Spotify?
 

Is anyone using Spotify?

I've been happy with Rhapsody for sometime but Spotify is generating a lot of buzz of late and at $9.99/month for the premium (which allows streaming to my PC and phone) it's significantly cheaper than Rhapsody.

I played with it for a day. I don't think I quite got the idea.

It did seem to have a good selection, but I couldn't, for example, figure out how to get a random mix of music, Pandora-style, which is what I would want from that kind of service.

I do enjoy the social aspect of it, seeing friends' playlists and top artists and such.

I signed up for a trial and received some Spotify invites. If anyone needs one PM me.

Same here. I don't quite understand how it works, and it seems that if I want any sort of functionality beyond my home laptop, I would have to pay.

For free you do still have access to play any song in their library. You just can't download it to play offline, and you are limited to something like 10 hours of play time per month.

I haven't had time to play with it, but admit to being totally confused. So you friend people like on facebook or some such, and then you have access to playlists they create for spotify and they have access to any such playlists you create? Huh?

That is one of the things that it does, yes. Sharing of playlists, collaborative playlists etc. It makes it pretty easy, if someone else is a member, to say, "Hey, check this song out."

The other thing it does is, being a member, gives you access to all of the songs in their library. For free.

Being a PAID member gives you access to all of the songs in their library, the ability to DOWNLOAD all of those songs for no additional cost, ability to play those songs on just about any device, and the ability (like google music) to make your own library available anywhere any time any device.

But I still want it to do smart playlist/suggestion type stuff and I'm not seeing that.

To start with Spotify has the most complete music library of any online service since Napster. Not everything to be sure, Disney soundtracks are conspicuous in their absence for example.

With a Premium (paid) membership you can plug in all the songs/albums/artists you like and listen to them all day/night long on your PC, Smartphone, and some other devices (like Onkyo receivers).

Past that you can share the lists you have created with others you know.

As GD says, Spotify does not seem to have a "Radio" function that lets you listen to random songs, however there are third party sites like topsify.com that it seems are trying to fill that gap.

Well, of course, the first thing I looked for could not be found. Of course, it's a pretty old, not too popular song, hard to find in digital format - can't find it on iTunes or Amazon, for instance. But that's why I went to Spotify next. I don't "steal" unless I'm given no other option. But to have Spotify fail on my first try was disappointing. If I want easy stuff, I'll just buy it.

Sharing playlists might be fun tho.

What's the song?

Video Killed The Radio Star !

San Francisco by The Village People. Either of you two heard of it? :p

Looks like I'll be making due with the 2009 cover version, which I'll happily buy from a legitimate source.

Was it on one of their albums? I am in possession of a few of their records from my Dad's eclectic collection.

I have it on vinyl.

All evidence suggests it was on their self-titled debut album, Village People, released in 1977. Gee, I wonder why it's not still "in print" digitally on the major music vendors of 2012?? :p






Edited to add: Was I right about which album, NA?

San Francisco is available on iTunes. $.99.

Yes, first album. 1977. I think I also have the "long version" which was a Casablanca Records remox/blending of San Francisco and Hollywood.

Really, couldn't find it. Just the cover version. Guess I'll look more closely.


Um, we now return to your Spotify thread, already in progress. On the topic, tho, the revised Gay Club Remix playlist which never did get played at my Big Gay Pride Party, and which which will soon include that great gay dance hit San Francisco, might soon be available to share via Spotify!

I'd just like to jump in and say that iSM should give up now on being the curmodgeon on this particular topic. I can far outpoop any party on this particular topic.

oh yeah, well how's this:

I'm on iTunes right now, and a search does NOT pull up San Francisco by the Village People - only the 2009 cover by Navy Gravy from an album titled "Village People." Nor is their 1977 self-titled album one of those showing as available if I just search "village people." Harumph.

I wonder if there's some feud between Casablanca Records and someone else that is preventing the release of some of these original albums? Jesse would probably know. Most of the early Donna Summer stuff is missing as well.

I have vinyl. I have quite a bit of Casablanca vinyl. I also have some Sugerhill Records stuff including the very first rap song - Rappers Delight. And the first 2 Prince albums - which you never hear - but include my favorite Prince song "Let's Work".

Yeah, weirdities like Amazon has one early Village People album listed for mp3 downloads, with samples and everything, but the tracks won't be available until "Dec. 2025" WTF? Hahahaha.

I've got it on the Live and Sleazy album if you need it. My record player supposedly can transfer to CD but I haven't actually tired it yet.

(seriously he had 3 Village People Albums -that I see so far)

A review of Spotify I read mentioned that the bigger hole it has is old stuff from reasonably big names as apparently that is the stuff most likely to have disputes or someone trying to maintain complete control.

Now might be the time!

Which in most cases means it's not on competing services (like Rhapsody) either. Spotify also has a higher bitrate which will make a difference when I get it playing in larger sound system of the Mooncave.

I have directions somewhere I'll get it figured out.

:D

Damn. If the $5/month "unlimited" subscription included mobile app access I'd be all over it. But you'd have to go up to $10 a month for that.

I'm still almost considering going up to the $10/month version anyway, but that's borderline. I could take that and spend it on an album+ per month instead and have music I actually own permanently. But of course, the advantage of a subscription service is that I'm not limited to music that's only worth spending money on purchasing.

Grr.