I have a tape version of The War - which IMO is brilliant! but wondering if it was released on CD at all? I haven't seen it here in UK or online- any idea if a digital version is kicking about ?

What's the track listing?

clarityman said:

It was available for a limited time on CD - initially, I think, sent out to some people who had submitted an order for Crystal Ball online through the 1-800 ordering service, and also subsequently available online through the official website. It was never released through other retail stores.

It is a relatively rare item as a CD.

.

Rightly said:

Tracklisting is:

1. The War

.

Microchips anyone?

one two the revolution will be colour

If you use P2Ps you should be able to find it. I stumbled upon it not too long ago without any knowledge of it whatsoever


Not that I support P2P services
[Edited 7/21/07 11:56am]

you can find it on ebay every once and a while on cd. I think I sld mine for about $250.

Rightly said:

looks like I'm gonna have to plug my old tape player into the PC then lol

dumbass said:

Yeah, wish I'd bought 10 of those mofos when they were on sale!

shaomi said:

I'm sorry i'm still laughing at this one 2 hours later
[Edited 7/21/07 16:47pm]

clarityman said:

Damn right it is! it's one of the most daring thing Prince has ever done !!!

shaomi said:

And the thing is if someone was describing the concept or sound before I heard it, I'm not sure I would have bought into it - but the reality is just so accomplished

clarityman said:

If u like it u might dig early Funkadelic albums ("Funkadelic", "Free Your Mind & Your Ass Will Follow", "Maggot Brain" & the 1971 live).
[Edited 7/21/07 17:08pm]

shaomi said:

I'm a big fan of Clinton - P-FUnk and Chocolate city etc which now I think of it has a similar vibe to The War

shaomi said:

my all time favorite Prince song,

clarityman said:

Very appropriate you started this Thread! Speaking of War:


7/19/2007
Brother Ray Gano of Prophezine received the following information originating from a man named Simantov who lives in Israel:

"Occasionally something will come across my desktop that sends the sound of a shofar across my spirit. One such email just arrived today from dear friends who live in the Golan Heights. This couple is rich in faith and in discernment. I believe that what was written below is a call for us to get up onto the walls of intercession, and to seek the face of God earnestly and immediately. Sometimes the Lord allows us to see and to sense things that the enemy is doing, by noticing the little changes in the routine or in the atmosphere. Read what is below and then read on for a few comments from me which will follow: - Simantov

~~~~~

Today we had business to do in Jerusalem, so we left our home at 7 am and traveled down the east side of the Galilee, through Bet Shean and past the check point at Sede Trimot in the Jordan Valley.

Once we entered the Jordan Valley as we passed through the Arab agricultural areas we noticed the following which is most unusual;

1. There were no people visible working the in the fields.

2. There were no children along the side of the road.

3. There were no tractors or other farm vehicles anywhere to be seen.

4. All of the vegetables had been completely harvested and the fields were 100% empty.

5. No preparation of the fields was evident for the next planting...Plastic was everywhere from the prior crop.

6. The greenhouses had no plants in them.....

7. The vegetable stands that are normally filled to the brim from the harvest were completely vacant.

8. This is the peak season for growing vegetables in the Jordan Valley, yet everything had been harvested and nothing was growing waiting to be harvested or picked.

We concluded our business in Jerusalem and got back on the road again about 2:45 PM heading north up the Jordan Valley. Again, no people, no fruit stands, no crops, nothing!

Do these Arabs know something is about to happen that we do not know is coming? The 9th of Av is on July 23rd, which is the exact day both Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed hundreds of years apart...

We need your prayers for revelation and understanding of what the Lord was revealing to us today. Is war on the horizon? Please pray the Lord will give us discernment and understanding of what we are to do; where we are to position ourselves; and how to pray...

