We're delighted to highlight here some of the many CDs, that we (and you!) have found to be entertaining, or particularly meaningful in one way or another. Have you found a "must-have" CD that you'd like to share with the rest of the world? If so, let us know. Email Bob at info@qaudio.com. Meanwhile, check some of the CD mini-reviews we already have. Click the picture of any CD and you will be taken to a page on Amazon.com that describes the CD. You can read more reviews, listen to excerpts, and/or actually order the CD. Thanks and Enjoy!

The Best of Fourplay - This selection comes from Roberto Dias, who said this is one of his favorite CDs for its musicality and dynamics.

Ron says, "In your list of must have CDs, please add "Koln Concert" by Keith Jarrett (1975). It is my favorite piano album from any artist and I'm really a Brubeck fan from way back. This album isn't what you'd normally hear from Jarrett. Give it a try."

Ron also says, "Another, much more recent, album I'd recommend without hesitation is Lisa Ekdahl/Peter Nordahl Trio's When Did You Leave Heaven".

Roy says, "I'm a new customer and liked your store so much that I decided to visit your website. As such, I wanted to offer a CD that you all might find enjoyable. That is Solomon Burke's newest: 'Don't Give up on Me'. It's this old soul singer's first in years and includes his church organist playing the Hammond B-3. The songs are gospel-bluesy of other's works including one written by Bob Dylan for Solomon."

Jeff Washington writes: "Can't recall how I came across your site just moments ago, but after browsing through your staff's music choices, I thought I'd mention a disc to you that certainly won't disappoint, especially if you enjoy jazz trios. The group is the Tony Dagradi Trio, entitled Live at the Columns. It was recorded live at the Columns Hotel, near downtown New Orleans, in '93. This recording is live to two-track, with no dynamic limitations whatsoever. You must turn the gain up much higher than normal because it was recorded at such a low level. It can really tax an amp at higher levels. I have seen this group live at the same location where this recording was made, and they are a treat. My favorite is track 3, Limbo Jazz by Duke Ellington. Amazon doesn't seem to have it in their database, but CDNOW does. Enjoy, and please let me know what you think. Thanks."

Joel Tatelman (Email: Joel Tatelman) writes: "I'd strongly recommend anything by The Henrys. I find them hard to classify; by turns, jazzy, rock 'n' rolly, folky, countryish and sometimes all at once. Superb slide guitar and rhythm section and invariably some memorable guest vocals by Mary Margaret O'Hara. Excellent production values. They hail from Toronto, Canada and seldom tour, but they have a website. Here are two favorites... Puerto Angel and Chasing Grace. (Sorry, text links only. CD Cover Art not available.)

Jon Fishman (Email: Jon Fishman) writes about two favorite CDs:

Bob Mould, for those of you who don't know, has been cranking out tunes for quite some time. However, from the raw punk of Husker Du, to the guitar crunch attack of Sugar, to the more personal feel of his solo albums, Mould has remained true to his music. Through the years of the "alternative music becomes mainstream" movement, Mould has never "sold-out" from project to project. He progressively releases albums that allow us to willingly wrap ourselves in his forlorn emotion. The Last Dog and Pony Show continues upon this neverending journey through self-pity and depression, however this time with a hint of a newfound maturity and desire to change.

From the album's stand-out rocker, "First Drag of the Day" to the Sugar-esque "Classifieds", to the more mellow 12-string acoustic sound of "Vaporub", Mould's signature sound remains untouched. The real shocker comes when track 10 begins. The sampling, the electronica, the rapping.....am I listening to Beck? When listening to "Megamanic", it is evident that Mould is fearlessly testing out new waters. In this case, it seems to be pure fun on his part. He'll never be a Beastie Boy....you can rest assured!

On another stand-out track, "Moving Trucks", Mould sets forth his sounds of melodic sweetness followed by the overpowering tracks of machine-like guitars. Surprisingly in this song, there is hope. A possible first for Mould? As the departure of his lover still wounds him--/I still hear the moving trucks back up in our front yard/, he takes a positive outlook --/Today I am starting the rest of my life. /Today I can touch the sky/.

It's about time, Bob! See the brighter side of things! Have some fun! Do whatever you please! Just don't change......at least not that much!

Marcy Playground's obvious influences are apparent throughout the record. From the first notes of the Collective Soul-flavored "Poppies", to the dreamy Beatlesque melody of "A Cloak of Elvenkind", to the Cracker-ish "The Vampires of New York", this band weaves all of these masters of melody into their very own Marcy Playground sound. Most songs on the record have what seems to be the signature clean, mid-tempo rhythm guitar combined with John Wozniak's melodic, enunciated, story-telling whines.

When I first listened to this record, I immediately was transported back to my college years. No song on the record would be out of place on any college rock radio station. There is a youthful energy to each tune, no matter how somber the mood. The hypnotic trance of "Opium" would suit the mood for a high-school memory montage of an incoming freshman encumbered by the blues. However, the string arrangement of "One More Suicide" gives the band enough sophistication to meet with the standards of the more experienced juniors and seniors longingly envisioning their past three or four years. Anyway, enough college talk! This record can be enjoyed by many. So, do as you will with Marcy Playground's debut. As for me, I will sit back with a beer, nod my head, and sing along!

