I’ve started creating a timeline playlist for artists I like. The idea is you start with the first song and play it without shuffling to hear the band’s/artist’s progression over time. I start with the first album and proceed in chronological order with their albums choosing 3-5 songs (strict limits) off each album that best exemplifies their music at that time (which is open to interpretation). A few ground rules I use:
No live performances - all studio work
Greatest hit albums or other collections do not count
Alternative takes are allowed
A song that was not released or released as a single is acceptable and placed in the appropriate spot i.e. when it was recorded. Example Yellow Ledbetter with the other songs from Pearl Jam’s “Ten”
If a new album is released, 3-5 songs get added to the timeline.
If you want to contribute post the link to the playlist (I use Spotify). Commentary is encouraged.
Here is what I have so far
U2 - Definitely shows how the band has changed over the years. This is the first one I did.
Creedence Clearwater Revival - There was no real changeover time. CCR was around just a few years and it was all John Fogerty until for the last album. This sounds like a Greatest Hits playlist. I do not have I Heard it Through the Grapevine because I already had 5 songs from Cosmo’s Factory If you think this is a mistake, which song off the album would you get rid of?