Regarding the claim that Naxos has the broadest repertory I did imply - but perhaps not strongly enough - that the reason that it was not so apparent that EMI led this field (or could and should) was because of financial constraints on the current record industry scene. I recognise too that the US suffers a lack of EMI product much more so than in Europe. So Bernard Chasan & Kevin are right in that way of looking at the present market state. There are, of course, numerous, re-issue specialists who work on "out of copyright" material but usually without access to original material. Many are very skilled - others less so. All are *very* expensive considering they've acquired the repertoire for nothing! If the price differential was not so pronounced then some of the UK's excellent specialist mail order firms could help a little and would do even better in filling this gap. I have to use a mail order facility (The Music Group in Ely, Cambridgeshire) as retailers here in Spain have simply no idea what is going on - but they have great displays of Naxii!! Ask in Spain for tenors Fleta or Cortis (rather Martinelli & Caruso in the US) and most times you'll get a really funny look! I'd like to use Berkshire more often but the freight charges make it rather difficult; bigger the package the more likely to attract taxes! None of this overall picture will really change until Klaus Heymann buys Warner-EMI. Regarding artists' advances on royalties.... well there is one coloured singer whose demanded advance - it seems apparent - has kept that person out of the studios (with one irrelevant exception) for some 6 years already. The resulting break-even, were the record company to succumb to the demanded sums, would stretch the patience of most investors. One needs remember that the initial full-price release produces 3000-10000 of sales only. It is the first release as "secondary" exploitation, i.e. at medium price, where the recovery for the record company really begins if the record is worth it. Here, for a major with good distribution, figures of 25k and upwards can be obtained thus bringing some return. Regarding royalties to the Dallas SO - are you suggesting that these are dues coming from the record company? John G. Deacon Home page: www.ctv.es/USERS/j.deacon