• From: Bush country
  • Registered: 2011-12-10

Topic: Permanent/whole album instrument credits

Something just came to my mind: in the case of bands where certain members always (or almost always) play certain instruments, is it necessary to add each member's instrument credit to each release? I'm thinking of the case of THE ALFEE, where in the back of the booklet for all their releases (or at least the ones I've seen) it identifies the members as vocalists and bass, acoustic and electric guitarists, respectively. They usually have a single drummer and keyboardist perform with them on the whole release (rarely do they have track-by-track instrument credits). Is it proper to just add the same people as instrument credits to each recording on a release or should the musicians' names be added in the annotation box? It is currently not possible to add individuals' names as musician credits on the release level.

  • From: Singapore
  • Registered: 2007-02-13

Re: Permanent/whole album instrument credits

Such information should always be added at the most specific level that it is known to be true. This usually means works/recordings are preferred. This is specifically noted in the guidelines: http://musicbrainz.org/doc/Style/Relationships under "Crediting an artist's role at the track vs. the release level"

If you're not sure there there was bass or vocals on every recording on a release, you can add them at release level but this makes the credit "fuzzy" - it's indeterminate whether a release, or artist level credit means "some of the stuff this artist did" or "all of the stuff". That's why it should be added at the most specific level if known.

It is currently not possible to add individuals' names as musician credits on the release level.

Not sure what you mean. It's perfectly possible to add ARs for musicians at release level. You're possibly confused and looking at the release group instead.

voiceinsideyou's Website

3 Reply by HibiscusKazeneko (edited by HibiscusKazeneko 2012-06-21 04:55:02)

  • From: Bush country
  • Registered: 2011-12-10

Re: Permanent/whole album instrument credits

Not sure what you mean. It's perfectly possible to add ARs for musicians at release level. You're possibly confused and looking at the release group instead.

You're right, it worked. I hadn't tried to add such a relationship in a long time and it was back when I was still confused as to the difference between release and release group.

  • From: Singapore
  • Registered: 2007-02-13

Re: Permanent/whole album instrument credits

Ahh, good to hear :)

voiceinsideyou's Website