MY TOP MUSIC OF THE WEEK (1-16)

All titles issued in the US except where noted.

1.  Crann Ull - CLANNAD (1980) Ireland **1 week #1**
     * NEW *

2.  The Enchanted Works Of STEVIE NICKS (1998)

3.  Best Of BERLIN 1979-1988 (1988)

4.  50 Words For Snow - KATE BUSH (2011)

5.  The Complete Studio Recordings (Voulez-Vous) - ABBA (2005) Sweden
     (Expanded edition of 1979 album in a box set)

6.  The Best Of FREE DESIGN (2001) UK

7.  The 90's - FLEETWOOD MAC (Home compilation)

8.  Greatest Hits 1967-1980 - LINDA RONSTADT (Home compilation)

9.  Anam - CLANNAD (1992)

10.  THE GROOP (2007)
       (Expanded edition of 1969 album)

11.  Kisses And Hits - BROTHERHOOD OF MAN (CD-R)

12.  The Very Best Of FRIDA 1967-1996 (Home compilation)

13.  Gold: 20 Super Hits - BONEY M. (1992) Germany

14.  Mac Tracks 1971-1974 - CHRISTINE McVIE (Home compilation)

15.  The Hunter - BLONDIE (2001)
       (Expanded edition of 1982 album)

16.  KAREN CARPENTER (1996)
       (Recorded in 1979)

17.  Coastal America - TIM JANIS (2006)

18.  21 - ADELE (2011)


Notes:

#1 is said by numerous sources to be the first of two albums Clannad recorded with Enya as a member.  However, she isn't credited on the disc.  Odd.

#7 is a cassette I put together of songs from Fleetwood Mac's 90's releases Behind The Mask (1990), 25 Years: The Chain (1992), and Time (1995).  This collection could see an update on CD to include music from The Dance (1997).  Stay tuned.

#8 is a CD I put together combining Linda Ronstadt's Greatest Hits (1976) and Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 (1980) albums.  Rhino Music later had the same idea and issued this commercially in 2007.  So where are my royalties (ha ha)?

#9 includes two previously released songs, Theme From Harry's Game (featured in the film Patriot Games) and In A Lifetime (a duet with U2's Bono).

#11 was compiled by a member of a Yahoo discussion group I belong to.

#17 is a CD of instrumentals.  I met Tim Janis in Portland, Maine while on a cruise to Nova Scotia in 2008.  He autographed my copy of Coastal America.

MY TOP MUSIC OF THE WEEK (1-7)

All titles issued in the US unless otherwise noted.


1.  21 - ADELE (2011) **1 week #1**
     * NEW *

2.  Landmarks - CLANNAD (1997)

3.  The Very Best Of ENYA (2009)

4.  Christmas Secrets EP - ENYA (2006) Canada
     * NEW *

5.  Mystery To Me - FLEETWOOD MAC (1973)

6.  50 Words For Snow - KATE BUSH (2011)

7.  Up-Up & Away: The Definitive Collection - THE 5TH DIMENSION (1997)

8.  The Best Of THE WAITRESSES: The Millenium Collection (2003)
     * NEW *

9.  The Essential Collection 1965-1997 - CARPENTERS (2002)

10.  Panic Of Girls - BLONDIE (2011) UK

11.  Credo - THE HUMAN LEAGUE (2011) UK

12.  Close-Up: Vol. 2, People & Places - SUZANNE VEGA (2010)

13.  The Ultimate Collection - SADE (2011)

14.  The Complete Studio Recordings (Super Trouper) - ABBA (2005) Sweden

15.  With Love - MICHAEL CHAPDELAINE (1995)

16.  Pure Moods III - VARIOUS ARTISTS (2000)

***********************************************************************************
Notes:

I'm not, as a rule, very big on today's music.  Adele (#1) is an exception.  Her white soul sound and big voice is quite appealing.  I think "Rolling In The Deep" is one of the most amazing songs to come out in recent years.

#4 by Enya is a mini-album of 4 songs taken from a Christmas edition of her 2005 release, "Amarantine."

I listened to #5 as a memorial to Bob Weston who passed away January 3rd.  He was a guitarist with Fleetwood Mac in 1973 and recorded two albums with them that year.  Incidentally, he was fired for having an affair with Mick Fleetwood's then wife.

While on Christmas vacation, I heard the song "Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses.  It was one I had forgotten about.  I liked it so much that I bought the #8 entry this week.  This also includes their only chart hit, "I Know What Boys Like," as well as the full version of their theme from the 80's sitcom, "Square Pegs."

#15 is a collection of acoustic guitar instrumentals released by Time-Life Music.

#16 is a collection of music by new age artists.  The series has inspired a renewed interest in Clannad (#2) for me.  They were an Irish band consisting of Enya's relatives, brothers Ciaran and Pol Brennan, sister Moya Brennan, and twin uncles Noel and Padraig Duggan.  Enya was a member for two albums in 1980 and 1982.

MY TOP MUSIC OF 2011

2011 releases are indicated with *.


