Spotify query - interface problems

[Dave2002]

Maybe Spotify has changed, but now I'm finding it very hard to get pieces linked together sensibly. I'm sure I used to be able to search, and then find an album, then choose that and it would play right through. Now it seems hopeless.

For example, if I search for Bartok string quartet 2, I can locate various performers of that work, plus a number of spurious other tracks. Suppose I then want to have the version by the Tokyo Quartet - how can I force Spotify to only play that version, and with the movements in the right order? The interface now seems to be painful, whereas I used to think it was quite good.

If I wanted the Belcea Quartet I can add Belcea to the search term, and fortunately the result of the search gives the tracks by that quartet, and in the right order. However adding Vermeer to the search term (Bartok string quartet 2) gives multiple tracks, which need further sorting. If I add Tokyo to the search term, even movements from other quartets are picked up. What a mess!

[robk]

Dave2002
I just tried it. If you search and then click on album you get the tracks in the right order.

[Dave2002]

Dave2002
I just tried it. If you search and then click on album you get the tracks in the right order.

I don't think it's always quite as simple as that, but you have given me a clue. Your method works in some simple cases, which are not complex.

Examples:

1. Search for "Bartok string quartet 2" - and you get a list of tracks. Quite likely this will include quartet no 1 as well, and one or more versions by the Hungarian String Quartet.

2. Click on Hungarian String Quartet, in the Artist column. Now scroll down in the Artist page which appears, past the overview, and the album cover for Bartok 6 quartets will be found.

3. Selecting that will then enable tracks from that CD or collection to be played in order.

This method doesn't always work though, as sometimes the Artist information is insufficient to identify a single album, or the albums found contain many works, with the required quartet or work not being the first on the album, thus making it hard to identify the correct album on the artist page.

It's like doing a database (SQL) join with poor filtering.

I can't do much more investigation now though, as my internet connection is dodgy right now due to failures in the local infrastructure, which have affected many homes in our area which are now without phone connections and either no, or unreliable broadband for many ADSL users.

The method I've found does work sometimes, although it's a bit slow, being a multi-step process, and sometimes may require extra knowledge in order to pick up the tracks or album, even if a track is found on the first hit in the listing.

Perhaps that is what you meant, though you may have a slicker method.

[robk]

Just got back home. I think you need to click on an item in the album column not the artist column. But you may be experiencing a problem I haven't found.