100. HASH PIPE/ISLAND IN THE SUN/PHOTOGRAPH
Frankly I expected more from these quirky dudes who gave us "Buddy Holly", but weren't those sumo wrestlers & zoo animals fun?

99. THERE YOU'LL BE--FAITH HILL
Hardly the sequel to "Titanic" that many predicted. Oversinging by Mrs. McGraw didn't help.

98. CINDERELLA--LIONEL RICHIE
The first of 3 hits by the ex-Commodore tried to ride the Latin wave without national success.

97. DISILLUSION--BADLY DRAWN BOY
From a fine album that was an exercise in diversity.

96. HOLIDAY FROM MYSELF--MINIBAR
Great line--"I think I need a holiday from myself/I need some time away from being me".

95. BE LIKE THAT--3 DOORS DOWN
Most stations were still playing "Kryptonite", hindering this group's chances for follow-up success.

94. ESSENCE--LUCINDA WILLIAMS
One of the most unique singers around today. Sounds like she's just downed a fifth of Jack while crooning this number.

93. EASY TONIGHT/AMERICA TOWN--FIVE FOR FIGHTING
All together now, Five For Fighting is one individual, NOT a band. "Easy" came in at #72 last year.

92. PERFECT DAY--COLLECTIVE SOUL feat. ELTON JOHN
This year also saw another tune titled "Perfect Day" (coming up later) as well as "Another Perfect Day" and "Perfect World". Wishful thinking?

91. SIDE--TRAVIS
One of this band's "cheerier" efforts from the somber "The Invisible Band" CD.

90. MATTER/I'VE CHANGED--THE JOSH JOPLIN GROUP
While I'm psyched that "Camera One" got a little airplay, it's too bad that radio ignored these wonderful followups.

89. PRECIOUS ONE--CADET
Yeah, I know you've never heard of this one. From a compilation CD made for me by Chart Club member Steve Lincoln, this is a bouncy love song beautifully sung.

88. I'M REAL--JENNIFER LOPEZ feat. JA RULE
Loved J-Lo's coquettish line readings bolstered by Ja's macho "the way you walk/way you talk" posturing.

87. ALL THE WAY TO RENO--R.E.M.
Except for one song, everything on "Reveal" lacked anything resembling fun. Still, this one should've done better.

86. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO MY ROCK AND ROLL--BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB
The answer is it's been mostly replaced by antiseptic teenypop and soulless vulgarity passing itself off as music.

85. PEACEFUL WORLD--JOHN MELLENCAMP feat. india.arie
Probably the most timely release of the year. Let's hope we have one soon.

84. ANOTHER MYSTERY/I WON'T BE YOUR YOKO ONO--DAR WILLIAMS
Dar lacks the proper qualifications for superstardom--she writes intelligent lyrics, doesn't tart herself up and can actually carry a tune.

83. LAST NITE--THE STROKES
I'm not convinced that these guys deserve Entertainment Weekly's Best of the Year, but damn, did this song & video stand out from the pack. The new Nirvana?

82. GOD GAVE ME EVERYTHING--MICK JAGGER
This track is vintage 70s Stones at their best but flopped nonetheless.

81. BY YOUR SIDE--SADE
She's barely changed her sound since "Smooth Operator", yet manages to stay afloat in the fickle music waters. Amazing.

80. HEMORRHAGE/INNOCENT/BAD DAY--FUEL
"In My Hands" came in at #96 last year. The group played it safe on these followups. Too safe for mega-success?

79. BREATHLESS--THE CORRS
Come on, everybody sing "Oh-oh-oh-oh/ come on/ feed me breakfast". A minor 2000 hit that got a second chance this year.

78. NEW YORK CITY--.moe
Elements of Rusted Root on this WDST springtime hit that deserved renewed airplay post-September 11th.

77. STANDING STILL--JEWEL
Why did it feel like this song was already an oldie just a week after I started hearing it?

76. THE CALL--BACKSTREET BOYS
A sped-up remix totally endeared me to this alarmingly unromantic ditty.

75. WHOLE NEW YOU/BOUND TO YOU--SHAWN COLVIN
If neither of these highlights from her latest CD can jump start her career, I'm afraid it's curtains for Shawn.

