My Top Music Of The Week 12/22

My final list of the year is early because I'll be out of town for Christmas.

1. Voyage - ABBA (2021) **7 weeks #1**

2. Afflatus - The Polyphonic Spree (2021)

3. Saving Up Christmas - Captain & Tennille (Single, 2005)

I tend to forget I own this CD. It came with my purchase of the DVD set Ultimate Collection which contains episodes of the duo's variety show. The song was co-written by Sue Ennis who co-wrote much of Heart's songs with Ann and Nancy Wilson starting in 1978. It's about a woman who is waiting for her husband to come home from the military for the holidays.

4. Christmas Wish - Olivia Newton-John (2007)

This album is rather neat as it features instrumental interludes in between vocal songs. It includes appearances by Jon Secada, Jim Brickman, Jann Arden, Michael McDonald, Marc Jordan, and Barry Manilow. Most notable is Jann singing Silent Night with Olivia in English, French, and Spanish and Michael harmonizing with her on All Through The Night.

5. What A Wonderful Christmas - Anne Murray (2001)

6. Panic Of Girls - Blondie (2011)

Blondie's third album since their 1999 return includes the singles Mother and What I Heard. There are also a few foriegn-language tunes such as Wipe Off My Sweat (mostly in Spanish), Le Bleu (French), and Mirame (French bonus track).

7. Christmas Collection - Carpenters (1996)

8. Christmas Mix - Various Artists (Home playlist)

I put this together using Christmas songs by artists either currently or formerly in my collection

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnQBnNTT2mO6A_E-dp9ARVsuK90lk1MTk

9. The Gift Of Christmas - Juice Newton (2009)

I stumbled upon this disc while spending New Year's in Nashville several years ago. A stand-out track is Shining Star on which Juice actually raps.

10. The Christmas Album - The Manhattan Transfer (1992)

Tony Bennett joins the group on The Christmas Song. There's also a cover of the Beatles' Goodnight featuring dialog by children anticipating Santa Claus.

My Top Music Of The Week 12/18

1. Voyage - ABBA (2021) **6 weeks #1**

2. Afflatus - The Polyphonic Spree (NEW, 2021)

I discovered this by chance on Spotify last night. It's the group's first album in seven years and a collection of covers. The highlight for me is their rendition of ABBA's The Visitors, with Barry Manilow's Could It Be Magic running a close second.

3. Gold - Kiki Dee (2019)

This 3-CD set chronicles Kiki's career from the 60's to the 90's. I'd never heard her 60's material so I jumped on it. Of course, it includes her #1 hit with Elton John, Don't Go Breaking My Heart, as well as I've Got The Music In Me.

4. Christmas Is Almost Here - Carly Simon (2002)

Carly's only Christmas album features her son Ben Taylor in areas including a duet on God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and backing vocals on John Lennon's Happy Xmas (War Is Over). She teams up with Willie Nelson for Pretty Paper as well.

5. Holidaydream: Sounds Of The Holidays, Vol. One - The Polyphonic Spree (2012)

The group gives Christmas songs a psychedelic twist on this offering. Winter Wonderland and Silver Bells are rather trippy though the latter is given an upbeat reprise toward the end. Like Carly, they also recorded Happy Xmas but theirs is a bit more bombastic. Lead singer Tim DeLaughter sings with his son on White Christmas, adding a little young magic.

6. A Christmas Album - Barbra Streisand (1967)

Barbra has the oldest album on my list this week. The original LP is split nicely with secular songs on the first side and sacred on the second. Her rendition of Jingle Bells (with a ?) is a fun take on the Christmas carol. She really shows off her range with Gonoud's Ave Maria and The Lord's Prayer.

7. The Very Best Pat Benatar Album Ever (2002)

The title here is more truth than poetry. This Canadian import assembles 20 songs from Pat's career up to 1993 such as her biggest US charters Love Is A Battlefield and We Belong.

8. The Christmas Song - Roger Whittaker (1995)

I first discovered Roger's music on The Time-Life Treasury Of Christmas sets. As such, I bought this disc later on. The production on the album is sophisticated and regal with its use of synthesizers. Roger's South African accent as well as his European background singers set it all off. The highlight is an intricate arrangement of The Twelve Days Of Christmas.

9. Together We're Heavy - The Polyphonic Spree (2004)

This was the group's second album and the first I bought by them. Goldmine magazine's review describing them as a combination rock band, orchestra, and choir who wear robes piqued my interest without ever hearing them. The album contains the singles Hold Me Now and Two Thousand Places.

10. A Merry Little Christmas - Linda Ronstadt (2000)

Linda's only Christmas album is a nice combination of pop standards and classical pieces. There's a duet with Rosemary Clooney on White Christmas and a cover of Joni Mitchell's River included. Linda sings soprano lead with the Choir from Tucson on a cappella recordings like Away In A Manger and Silent Night.

11. The Christmas Of Your Life - Helen Reddy (2009)

This is a reissue of Helen's last album The Best Christmas Ever from 2000. It's predominantly secular and features a children's chorus (Sleigh Ride, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer) making it festive.

12. Reunion 6 - ABBA (Bootleg CD)

This was recorded for me by a fellow Yahoo group member. The only really good recordings on it are an expanded mix of Angeleyes and the unreleased instrumental When The Waves Roll Out To Sea. There are two megamixes than sound too choppy and jumbled and an early version of My Love, My Life with Bjorn and Agnetha talking over it making it not so appealing.

My Top Music Of The Week 12/11

1. Voyage - ABBA (2021) **5 weeks #1**

2. A Holiday Celebration - Peter, Paul & Mary with The New York Choral Society (1988)

This is a live album performed with a choir. It includes familiar carols as We Wish You A Merry Christmas, O Come O Come Emmanuel, and I Wonder As I Wander. Paul Stookey delivers a solo rendition of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. The album closes with the trio's hit Blowin' In The Wind.

3. Tina! - Tina Turner (2008)

This is a compilation chronicling Tina's solo career. It includes such hits as What's Love Got To Do With It, Better Be Good To Me, Private Dancer, What You Get Is What You See, The Best, and I Don't Wanna Fight. A 1993 version of Proud Mary is also present as well as Acid Queen from Tommy and two new songs, It Would Be A Crime and I'm Ready.

4. The RCA Years - Middle Of The Road (2010)

This 2-CD set is comprised of the group's three albums for RCA, Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep, Acceleration, and Drive On. Six songs from the Italian version of the first album are also included such as El Condor Pasa, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, and Superstar from Jesus Christ Superstar.

5. Songs Of The Season - Jane Olivor (2001)

Jane's only Christmas album feautres an a cappella version of Little Drummer Boy, a clever medley called Christmas Potpourri (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / Winter Wonderland / Breath Of Heaven / Deck The Halls / A' Soalin'), and a cover of Bob Lind's Elusive Butterfly.

6. The Very Best Of Christine McVie & Fleetwood Mac (Home CD's)

I put this 2-disc set together using songs from all of Christine's albums with Fleetwood Mac from 1971 to 1997. I also included two solo hits, Got A Hold On Me and Love Will Show Us How.

7. Christmas Collection - Olivia Newton-John (2010)

This compilation contains collaborations with Clint Black, Kenny Loggins, and Vince Gill. It features one non-traditional song Christmas Never Felt Like This Before.

8. What A Wonderful Christmas - Anne Murray (2001)

Highlights from this 2-disc set include a rendition of Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord popularized by Boney M., three versions of The Coventry Carol that precede different songs, and the non-traditional This Season Will Never Grow Old.

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

10. Cool Yule - Bette Midler (2008)

Bette recorded a Christmas version of her hit From A Distance for this album which also includes a medley of Let It Snow and Winter Wonderland with Johnny Mathis and Mele Kalikimaka.

11. 90's Mix - Various Artists (Home playlist)

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnQBnNTT2mO75x2cAUu8R6KHnhZ5oFVcA

12. A Soap Opera Christmas - Various Artists (1994)

This is a charity CD recorded by actors from all the soaps airing at the time. The highlight for me is the medley of The Baby Jesus from Matthew 18-25 read by Peter Bergman (Jack-The Young & The Resless) and Ave Maria sung by Eva LaRue (Maria-All My Children).

My Top Music Of The Week 12/4

1. Voyage - ABBA (2021) **4 weeks #1**

2. A Lovemongers' Christmas - Heart (2001)

Ann and Nancy Wilson formed a side-band from 1992 to 1998 called The Lovemongers. Along with the Wilsons in the group were their songwriting partner Sue Ennis and Frank Cox. Originally released as Here Is Christmas in 1998, it was the second of three albums they recorded. It's predominantly made up of originals including my favorites It's Christmas Time and the title track. Frank has a lead vocal on another entitled The Last Noel. There are a few traditional songs such as O Holy Night (sung a cappella), Ave Maria (sung in English), and an instrumental version of Bring A Torch.

3. A Christmas Cornucopia - Annie Lennox (2010)

Annie's only Christmas album contains all sacred songs plus an original called Universal Child. Among my favorites are God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, See Amid The Winter's Snow, The First Noel, The Holly And The Ivy, and As Joseph Was A Walking. Several of the tracks are laden with ethnic percussion which creates a rather celebratory sound. An African children's choir is also featured.

4. A&M Gold Series - Captain & Tennille (Home playlist version of 1993 disc)

5. The World Of Peters & Lee 2.0 (NEW; Home playlist)

I mainly put this together to create something lengthy by the duo. The playlist is comprised of songs from their compilation discs The World Of Peters & Lee (1996) and Welcome Home: The Collection (2014).

6. We Owed You One - ABBA (Bootleg, 1992)

The CD title is a variation on ABBA's B-side release You Owe Me One. Highlights from this disc include Cassandra, from the group's final televsion appearance in 1982, Germany, and Opus 10, an instrumental that would have been the title track of ABBA's 1982 album had they finished it.

7. And Winter Came... - Enya (2008)

Enya's only seasonal album contains the single Trains And Winter Rains. There are a few original Christmas compositions such as Journey Of The Angels, White Is In The Winter Night, One Toy Soldier, and The Spirit Of Christmas Past. A haunting rendition of O Come O Come Emmanuel and a new version of Oiche Chiuin (Silent Night) are also included.

8. A Rita Coolidge Christmas (2012)

Rita's Christmas album is made up of mostly recognizable favorites. Those that stand out are The Little Drummer Boy and Amazing Grace, both of which are given a tribal flavor. The latter is even sung in Cherokee. She also sings Baby It's Cold Outside with her drummer Lynn Coulter.

9. Christmas Collection - Carpenters (1998)

This 2-CD set is made up of the duo's two Christmas albums, Christmas Portrait (1978) and An Old-Fashioned Christmas (1984). It includes the singles Merry Christmas Darling and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

10. The Secret Of Christmas - Captain & Tennille (2006)

This became the duo's final album. Two singles were released, It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year and I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas. Daryl Dragon's keyboard work is featured on three instrumentals, Here Comes Santa Claus, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, and the ambitious Daryl Of The Bells which has Toni on minimal vocals.

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.