

Here David explains his thoughts when putting this 73-track compilation together, which he has annotated in the booklet, track by track: The 70s wasn't simply the most action-packed decade in the history of recorded music. It was also the final decade before we succumbed to the curse of genres. Because the four CDs inside have been programmed thematically for your listening pleasure, we have given them names which they didn't have at the time. Re-make / Re-model features cult heroes making twisted sense of tunes from more innocent times. Skinny Tie Music showcases the slinky pop purveyed by the acts who rolled back the cuffs of their jackets. Americana spotlights the sons and daughters of the republic singing of their homeland. Basing Street Blues is named for the home of Island Records, the most charismatic of the UK's independent record labels. There's plenty of things about the 70s we wouldn't have back – inflation, smoke-filled rooms, fizzy keg for a start – but the music has never been bettered. As you'll hear.

DISC ONE RE-MAKE / RE-MODEL

1. THE RAMONES: "Let's Dance"

2. DEVO: "Satisfaction (I Can’t Get No)"

3. NILS LOFGREN: "Goin' Back"

4. THE HOLLIES: "Sandy (4th of July, Asbury Park)"

5. DON COVAY: "Memphis"

6. NINA SIMONE: "Baltimore"

7. LOWELL GEORGE: "What Do You Want The Girl To Do?"

8. BILLY SWAN: "Don't Be Cruel [slow version]"

9. THE BUNCH: "When Will I Be Loved?"

10. FRANKIE MILLER: "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues"

11. GREG KIHN: "For You"

12. THIN LIZZY: "Rosalie [live]"

13. TODD RUNDGREN: "Rain"

14. NILSSON: "Vine Street"

15. JOE COCKER: "Jamaica Say You Will"

16. TERRY MELCHER: "These Days"

17. JOHN MARTYN: "Spencer The Rover"

18. IAN MATTHEWS: "7 Bridges Road"

19. LEO KOTTKE: "Pamela Brown"

20. THE POINTER SISTERS: "Grinning In Your Face"

21. ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ATTRACTIONS: "Psycho [live]"

DISC TWO SKINNY TIE MUSIC

1. THE RUNAWAYS: "Cherry Bomb"

2. CHEAP TRICK: "Surrender"

3. THE CARS: "Double Life"

4. JOE JACKSON: "It's Different For Girls"

5. DWIGHT TWILLEY BAND: "I'm On Fire"

6. MINK DE VILLE: "Just Your Friends"

7. SNIFF 'N' THE TEARS: "Driver's Seat"

8. SHOES: "Too Late"

9. RASPBERRIES: "Go All The Way"

10. GRAHAM PARKER & THE RUMOUR: "Local Girls"

11. JOHN HIATT: "Take Off Your Uniform"

12. XTC: "Life Begins At The Hop"

13. THE INMATES: "Dirty Water"

14. DEAF SCHOOL: "What A Way To End It All"

15. TIM MOORE: "Rock And Roll Love Letter"

16. SQUEEZE: "Up The Junction"

17. CRABBY APPLETON: "Go Back"

DISC THREE AMERICANA

1. ROGER McGUINN: "Draggin'"

2. GENE CLARK: "No Other"