74. FILTHY MIND/SILVER LINING/CELLOPHANE--AMANDA GHOST
With her powerfully emotive Joan Osborne-ish vocals, none of these diverse styles clicked nationally. Pity.

73. HONEST WITH ME/SUMMER DAYS--BOB DYLAN
Sounding positively giddy on these uptempo numbers, "Summer Days" was the song the Stray Cats wish they recorded.

72. SUPERMAN INSIDE/BELIEVE IN LIFE/TRAVELIN' LIGHT--ERIC CLAPTON
I've never been a mega Clapton fan, but "Reptile" was one of my fave CDs of the year. Figures it stiffed nationally.

71. FAMILY AFFAIR--MARY J. BLIGE
Were these some sassily fun lyrics or what? "Don't need no holleration/ Mary J. is in the house tonight" indeed!

70. WHEN YOU'RE FALLING--AFRO CELT SOUL SYSTEM feat. PETER GABRIEL
The time is ripe for a full-length Gabriel comeback. This track shows he's still got it.

69. NEW YORK NEW YORK--RYAN ADAMS
I was loving this song BEFORE 9/11, but that video afterwards never failed to choke me up.

68. WAITING/WARNING/MISERY--GREEN DAY
The video for "Warning" is so clever, and these other 2 tracks highlight a fine CD.

67. GOOD FORTUNE/YOU SAID SOMETHING--P J HARVEY
She reminds me of Patti Smith on these cuts. Her bid at mainstream success fizzled unfortunately.

66. CRYSTAL--NEW ORDER
Cut me to the core, didn't these guys sound like they never left?

65. YELLOW/SHIVER/TROUBLE--COLDPLAY
All 3 of these tracks had an equally calming effect on me whenever they came on. One of the top breakout acts of the year.

64. LET ME LOVE YOU--DA BUZZ
A Sam Booty Shaker to be sure.

63. DREAM ON--DEPECHE MODE
One of the most welcome returns of the year.

62. BABYLON/SAY HELLO WAVE GOODBYE/THIS YEAR'S LOVE--DAVID GRAY
"Babylon" was last year's # 1, while these other 2 album cuts ranked #7 and #29 respectively in 2000. Still hung on for most of the winter.

61. SHELL FULL OF SAND--GOSSAMER
A Chart Club Discovery courtesy of Adam (BillDautrieve) via Steve Lincoln. Simply gorgeous in a MoodyBlueish way.

60. I'VE CHANGED/GRAVITY--THE JOSH JOPLIN GROUP
"I've Changed" was #71 last year. From one of the Top 10 CDs of 2000.

59. SOMETIMES--OURS
This snarling alternarock track was a hit on WDST but inexplicably stiffed nationally. Pumpkins fans should check it out.

58. WHEN IT'S OVER--SUGAR RAY
This song also felt like an oldie just weeks after I'd heard it.

57. I'M SO OPEN--COWBOY JUNKIES
The album didn't do too much for me, but this song was a breath of fresh air.

56. SAVE ME--REMY ZERO
I don't get it. This song/video was all over the airwaves then literally vanished overnight thus lessening its impact.

55. OVERCOME--LIVE
I incorrectly predicted that this record would re-propel Live to the Top of the Charts.

54. I WANT LOVE--ELTON JOHN
This song took a while to grow on me. Except for 1999, Elton has not missed appearing on my year-end Top 100s since 1972. The album is one of 2001's best.

53. HAVE A NICE DAY--STEREOPHONICS
Sing-songy fun that debuted late in the year and may chart again in 2002.

52. I WANT TO BE IN LOVE--MELISSA ETHERIDGE
Nakedly raw emotion that didn't do nearly as well nationally as it should have.