Ken Winograd (http://www.winograd.com), who also happens to be Q Audio's Webslave, offers many favorites...

Hovhaness - Mysterious Mountain and Mount St. Helens - I'm still in the early stages of learning about Alan Hovhaness, but what I know I already love. His most well-known piece is called Mysterious Mountain, and it is really quite wonderful. Obviously, Hovhaness, as you'll see later from my other Hovhaness recommendation, was a real fan of mountains. You can almost hear his religious fervor for them. I wish I could tell you why so many of his works are so instantly recognizable as being his, but I can only guess! I think Hovhaness is using a different alphabet, so to speak, when he writes his music. Well, maybe not so much a different alphabet, as only using certain letters of the alphabet. If you could number the 12 half steps that make up one octave as 1 to 12, my guess is Hovhaness writes his music just using tones 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. Or maybe just the black notes on a piano keyboard. I really don't know. I just know that his music is instantly recognizable as being his. It's as if there is a major scale, a minor scale, and a Hovhaness scale. Some notes sound dissonant, at first, but quickly, you learn that they make total sense and it's not as dissonant as it first appeared. Anyway, that's my puzzle to figure out one day. And, back to mountains now, having really enjoyed his Mysterious Mountain, I couldn't help but buy, on impulse, his Symphony #50, also known as the Mount St. Helens Symphony. It has the same recognizable Hovhaness feel to it, and is a wonderful symphony. Not only was I not disappointed, but I was delighted. The first movement is one of the most beautiful movements of a symphony I've ever heard (and using the "Hovhaness scales" too.) The last movement, as you might guess, includes a symphonic volcano blowing up! An unusual and beautiful symphony. I hope you'll try it.

Prokofiev - Piano Concerto #3 - Knowing little about Prokofiev other than Peter and the Wolf, and a few other standards, one day I happened to see the movie The Competition, with Richard Dreyfus and Amy Irving. In the movie (an excellent movie for piano fans), Amy Irving dazzles everyone (including me) playing the Prokofiev's 3rd Piano Concerto. It's almost embarrassing to admit, but that's actually the first time I've ever heard that Piano Concerto. And, it's fantastic....a real mind opener. I love it when I hear pieces of music that stretch the bounds of where music can take you. And, this piece definitely qualifies. It's also a reminder, at times, of why the piano is considered a percussion instrument. But, it's not all percussive, the concerto also includes some of the most lyrical and beautiful themes you've ever heard. This is a must-hear! (Of course, you can always rent the movie...I'll bet that will make you want to hear the whole concerto.)

Shostakovich -Piano Concerto #2 - I've always known that Shostakovich was held in high regard, but somehow never had the chance to get to know his works. I've mostly only heard bits and pieces of his works. Recently, though, I happened to hear the whole of his Piano Concerto #2 on the radio and was just mesmerized. It actually had many of the same aspects that I loved about Prokofiev's 3rd Piano Concerto (listed elsewhere.) It, too, is, at times, very percussive and at times very lyrical. Makes you wonder whether Prokofiev and Shostakovich were friends or student and teacher, etc. Have to find out one day. Anyway, I just loved this work, and maybe you will too. If you happen to be a Shostakovich fan, I'd love it if you would email me with some recommendations on what other works of his you think I might enjoy.

Uptown and Old Friends - Two CDs, both featuring Andre Previn, Mundell Lowe, and Ray Brown - These are two superb CDs. I'd actually call them elegant! You probably know Andre Previn, as I did, as a classical music conductor. What I learned though, was that he is also an astoundingly accomplished pianist. Here, in both these CDs, he has teamed up with guitarist Mundell Lowe and Ray Brown on bass. I enjoy this music on so many counts. For one, it's some of the most easily listenable, light jazz that I've ever heard. It's easy to imagine you're in a club somewhere, enjoying a brew or a coffee, and listening to the group amid the chatter of the crowd and the clinking of glasses. But, in virtually every selection on both CDs, I can also just sit back and marvel at the genius at the keyboard. There's not a note out of place, it's perfection, it really is. A real pleasure, not to be missed. You might note I also grouped these two albums together and never spoke about one or the other as individual entities. That's because I consider them as equals. I even forget which one I purchased first, but when I heard the first, and loved it, I went out and purchased the second, and loved that as well. I can't recommend these two enough. [And, if you happen to have other non-classical recordings by Andre Previn, please send me your own recommendations, I'd love to hear them.]

Pops Plays Puccini - Arrangements for Orchestra - (Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops) - Now it so happens, I happen to be a big opera fan, but, please, don't hold that against me. Pops Plays Puccini is a truly beautiful CD, with some of the most beautiful music ever written. (You did know some of the most beautiful music ever written was written for opera, didn't you?) Pops Plays Puccini includes many of Puccini's most famous works in totally orchestral arrangements (no singing). You have no idea how many friends I've turned on to this album, even those who've never seen an opera in their life. To tell you the truth, (being just a little bit of a snob), I expected a CD like this (with a Pops-type orchestra) to be a disappointment. Instead I found myself listening to it again and again, recording it on a cassette so I could play it in my car, and recommending it to friends and family. I'll bet you'll thank me for recommending it. Enjoy!

