Ron S

A far-ranging survey of new box sets in a wide variety of genres: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/magazine/20...boxed_sets.html He REALLY likes the Crosby Mosaic:

Here's a book that identifies what the author considers to be the 350 essential classical works (and also contains recommendations of specific recordings, but those are somewhat narrow and a bit dated): http://www.amazon.com/NPR-Guide-Building-C...4114&sr=1-1

Not when you add them to your shopping cart. Try it and see what it says.

And if you stick your thumb IN your ear, then you don't even have to listen to the CD.

Thanks to both of you guys for the heads-up! The sale price plus the coupon codes plus the free shipping add up to quite a nice little discount on each Select.

I ordered the Cannes CD from amazon.fr and discovered that the database had my email/password/credit card information used on the U.S. amazon. So its actually pretty easy, except for the unpleasant ratio between the Euro and the dollar. All Amazon sites (US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, etc.) access the same customer database at checkout. Makes it really easy to spend your money all over the world.

Boogie Woogie and Blues Piano Select

Sesquicentennial of his birth in 1860, centennial of his death in 1911.

I miss those CD giveaways and box-set blowouts from BMG Direct. Then again, those are probably the reason that BMG Direct is no longer with us. I also miss BMG's label-search function--a much more comprehensive way to review their inventory of classical labels such as Hyperion, Hanssler Classics, DG, etc. (and which would often pick up recordings of a composer's work that did not show up in a search of that composer).

No, thank YOU. This is an astounding release. People, GET THIS. Well, since you put it THAT way . . . .

And 14 1/2 hours later, notification that it has "dispatched." Go for it, folks (organissimo referral-fee link): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lady-Day-Complete-...4013&sr=8-2 Remember, if all else fails, same Amazon, different accent.

Don't forget the SEPTA strike and World Series loss--MAJORLY cosmic.

Erroll Garner (Telarc)

But only if they bring in the bubble machine this time.

Meaning, of course, the famous Farlow Concert Band, also.

So where's that Johnny Richards you promised me?

How about that Phillie Phanatic?

Was that a takeoff of this?

Same here. *crossing fingers* Did you guys happen to order them from Newbury Comics? I happened to order a copy from Newbury today through the Amazon marketplace (before reading your posts here). I got mine from Newbury through Amazon. As did I. Rarely, if ever, is there a problem with Newbury--one of the absolute best Amazon Marketplace sellers.

I'm not sure about that. After the Mosaic debacle, I've had a couple of orders that were charged a week after ordering, and then another ten days later I got a refund, and I still believe that the item listed was never really in stock with the vendors. I guess if a vendor just tells Amazon to charge, they do so, regardless if the vendor actually has shipped the item or not. Here's more about the new Amazon Marketplace "Charge When Ship" program: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/dis...8309&sr=1-3 Not sure it applies to all sellers yet, although that appears to be the goal. Also, I think you're right that it's still dependent on the accuracy of the sellers' reports to Amazon that the orders have been shipped. Still, it's definitely an improvement over the old system, and for the sellers from whom I've made recent purchases (Newbury Comics, Import CDs, etc.), it seems to be working.

The main Newbury site says this is back-ordered, but the deal is still up on Amazon. I figure it is worth a shot. That occurs fairly often--Newbury's Amazon Marketplace stock and/or price is not always the same as what's reflected on the Newbury site. Also, mine has apparently shipped! Amazon has switched over to a new procedure for most of its Marketplace sellers (including Newbury), so that it doesn't actually charge your credit card--and send you a notice of same--until it has been notified by the Marketplace seller that the item has actually shipped. The order also displays in your order history as "open," and not "completed," until that occurs. I got one of those charging notices from Amazon today, and the order now shows as "completed." This is a significant improvement to the Marketplace system, although Amazon doesn't seem to have done much to publicize it.

The deal's back up! Well, not quite as good as before, but now Newbury Comics has it for $9.99 (plus $2.98 shipping): http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00...p;condition=new Still a helluva deal. Make hay while the sun shines!

Looks like this deal is now kaput. Thanks again, Ray, for the special alert.

Quadruple thanks!

I'd add Newbury Comics to the list of top-choice Amazon Marketplace sellers.