51. OOH IT'S KINDA CRAZY--SOUL DECISION
Irresisitble chorus and my, what an attractive drummer!

50. HERE'S TO THE NIGHT--EVE 6
One NYC radio station had the annoying habit of interjecting phone messages from high school graduates into the breaks of this song ala "This is Sandra and I just wanna say I'll miss all you guys at Hootie High. I love you all! WOOOOO"

49. WITHOUT YOU--DIGITAL ALLIES
NYC radio station WKTU played the heck out of this driving dancerocker that turned up on several commerical disco compilations.

48. STRANGER IN MY HOUSE--TAMIA
One of the prime lines of the year--"pop quiz/tell me where my spot is/tell me did i like it/love it".

47. GLAD GIRLS--GUIDED BY VOICES
Cross The Raspberries circa 1972 with the refrain "glad girls/only wanna get you high" and you get pure pop that pathetically pooped nationally.

46. WHEREVER YOU WILL GO--THE CALLING
Thanks to Steve Lincoln, I became aware of this track in August, but it seems to be peaking nationally now and could be the Lifehouse of 2002.

45. THE MIDDLE--JIMMY EAT WORLD
Contender for Worst Band Name of the Year, this number debuted late December and could see life in 2002.

44. MORE THAN THAT--BACKSTREET BOYS
Their harmonies meshed beautifully on this ballad's chorus, but I'm skeptical that we'll ever see "The Hits Chapter 2" from these guys.

43. THE NOT SO PRETTY PRINCESS/RED ROOM--JUDE
The first song is dark, teen angst camoflauged as spritely bubblegum while the second more overtly captures the singer's desperation.

42. WALKING IN MY BLUE JEANS--SOPHIE B. HAWKINS
Woulda charted higher if I'd heard it more.

41. THE SUN NEVER SHONE THAT DAY--A-HA
Another Steve Lincoln recommendation, this song should've ended the group's One-Hit-Wonder status permanently.

40. LADY (HEAR ME TONIGHT)--MODJO
This song was all over London radio in September, 2000 when I visited. Good to see it become at least a semi-hit in the U.S. this year.

39. GET THE PARTY STARTED--PINK
Talk about making all the right moves to make over an image. Hope she discards that quasi-tuff-chick hip hop persona for good!

38. HOW LONG--LIONEL RICHIE
A ballad in the vein of his best 80s work like "Oh No" and "Penny Lover", this one has just been released as a single and may score big in 2002 nationally. Hope so.

37. NO SUCH THING--JOHN MAYER
Coulda been higher if released earlier containing those wonderful lyrics "I wanna run through the halls of my high school/I wanna scream at the top of my lungs/I just found out there's no such thing as the real world". This is what all the Blinks and Sums et al WISH they could write.

36. BELIEVER--JAKE
Steve Lincoln strikes again by sending me Jake's plea to God to make him a believer set to a melodic beat.

35. UNFORGIVEN--THE GO-GOS
While a fine track, this was not the best choice for leadoff single and as a result, their latest comeback fizzled. Pity.

34. JADED--AEROSMITH
3 weeks at # 1 on my chart helped give Aerosmith their finest showing since the 5-Star "Dream On" from '76.

33. HANGING BY A MOMENT--LIFEHOUSE
At 37 weeks on my chart, this song ties "Evergreen" for 2nd place for all-time longevity. #66 for 2000.

32. NOW I CAN DIE--NINA GORDON
"He opened up my eyes/now i've seen everything/ so now I can die". A lover or God? You decide. Woefully overlooked gem.

31. SUPERMAN (IT'S NOT EASY)--FIVE FOR FIGHTING
A thoughtfully written ballad that suffered from overexposure post nine-eleven.

30. LOOK AT US--SARINA PARIS
Those chirpy chirpy cheep cheep vocals either annoyed or enthralled listeners. I'm among the latter who couldn't resist this infectious piece of cutesy-wootsy fluff.

29. HOW YOU REMIND ME--NICKELBACK
Yeah, this one got overplayed, but for some reason it had staying power.

28. ONE MORE TIME--DAFT PUNK
"Music's got me feeling so free/I wanna celebrate". Another Sam-Booty-Shaker.

27. AROUND THE WORLD (LA LA LA)--ATC
An entire CD in this vein was a bit much to take, but succeeded as a single.

26. I'LL FLY WITH YOU--GIGI D'AGOSTINO
Male and female vocalists trade soaring verses with that unforgettable "bada bada bink/party with "n-Sync" hook.

