Buying blind is always a gamble (I can't do it at a casino, but put me in a music store with a few bucks in my pocket...)Like Dale Rose found, I too, found treasures that have become lifelines for me. I became Emmylou's biggest fan (self-proclaimed, of course), discovered Nanci Griffith at her best (I didn't like the one song I heard her get air play for), Red Clay Ramblers, Boys of the Lough, Planxty, Brian Bowers, etc.

Anyway, to keep this short, try out your local library. That's what I used to do when we couldn't afford albums and cds. Without the library, I probably still wouldn't know who Doc Watson is, or Snooks Eaglin, Holly Near, John Starling, Peter Rowan, Laurie Lewis. I also do the used cd stores; some have listening stations to take the cd for a spin before buying. They are also good at recycling the crap you bought in a moment of weakness.

Happy Hunting

Pixie