To cite liner notes, identify key information such as the author of the notes, the title of the notes, and all relevant details about the recording itself, including the artist, album title, record label, and release year.
Understanding Liner Notes and Their Importance in Citations
Liner notes are informational texts often found within the packaging of music albums, whether physical (CDs, vinyl records) or digital. They can include essays, lyrics, credits, photographs, and other contextual material. Citing them properly attributes intellectual property and provides researchers with crucial details about the music and its production.
Key Elements for Citing Liner Notes
Regardless of the specific citation style, a comprehensive citation for liner notes typically includes the following core components:
| Element | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Liner Notes Author | The individual(s) who wrote the liner notes. | John Smith |
| Liner Notes/Section Title | The specific title of the essay or section within the liner notes, if applicable. | "A Deep Dive into the Blues" |
| Phrase Indicating Source | A phrase like "liner notes for" to clarify the relationship to the main recording. | liner notes for |
| Recording Composer/Artist | The primary composer or performing artist of the musical recording. | Ludwig van Beethoven, The Beatles |
| Recording Title | The official title of the album or recording. | Symphony No. 5, Abbey Road |
| Performer/Group/Conductor | The specific performer(s), group, or conductor featured on the recording, if different from the main artist. | Boston Symphony Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan |
| Recording Date | The original recording date, if known and relevant. | recorded October 26, 1970 |
| Record Label & Catalog # | The name of the record label and its catalog or matrix number for the specific release. | Deutsche Grammophon 447 400-2 |
| Release Year | The year this specific version or reissue of the recording was released. | 1995 |
| Recording Format | The physical or digital format of the recording. | CD, Vinyl, Digital Album |
| Page Number | The specific page number within the liner notes where the information was found, if applicable. | p. 5 |
General Citation Structure
A common and comprehensive structure, adaptable to various academic styles, for citing liner notes, particularly when treated as a part of a larger published work (the album), would look like this:
Liner Notes Author First Name Last Name, “Liner Notes or Section Title if Applicable,” liner notes for Composer First Name Last Name, Recording Title, Performer/Group/Conductor Name(s), recorded Month Day, Year if Applicable, Record Label Name # if Applicable, Release Year, Recording Format, Page Number if Applicable.
Practical Examples
Let's illustrate with an example using the detailed format:
Example:
Suppose you are citing an essay by Sarah Lee titled "The Journey of Jazz" from the liner notes of Miles Davis's album Kind of Blue, performed by the Miles Davis Sextet, originally recorded on March 2, 1959, and released on Columbia Records #CL 1355 as a CD in 1987, referring to information on page 4.
Your citation would appear as:
Sarah Lee, “The Journey of Jazz,” liner notes for Miles Davis, Kind of Blue, Miles Davis Sextet, recorded March 2, 1959, Columbia Records #CL 1355, 1987, CD, p. 4.
Considerations for Different Scenarios
- No Specific Author for Liner Notes: If the liner notes do not list a specific author, you can often omit the author's name and begin with the title of the liner notes (if available) or directly attribute the notes to the recording artist or label. For instance, you might use "Liner notes by [Recording Artist's Name]" or simply "Liner notes for..."
- Digital Liner Notes: When citing digital liner notes, which are often found as PDFs accompanying digital album purchases, follow the same principles. Specify "Digital Album" or "Digital Download" as the format and include the URL if directly accessible and stable.
- Reissues and Multiple Editions: Always cite the specific edition of the album you are using, as liner notes can vary between reissues. Include the reissue year and record label details.
- Specific Citation Styles (MLA, APA, Chicago): While the general structure above is robust, always consult the most current edition of your required citation style guide (e.g., Purdue OWL for Chicago Style, Purdue OWL for MLA Style, Purdue OWL for APA Style) for exact punctuation, capitalization, and order. These guides will provide specific formats for footnotes, endnotes, and bibliography entries.
By meticulously including all these details, your citation will be accurate, complete, and helpful for anyone seeking to verify your source.
