Building A CD Library

I've often said that the greatest gift my parents ever gave me was my first library card. They have given me plenty of great gifts since then, but I'm still most grateful for my introduction to the library. Reading opens your mind to life's possibilities, and it opens doors to the rest of the world. And it was doing it long before there was Google.

Public libraries also are good sources of music, particularly if you want to learn about classic works and artists but can't afford to experiment. Even when I was broke I could go to the library and learn about music. I can afford to buy a fair number of albums now, but I still like to go and see what's available for check-out. Our little one will be ready for her first card before you know it, and I'd like to help ensure that there will be well-rounded collection for her benefit. It's tax-deductible, too. I'm finding out that deciding to make a donation is the easy part. I'm not sure exactly what our local branch has in stock, but I know I'd like to donate works that I consider important. After much consideration, here are the five on which I've decided to focus:

Louis Armstrong, "The Complete Hot Five and Hot Seven Recordings" (Columbia/Legacy, 2000; $39.99 at bordersstores.com) – As art forms go, they don't get much more quintessentially American than jazz. And Armstrong's 1920s small-group recordings, which capture the trumpeter paving the way for soloists to step out of the ensemble, are the cornerstone of any jazz library, public or private. This four-disc set gets the nod because of its sound quality and deluxe liner notes. The JSP version of these recordings would be a good alternative for about $10 less, but you'd be getting considerably less in the liners. Either way, starting with "Satchmo" is essential.

Robert Johnson, "King of the Delta Blues" (Columbia/Legacy, 1997; $11.99) – I can't think of anyone in music history that would inspire more research than Johnson. Even people who aren't music fans are familiar with the popular legend that the Delta bluesman sold his soul to the devil for in exchange for his skills. I could spend a little extra and get the two-disc "The Complete Recordings," but that set is full of unnecessary alternate takes and this 16-track compilation has more than enough for the uninitiated to get a taste. Johnson's life was short (28 years) but the guitarist's legacy has been long; many of the tracks on "King of the Delta Blues" – such as "Cross Roads Blues," "Love in Vain" and "Sweet Home Chicago" – are certified blues classics and still are being covered today.

Various Artists, "RCA Country Legends: The Bristol Sessions Vol. 1" (RCA, 2002; $11.99) – Though there were many significant recordings made during Ralph Peer's 1927 sessions in Bristol, Tenn., the two most essential artists to emerge from his field trip were Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family. Each is represented by only two songs on this 18-track disc, but buying it would allow me to contribute something from both artists with the purchase of one album. It also would allow the borrower to hear the creation of country music as a recorded art form.

Bill Monroe, "Anthology" (MCA Nashville/Decca, 2003; $24.99) – The creation of a musical style can almost never be traced to one artist. The exception to that rule would be Monroe, who is universally regarded as the Father of Bluegrass. If only choosing one collection of his material was as easy. Significant stints on Columbia and Decca make it a difficult task at best. I'm going with this collection from the Decca years, based on the argument that it covers a longer span of time and contains tunes that are must-hears for newcomers to the Monroe canon such as "Uncle Pen," "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and "New Mule Skinner Blues." Unfortunately, "Anthology" doesn't contain Monroe's work with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, but the Blue Grass Boys that followed them were no slouches. With Monroe's recorded work, at least so far, you can't have everything.

Chuck Berry, "The Definitive Collection" (Geffen/Chess, 2006; $14.99) – You could make a legitimate argument for Berry as the real King of Rock and Roll. I'm not interested in starting that argument here. Less disputed is Berry's role as the architect for modern rock-and-roll songwriting and performing. Along with Buddy Holly, Berry set the standard for rock artists writing their material, and his guitar style is the very backbeat of rock and roll. There are numerous Berry collections out there, but this 30-track disc gets the nod based on improved sound quality and its song selection, which almost exactly mirrors the disc that set the standard for Berry collections, "The Great Twenty-Eight."

For around $100, that's a lot of music and a lot of learning. Seems like a small price to repay for all I've gotten in the bargain.