Best Ofs are a tricky lot, as they are like ideas, coming and going, fulfilling but never quite lasting. So, I offer to you, dearest listener, an extremely whittled down version of the albums that I discovered and rescued last year, discarded, unwanted, and stranded in thrift stores (with the exception of Golden Retriever, my one 2012 release endorsement to you) that I offer to you as a lasting legacy of petroleum gone good (mileage may vary).
- Phil Harris - "Some Little Bug Is Gonna Find You" - Southern Comfort (Mega)
- Audience - "The House on the Hill" - The House on the Hill (Elektra)
- Richard Linhas - "Rhizosphere" - Rhizosphere (Aural Experience)
- Darrell De Vore - "?" - Gravikords, Whirlies and Pyrophones (Ellipsis)
- Various Artists - "Side 1" - Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle (Scholastic)
- Christine Price - "Momotaro" - Japanese Folk and Fairy Tales (CMS)
- Narrators - "Side 2" - Crystal Odyssey (CBS)
- Golden Retriever - "Serene Velocity" - Occupies With The Unspoken (Thrill Jockey)
- Henry Mancini - "Charlie's Angel's" - Mancini's Angels (RCA)
- Johnny Western - "Cowpoke" - Have Gun, Will Travel (Columbia)
- The Couriers - "There's No One" - S/T (Hymntone)
- The Lamplighters - "Salty Dog" - Gabe's Dirty Blues (Gabe's)
- Rosemary Clooney - "Why Don't Ya Haul Off and Kiss Me" - Rosie's Greatest Hits (Columbia)
- Harry Nilsson - "Joy" - Son of Schmilsson (Victor)
- Wendy Carlos - "1. Allegro" - Switched On Brandenbergs (CBS)
- Ween - "Stroker Ace" - White Pepper (Elektra)
- Mel Torme - "Superstition" - Live at the Maisonette (Atlantic)
- Box of Chocolates - "Good Side" - Fearful Symmetry (High Beem)
- Prefab Sprout - "Faron" - Two Wheels Good (Epic)
- Comateens - "Cinnamon" - Pictures on a String (Mercury)
- Sparks - "Wonder Girl" - Collection (Rhino)
- Nina Hagen Band - "White Punks on Dope" - Nina Hagen Band (CBS)
- Jamie Linders - "The Great Pretender" - Menopause the Musical (S/R)
- Bugs and Yosemite Sam - "Heartbreak Hotel" - Bugs and Friends Sing Elvis (WB)
- Andre Previn - "Toccata in D Minor" - Rollerball (UA)
- Narrator - "Side 2" - Hear How to Handle Your Boat (Hear Now)
- Don Buchla - "Thunder and Lightening" - Gravikords, Whirlies and Pyrophones (Ellipsis Arts)
- Narrator - "Side 1" - Crystal Odyssey (CBS)
- Narrator - "Side A" - Exploring the New World (Standard School Broadcast)
- Golden Retriever - "Serene Velocity" - Occupies With The Unspoken (Thrill Jockey)
- George Benson - "Come Together" - Shape of Things to Come (A&M)
- Ray Charles - "Sinner's Prayer" - Hallelujah (Atlantic Recording Corp)
- Ike and Tina Turner - "Find a Substitute" - It's Gonna Work Out Fine (Sue)
- Chambers Brothers - "To Love Somebody" - Love, Peace and Happiness (Columbia)
- Janice Joplin - "Work Me, Lord" - Kozmic Blues (CBS)
- Henry Mancini - "What's Happening!!! Theme" - Mancini's Angels (RCA)
- Jimmy Cliff - "Look at the Mountain" - Follow My Mind (Reprise)
- Poogy Tales - "Track 5, Side 2" - S/T (Hed-Arzi)
- Norman Connors - "Jump Street" - Slewfoot (Buddah)
- Yellow - "The Race" - Flag (Polygram)
- Spike Jones - "Frantic Freeway" - Spiked (BMG)
- Frankie Goes to Hollywood - "Scrapped and Trapped" - S/T (ZTT)