25. CASTLES IN THE SKY--IAN VAN DAHL
Dreamy, new age dance music with the powerful lyrics "do you ever question your life/do you ever wonder why?" Well, do ya?

24. MASCARA/WEIR--KILLING HEIDI
These lead-off tracks from "Reflector" amazingly went unnoticed in 2001. Inexcusable.

23. SOMETIMES WANNA DIE--JOYDROP
See #24.

22. HERO--ENRIQUE IGLESIAS
With vocals both heartfelt and sincre, not even the mawkish video or insufferable insertions of WTC snippets could ruin this fine song.

21. SORCERER--STEVIE NICKS
A most welcome return from the Mac's prettiest member still looking fabulous. The backing vocals of Sheryl Crow only add to this driving rocker.

20. LIFE ON A CHAIN--PETE YORN
WDST played this song to death this Spring. Subsequently I bought the CD for $9.99 and loved it. Despite it's still ridiculously low price, a strong followup ("For Nancy"), and hunky good looks, Yorn has yet to be a household name. 2002, maybe?

19. BEST I EVER HAD (GREY SKY MORNING)--VERTICAL HORIZON
A departure from these guys whose earlier hits in 2000 also did phenomenally well. Hope their next effort is as strong.

18. CAN'T GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD--KYLIE MINOGUE
A Chart Club recommndation from Craig Kile, this truly lived up to its title, spending 3 weeks at # 1 and still on my weekly chart. Should really break out in 2002 if there's any justice.

17. ALL FOR YOU--JANET JACKSON
"All the girls at the party/look at that body/shaking that thing/like I never did see/I think maybe I'll/have a fresh package tonight" Growwll! Playfully sexy the way a Jackson should be!

16. OUTSIDE--AARON LEWIS feat. FRED DURST
Dumbo Durst nearly ruins this track with his insipid grinning and comments not to mention slightly offkey singing in the video, but the raw intensity from Lewis was the most gut wrenching thing I heard all year.

15. SOMEONE TO CALL MY LOVER--JANET JACKSON
Equally playful as #17, that "Ventura Highway" snippet perfectly suited the good time Janet seemed to be having singing this catchy tune.

14. MORE THAN A DREAM--RAZE
Raze had the #10 song of 2000 with "All Around The World". Another uptempo dance swirler courtesy the keen ears of Steve Lincoln.

13. SAILING TO PHILADELPHIA--MARK KNOPFLER & JAMES TAYLOR
These veterans' voices blend gloriously in this literate 5-minute title track from Knopfler's excellent solo disc. Sadly overlooked.

12. DONE HANGIN' ON MAYBE--EVAN & JARON
Some record exec dropped the ball by not releasing this as a single. Happy, harmonious, and hooky, this one totally eclipsed "From My Head To My Heart".

11. PERFECT DAY--HOKU
Who could not smile and tap their toes to this giddily optomistic ditty with a breezy delivery to match that opened and closed the movie "Legally Blonde"? Radio programmers, apparently.

10. CHOP SUEY--SYSTEM OF A DOWN
There have been rare occasions where one of my Duds of the Week has ended up charting somewhere on my weekly list, but never has a former Dud gone to # 1, let alone ending up in the year-end Top Ten. A rare case where the video enhanced rather than detracted from the sonic mental breakdown that is "Chop Suey". And, oh, those harmonies!

9. THIS IS WHERE I CAME IN--THE BEE GEES
It was really a tough call deciding between #s 9 and 4, the hardest in years. Ultimately, I let the point totals decide, but that shouldn't take away from the fact that this spectacular title track from the Bee Gees' latest proves that the Gibbs still got it.

8. CHEMISTRY--SEMISONIC
If this utterly singable slice of happy pop can't make it in 2001, tis a sad day for radio indeed.

7. SING--TRAVIS
I'm reminded of Andy Kim on yet another gem that barely got airplay except on the most progressive AAA stations.

