The 1969 Warner/Reprise Songbook is the first collection in a series that ran until 1980. That series is known as the Loss Leaders, because for two bucks buyers got a two record compilation of various Warner Brothers recording artists. Ads for these records appeared not only in magazines but on the inner sleeves of Warner records. My first memory of a Loss Leader was an ad for Limo that appeared on the inner sleeve of Alice Cooper’s Lace and Whiskey.

Everything about the Loss Leaders was cool, from the cover art to the copious liner notes to the wildly diverse selection of artists. Where else are you going to see Tiny Tim, Randy Newman, and Jimi Hendrix in the same compilation?

You’ll find Loss Leaders in your local record store and charity shop bins for just a couple bucks. They’re a great way to expose yourself to new (to you) artists, or to relive the days of staring at an inner sleeve and dreaming about getting all of that great music for only two bones. Happy hunting.