Rather than play random tracks or albums today, I played a track then used LastFM's "Similar Artists" feature to select my next track. With no cheating, this was my playlist for the day…

Spencer Davis Group - Gimme Some Lovin'
Steve Winwood - Valerie
Don Henley - The End Of The Innocence
Journey - Don't Stop Believin'
Eagles - Hotel California
Eric Clapton - Promises
Dire Straits - Skateaway
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Philadelphia
Neil Young - Like A Hurricane
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Our House
Van Morrison - Have I Told You Lately That I Love…

Well, I made up a similar list for a Northern Soul Top 100, so here's my equivalent DISCO version. As with that one, it's a personal and totally subjective list, and some folks will moan that "___" isn't really disco, well tough! Incidentally, I'm including 1980 chart entries, (basically because it's my list!), and I've only included tracks that I already possess. Time to turn up the hi-fi and get those feet tappin'…

A Taste of Honey - Boogie Oogie Oogie
Al Hudson and the Partners - You Can Do It
Alicia Bridges - I Love The Nightlife
Amanda Lear…

For a while, charts were all over the place, and it's only now they've settled down. Last time I checked though…
Artists where I 'usually' appear on the Last-FM "Top Fans" list, (most are Northern Soul):-

Barbara Acklin
Barbara McNair *
Barbara Randolph
Bettye Swann
Beverley Ann
Big Boris *
Bill Deal & The Rhondells
Billy Butler
Billy Davis *
Billy Harner *
Billy Kennedy
Billy Prophet
Billy Woods
Blanche Carter
Bob and Earl
Bob Brady
Bobbi Lynn
Bobby Wells
Brenda Holloway
Capitols
Carrolls
Carolyn Crawford
Cecil Washington
Checkerboard Squares
Chuck Jackson
Cindy Scott
Cody Black
Crazy Elephant
Crown…

I'd like to throw in a few thoughts here in my capacity as someone who can actually remember experiencing the Glam period from the early 70's at first hand. Incidentally, I live in the UK, so I can't speak for anywhere else.

To set the scene, this was long before satellite TV, videotape, pop videos, DVD's or the Internet. Cassette recorders were the ipods of the 70's, with tracks recorded from radio or records. Now it might seem obvious, but the most significant feature of Glam, was the VISUAL appearance of the artists. There was a lot of competition to…

OK, a personal and totally subjective list, and I make no apologies for that, but here goes….

Al Wilson - The Snake
Alfie Davidson - Love Is A Serious Business
Archie Bell and The Drells - Here I Go Again
Archie Bell and The Drells - Look Back Over Your Shoulder
Barbara Acklin - Love Makes A Woman
Barbara Lewis - I Remember The Feeling
Barbara McNair - Baby A Go-Go
Barbara McNair - You're Gonna Love My Baby
Barbara Randolph - I Got A Feeling
Bernie Williams - Ever Again
Betty Everett - Getting Mighty Crowded
Bettye Swann -…

As a historical record, here's key listening stats at key stages in my audio history.

29 May '05 Joined
tracks played:- 06 Oct'05 10,000…. 24 Dec'05 20,000

Top artists after 10,000 plays
1 Donna Summer 100
2 Pet Shop Boys 80
3 UB40 84
4 Elton John 83
4 The Four Tops 82
6 Madonna 80
7 Kylie Minogue 78
8 Brenda Holloway 77
9 Coldplay 76
10 Fun Lovin' Criminals 75
10 Saint Etienne 74

Top artists after 20,000 plays
1. The Four Tops 125
2. Elton John 121
3. Madonna 120
4. UB40 116
5. Donna Summer 113…

The Funk Brothers (aka The Soul Brothers) should be given some kind of special accolade. In the sixties you could identify a Motown record at twenty paces just by the distinctive sound. What made that 'sound' so instantly recognisable? …. The Funk Brothers. These were the guys who created the 'Motown Sound'. Okay, so why did you never hear about them? …. because for many years they were never acknowledged as even existing!

An excerpt from:
http://www.mp3.com/the-funk-brothers/artists/61596/biography.html ….

"The Funk Brothers were the brilliant but anonymous studio band responsible for the instrumental backing on countless Motown records from 1959 up…

Frankie Goes To Hollywood - 2 tribes (Annihilation mix) (…superb)
Soft Cell - Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go
Japan - Life In Tokyo (saw them play live once)
Propaganda - Duel (saw them too)
Propaganda - Dr. Mabuse
Simple Minds - New Gold Dream (and saw them too)
Talk Talk - It's My Life
New Order - Blue Monday
Visage - Fade To Grey
Human League - Sound Of The Crowd
Associates - Party Fears Two
Altered Images - Don't Talk To Me About Love
Voggue - Dancin' The Night Away (a groovy disco track)
Stevie Nicks - Rooms…