Igor Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring - This is a fantastic, mind-blowing piece of music. If you've never heard it before, you have a real treat in store for you. This piece not only has some of the most driving rhythms you'll find anywhere, but it will also transport you to a new world you might not have known before. What came as a real shock to me when I first learned it, was that "Le Sacre" is actually a ballet! (Notice, I said, "Le Sacre". When you're in the know, and your nose is just a little bit stuckup, you don't say "The Rite of Spring" anymore. No, no, instead, you say "Le Sacre du Printemps". Better yet, if your nose is really high in the air, you just say "Le Sacre" as if everyone understands French! But, of course!) I have read that when the ballet was first performed, the dancers couldn't keep in sync with the music. So, in the first performance, they listened instead to someone hidden on the side of the stage counting out the beats, and they danced by the numbers. If you haven't heard this piece, don't miss it. It's like no ballet you've ever heard before, guaranteed!

Leonard Bernstein's Mass - A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers - WOW! What an amazing piece! And, what's so amazing, to me, is that you've probably never heard of it, most people haven't. Only very rarely will you ever hear it on the radio either, excepting the occasional excerpt. This is a fantastic achievement by the composer, but it just doesn't seem to get the attention that it deserves. The text of the work is taken from the Liturgy of the Roman Mass, but I guarantee you it's like no Mass you've ever heard. It includes a "regular" orchestra, but also features a concert organ, a rock organ, electric guitars, keyboards, a blues group, a jazz group, some gospel, etc. I know this is a risky recommendation, but I hope you'll give it a chance. (Click on the picture of the CD, which will get you to Amazon.com. At Amazon.com, you can sample a few of the "cuts" from the CD and see if you like it. Good Luck!)

Faure's Requiem - Ahhhhh, what a wonderful work. I'm actually a big fan of requiems, as some of the beautiful and most sublime works are religious in nature. I guess that shouldn't be too much of a surprise. But, what really affected me about this particular work was that it sounded like nothing I've ever heard before. I've actually been a fan of classical music since I was born (thanks Dad!), but it wasn't really until college that I really began to think (with supreme humility (-:)) that I had heard it all. But, somehow I found I had missed Faure. I had never even heard of Faure, when I first heard his Requiem on the radio. And, I was instantly taken with it. I was hearing a kind of light, melodic, ever-so-peaceful musical texture that I'd not heard before. It was something new, and quite beautiful. I knew then and there, that I'd never run out of new musical discoveries. Want a new experience? Try it. Maybe you'll be as pleasantly surprised as I was when I first heard Faure's Requiem.

Mahler's Symphony #2 - "Resurrection" - Uh-oh, watch out! I'm getting into some real heavy stuff here! Mahler's Resurrection...if you haven't heard it, expect to be shocked. It's rare you'll find a more dramatic and emotional symphony. (In fact, this is so much more than what I ever thought a symphony could be, it really expands the definition.) If you want to describe Mahler, you just need two words (or three if you want to be picky), Love and Death! That's it. That describes everything that is Mahler. In fact, after listening to some of Mahler's symphonies, you might think that there really should be a new single word that means both love and death...maybe they're the same thing! Oh my! You see the effect this symphony has already had on me. This is one of the most powerful symphonic experiences you can have. Don't miss it.

The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time out - On a desert island, and can only have one jazz CD? This is the one to have. If you've never heard this one, maybe you really are on a desert island. Dave Brubeck (on piano) is a genius, and Paul Desmond plays the sweetest sax you'll ever hear. Try this CD, and your only problem will be deciding how many additional Brubeck CDs to buy. It's that good!

Miles Davis - Kind of Blue - Guess what? I'm not even a fan of Miles Davis...I almost feel guilty saying that and if I'm not a fan, why did I list this album? Simple. I love it. It's a great album. Start to finish. It is kind of odd, I have a couple of other Miles Davis CDs, but they just don't click with me somehow. I even have his "Best of" CD, but even that one doesn't do it for me. But, Kind of Blue, is one great album. So, what can I say, if you thought you didn't like Miles Davis, try this CD! It's kind of relaxing, it's kind of mellow, it's kind of light, it's Kind of Blue!

Linda Ronstadt - What's New, Lush Life and For Sentimental Reasons - Go back in time, and relax for a bit. Enjoy Linda Ronstadt singing some of the most memorable tunes of the 20's, 30's, and 40's....What's New, I've Got a Crush on You, Someone to Watch Over Me, My Funny Valentine, Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, etc, etc. George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Sammy Cahn, etc. Add the incomparable Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra, and you've really got something. I put all three CDs on a CD turntable player, and play them all. Great music, great singing, great arrangements. Go back in time, and enjoy.