When was the last time that you heard Annette or Jack Scott on oldies radio? If you were listening to radio in 1960, you’d remember that their songs were frequently played.

The term “oldies” has become limited to a few hundred songs, when, in fact, there are tens of thousands of great tunes from years past. I was discussing this sad fact with a friend who shares my passion for all genres of music, across all generations. The result of that conversation was the recently released CD series Top Pop Treasures on Curb Records. (Did I mention that this particular friend is Mike Curb?)

I LOVE this five-CD series! Top Pop Treasures contains radio’s long-forgotten musical gems. These are songs that you will instantly recognize but may not have heard for decades. None of the songs in this series were in the Top 10 of Billboard's "Hot 100" chart. And, each CD of 10 songs typically sells for less than $6!

All are the original versions and sound amazingly crisp and clear, many in real stereo. I love how the castanets sound on “Gypsy Woman” by The Impressions on the 1961 volume.

Find the Top Pop Treasures CD series and you'll enjoy the unforgettable tracks listed below.

Top Pop Treasures 1958

1. Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay...Danny & The Juniors
2. Leroy...Jack Scott
3. Maybe Baby...Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4. Guess Things Happen That Way...Johnny Cash
5. You Cheated...The Shields
6. For Your Precious Love...Jerry Butler & Impressions
7. Maybe...The Chantels
8. High School Confidential...Jerry Lee Lewis
9. Buzz Buzz Buzz...Hollywood Flames
10. The Little Blue Man...Betty Johnson

Top Pop Treasures 1959

1. Dance With Me...The Drifters
2. Here Comes Summer...Jerry Keller
3. Misty...Johnny Mathis
4. M.T.A....The Kingston Trio
5. I'm Gonna Be A Wheel Someday...Fats Domino
6. You're So Fine...The Falcons
7. It Doesn't Matter Anymore...Buddy Holly
8. Say Man...Bo Diddley
9. First Name Initial...Annette
10. Woo-Hoo...Rock-A-Teens

Top Pop Treasures 1960

1. Three Nights A Week...Fats Domino
2. Dreamin'...Johnny Burnette
3. Artificial Flowers...Bobby Darin
4. (You've Go To) Move Two Mountains...Marv Johnson
5. (Welcome) New Lovers...Pat Boone
6. Ta-Ta...Clyde McPhatter
7. I Really Don't Want To Know...Tommy Edwards
8. Pineapple Princess...Annette
9. This Magic Moment...The Drifters
10. Tracy's Theme...Spencer Ross

Top Pop Treasures 1961

1. Bonanza...Al Caiola
2. Barbara Ann...The Regents
3. Moon River...Jerry Butler
4. The Girl Of My Best Friend...Ral Donner
5. Let The Four Winds Blow...Fats Domino
6. Lonely Teenager...Dion
7. Gypsy Woman...The Impressions
8. I'm Gonna Knock On Your Door...Eddie Hodges
9. The Way You Look Tonight...The Lettermen
10. Perfidia...The Ventures

Top Pop Treasures 1962

1. Surfin' Safari...The Beach Boys
2. (Dance With The) Guitar Man...Duane Eddy
3. Whats-A-Matter Baby (Is It Hurtin' You)...Timi Yuro
4. Shadrack...Brook Benton
5. Cotton Fields...The Highwaymen
6. Beechwood 4-5789...The Marvelettes
7. Make It Easy On Yourself...Jerry Butler
8. James (Hold The Ladder Steady)...Sue Thompson
9. Funny How Time Slips Away...Jimmy Elledge
10. A Swingin' Safari...Billy Vaughn

Where did summer go? I remember as a kid, my dad would take his four weeks of vacation from the electric company and our family would spend the whole month of July at beautiful Long Lake in Waushara County. Those glorious summer days seemed to linger forever. Now, July seems to fly by faster and faster every year. As the days grow shorter, I'm feeling the same melancholy as my six-year-old grandson about returning to school after a long vacation.

Summer's end found this Packers' fan hoping for a a hello but actually saying goodbye to Brett Favre. I've heard that the New York Jets fans can be fickle, so I don't want to hear booing of our favorite #4, at any time - even in the case of a rare interception. Our loss will most certainly be your gain!

There's yet another football team I'll be rooting for: the St. Louis Rams. My granddaughter has been working as an Athletic Training intern with the Rams' training camp. It's been an exciting time for her and for us! Go Packers! Go Jets! Go Rams!

I'm counting on our Milwaukee Brewers to still be playing in October in the World Series. Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia has been an outstanding addition to our team! Home games at Miller Park are setting attendance records. It's been a blast!

Back at the office, we're hard at work on a brand new edition of Hot Country Songs. Many of you will be glad to know that the B-sides are returning with this edition along with many exciting new features. Look for the publication of this comprehensive volume in November. It will be our best Country book ever!

I'm coming to the end of downloading all the "Bubbling Under The Hot 100" records. Just today, I ordered several new turntable stylus' that will help in finishing this enormous project.

From a fellow music fan -- have a great Fall season,

Joel

P.S. Following are some end of summer songs: