Thank you again - I appreciate your input and attention to this.

I was able to synch tracks directly from two other CD's without issue. I was suspecting that the CD in question was protected or something. Then I had issues with Shareaza songs and I knew there was more to it.

I ended up formating the entire mp3 and thus far previously "problem" songs are playing just fine. This leads me to believe it's the player - not the music.

I haven't reloaded to the point of 30+ songs so I don't know if it's a memory error that trips me up at that point or what. If I ever definitively solve the mystery I'll share what I learned.

Thanks again!