Hi all - just to clear up some things (and not for the sales pitch), I thought I would post on this topic. I manage online marketing for Smithsonian Folkways.

Of the ~3,000 albums in the collection, ~400 are available as "commercial" CDs, with the full liner notes inside the package. These are the albums we have issued (or re-issued) since 1988. The "Classic Bluegrass" album mentioned above is an example of this.

The remaining ~2,400 albums are in print (everything is in print per Moe's philosophy and now ours - there is always "more Moe" around here :) ) and available as professional-quality "custom CDs", which feature the original cover-art and are made-to-order. They used to be in generic packaging with Moe's picture, but we found a new solution applying a sticker to the cover with the album arwork (much like Moe did with the original LPs). The complete, original notes are a .PDF on the custom CD, which are available from www.folkways.si.edu and increasingly from specialty retail and online stores, such as Amazon Marketplace.

In addition, all 3,000 albums are available for download on the major sites (iTunes etc.) but also from www.folkways.si.edu in either lossless FLAC format (best sound quality, larger file size) or 256K MP3s. The price for each format is the same. We are one of just a handful of outlets that offer FLAC, and the only one I'm aware of that offers it at the same price. Unlike the other online stores, www.folkways.si.edu also makes the liner notes to all 3,000 albums available as a free .PDF download (either included with your digital album purchase OR directly from the site without having to purchase).

You can also stream the entire collection on sites such as Rhapsody, LaLa.com, Napster, and for international users, Spotify. Streaming from these legal sites also supports the artists and mission.

Lastly, there are more than 60 hours worth of free podcasts from Smithsonian Folkways on either iTunes or the website www.folkways.si.edu.

Sorry for the lenghthy post, but I thought it would help clear up the questions.

All purchases help directly support the performing artists and/or their families as well as our non-profit mission.

We appreciate the support from everyone on Mudcat - I created a discount code just now for the members. Save 20% on your next purchase at www.folkways.si.edu with code: MudCat2009

www.folkways.si.edu