->  JB> the data is recorded in a layer near the label side of the CD
->  JB> CD but accessed from the underside.

->  JB> damage to the label side (like pinholes or scratches) will
->  JB> destroy data, small scratches to the underside have less effect
->  JB> and can in some cases be repaired.
->  
->  JB> One beam from below looks theough the thick plastic to read the
->  JB> data which is recorded immediately below the label.


->  Dang, learn something new everyday, even at this age.  
->  Thank you and everyone else who responded with the explanation.

 One last note. I found a Super Cheap CD-R that appears to have a super
thin layer over the Data Foil. It is damaged so one can see just how
close the very critical data foil is to the Lable surface we write on. 
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