• Registered: 2011-09-15

Topic: Multiple versions of bootlegs

Where a bootleg has never been physically released, but can be found online with slightly different arrangements of the same material, i.e. different number of tracks/track lengths, is it OK to add multiple releases?

I think this would be a good idea. There's often no good reason, to my knowledge, why one version is preferable to the other.

In a broader sense, I think the question is worth asking in relation to all bootlegs. Even those that have had a physical release on vinyl, cassette or CD have been, and continue to be, digitalised and shared online. Whichever medium, there may be some variation in the way individual rippers divide a continuous stream into individual tracks.

In my opinion, any particular track list that can be found online should be allowed. This would make MB more complete/accurate in relation to material that is available. I'm aware that there is a concern that MB will be filled with 'home made' bootlegs but I don't see how this could lead to an extensive influx. Although in theory anyone could create a new bootleg and post it, leading to a potentially limitless number of bootlegs in MB, in reality I think they are/will be limited in number. For one, it does take some effort to arrange a track list and upload it, and to that extent there is some effort/thought that goes into 'releasing' an online bootleg. Those efforts should be rewarded, particularly where the bootleg contains unreleased material or compiles dispersed tracks.

Opinions?

  • Registered: 2011-06-06

Re: Multiple versions of bootlegs

Don't see why not.

As usual, I just think it needs references to prove that it is a relatively widespread/ relevant bootleg (or at least was available for a significant amount of time), and not a very narrowly distributed release (presumably often added to DB's by the compiler).
The concern of MB being 'filled' with homemade bootlegs is slightly valid at the moment, but I think this can be changed by separating bootlegs more effectively from official releases, which isn't done very well right now imo. But I don't think that's a reason to not add data, as long as the edit notes provide some information. If people could find it useful, it should be here..