ABSTRACT
The advent of the compact disc has prompted more than merely technological change. It has promoted the reissuing, repackaging, and regeneration of several decades of popular music. Tunes originally released in other formats, on 78 rpm records, in 33 1/3 rpm albums, or as 45 rpm discs have been compiled and recycled on high-tech CDs. Tribute records constitute a particularly interesting subset of the total spectrum of recordings produced as CD releases. Even a discographer with the intellectual fortitude of Swedish botanist Linnaeus would have a difficult time establishing a thematic nomenclature that would adequately designate all types of tribute approaches. However, the challenge of systematic categorization is too fascinating to avoid. The following pages suggest a typology for organizing tribute records and provide selected illustrations from the current compact disc market.
