My Top Music Of The Week 1/29

1. Voyage - ABBA (2021) **12 weeks #1**

As of this week, ABBA have my second longest-running #1 since I started my list online in 2006. The 2007 issue of The Groop (first released in 1969) has been #1 longer at 24 weeks. Stay tuned.

2. Afflatus - The Polyphonic Spree (2021)

3. Audio CD - ABBA (Fan CD set)

4. Lovely - The Primitives (1988)

This was the group's debut album which contains the singles Out Of Reach, Way Behind Me, and Crash.

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

This 4-CD collection is an expansion of the duo's 1991 box set From The Top.

6. What A Life! - Divinyls (1985)

Divinyls' second album includes the singles Casual Encounter, In My Life, Good Die Young, Sleeping Beauty, Pleasure and Pain, and Heart Telegraph.

7. 50 Words For Snow - Kate Bush (2011)

This was the second of two albums Kate released in 2011. It's a winter-themed album with appearances by Elton John, Stephen Fry, and Kate's son Albert McIntosh.

8. All Fired Up: The Very Best Of Pat Benatar (1994)

This 2-CD set covers Pat's career up to 1993. It contains single edits she and husband Neil Giraldo would later pan on Sychronistic Wanderings: Recorded Anthlogy 1979-1999.

9. The Essential 5th Dimension (2011)

This collection is almost identical the group's 1997 release Up-Up And Away: The Definitive Collection from 1997 with substitutions made on the first disc, covering their 60's work.

10. The Beginning Stages Of The Polyphonic Spree (2003)

Since the release of Afflatus last year, I've been back-tracking through the group's catalog. This, their debut album, is great with the exception of the last track A Long Day. It's nearly 40 minutes of psychedelic chords that I personally find hard to sit through, hence the low rank.

11. Cry Like A Rainstorm, Howl Like The Wind - Linda Ronstadt featuring Aaron Neville (1989)

This album has Aaron singing with Linda on four of its twelve tracks including the singles Don't Know Much, All My Life, and When Something Is Wrong With My Baby.

12. Testify To Love: The Very Best Of Avalon (2003)

This was the first compilation released by the Contemporary Christian group. It contains personal favorites Give It Up, Take You At Your Word, Can't Live A Day, and the title track.

My Top Music Of The Week 1/22

1. Voyage - ABBA (2021) **11 weeks #1**

2. Afflatus - The Polyphonic Spree (2021)

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

4. One By One - The Free Design (2004)

This is an expanded issue of the group's 1971 album. Bonus tracks include five performances from a concert with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

5. Passionworks 2.0 - Heart (Home playlist)

My updated version of Heart's 1983 album includes re-recordings of Johnny Moon and Language Of Love from their 2016 album Beautiful Broken.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0eQvgi3LsNaLi6Pohtjcbp

6. Lionheart - Kate Bush (1978)

Kate's second album contains the singles Wow and Hammer Horror.

7. Longplay Album Volume II Remastered - Stars On 45 (1981)

8. Credo - The Human League (2011)

This is the group's last album to date. It includes the singles Night People, Sky, Never Let Me Go, and Egomaniac.

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

10. Gold - Brotherhood Of Man (2019)

11. The Complete Collection - Boney M. (2000)

This 2-CD set is the most comprehensive compilation representing Boney M.'s career I've ever owned. The only downside is a poor edit of Rasputin. The album version is used but it fades early.

12. The Very Best Of Frida 1971-2021 (Home playlist)

I expanded this playlist to include ABBA's I Still Have Faith In You.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnQBnNTT2mO5flA2ef0Co-aW_a6BBaAmo

13. 50 Years: Don't Stop - Fleetwood Mac (2018)

This 3-CD set covers the group's career from 1967 to 2013. It contains virtually all single mixes but is so detailed that I don't mind.

14. Favourites - Peters & Lee (1974)

The duo's fourth album includes mostly new songs but carries over a few previously released singles. Its sole single from it was Closer.

My Top Music Of The Week 1/15

1. Voyage - ABBA (2021) **10 weeks #1**

It was announced this week that Voyage was the #1 album in Germany and Sweden for 2021.

2. Afflatus - The Polyphonic Spree (2021)

An official video was made for the group's cover of the Rolling Stone's hit She's A Rainbow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVE8e-xbUQ8

3. Longplay Album Volume II Remastered - Stars On 45 (1981)

I was looking up the date for a Rolling Stones medley by Stars On 45 when I discovered the original LP of my #3 this week, originally titled "Stars On Long Play II Performed By Stars On 45." I found it under an alternate name and title on Spotify, The group places emphasis on the work of ABBA and the Supremes on this album. There's also a medley called "Introductions" featuring the openings of songs.

4. Yes It's True - The Polyphonic Spree (2013)

Ever since Afflatus was released, I've been going back back and playing all the other Polyphonic Spree albums. Yes It's True includes the singles What Would You Do, You Don't Know Me, Popular By Design, and Hold Yourself Up.

5. Audio CD  - ABBA (Fan CD)

This 2-CD set was put together by a fellow Yahoo group member. It's made up mostly of live recordings from bootleg discs but includes a few studio tracks.

6. The Ultimate Collection - Carpenters (2006)

The thing that sets this 3-CD collection apart from most Carpenters compilations is that it contains all original recordings rather than remixes. The third disc includes solo recordings by Karen and Richard.

7. The Divine Miss M - Bette Midler (1972)

Bette's debut album was the very first CD I ever purchased. It contains the hits Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Do You Want To Dance, Friends, and Chapel Of Love.

8. These Dreams: Heart's Greatest Hits (1997)

This CD includes the best from Heart's Capitol catalog such as Alone, All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You, and the title track.

9. I Don't Know How To Love Him/Helen Reddy - Helen Reddy (Home playlist)

I put this together on Spotify. It's Helen's first two albums from 1971 and 1972 respectively. The original recording of I Am Woman is included.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ujBYsfIr7eQC2LGmRoGoL

10. The Very Best Of The Manhattan Transfer (1994)

This compilation features the hits Boy From New York City, Operator, Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone, and Spice Of Life.

My Top Music Of 2021

 

All albums #1 in 2021

1.      1969 to 1974 – Fleetwood Mac (2020)

2.      Voyage – ABBA (2021)

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

4.      Gold – The New Seekers (2020)

5.      The Singles +  – Mouth & MacNeal (Home edit of 2007 compilation)

6.      Will You Be Staying After Sunday – The Peppermint Rainbow (Home edit of expanded 1969 album)

7.      The Best of Peters & Lee (1999 issue of 1991 album Through All The Years)

8.      Invitation – Peters & Lee (1976)

9.      Yesterday and Today – Peters & Lee (1982 LP set with duo's The Farewell Album and Unforgettable by Lennie Peters)

10.  Another Link In The Chain – Fleetwood Mac (1994 live bootleg)

11.  An Evening Of New York Songs And Stories – Suzanne Vega (2020)

12.  Women & Song – Fleetwood Mac (Home playlist of songs by Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, and Bekka Bramlett)

13.  The Complete Studio Recordings – ABBA (2005)

14.  Beg, Steal Or Borrow – The New Seekers (2001 compilation)

15.  Time – Fleetwood Mac (Home edit of 1995 album)

16.  Just A Notion – ABBA (Single, 2021)

17.  Big Hits – Big Mouth (Home CD's with songs by Willem Duyn of Mouth & MacNeal and Big Mouth & Little Eve plus solo)

18.  Retro Gold – Donna Summer (Home edit of The Journey: The Very Best of Donna Summer from 2003)

19.  Retrospective 1968-1972 – Russell Morris (1978)

20.  Singing A Song/Good Fortune – Brotherhood Of Man (2019 expanded issue of 1979 and 1980 albums)

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).