1.  Credo - THE HUMAN LEAGUE*

2.  Panic Of Girls - BLONDIE*

3.  This Woman's Work: Anthology 1978-1990 - KATE BUSH

4.  Most Of All: The Best Of DEBORAH HARRY

5.  Gold: 20 Super Hits - BONEY M.

6.  Nightflight To Venus (2007 issue) - BONEY M.

7.  Director's Cut: Collector's Edition - KATE BUSH*

8.  Where The Nails Were - SANDI PATTY (MP3)

9.  THE GROOP

10.  Take The Heat Off Me (2007 issue) - BONEY M.

11.  The Essential Collection 1965-1997 - CARPENTERS

12.  The Best Of LINDA RONSTADT 1991-2006 (Home compilation)

13.  50 Words For Snow - KATE BUSH*

14.  Greatest Hits - THE TOURISTS

15.  The Very Best Of FRIDA 1967-1996 (Home compilation)

16.  Love For Sale (2007 issue) - BONEY M.

17.  In Your Dreams - STEVIE NICKS*

18.  The Reprise Years 1969-1975 - FLEETWOOD MAC (Home compilation)

19.  36 All-Time Greatest Hits - THE 5TH DIMENSION

20.  Platinum & Gold Collection - ARETHA FRANKLIN

21.  Mac Tracks 1971-1974 - CHRISTINE McVIE (Home compilation)

22.  Making A Good Thing Better - OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN

23.  Bad Girls: Deluxe Edition - DONNA SUMMER

24.  The FLEETWOOD MAC Family Album

25.  Autoamerican (2001 issue) - BLONDIE

26.  The Ultimate Collection - SADE*

27.  Close-Up: Vol. 2, People & Places - SUZANNE VEGA

28.  Oceans Of Fantasy (2007 issue) - BONEY M.

29.  The Best Of CHAMPAGNE

30.  History: The 70's - HEART (Home compilation)


Fun facts:

My #1 of 2010, "THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER Anthology: Down In Birdland" was at the top of my weekly list for 5 weeks.  This year's #1 by THE HUMAN LEAGUE ran the same number of weeks.

SANDI PATTY is the only Contemporary Christian artist to be #1 on my list.  I was learning the song for a tenebrae service at church earlier this year.

I had 31 total #1 titles this year.  I wanted an even-numbered list, so bumped from it is a compilation I put together called "Pieces Of 80s" by various artists.  It's a collection of 40 a-side singles I bought in the 80s.

The self-titled disc by THE GROOP is in the top 10 on my year-end list for the 4th year in a row, the only one to do so since I started the list online in 2006.  It was my top title in 2008 staying at #1 for 16 weeks.  It was #1 for 4 weeks in 2009 and 1 week in 2010 and 2011.  It is the longest-running #1 on my list.

MY TOP MUSIC OF THE WEEK (12-31)

All titles issued in the US except where noted.

1.  The Ultimate Collection - SADE **1 week #1**
     (Epic - 2011)
     * NEW *

2.  50 Words For Snow - KATE BUSH
     (Fish People/Anti - 2011)

3.  Beaches: Original Soundtrack Recording - BETTE MIDLER
     (Atlantic - 1988)

4.  Lore - CLANNAD
     (Atlantic - 1995)

5.  The Very Best Of FLEETWOOD MAC
     (Reprise - 2002)

6.  Pure Moods II - VARIOUS ARTISTS
     (Virgin - 1998)

7.  Pure Moods - VARIOUS ARTISTS
     (Virgin - 1994)

8.  Most Of All: The Best Of DEBORAH HARRY
     (EMI - 1999) UK

9.  A Magical Gathering: The CLANNAD Anthology
     (Rhino - 2002)

10.  Platinum & Gold Collection - ARETHA FRANKLIN
       (Arista/BMG Heritage - 2003)


Note:  #6 and #7 are new age compilations.

MY TOP MUSIC OF THE WEEK (12-24)

All titles issued in the US except where noted.

1.  Platinum & Gold Collection - ARETHA FRANKLIN **1 week #1**
     (Arista/BMG Heritage - 2003)
     * NEW *

2.  THE GROOP
     (Sundazed - 2007) Expanded edition of 1969 album

3.  The Christmas Album - THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER
     (Columbia - 1992)

4.  You Could Be Born Again - THE FREE DESIGN
     (Light In The Attic - 2001) Expanded edition of 1968 album

5.  All The Way In - TERRI NUNN & BERLIN
     (Fuel - 2009) Live recording

6.  The Secret Of Christmas - CAPTAIN & TENNILLE
     (Moonlight & Magnolias - 2006)

7.  Nightflight To Venus - BONEY M.
     (Sony/BMG - 2007) Europe; Expanded edition of 1978 album

8.  A Merry Little Christmas - LINDA RONSTADT
     (Elektra - 2000)

9.  Greatest Hits - DIVINYLS
     (EMI - 2006) Australia

10.  What A Wonderful Christmas - ANNE MURRAY
       (EMI Canada/TVMusic4U - 2001)

11.  Mac Tracks 1971-1974 - CHRISTINE McVIE
       (Home compilation - 2011)

12.  The Very Best Of FRIDA 1967-1996
       (Home compilation - 2011)

13.  Peace On Earth - VARIOUS ARTISTS
       (Time-Life - 2001)

14.  A Christmas Tribute To Mannheim Steamroller - WESTWIND ENSEMBLE
       (BCI/Eclipse - 1998)

15.  A Rosie Christmas - ROSIE O'DONNELL
       (Columbia - 1999)

16.  A Soap Opera Christmas - VARIOUS ARTISTS
       (RCA - 1994)

17.  A Christmas Together - JOHN DENVER & THE MUPPETS
       (Laserlight - 1996) Recorded in 1979


Notes:  #13 is a collection of Christmas songs by new age artists.

