You've prepared the Hurricanes and appetizers, decorated with purple, green and gold garlands, and set out Carnival masks and favors for all your guests. Now, before the first guest arrives, it's time to set the mood with some great Mardi Gras music. As with any party, playing the right tunes is essential to setting a festive, fun mood.

Although we frequently change our inventory, we usually sell about a dozen different Mardi Gras compilations on CD. New Orleans legends like Professor Longhair play classic hits like "Iko Iko" and "Mardi Gras Mambo" on compilations like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. You can keep things lively and eclectic by playing compilations like these, that feature upbeat songs by various artists.

We also sell CDs featuring individual artists, or individual music styles. Listen to Marva Wright belt out the blues, or play the lively, bright sounds of the Rebirth Brass Band. Some of our customers love the blues, others love brass, and some can't get enough of authentic, exotic Cajun music.

We include song samples whenever possible, to give you a better idea of what you'll be buying. Most people are familiar with blues music or brass bands, but not everyone is familiar with New Orleans style music, or Mardi Gras music. If you don't notice song samples listed under one album, try clicking on another album. All you'll need is Real Player to listen to samples of the first five songs on many of our Mardi Gras albums.