When we stumble upon an artist that clearly must be split, what is the appropriate way to determine which artist remains and which becomes a new artist listing? I don't see a clear guideline for handling this.
For instance you find an artist listing for Tom Jones. Listed under this artist are 3 albums by the pop singer Tom Jones, and 5 Bach albums by the classical bassoon player Tom Jones.
Obviously, if the artist profile for the existing Tom Jones referred to the singer, the bassoon credits would be moved to a new Tom Jones (2). I think we would all agree to this.
Additionally, if Tom Jones (5) already existed for the bassoon player, you would move the bassoon albums to Tom Jones (5). Again, I think we all agree.
So, let's assume this is the only artist listing for Tom Jones at Discogs. Let's also assume that the oldest listing in Discogs was an album by the singer. And let's assume the artist listing in Discogs contains a blank profile.
Some say that the oldest album determines which artist stays as Tom Jones (1) and the others should go to Tom Jones (2).
Others say whichever artist has the most albums currently under Tom Jones (1) stays and the others should move to Tom Jones (2). Would this be based only on the artist's albums or also on his credits?
It sure would be helpful to have a clear guideline for splitting. The current guideline says never to change a suffix, but once you have two artists under the same artist listing, something has to give.
I recently split such an artist and offended one who thinks I split it incorrectly. I disagree. But, whatever, it is better now than it was before I touched the artist. A clearer guideline would end the discussion.
...Never swap about the suffixes, once an artist is designated a numerical suffix, the artist must remain with that suffix. The suffix has no relation to popularity or historical order...
aasaxell
...Never swap about the suffixes, once an artist is designated a numerical suffix, the artist must remain with that suffix. The suffix has no relation to popularity or historical order...
What if two artists are the same person, and you consolidate them? As a result, one profile is empty.
For example Tom Jones (2) (the bassoon player) and Thomas Jones (3) are both the same individual. They are consolidated under Tom Jones (2), so Thomas Jones (3) is an empty profile. Is it now available for a different Thomas Jones? If not, should it be locked?
I had a similar situation, and was advised the empty profile should remain available for a different artist, as it was only created by mistake. In no time, the empty profile started repopulating, and I had to clear it out again.
ThomasP64
I had a similar situation, and was advised the empty profile should remain available for a different artist, as it was only created by mistake.
That is correct. Be sure to clear the profile for the merged artist.
aasaxell
AFAIK, the oldest entry always stays, so to speak.
aasaxell
AFAIK, the oldest entry always stays, so to speak.
RSG §2.14.1.
...Never swap about the suffixes, once an artist is designated a numerical suffix, the artist must remain with that suffix. The suffix has no relation to popularity or historical order...
I've seen that guideline. To me, that doesn't clearly address splitting an artist. If I have to split an artist, the suffix has to change on one of them. In the literal sense, guideline 2.14.1 would seem to say we can't split, and certainly this is not the case. So, to me, we need a clear guideline for splitting.
Fauni-Gena
That is correct. Be sure to clear the profile for the merged artist.
I cleared it out, except for adding a note directing people to the correct artist. I have a feeling clearing that profile out is going to be a regular thing.
vivaldi55
To me, that doesn't clearly address splitting an artist. If I have to split an artist, the suffix has to change on one of them.
As I see it, only one artist is correct though, and a split should be done by moving the incorrect one: since artists are added to the db when their name first is credited on a release, there is always one, specific release that creates a profile - and that is the correct artist for that name and/or suffix. Next artist with same name should have a new suffix.
If a profile gets mixed up, that means some credits must be added wrong. Those fawlty credits should be corrected: that might mean moving them to a already existing suffix, or they might need a new, own suffix. Either way, once they get a correct suffix, it stays forever, as the guidelines clearly states to never swap them about.
Therefore, if you need to split an artist, oldest always stays.
I now stand corrected. Thank you for all your advice. I was surprised that no one at all took my side. When I opened other threads about splitting specific artists, I was advised that whichever artist had the most albums would remain unchanged, and the artist with the fewest albums would become the new artist. This is why I asked for a clear guideline about splitting.
I'm not sure what we do now if both artists oldest albums say "more than 4 years ago."
