THIS WEEK'S CD BUDGET BIN FINDS

I always look for Audio CD bargains, including imports, at the food store! Laugh, if you wish, but it's my gain! Actually, I find interesting facts about CDs when I go hunt! For example, did you know Starbucks Entertainment, for some reason, had Rhino Records compile multiple Various Artists CDs for them to, I quote, "create unique compilations and new recordings you can't find anywhere else". Well, guess what, they made it to the budget bin, even though, also mentioned, I quote, "Starbucks Entertainment Radio programming now playing on XM Satellite Radio channel 75". I gather that venture failed. Best stick to making quality coffee, not music!!

The Byrds - Greatest Hits - Expanded Edition - Bonus Tracks - 1999. Not bad!! 14 Tracks! Remixed/remastered, by the pros. I will feature a couple tunes from this CD, though, one, in Mono, I will feature in Stereo! Can you guess what hit?

B.B. King - Why I Sing The Blues - 1992 - MCA not Universal Music! 10 Tracks! Not really familiar with Mr. King's recordings. Features his biggest hit and then some! Good sound from MCA label!!

Atlantic (Records) 60(th) Anniversary - 2007! Hand picked tunes chosen by Mr. Ahmet Ertegun himself! 17 Tracks! Interesting! Produced for Starbucks Entertainment! '50's - '80's tunes. Though track #1, Big Joe Turner "Shake Rattle And Roll", is full of distortion! Maybe a bad "rip", maybe a defective CD! Unlike Sony, no Quality Control phone number is provided should you receive a defective CD! Let's get to work on that, Mr. Ertegun! And watch those session tape warehouse fires, some telltale hiss in your recordings!

Tavares - Best Of The '70's - 2000 - Import - Disky Communication. 18 Tracks!! Contains most, if not all, their Top 40 US Hits! Great group, great songs, but, to my ears, the US issues always sound distorted! This CD sounds a bit better - pulled from different master tapes, since it's an import! Now you see the method to my CD buying madness!

Hope you enjoyed this week's Audio CD Budget Bin Finds.

Best,
John