Brian 4 is a relational data base application used to compile standard discography information. It is has been named after Brian Rust, who perfected the chronological recording session format for print discographies. Brian 4 tracks every aspect of a record date, from sidemen to songs to composers to releases. All pieces of data are instantly cross referenced and searchable.
Basically, this program is an attempt to use a computer to produce a jazz discography that uses the Brian Rust format. This is much more ambitious than most record-oriented computer programs that are currently in use. Most extant programs are primarily inventory-oriented - they are catalogue programs rather than discographical tools, and their goal is to provide the user with a simple list of records.
However, the idea behind Brian 4 is to start with the recording session itself, to include all details pertinent to the session, including location, date, full personnel, master numbers, tune titles, and all catalogue numbers of every performance issues. Going beyond the standard Rust format, we also include the song composers and full titles of issues instead of just the catalog numbers.
Brian 4 could be used to produce a discography of an individual artist, or a general work - it can handle anything that's in Rust or Raben or whatever (as long as someone's willing to enter the data!). Brian 2.1 was used to compile the discography in the Sinatra Singles box from Capitol.
Brian is free for non-commercial use.
Download Brian 4 and/or the starter data or just view the documentation. Brian 4 runs best on a Macintosh, but there is also a Windows version.
Here is a list of discographies on the internet that were created using Brian:
Brian is
But it runs on Windows too.