6. ANGEL--LIONEL RICHIE
The first time I heard this, I fell in love and predicted this would be Lionel's "Believe". Not the first time I was wrong, though this soaring dance track spent 14 weeks in my Top Ten.

5. IMITATION OF LIFE--R.E.M.
I've always had a Jones for their shiny happy stuff i.e. "Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" et al, and this one delivered in spades. If there were only more traxx like this on "Reveal" to break up the monotony.

4. EMBRACE--THE BEE GEES
Spotlighting the still powerful vocals of Robin Gibb, this was an album track that ended up my Number One Sam-Booty-Shaker for 2001. With the proper remix and label push, this could've been a national smash.

3. APOLOGY--THE GO-GO'S
You know it's a stong year in music when a record that spends SEVEN weeks at # 1 isn't even #1 for the year. THIS track was THE highlight from "God Bless The Go-Go's", yet I never heard it on any radio or video station. For THAT, apologies are indeed necessary.

2. LIFE MEANS SO MUCH--CHRIS RICE
These lyrics (reprinted below) summed up Sammyboy's philosophy of life like no other song I've ever heard. Ever. Add equal parts perfect production, gorgeous vocals reminiscent of Art Garfunkel, and a melody to die for and you have a perfect record. Perfect!

1. ONLY TIME--ENYA
The right record at the right time. Let's review. I first hear the song in Circuit City in January when the video is playing on a Big Screen TV. I instantly chart the song at # 4. Then I see it sporadically on VH1 which keeps it in the Top Ten through February even hitting # 1. It falls out of my Top Ten in March, but returns to the lower rungs in April/May as a result of my purchasing "A Day Without Rain" and listening to it almost daily. Then the local A/C station picks up on "Only Time" renewing my interest and the song re-enters my chart in July. Then a remix becomes available and it lands back in the Top 10 in August. Then Nine-Eleven happens and Enya's soothing sounds are comforting me like almost no other musical entity can. In November, the song RETURNS to # 1, and repeats that feat in DECEMBER! Currently in its 34th week overall on my chart, nearly one full year after its debut, is it any wonder "Only Time" could be anything but Number One for the year 2001?

NUMBER ONES FOR 2001

Say Hello Wave Goodbye--David Gray
Babylon--David Gray
Chemistry--Semisonic (3)
More Than A Dream--Raze (2)
The Call--Backstreet Boys
Only Time--Enya (3)
Outside--Aaron Lewis feat. Fred Durst
Jaded--Aerosmith (3)
All For You--Janet Jackson (2)
Mascara--Killing Heidi
Angel--Lionel Richie
Life Means So Much--Chris Rice (3)
Done Hangin' On Maybe--Evan & Jaron
Imitation Of Life--R.E.M. (2)
Life On A Chain--Pete Yorn
This Is Where I Came In--Bee Gees
Unforgiven--The Go-Go's (2)
Someone To Call My Lover--Janet Jackson
I'll Fly With You--Gigi D'Agostino
Perfect Day--Hoku
Apology--The Go-Go's (7)
Sailing To Philadelphia--Mark Knopfler & James Taylor
Embrace--Bee Gees
Chop Suey--System Of A Down (4)
Sing--Travis
Can't Get You Out Of My Head--Kylie Minogue (3)

WEEKS ON CHART LONGEVITY LEADERS

(37 weeks)
Hanging By A Moment--Lifehouse

(34 weeks)
Only Time--Enya*

(25 weeks)
Apology--The Go Gos

(23 weeks)
Life Means So Much--Chris Rice

(22 weeks)
Babylon--David Gray
This Is Where I Came In--Bee Gees

(20 weeks)
Look At Us--Sarina Paris

(19 weeks)
Angel--Lionel Richie

(17 weeks)
Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)--Vertical Horizon

(16 weeks)
All For You--Janet Jackson
Life On A Chain--Pete Yorn

(15 weeks)
Yellow--Coldplay
Camera One--Josh Joplin Group
Unforgiven--The Go Gos
Someone To Call My Lover--Janet Jackson
I'll Fly With You--Gigi D'Agostino
How You Remind Me--Nickelback*
Wherever You Will Go--The Calling*

