My Top Music Of The Week 11/27

1. Voyage - ABBA (2021) **3 weeks #1**

2. A&M Gold Series - Captain & Tennille (NEW; Home playlist)

I saw the actual CD of this listed on eBay while doing a Google search. I have a Japanese import with a similar theme, A&M Digitally Remastered Best, so I opted not to buy it. Instead, I made a playlist out of it on YouTube. It's a great representation of the duo's discography up to 1978 with the exception of having only two songs from the album Dream.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnQBnNTT2mO73i2sYQfKQXrlWDNj3Rtwc

3. An Irish Christmas - Moya Brennan (2013)

This is the one solo Christmas album released by the Clannad vocalist first released in 2005. It was reissued with alternate tracks in 2013. The highlight for me is a semi-instrumental version of Carol Of The Bells.

4. The Albums 1970-73 - The New Seekers (2019)

5. Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This (Bootleg) - ABBA (1994)

This bootleg was printed in Italy. For all intents and purposes, it's the live album that ABBA Live (US, 1986) could have been if the mixing were better. The disc is comprised of performances from the group's concerts at Wembley Arena in London, 1979, and the Dick Cavett Meets ABBA TV special in 1981. Two songs are incorrectly listed as being included, I Have A Dream and the medley of The Name Of The Game/Eagle. Instead, Does Your Mother Know and Hole In Your Soul are in their places. I don't know how a Eurythmics song became the title, but it's all good.

6. Christmas with Boney M. (2007)

Christmas with Boney M. is an expansion of the group's album Christmas Album from 1981. The songs that were added were recorded by a revamped incarnation of the group in 1984. Two versions of the international single Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord are included. The sound is a little more new age than their trademark disco but quite nice.

7. Their Greatest Hits and Finest Performances - Carpenters (1997)

8. Spanky's Greatest Hit(s) - Spanky & Our Gang (1969)

This compilation includes the group's hits Sunday Will Never Be The Same, Lazy Day, and Like To Get To Know You. Some songs were remixed with dialogue including Sunday Morning, expanded to over six minutes with studio chatter.

9. The Woman I Am: The Definitive Collection - Helen Reddy (2006)

10. Desire Walks On - Heart (1993)

My Top Music Of The Week 11/20

1. Voyage - ABBA (2021) **2 weeks #1**

2. Spoiled Girl - Carly Simon (1985)

This was Carly's only release for Epic Records. It was also as different of an album she ever recorded. It was influenced by new wave with its abundant use of synthesizers. Singles include Tired Of Being Blonde and My New Boyfriend.

3. Kisses And Hits - Brotherhood Of Man (Fan-made disc)

4. Sixteen Days: A Collection - This Mortal Coil (Home CD)

I put this together using the project's 1993 self-titled box set sampler with 12 tracks and a CD copy of their 1983 maxi-single Sixteen Days/Gathering Dust with two versions of the former.

5. Little White Secrets - ABBA (Bootleg CD)

Among the gems used for this recording are all of ABBA's performances from Olivia Newton-John's TV special from 1978 with Andy Gibb, a rendition of Fernando written for an electronics commercial, and What A Wonderful World by Frida with Marie Frederiksson of Roxette.

6. Blondie 4(0) Ever: Greatest Hits Deluxe Redux/Ghosts Of Download (2014)

The first disc in this package contains re-recordings of 10 Blondie classics plus the single version of Maria. The second is the group's 10th studio album featuring the singles Sugar On The Side, A Rose By Any Name, and I Want To Drag You Around. There's also a cover of Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Ghosts Of Download is more dance-influenced than previous Blondie albums which was a first.

7. Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie (2017)

8. 1969 To 1974 - Fleetwood Mac (2020)

This 8-CD box set contains expanded editions of the group's albums Then Play On, Kiln House, Future Games, Bare Trees, Penguin (not expanded), Mystery To Me, and Heroes Are Hard To Find. It also includes a bonus live disc recorded in 1974 with Bob Welch and Christine McVie on vocals. It was Bob's last live performance with Fleetwood Mac.

9. Together Again/Anthem - The New Seekers (2009)

These are expanded versions of the group's 1976 and 1978 albums, respectively. Singles include I Wanna Go Back, It's So Nice (To Have You Home), and Anthem (One Day In Every Week). Bonus tracks include B-side-only releases, singles released past 1978, and songs by members Marty Kristian, Paul Layton, and Kevin Finn.

10. The Best Of Tracey Ullman (2002)

11. You Broke My Heart In 17 Places - Tracey Ullman (1983)

12. The Best Of Peters & Lee (1999)

This is a re-issue of the duo's final album Through All The Years from 1991. It contains re-recordings of such hits as Welcome Home, Don't Stay Away Too Long, Rainbow, and Hey Mr. Music Man. New songs include stunning renditions of The Air That I Breathe and Endless Love.

My Top Music Of The Week 11/6

1. Voyage - ABBA (NEW, 2021) **1 week #1**

ABBA's first album in 40 years was released yesterday. It contains 9 new songs and one previously unreleased featuring the singles listed below. Highlights include When You Danced With Me, a song reminiscent of 1980's The Piper, and Keep An Eye On Dan which is about a divorced couple who share cutstody of a son. They even added their very first Christmas song, Little Things. I'm elated to see the ABBA sound being brought into 2021!

2. Just A Notion - ABBA (Single, 2021)

Recorded in 1978.

3. I Still Have Faith In You/Don't Shut Me Down - ABBA (Single, 2021)

4. Live At Wembley Arena - ABBA (2014)

This 2-CD set was recorded in London during the group's 1979 world tour. A noteworthy inclusion is a solo performance by Agnetha Faltskog called I'm Still Alive.

5. Physical: Deluxe Edition - Olivia Newton-John (2021)

6. Good Morning Freedom: The Anthology - Blue Mink (2002)

7. 1983-1991 - This Mortal Coil (1993)

8. 20 Years Of Romance - Captain & Tennille (1996)

This is a collection of new versions of the duo's hits as well as covers of songs by other artists. A stand-out track is the updated The Way I Want To Touch You which has an instrumental sax break.

9. The World Of Peters & Lee (1996)

10. The Dreaming - Kate Bush (1982)

Kate's fourth album includes the singles Sat In Your Lap, There Goes A Tenner, and the title track. It's one of the most outrageous recordings in my collection and my favorite by her.

11. Ticket To Ride 2.0 - Carpenters (Home playlist)

12. Women & Song - Fleetwood Mac (Home playlist)

13. The Best Of Grace Slick (1999)

This is a clever compilation of Grace's songs with Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, Starship, and as a solo artist.