[mb-users] the 'Music' in MusicBrainz

[Brian Schweitzer]

> Is was wondering what you think of the word 'Music' in MusicBrainz.
> Actually, all non-music in MusicBrainz, especially the audiobooks and
> some spokenword releases (e.g. language courses, speeches by
> politicians).
>
> I don't think they deserve a place in 'Music'Brainz. I think the
> reason they're here is because they're all released on CD and hence
> were (auto)imported from freedb/with Picard.
>
> Of course, all spokenword releases (e.g. cabaret) that are have some
> music on it seem to have its rightful place on MusicBrainz.
>
> What do you think?


Personally, I disagree - and I have added and/or worked on some of the
types of releases you describe - collections of politicians speeches,
etc. (and all the ones I entered, entered by hand, not via some
import).   I think, once we try to draw a line between "music" and
"non-music", we lose.  While, yes, a politician's speech is not music,
the recording of it is just as much a released CD, and just as worthy
of documenting.  Plus, it then also is AR-able, so you can link to it
when it's later sampled.  :P

Also, just as a side note, I would point out, if we are an
encyclopedia of music - which I would read as "encyclopedia of
recorded sound" - then the very first audio recording ever made was
non-music, rather, Edison speaking.

Brian