(14 weeks)
Chemistry--Semisonic
Around The World La La La--ATC
One More Time--Daft Punk
Stranger In My House--Tamia
Dream On--Depeche Mode
Hero--Enrique Iglesias
Chop Suey--System Of A Down*

30. Complicated--Carolyn Dawn Johnson
29. She Misses Him--Tim Rushlow
28. There Is No Arizona--Jamie O'Neal
27. Why They Call It Falling--Lee Ann Womack
26. Go Back--Chalee Tennyson
25. Where I Come From--Alan Jackson
24. Grown Men Don't Cry--Tim McGraw
23. Burn--Jo Dee Messina
22. When God Fearing Women Get The Blues--Martina McBride
21. I Could Not Ask For More--Sara Evans
20. I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow--Soggy Bottom Boys
19. I'm Already There--Lonestar
18. It's A Great Day To Be Alive--Travis Tritt
17. I'll Fly Away--Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch
16. Ashes By Now--Lee Ann Womack
15. Georgia--Carolyn Dawn Johnson
14. I'm A Survivor--Reba McEntire
13. No Fear--Terri Clark
12. Mrs. Steven Rudy--Mark McGuinn
11. Austin--Blake Shelton
10. Pour Me--Trick Pony
9. The Best Of Intentions--Travis Tritt
8. Who I Am--Jessica Andrews
7. Shoot Straight From Your Heart--Vince Gill
6. I Wanna Talk About Me--Toby Keith
5. Ridin' With Private Malone--David Ball
4. Angry All The Time--Tim McGraw
3. Didn't Leave Nothin' But The Baby--Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch
2. Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)--Alan Jackson
1. BUT I DO LOVE YOU--LEANN RIMES

50. Texas--Hush
Except for "Summer Son", rather disappointing considering the rave from Fred Bronson and others.

49. Swag--Catch All
Heard this in a Virgin listening station where it sounded great, but at home was a snooze.

48. Paul Simon--You're The One
Probably my least favorite of all his solo stuff. Definitely not Grammyworthy.

47. ATC--Planet Pop
The infectious "Around The World" is plenty.

46. Patti Smith--Gung Ho

45. Sinead O'Connor--Faith And Courage
She's never made less than an excellent album. Til now.

44. The Jayhawks--Smile

43. Vertical Horizon--Everything You Want
By the time I finally got this, I was burnt out on the singles. But a fine disc nonetheless.

42. Joydrop--Viberate
Except for "Sometimes Wanna Die", I just couldn't get into this disc despite repeated listenings.

41. Idlewild--100 Broken Windows
Punky power pop that sounded good in Virgin.

40. Legally Blonde--Soundtrack
Not my cup of tea except for Hoku's "Perfect Day".

39. Minibar--Road Movies

38. Alanis Morrissette--MTV Unplugged

37. Betty Buckley--Stars And The Moon
Broadway diva has powerful pipes, but has yet to capture the magic of "With One Look", one of my all-time Top 10 CDs ever.

36. Joe Jackson--Night And Day II

35. Sterling--Brave New World
Instrumental, mostly trance 'n' dance home recorded by a musclehunk from my gym. Worthwhile. The disc, that is.

34. Cowboy Junkies--Open
Except for a couple cuts, mostly disappointing.

33. Nina Gordon--Tonight And The Rest Of My Life

32. Shawn Colvin--Whole New You

31. Various Artists--Concert For A Landmine Free World

30. Lucinda Williams--Essence
That gravelly voice really cuts deep on a fine effort, but sometimes hard to listen to.

29. Killing Heidi--Reflector
Worth the price for the first 5 tracks alone.

28. Semisonic--All About Chemistry
A 50-50 hit and miss effort. What worked worked wonderfully.

27. Mark Knopfler--Sailing To Philadelphia
Great album, but I acquired it late in the year.

26. The Monkees Box Set
The alternate versions and mostly unfamiliar Side 4 kept me listening.

25. R.E.M.--Reveal
Too much of a downer, though a fine disc. "Imitation Of Life" was the standout cut yet so out of place on this album.

