Let Me Count the Ways...

Realizing that this week is the start of the Shopping, er "Holiday", Season I thought I'd take a minute to note some of the many ways that Contratopia's recorded music can be found. I realize that almost everybody who reads this blog probably has all three of our commercial recordings, but you never know. It could be that the spirit of giving might lead you to want to share some of our recordings in either a physical (CD in a jewel case with booklet and liner notes, etc.) or a purchased digital form with a whole slew of your friends and neighbors. What better surprise for those music and dance lovers on your list? If that is the case then here are some of the ways you can get from here to there.

1. All of the band members can supply you with CDs. Just get in touch and we can fix you up. Or send me an order form from our website. I'm not certain but I think that the Homestead Pickin' Parlor in Minneapolis might have a few CDs in the shop also. CyberYankee's Contracopia website also can supply you with both Smitten and Hands Four and the folks at Great Meadow Music can fix you up with Smitten as well.

2. Our friends at CD Baby can send you our CDs and many other excellent recordings by people we either know or admire (sometimes both). You can see our page here and you might note the special discount for ordering multiple copies of a title. While CD Baby takes a cut of the purchase price in exchange for their great service we still love to sell CDs through them because it's easier than going to the post office. Also you can use your favorite credit card to pay.

3. In the digital realm you can listen to and purchase our recordings from most of the major vendors. There are separate iTunes pages for Smitten, Ballroom Echoes and Hands Four and I should note that iTunes fans have been very good to us. You can listen to, and purchase, all of our tracks at Rhapsody.com and over 50 other online services too.

4. Of special note is the new MP3 sales option direct from CD Baby. We have priced both Smitten and Hands Four at only $9 for the complete albums and Ballroom Echoes at only $6. If MP3 is your preference then this is a great way to go.

So, until we get that next CD recorded (and your guess is as good as mine), these are some of the ways to purchase what we've managed to record so far. Hopefully we'll see many of you at some of our upcoming dances in the new year and your holiday season will be a good one.