I am reviewing Laurie Anderson - Strange Angels which lists 4 people on track B2 with the "Choir" credit I would have assumed that the Choir credit would be applied to the name of the choir (if there is one) because the RSG defines it as "a company of singers," and instead that individual should be credited with something like "Vocals [Choir]' as the credit. Thoughts? I don't have the release to know exactly what is on it.
better not to use Performer which is an instrumental credit at discogs, it would appear under the wrong section for a vocalist.
I don't see any problem to use choir for several people: they are a choir together. this is absolutely correct if they are credited as choir on the release. do we have to be that picky? I guess everybody knows that a single person isn't a choir, but 4 people can be a choir.
In other areas of the site I've seen Discogs s who are quite pickier than that… ;)
I don't think I would ever vote something like that as "incorrect", but I'd never credit an individual with an ensemble role myself.
In other words: it's definitely not a big deal. But since the question "Thoughts?" was already raised, here they are, the thoughts.
loukash
but I'd never credit an individual with an ensemble role myself
if the artist is credited on the release with such role, I think it must be used (unless it's obviously wrong, i.e. someone playing guitar on the track and credited with saxophone)
But on Discogs, I for one prefer contextual interpretation over any As-On-Release-Sharia™.
I'm aware that I may be in the minority though. I'm used to it. ;)
In other words: When using "Vocals [Choir]", not information will be lost.
Kater_Murr
if the artist is credited on the release with such role, I think it must be used (unless it's obviously wrong, i.e. someone playing guitar on the track and credited with saxophone)
It's rare that an individual will be credited with choir - usually it's a Choir credit with a list of all performers.
I agree that Performer is listed under instruments - and I agree with loukash that Vocals [Choir] is probably the best way to conserve the info.
Kater_Murr
if the artist is credited on the release with such role, I think it must be used (unless it's obviously wrong, i.e. someone playing guitar on the track and credited with saxophone)
Kater_Murr
I don't see any problem to use choir for several people: they are a choir together. this is absolutely correct if they are credited as choir on the release. do we have to be that picky? I guess everybody knows that a single person isn't a choir, but 4 people can be a choir.
loukash
Kingsk1117
instead that individual should be credited with something like "Vocals [Choir]' as the credit.
That seems logical to me. An individual is not an ensemble.
+1
Kater_Murr
better not to use Performer which is an instrumental credit at discogs, it would appear under the wrong section for a vocalist.
Well, IMHO a "Performer" is an Artist role. An instrument doesn't 'perform' - the Artist playing it does that.
"Musician" is the credit for an instrumental performer.
"Instruments" is a great credit for... errrr, you'll never believe it, Instruments.
"Performer" is an excellent credit for something like 'tap dancing' or stage tom-foolery.
Stacia Blake of Hawkwind is an ideal 'performer'... oooh
Just as one would not credit an individual for 'Orchestra', one should not credit them for 'Choir'.
An individual cannot be credited as a group - only as part of a group.
While a good point was made about Performer - simply because it would not end up in the same section and is listed in the credits lists as an 'instruments' credit - there is no reason why Vocals [ChoirName] or Vocals [Choir] should not be used.
I though Kater_Murr's explanation would've been sufficient. I just happen to agree with his point of view. :)
IMO is just not wrong. There are also releases where we have Orchestra, Band, or Ensemble credits for a group of musicians. I think crediting them with something else than the credit given on the release, i.e. Performer [Ensemble], Vocals [Chorus] is not straightforward and just creates confusion. Also there needs to be a guideline created for that... and it's not like we really need more guidelines. Just no need to complicate things any further, just use the credit on the release.
Kater_Murr
not if the role given on the release is Choir. I don't see no reason to alter a credit.
IMO this is no different than people trying to ANV a group to an individual or vice versa. As the credit in the RSG clearly notes that it is a group or ensemble of musicians, having an individual credit clearly counters that.
As well, as I said above, most if not all of these credits have 'choir' and then list all of the - so it is NOT crediting each individual as 'Choir' it is crediting them as a COLLECTIVE.
