How Do We Pick CDs?
Apr 3rd, 2009 by mallen
We select CDs for the library collection to provide examples of the best recordings available in a variety of musical styles: classical, semi-classical, musical shows and operettas, soundtracks, rock, jazz, folk, ethnic, and popular. We strive to include a representative sampling of the works of major composers from all periods of music history, as well as recordings of major instrumental and vocal performers.
To keep current with new music, we:
• Look through the CD Buyer’s Guides from our library vendors, which alert us to what CDs are released each month
• Check Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites for new and upcoming releases
• Read newspaper reviews and check their end-of-the-year “Best Of” lists
• Consult magazines such as People Weekly
• Listen to a variety of local radio stations such as WCRB, WGBH, WHRB, WUMB and WERS to hear classical, Celtic, folk, jazz and more
For general CD selection, we also consult a wide variety of books that review and rate recordings and identify “essential” CDs, such as:
• The American Library Association’s A Basic Music Library: Essential Scores and Sound Recordings
• The All Music Guide: The Definitive Guide to Popular Music
• Gramophone’s The Classical Good CD & DVD Guide
• The All Music Guide to Classical Music
• Opera for Libraries by Clyde T. McCants
• The Metropolitan Opera Guide to Recorded Opera
• The NPR Guide to Building a Classical CD Collection
• The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs: The Guide to Excellence in Recorded Classical Music
• Building a Classical Music Library by Bill Parker
• The All Music Guide to Rock
• MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide
• Country Music, The Rough Guide: The Complete Guide to Country Music
• MusicHound Country: The Essential Album Guide
• The New Blackwell Guide to Recorded Blues
• The All Music Guide to the Blues
• The MusicHound Guides to Swing, Lounge, R&B, World, Folk and Soundtracks
• The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD
• The Third Ear: The Essential Listening Companion to Funk
Have we missed a CD that you think the library should have? Please submit a comment with your suggestions for purchase!