Not wanting to overwhelm you with too much information and too many blog posts, Susan & I have decided to combine our two weekly posts into a single Monday post. The Monday post will give the group opportunity to discuss a Readers, Viewers or Listeners Advisory topic, and will also provide a meaningful web resource that will hopefully add to the discussion topic. It's two, two, two posts in one! Refreshing!
So, here's this week's entry:
We've tried to touch on the RA, VA and the audio book part of LA, but haven't really talked much about music as part of the "advisory service" that we provide to our patrons. Music is a tough advisory, since it is such a personal choice as to what we like and don't like (For me, I like almost anything except country - I think it's the need for country artists to wear cowboy hats and sing with a twang - I realize that's being judgmental & superficial but we all have our shortcomings).
I don't think I've ever had anyone ask for a "music" advisory (as in "what should I listen to?") but I have had questions helping patrons find types of music (French, Hawaiian, Salsa, Polka, Blues, Rap) in our collection, or from patrons who were looking for a particular song, but weren't sure of the artist or album. Searches for genres has been made easier due to the recent changes to & ongoing re-cataloging of music genres by creating Rap, R&B, Blues, Celtic, World, Latin, & New Age categories, and moving away from the confusing ANSCR letter classifications (oh, of course... P means Folk music, and B means Opera). As for finding specific songs, as long as the song titles are listed in the catalog record (and they normally are), a keyword search in the catalog helps usually will identify CD's that contain a specific song.
So this weeks discussion topic is what are the music advisory issues that you are facing? Perhaps we can answer those nagging questions!
Monday Morning Website: allmusic.com
It's a huge website with information about artists in all genres, lists of artists with similar styles, reviews of CD releases, definitions of genres and styles, new release information, music samples, music videos, and a music blog (if you need another blog to read). Well designed, easy to access and navigate, and a good music resource.
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6 comments:
No, not much music advisory here at SM, either, but we sure get the teens who ask for those groups that have "impossible to spell" names!!! www.allmusic.com is excellent for that. It is forgiving and gives you other spelling choices, so you are bound to figure out what the kids are asking for! You can also listen to songs, get lists of albums, composers, etc. Great site!
Believe it or not, I have actually had a few people who were into any type of music and wanted some suggestions as to what would be nice. Unfortunatley, since we don't have a display for suggested CD's at KO, it can take more time to shuffle through some shelves. What helps me out a lot, is using allmusic.com. I just look up the "editor's choice" of albums, and it helped the patrons find something they might enjoy
I think the hardest part of listeners advisory is the new music that is coming out. I can't remember the last time I watched MTV or even listened to Pop Radio stations. Now, when, usually younger people, come in with a new artist I have never heard of, it is a little tougher to find them. But, I use my trusty Google and it helps me out. But, I do know who the Jonas Brothers are, and I shake my fist at them, covering the Beatles. So, I guess my biggest hang-up is keeping with the times when it comes to LA.
Years ago at Koelbel a groom came running in and needed "music" for an outdoor wedding that was happening in an hour. We all scrambled on that one and came up with several CD's that were actual "Wedding Music" wonder what that is classified under now??
To reply to Patricia's question, Wedding music might be in a number of area depending on the album and how it is cataloged, but there is a "Wedding Music" subject heading. Doing a subject search for that and limiting the results with material type "Music CD" shows 20 CDs that fall into that category. Another limit for your branch location would show what is owned there.
Oh yes, the main questions we get about music (excuse me, LA) is from the younger generations and those weird and impossible to spell artists. Thank goodness for google! I will add allmusic.com to my favorites because that sounds very helpful!
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