Pop Genius Of Mickie Most / Various Pop Genius Of Mickie Most / Various CD

Making hits seemed all too easy for legendary producer Mickie Most who attributed his success to his extraordinary ability to spot a hit tune, combined with unbridled common sense. Most never got his motives confused with art; a hit by any means (with as little time spent in the studio pondering the meaning of life) was his objective and he proved remarkably astute at second-guessing the musical tastes of the common man or woman. In the 1970s, Most became a household name as one of the judging panel on New Faces, a TV talent show which anticipated the X Factor by some three decades - in fact, Simon Cowell cites the fair-minded if plain-speaking Most as a man he greatly admired. Most returned to the UK from South Africa in 1962 in time to take advantage of the fast-changing British music scene. Sensing his career as a superannuated rock'n'roller was at an end, he became an independent producer, supervising consecutive smash hits by newcomers the Animals, the Nashville Teens and Herman's Hermits, all within the space of a few months in 1964. American record companies sat up and took notice and, with his career in the ascendancy, Most extended his run of hits on both sides of the Atlantic with artists such as Donovan, Brenda Lee, Lulu and Jeff Beck. He turned down the chance to produce the Monkees, Elvis and Barbra Streisand because it clashed with his scheduling. In late 1970, Most launched the RAK label which quickly made it's mark with hits by Julie Felix, Peter Noone and CCS, followed a little later by Mud, Hot Chocolate, Suzi Quatro and Smokey. Here then is a hand-picked representation of the man's best or most significant work. Incidentally, both 'I Love Rock'n'Roll' and 'Living Next Door To Alice' are the original flop versions of songs that went onto become huge hits for Joan Jett and Smokey, respectively. The CD comes in a deluxe package with rigid slipcase and a separate memorabilia-laden 72-page booklet with in-depth notes by Rob Finnis.

1. Motorbikin' - Chris Spedding 2. Tobacco Road - Nashville Teens 3. The House Of The Rising Sun - The Animals 4. Hi-Ho Silver Lining - Jeff Beck 5. Journey - Duncan Browne 6. Brother Louie - Hot Chocolate 7. Is It True - Brenda Lee 8. Sunshine Superman (Single Version) - Donovan 9. Dance With The Devil - Cozy Powell 10. No Milk Today - Herman's Hermits 11. Walking û C.C.S. 12. Little Games - The Yardbirds 13. Gin House - Paul Williams ; The Big Roll Band 14. The Boat That I Row - Lulu 15. Jailhouse Rock - Jeff Beck Group (Feat. Rod Stewart) 16. 48 Crash - Suzi Quatro 17. Living Next Door To Alice - New World 18. I Love Rock 'N' Roll - Arrows 19. Mellow Yellow - Donovan 20. Days Of My Life - The Seekers Feat. Judith Durham 21. Bread And Butter - Barry St. John 22. Flight 2 - Angelo And Eighteen 23. To Sir With Love - Lulu 24. Some Girls - Racey 25. Kids In America - Kim Wilde