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.

My Top Music Of The Week 10/28

 

1. Just A Notion - ABBA (NEW; Single, 2021) **1 week #1**

The third single from ABBA's upcoming comeback album Voyage was recorded in 1978. It was introduced as a demo fragment in 1994 as part of the medley ABBA Undeleted, released in the box set Thank You For The Music.

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

3. The Complete Studio Recordings - ABBA (2005)

4. Good Morning Freedom: The Anthology - Blue Mink (NEW; 2002)

This 2-CD set covers the group's career from 1969 to 1975. It contains such singles as the title track, Melting Pot, The Banner Man, Stay With Me, and Our World.

5. The World Of Peters & Lee (NEW; 1996)

The one song I didn't previously own on this disc is the duo's rendition of Where Is Your Heart (Song From Moulin Rouge). Hits include Welcome Home, Don't Stay Away Too Long, Hey Mr. Music Man, and Rainbow.

6. You Broke My Heart In 17 Places - Tracey Ullman (NEW; 1983)

The date isn't correct but what was listed on Spotify. This is an expanded edition of Tracey's debut album which contains her hit They Don't Know.

7. Physical: Deluxe Edition - Olivia Newton-John (NEW; 2021)

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of its release, this is a 2-CD set with a DVD. It includes Olivia's #1 title track as well as the singles Make A Move On Me and Landslide. There are also bonus tracks such as alternate and live versions as well as songs from her subsequent albums Olivia's Greatest Hits Vol. 2 and the soundtrack to Two Of A Kind.

8. The World I Wish For You - The New Seekers (Home CD's)

9. Greatest Hits 1979-1990 - Dionne Warwick (1989)

This compilation contains such hits as I'll Never Love This Way Again, Heartbreaker, and That's What Friends Are For.

10. Good Stuff - The B-52's (1992)

Singles include the title track as well as Revolution Earth and Is That You Mo-Dean?.

My Top Music Of The Week 10/21

1. I Still Have Faith In You/Don't Shut Me Down - ABBA (Single, 2021) **6 weeks #1**

2. The Complete Studio Recordings - ABBA (2005)

3. The Best Of Tracey Ullman (NEW, 2002)

I have a CD called The Best Of Tracey Ullman but it was released in 1992 and an expansion of her 1983 album You Broke My Heart In 17 Places. This one is a mix of songs from the fore-mentioned album as well as her 1984 follow-up, You Caught Me Out plus B-sides. The same can be said about the 1992 disc but my #3 includes songs that are new to me including Candy, Thinking Of Running Away, and a spoken track actually called The B-Side.

4. Melting Pot: The Best Of Blue Mink (NEW, 2000)

I first heard the title track by The New Seekers. Blue Mink originally recorded it. I heard their version for the first time this week. I thought I'd try out a BM album and really like this one. Vocalist Madeline Bell reminds me of Roberta Flack and the group's overall sound makes me think of Mac & Katie Kissoon.

5. Touch - Eurythmics (1983)

The duo's third album includes the singles Here Comes The Rain Again, Who's That Girl?, and Right By Your Side.

6. 1983-1991 - This Mortal Coil (1993)

This box set is made up of the group's three albums It'll End In Tears (1983), Filigree And Shadow (1986), and Blood (1991). It contains a fourth disc of original versions of songs covered by TMC.

7. The World I Wish For You - The New Seekers (Home CD)

I put this collection together using songs with an inspirational theme, the most notable of which is their international hit I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony).

8. Greatest Hits - Heart (1998)

This disc covers the group's career from 1976 to 1983 including the top ten hits Magic Man and Tell It Like It Is. It also contains the 1998 bonus track Strong Strong Wind.

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

10. Greatest Hits - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (2010)

The 2-CD set contains the hits I Love Rock 'N' Roll, Crimson And Clover, I Hate Myself For Loving You, and Little Liar.

My Top Music Of The Week 10/14

Revised 10/15

1. The Complete Studio Recordings - ABBA (2005) **8 weeks #1**

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

3. Ticket To Ride 2.0 - Carpenters (NEW, Home playlist)

I created an expanded edition of the Carpenters' 1969 debut album (aka Offering) including 60's tracks from the compilations The Essential Collection 1965-1997 and As Time Goes By.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/54L0KVaUal8qnGLLeWcxGN

4. 48 Original Tracks 1971-1975 - Olivia Newton-John (1994)

This 2-CD import comprehensively covers Olivia's early career. It contains her US top ten hits Let Me Be There, If You Love Me (Let Me Know), I Honestly Love You, and Have You Never Been Mellow.

5. Playing Possum - Carly Simon (1975)

Carly's fifth studio album includes the singles Attitude Dancing, More And More, and Waterfall.

