MUSIC MAKES THE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER

This is the time of the year when everyone and their mother comes out with a top ten favourite album list. Never one to follow a crowd, I'm taking a different route.

I am hard-pressed to come up with ten albums that came out this year worthy of a mention here on the 'poop, so instead, I'm picking out ten of my favourite songs from my MP3 player that you might like. So, in no particular order, here I go:

"I've Got You Under My Skin" - Frank Sinatra, Songs for Swingin' Lovers
Considered by most as the best Sinatra album, it is the perfect marriage of voice (Sinatra), song (Cole Porter) and conductor (Nelson Riddle). It doesn't get much better than this, kids.

"Outra Vez" - Vince Guaraldi, The Best of Vince Guaraldi
There is a certain kind of sophistication attached with Guaraldi and when this song comes on, I picture a smart, early 60's-era cocktail party with everyone dressed up like the cast of Mad Men.

"Touch My Body" - Mariah Carey (Seamus Haji Club Remix)
More often than not, club remixes fail but when this one pops up on the player, I find myself hitting the repeat button several times. Plus, there's a tubular bell in the background, which I love.

"Unfinished Sympathy" - Massive Attack, Blue Lines
Sounds just as fresh today as it did the first time I heard it back in the early 90's.

"Meadowlark" - Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes
A song so mournful yet so beautiful. It breaks my heart every single time I listen to it. Actually, this whole album is really good.

"Cousins" -Vampire Weekend, Contra
A fast-paced song with the bells at the end, which I love. Actually, this whole album is really good.

"I Have Nothing" - Whitney Houston, The Bodyguard Original Soundtrack
Ok, I'm a total sucker for this song and I don't care what you think, so kiss my ass!

"Black Mirror" - Arcade Fire, Neon Bible
Actually, this whole album is really good.

"Prelude to Tristan Und Isolde" - Wagner Orchestral Music, conducted by Daniel Barenboim & Orchestre de Paris
One of my favourite Woody Allen lines is from Manhattan Murder Mystery and it goes like this: "I can't listen to that much Wagner without getting the urge to conquer Poland." Spot on, Woody. Wagner did have a flare for dramatic music, didn't he?

"I Want Your Love" - Chic - Dance, Dance, Dance - Best of Chic
This one is my favourite 70's disco-era song, and it's one of unrequited love with a good beat that you can dance to. Included is a nice, generous helping of tubular bells, which I love. How could you NOT love a song like that?