DVD format can be better, if it's available, but there's not many bands etc releasing CD and DVD format albums, but the DVD should be better in theory, but CDs are still better than the online digital formats, although I believe Itunes may offer a higher quality alternative to MP3 - I'm not sure, since I've never used the itunes store. Itunes the software will store your cd music at a higher quality than mp3 if you tell it to, but it will chew through your disk space at an alarming rate, and might result in skipping if your hard drive's having trouble keeping up. MP3s (the usual format for portable or computer based music) are, as somebody said, a 'lossy' format but not bad, in most of the applications they're found in. DVD audio in some cases isn't actually any better than CD, in fact the compression used for the sound as part of MPEG-2 (which is the DVD video format) is essentially the same as MP3- so in fact, your CDs may be of a higher quality, I'll argue. However, DVDs support a number of different audio formats, from 44.1 - most likely if it's surround sound, to 96khz and as high as 192khz, so DVD may offer the edge at times. The sample rate is where it's at - the reason why analogue - reel to reel audio tape or vinyl- is arguably superior is it isn't sampled, you get the whole, continuous sound wave, rather than bits of it or 'samples' CD's sample rate is 44.1 khz or kilohertz - good Pro audio such as DAT works at 48khz- better Some DVDs and pro disk recorders can do 96khz and sometimes higher - best (although the current pro standard is mostly 96khz) Unfortunately, even the CD could have been much better had they designed the standards a little higher, it was musical and physiological ignorance that made the frequency response a little limited. However, there are now 'super cds' that use higher rates, although it's more a question of too little too late, and DVDs will seamlessly replace them. I doubt you can even easily buy a cd-only burner for your computer now, and dvd burners are now less than $50. Having said that, for most people the robustness of cds and their quite-good quality means it's a no-brainer over vinyl. Buying cds is still your best bet even if you use iTunes and ipods etc all the time, for one, if your computer craps out and you haven't backed up your music, you lose it all and would have to buy it again.... and tunes from the itunes shop can't be played in anything but an ipod, which frankly sucks and is I'd consider, a restriction of trade- but that Norweigian guy who cracked the DVD code has cracked the itune format code. I think that's a good thing and doubt it will increase piracy but will be better for end users. Itunes is so easy to use, having to 'rip' your cds is not really much of a hardship.

I loved The Judd's from the 80s. A favorite 80s CD of theirs is "Rockin With the Rhythm." "Have Mercy" "Grandpa" "Cry Myself to Sleep." Although it's not on the same CD, I really like "Young Love" by The Judds. Dwight Yoakam...OMG, I used to love Dwight, still do. LOL Some of my favorites from Dwight: Guitars, Cadillacs, etc: "Honky Tonk Man" Hillbilly Deluxe: "Little Ways" "Johnson's Love" "Please, Please Baby" "Always Late" "Little Sister" (a fav of mine)

Fabulous--but I was thinking about this the other day on the way into work..a peppy song was on the radio and in my head I went back to the days of dances...wondered what my students would say to see me dancing--like I did when I was their age. Of course I COULD but not thinking anyone wants to see a 60+yr old jiggling around!!! I remember being young, seeing OLD PEOPLE dancing and not thinking it looked right on them. Waltzes sure, square dancing excellent, Swing go for it...but 70's-current day--probably NOT.

What a great topic! There are three songs that always touch my heart: This song by Elton John, written for a long forgotten movie soundtrack before he hit it big, connects me to a colleague who became a dear friend over the 20 years we worked together. We were each other's office husband/wife and he's one of the sweetest, warmest people I've ever known. So many memories and such a great friend. It also reminds me of my kids and how they both have deep lasting friendships with people they've known since childhood. I always think strong bonds of friendship are one of the building blocks of a happy life. This is probably my favorite love song of all time, it speaks to what my husband and I have build over our lives together. Though Carly and James didn't end up forever in love, we've made it 30+ years and I hope our forever stretches for a good long time to come! Last but not least, this one is for my girls, and maybe for myself too LOL. Both my daughter and daughter in law are people I not only love, but admire tremendously for their drive, their determination and their grace in making their dreams come true. Bonus points for anything that brings Emmylou and Mark together to perform-talk about magical musical chemistry.