I let my friends pick whatever they want to listen to out of my collection. If it's my choice 2 of my favorites are James Newton Howard and Friends(sheffield) or Madonna- The Immaculate Collection(gold import version). I also like to use Dead Can Dance because most people have never heard them before, so it really gets their attention, plus the aound quality is incredible.
Which track do you demo to your friends?
You know when a friend arrives at your house, sees your stereo and says "how much did all this cost". You tell him/her the $$$ and they say "are you mad?" Of course, the next step is to justify it by playing something that will make their jaw hit the floor. Which track do you play? Me, I play a track called "Spanish Harlem" by Rebecca Pidgeon off an album called "The Raven". Works every time :-) Their jaw hits the floor, and no-one speaks till the song is over. Then they something along the lines of "Oh, I see what you mean". Follow up/alternate demo tracks for me would include "Fire and Roses" by Mimi Goese and "Ordinary Life" by Christen Barry. What track do you play in this most demanding of moments?