Relationship Type "Is the Earliest Version Of"

Link Phrases

track is the earliest version of track
track is a later version of track

Description

This relationship relates two different recordings of the same song by the same artist. There may be significant re-arrangement of the material, just as long as the songs are substantially the same. This is similar to the CoverRelationshipType, but where the same artist is performing both versions.

The song must have been re-recorded and/or re-mixed for this AdvancedRelationship to be applicable. If the track originates from the same master recording and mix, SameTrackRelationshipType ought to be used, unless the track is a remastered version of the same mix as the original recording, in which case RemasterRelationshipType ought to be used instead.

In line with the DontMakeRelationshipClusters principle, all versions of a song should be linked to the earliest released version of the song. For example, if a demo version of a song is recorded, then a properly produced version which goes out on an album, and then the demo version gets released on a "best of" compilation, then the album version "is the earliest version of" the compilation version. It doesn't matter when they were recorded, only when they were released. This is because the release date is easier to verify.

This AdvancedRelationshipType is part of the AlternativeVersionRelationshipClass.

Relationship Attributes

None are appropriate.

Examples

The first recording of Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights appeared on the album The Kick Inside. She later re-recorded the vocal track for the album The Whole Story. Although most of the original tracks were kept, arguably the vocal track is the most important, given that the singer is the primary artist. Therefore, this is considered a new version of the same song.

Discussion

Version is very ambiguous. I would like the link-phrases to really reflect this is about re-recordings. Also we could include two nice attributes then... What do you think about

track has later {acoustic} {live} recording(s) track
track is a later {acoustic} {live} recording of track

? --Shepard

I think that's an excellent idea. --MichelleW

I agree that "version" is too vague, and easily confused with the "release" and "remaster" relationships. If the wording of this relationship could be changed to "is the/an earliest/later RECORDING", it would be a quick step in the right direction. --ArtySmokes

What about parodies or references? This might include using parts of the lyrics. For example, songs on Play borrows the refrain from both current-day Taiwan band Mayday and the old song "London Bridge is Falling Down". Neither is a cover, but it's obvious that some relationship exists. Perhaps "parodies" is too specific to be useful, so a relationship like "references" might be more useful. --foolip

Regarding the "earliest version of" AR, it says above: For example, if a demo version of a song is recorded, then a properly produced version which goes out on an album, and then the demo version gets released on a "best of" compilation, then the album version "is the earliest version of" the compilation version. My question is how to properly link that first demo version with the official album version that comes out later. Would you say "Track A (demo) is the earliest version of Track A (album version)" but still have all following compilation/live/other versions of the track linked back to the album version? -- Jugdish 2007-07-29 19:42:17

CategoryRelationshipType