Comments on: CD Booklets – now online

By: aburtch

aburtch — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:30:05 +0000

Liner notes are very important to me. As a former bluegrass DJ, it was essential to know who was playing the instruments on each track. Having the songwriters listed allowed you to make connections between bands or spot a standout track from a well known writer. More than once I have purchased an album from an unknown bluegrass artist solely based on the backing or guest musicians. It works the same way with producers. If I see a new band with an established producer, I’m more inclined to purchase the album. And where does all this information reside…in the printed liner notes. Hopefully more artists will start to include digital versions of their liner notes on iTunes and other sites.

By: David Conner

David Conner — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:45:30 +0000

Even though I’ve become a fan of online music via iTunes or ZuneMarketPlace, my chief complaint is the lack of liner notes. I just got the new Dan Tyminski CD “Wheels” and it states in the liner notes which track Ron played banjo or fiddle on, and which ones Justin played banjo or fiddle on. If I had bought the CD from iTunes, I wouldn’t have that information. I also realize I am in the minority of those who care about such information, but, it is only rational that if you’re downloading the music, that sort of information should be included.

By: TedLehmann

TedLehmann — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:54:27 +0000

I used to read liner notes, but the print has become so small, the layout so bad, and the information so sketchy it’s no longer worth the effort. I save the liner notes for band signatures. If I want information, I try to get it from web sites, but they often treat me like an idiot, too. Liner notes are even worse than most MySpace sites. – Ted