Desert Island CDs

Spring Awakening: a great stage show makes a terrific pop album with Duncan Sheik's thrilling tunes and Steven Sater's heart-breaking lyrics

Handel: Operatic Arias--David Daniels: fabulous singing, great melodies, and a superb orchestra; an instant classic

O Paraiso--Madredeus: gorgeous, ethereal folk melodies (unfortunately, the booklet does not translate the Portuguese lyrics; doesn't matter much)

Beethoven Piano Sonatas--Richard Goode: one of the finest musicians now on the planet plays the works of one of the finest composers ever on the planet

Songbooks--Ella Fitzgerald: You have your choice here (I can't pick just one) from two volumes of Cole Porter and two volumes of Rodgers & Hart--sophisticated, funny, charming songs sung to smooth perfection

Foggy Mountain Banjo--Flatt and Scruggs: the ultimate bluegrass album

Goldberg Variations--Murray Perahia: Perahia outplays Glenn Gould, and that's not easy; a majestic sweeping performance with all the details right; if the Quodlibet makes you cry, it's OK

Avalon--Roxy Music: a sexy, super-smooth wall of sound that never sounds dated

Will the Circle Be Unbroken--Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and a legendary supporting cast: the only country album you really need (but the two followup albums have lotsa great stuff, too)

The Band--The Band: (North) American roots rock at its best