LibGuides: MUSIC 322: Music History II: Liner Notes

Print

Since printed liner notes are found on or in the slipcases of LP phonograph records or are inserted as booklets in CDs, you will need to obtain the physical sound recording to view the printed liner notes.

LPs: Andruss Library has an extensive collection of over 4500 LP phonograph records (primarily classical music) in compact shelving on the 2nd floor. To search the Library's online catalog for individual record titles as well as individual pieces on each LP (search individual pieces as keyword), go to primo.bloomu.edu

CDs: Andruss Library also has an extensive collection of over 2100 music compact discs (primarily classical music but also a number of popular and blues recordings) shelved behind the Circulation Desk on the 1st floor. To search the Library's online catalog for individual CD titles as well as individual pieces on each CD, (search individual pieces as keyword), go to primo.bloomu.edu

In other libraries: use the Everything search (http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/eds/search/advanced?sid=7924594b-b0fb-4d12-8f11-3e8d710dd156%40sessionmgr4005&vid=0&hid=4111) or WorldCat (http://worldcat.org) or EZBorrow (https://library.bloomu.edu/ezborrow/) to find sound recordings in other libraries. WARNING: Many libraries will not loan CDs and phonograph records due to the high risk of damage or loss.

Online

Naxos Music Library
Streaming access to more than 130,000 CDs with more than 2 millions tracks of both standard and rare repertoire. Over 800 new CDs are added to the library every month. Can be searched by composer, work, genre and label; by keyword search; and more.

In addition, NML provides liner notes for many recordings. 5 simultaneous users.

Albumlinernotes.com
Contains album notes from selected LPs and CDs. Note that the contents of this database are limited--it does not include all published CDs and LPs and focuses more on popular music. It also does not always provide the title of the LP or CD, which is needed for citing purposes.
Albumnotes.com Search Classical Music by Composer
Search Albumnotes.com for classical music compositions by composer.
How To Get Liner Notes With an MP3 Download.
Note that this requires purchasing the music in order to get the liner notes.
Some (not all) download sites, including iTunes, offer liner notes or a "digital booklet" if you buy the downloadable digital music. iTunes also has a feature called *iTunes LP* which is a more interactive version of the same thing and may also include bonus material such as videos. Most albums have neither. This site tells you what you will need to do to get the liner notes if they are available.
Smithsonian Folkways
Nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution. Recordings of American folk and protest music available for purchase; liner notes viewable online.