#15 is mostly a collection of Christmas duets by Rosie with different recording artists.  The exceptions are songs by Darren Hayes (Savage Garden) and Billy Porter.

#16 is a collection of Christmas songs by stars of soap operas.

#17 is an audio companion to the television special by the same title.

MY TOP MUSIC OF THE WEEK (12-17)

All titles issued in the US except where noted.

1.  Mac Tracks 1971-1974 - CHRISTINE McVIE **1 week #1**
     (Home compilation, 2011)
     * NEW *

2.  50 Words For Snow - KATE BUSH
     (Fish People/Anti - 2011)

3.  A Holiday Celebration - PETER, PAUL & MARY with The New York Choral Society
     (Warner Bros. - 1988)

4.  Cool Yule - BETTE MIDLER
     (Columbia - 2006)

5.  The Best Of STEVIE NICKS: Timespace
     (Modern - 1991)

6.  Christmas With BONEY M.
     (Sony Music/MCI - 2007) Europe

7.  The Best Christmas Ever - HELEN REDDY
     (Select Media Concepts - 2000)

8.  And Winter Came... - ENYA
     (Reprise - 2008)

9.  The Best Of OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN: The Christmas Collection
     (Hip-O - 2001)

10.  The Very Best Of FRIDA 1967-1996
       (Home compilation, 2011)

11.  A Christmas Cornucopia - ANNIE LENNOX
       (Decca - 2010)

12.  A Peaceful Christmas - VARIOUS ARTISTS
       (Time-Life - 2002)


Notes: 

#1 is my third home compilation by Christine McVie.  This time the focus in on her first five albums with Fleetwood Mac:  Future Games, Bare Trees, Penguin, Mystery To Me, and Heroes Are Hard To Find.  All of her songs from these are included, 16 total.

#12 is a collection of Christmas music by new age artists.

MY TOP MUSIC OF THE WEEK (12-10)

2+ week edition

1.  50 Words For Snow - KATE BUSH **1 week #1**
     * NEW *

2.  Panic Of Girls - BLONDIE

3.  The Very Best Of FRIDA 1967-1996 (Home compilation)

4.  THE GROOP

5.  The Lion And The Cobra - SINEAD O'CONNOR

6.  A Holiday Celebration - PETER, PAUL & MARY with The New York Choral Society

7.  Whirlygig - LOVEMONGERS (Japanese issue)

8.  My Colouring Book - AGNETHA FALTSKOG

9.  Christmas Is Almost Here - CARLY SIMON

10.  HEART Presents A Lovemongers Christmas (2004 issue)

11.  Fleetwood Mac Collection 1 - CHRISTINE McVIE (Home compilation)

12.  Christmas Collection (Christmas Portrait) - CARPENTERS

13.  Jackpot!: The Best Bette - BETTE MIDLER

14.  Only Time: The Collection - ENYA

15.  International - ABBA

16.  If I Could Turn Back Time: CHER's Greatest Hits

17.  Greatest Hits: Sound And Vision - BLONDIE

18.  (Moving) - PETER, PAUL & MARY

19.  Peace On Earth - VARIOUS ARTISTS

20.  A Peaceful Christmas - VARIOUS ARTISTS

21.  AM Gold: #1 Hits Of The 70's 1975-1979 - VARIOUS ARTISTS

22.  The DONNA SUMMER Anthology

23.  A Rosie Christmas - ROSIE O'DONNELL


Notes: 

Lovemongers (#7 and #10) were an outside project fronted by Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart from 1992 to 1998.

#19 and #20 are collections of Christmas music by new age artists from Time-Life.

#1 is the second new release this year by Kate Bush after her collection of reworkings, "Director's Cut."  This is prodominantly a themed disc as all but one song have something to do with snow (the exception being the final track, "Among Angels").  It could also be called "7 Songs For Snow" because that's all you get, though none of them are under six minutes long.  The longest entitled "Misty" runs over 13 minutes and is possibly her most unusual composition to date, about a romance she has with a snowman.  The opening track, "Snowflake," finds Kate's son, Albert McIntosh, singing the verses while she takes the chorus.  Elton John is featured in a duet on the powerful ballad, "Snowed In At Wheeler Street."  The title track is an over eight-minute listing of different names for snow.  Kate numbers them off and "Professor Jospeh Yupik" calls them out.  With this collection of progressive epics that sound almost new age and jazz-like, Kate proves she only gets better and more innovative with age.