6. Nine Objects Of Desire - Suzanne Vega (1996)

Suzanne's fifth studio album contains Caramel (from The Truth About Cats And Dogs), No Cheap Thrill, Headshots, Birth-Day (Love Made Real), and World Before Columbus. It was produced by then-husband Mitchell Froom (Gamma).

7. Incurably Romantic - Toni Tennille (2001)

This collection of pop standards has Toni only accompanied by a piano. It was produced by Daryl "The Captain" Dragon and includes I've Got A Crush On You, Candy, At Last, and Tenderly.

8. Crimes Of Passtion - Pat Benatar (1980)

Pat's second album contains the singles You Better Run, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, and Treat Me Right.

9. Kisses And Hits - Brotherhood Of Man (Fan-made CD)

I received this disc in a trade from a fellow Yahoo group member. It includes the group's only US Top 40 hits United We Stand and Save Your Kisses For Me.

10. Simon & Garfunkel's Greatest Hits (1972)

Simon & Garfunkel have my oldest album on the list this week. It's a nice combination of studio and live tracks and contains the #1 hits The Sound Of Silence, Mrs. Robinson, and Bridge Over Troubled Water.

My Top Music Of The Week 10/7

1. I Still Have Faith In You/Don't Shut Me Down (Single, 2021) - ABBA **5 weeks #1**

From ABBA's first album in 40 years, Voyage, due out November 5th.

2. The Complete Studio Recordings - ABBA (2005)

9-CD, 2-DVD box set comprised of expanded editions of ABBA's first eight studio albums, a disc of rarities, a DVD of music videos, and a DVD of a career documentary and Dick Cavett special

3. Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie (2017)

Lindsey's new self-titled album reminds me a lot of his work on this album so I've been playing more of it.

4. Undeleted - ABBA

Second-hand recording of a bootleg disc also known as When The Waves Roll Out To Sea. It's mostly made up of expanded mixes of demo fragments included in the medley ABBA Undeleted on the 1994 box set Thank You For The Music.

5. Dreamboat Annie - Heart (1976)

Heart's first album featuring Magic Man, Crazy On You, and three versions of the title track

6. Galore - The Primitives (1992)

Japanese issue of 1991 album with four bonus tracks. Contains the singles You Are The Way and Lead Me Astray.

7. The Ultimate 5th Dimension (2004)

Career-spanning compilation featuring the previously unreleased track Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye

8. Love Deluxe - Sade (1992)

Contains the singles No Ordinary Love, Kiss Of Life, Cherish The Day, Feel No Pain, and Pearls

9. The Lion And The Cobra - Sinead O'Connor (1987)

Sinead's first album featuring Troy, Mandinka, I Want Your (Hands On Me), and Jerusalem

10. Tear Time - Dave & Sugar (1978)

Contains the singles Gotta Quit Lookin' At You Baby and the title track

11. Hysteria - The Human League (2005)

Expanded edition of 1984 album featuring The Lebanon, Louise, and Life On Your Own

12. The Essential Collection 1965-1997 - Carpenters (2002)

4-CD collection chronicling the duo's career, a variation on their 1991 box set From The Top

13. The Best Of Scissor Sisters (Home playlist)

I put this playlist together using singles from the group's four albums. I'm currently editing it so it's not quite ready but here's the link to what's there:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnQBnNTT2mO7dekSO2YhOCTJ28eab-Sep

My Top Music Of The Week 9/30

1. I Still Have Faith In You/Don't Shut Me Down - ABBA (2021) **4 weeks #1**

ABBA's first singles since 1982 as featured on Spotify

2. The Love Songs - ABBA (1989)

UK compilation

3. Lindsey Buckingham (2021)

Lindsey's new album includes the singles I Don't Mind, On The Wrong Side, and Scream.

4. If I Could Turn Back Time: Cher's Greatest Hits (1999)

Compilation spanning Cher's career from 1965 with Sonny up to 1991.

5. The Hits 3 - ABBA (1988)

UK compilation

6. Magic: The Very Best Of Olivia Newton-John (2001)

Compilation spanning Olivia's career from 1973 to 1983 plus the Grease Megamix.

7. The Very Best Of 2nd Chapter Of Acts (Expanded; Home playlist)

My version of a 2006 compilation with two Christmas tracks

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5xuh19ejJSd0rhNF4oW0Nz?si=6b7456845ac14154

8. Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie (2017)

Lindsey and Christine's duet album includes Fleetwood Mac's Mick Fleetwood on drums and John McVie on bass.

9. Blondie (2001)

Expanded edition of the group's first album from 1976

10. The Very Best Of Linda Ronstadt (Spotify playlist)

Fan-made version of a 2002 compilation spanning Linda's career from 1967 to 1993

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

I put this together using tracks by Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, and Bekka Bramlett.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnQBnNTT2mO6Cd-8enVuF-tRI491TeByj