As usual, I tried to make a point and ended up getting too wordy, then lost my original premise trying to couch it in a oversimplification.
Thanks for straightening me out about the age thing. Kirk and Jim, you're exactly right. let me try it again...
I think the favorite (or most special personally) record by an artist is more likely to be the one that is listened to as you become musically "of age". This of course is not a absolute truth, just an idea.