24. Mick Jagger--Goddess In The Doorway
I won this on WDST and it's hit and miss as Mick tries out every vocal style imaginable.

23. Chet Baker--My Funny Valentine
Breaking up with someone? Falling in love with someone new? Put this on. I dare ya.

22. Badly Drawn Boy--Hour Of The Bewilderbeast
This one grew on me. If I had a complaint, it's that it's too long.

21. Five For Fighting--America Town
The highlights have been the singles and track 6 that goes "Janey yeah". Forgot the title.

20. Simon And Garfunkel--The Complete Works
All 5 of their CDs with bonus tracks still sound exceptional today. Songwriters take note.

19. Green Day--Warning
Their new Greatest Hits may make this work obsolete, but it sure was fun last winter.

18. Jude--King Of Yesterday
Like "Reveal", too much of a downer except for one exceptional song. Still worthwhile.

17. Travis--The Invisible Band
I really thought I'd like this a lot more, "Sing" excepted.

16. Lucinda Williams--Sweet Ol' World
Her debut, I think, that I discovered just this year. The first 5 cuts are superb.

15. Bob Dylan--Love And Theft
Not only good for you, but good. Extremely listenable with a fab backing band.

14. Dar Williams--The Green World
Not my favorite by the wonderful Dar, but heads above a lot of what's out there.

13. Gretchen Peters--The Secret Of Life
A couple years old, but blows those most of those current country divas right out of the water.

12. Matthew Ryan--eastautumngrin
Followup to one of my favorite '90s albums "May Day", this one didn't have quite the same effect on me, but still deserved the airplay that continues to elude this talented guy.

11. Lionel Richie--Renaissance
Except for his feeble attempts to sound "street", mostly a winner.

10. Eric Clapton
I am no big Clapton fan, but this disc rarely left my CD player all summer. Warning, a couple real stinkers scattered within like a James Taylor cover that reeks.

9. Nancy Lamott--What's Good About Goodbye
Cabaret singer who untimely passed away a few years ago left behind several CDs that my partner discovered and this is my favorite so far. Linda Eder/Eva Cassidy fans, heads up.

8. Pete Yorn--musicforthemorningafter
Rock n Grunge rolled into one. 7 years ago, had Yorn fronted a band with a cool name, this woulda been a # 1 smash.

7. Elton John--Songs From The West Coast
I'll say it, his finest effort since "Made In England". Before that, you'd have to look to '84's "Breaking Hearts" to find such a solid collection by my one of my alltime faves.

6. Amanda Ghost--Ghost Stories
HOW did this album not catch on? A mixture of styles all succeed beautifully.

5. The Josh Joplin Group--Useful Music
Not a bad track on the album. Only "Trailways" rivals the exuberance of "Camera One" but have patience and you'll be rewarded.

4. The Go-Go's--God Bless The Go-Go's
I would have been happy for 2 or 3 cuts to be serviceable, but Belinda's babes hit a home run on nearly every track. Quibble? No Jane Wiedlin lead vocals. Boo!

3. Enya--A Day Without Rain
Slightly more melodic than her previous efforts, it'll be interesting to see if there's a followup single to "Only Time". Gorgeous!

2. Bee Gees--This Is Where I Came In
The Brothers Gibb were wise to virtually eliminate Barry's falsettos which totally ruined 97's "Still Waters". A myraid of styles without a single clunker. Classic! is 9 minutes of gut-wrenching beauty.

1. CHRIS RICE--SMELL THE COLOR 9
Steve Lincoln sent me a mix tape containing a song called "Life Means So Much". When I gushed, I guess he thought I might enjoy the whole CD. Enjoy is an understatement. It took me a few listens, but once I got into the album, it never left my player for an incredible 6 months! Equally melodic, playful, reverent, I've let 2 other people listen to it and they're as nuts about it as I am. In fact, each of them gave me one of Rice's older discs for Christmas presents this year! I really can't think of a greater gift than to turn someone on to the heartfelt singing and lyrical beauty on this album. Perfection!

Sam's Absolute Chart Page