~~~~~

I underlined significant parts of this message. I also confirm that it is normal to have MUCH agricultural activity in these fields at this time of year. Produce stands often line these roads. It is very strange that the fields are empty and that the people are absent. It indicated that there will be no investment in any of the summer crops. It reminds me of the water on the shoreline that recedes exposing bare ocean floor just before a tsunami. - Simantov

Ray was able to contact Simantov and inquired as to the authenticity of the story. Here's the reply Ray received:

“Yes I do know these people that live in the Golan, and what they observed I also observed. There are many farms unplanted and unmanned. It is not known for sure what is happening, but in the middle of the summer growing season this seems so unnatural that it raised suspicions. Time will tell what the reason for this quiet really is.” - Simantov

Considering that President Assad of Syria threatened Israel just days ago with 'relenquish the Golan Heights or be attacked by Syria', we need to be aware as the 9th of B’Av (Tuesday, July 24th, 2007) approaches and in prayer for Israel.

I've posted this information on our own and performed a mass mailing to all our subscribers as to keep the brethren informed. Even though this story has been confirmed it has still not been broadcast in the 'main stream' media, so please pass the information along to as many as you can...
[Edited 7/21/07 19:38pm]

^^^ What?

WTF????

so this tape consists of only 1 track?
[Edited 7/21/07 21:34pm]

I remember I was 16 years old and came home from school one day to find a package from "Paisley Park" in my mailbox. It was a copy of "The War" on cassette. Being sent such a brilliant masterpiece and eerily funky track through the mail, for free, with no advance notice, was probably the coolest thing for a young prince fan besides seeing him live. I was hooked after that.

Rightly said:

Rightly ... rightly so, my friend.

It was recorded live at Paisley Park in July 1998 during one of Prince's infamous Love4OneAnother $7 nights at The Park.

From my understanding of reading old PPMLs (Paisley Park Mailing Lists -- which preceded Prnce.Org), "The War" was a free-form jam that lasted well over 30-some minutes. It was pared down to 26 minutes for a streaming release on Love4OneAnother.com.

I remember recording it while streaming it via realplayer back in August-September 1998. I had 33k dialup back then, I believe, or was it 56K? Whatever, the cool thing is that mid-way through the download my connection jumped for a second, but it was just so cool that when I recorded it live (I patched the computer into my stereo) the small glitch sounded so organic and perfect that it just meshed with the whole "Matrix-type" of free-form experimental funk-jazz.

Those that visited L4Oa.com back in the day was asked to donate to the charity, like $1. for the download. I donated $7.

I believe I received, for free, an official cassette of The War, yeah, just out of the blue. I also have the "rare" The War compact disc single. How did I get it? Interesting story.

I saw Prince, Larry G and Chaka at one of the NewPowerSoul Festival gigs (San Francisco-Concord, Calif.). I was wearing my new, at the time, red NPG hockey jersey and, between Larry G's and Chaka's sets, I ended up walking the venue. I stopped in front of a backstage door and met a Paisley Park tour staff lady. Unbeknownst to me, it was Manuela. I commented on her tour laminate and she commented on my red NPG hockey jersey. We struck up a brief conversation and it lead to the $7 donation to Paisley Park/Love4OneAnother charity for "The War."

Manuela asked me where my seat was. I told her and she said okay. First, I thought I might get selected t come on stage and dance or something. Nope. Before Prince took the stage out came Manuela and another tour person. She then said "here you go" and handed me a CD copy of The War.

To thi day I have not opened the cassette or the compact disc. But I still play the realplayer streaming version of The War, from time to time. The streaming version I got from the website is so organic and matrix-like.

Dammit, I have to go pull it out again and listen to it. I have to in the next 24 hours. Damn U!

I really dig when Prince gets eco-social-political. He has some points, just like some of the joints on Planet Earth (title track, Resolution), and Musicology (Dear Mr. Man, United States of Division).

edit for the lyrics -- thanks wikipedia and databank transmission team

One, two. Evolution will be colorized.

I can't hear U, say it!
Y'all ain't ready, I can't hear U, say it

Do like this...

One, two. Evolution will be colorized.

This is the War
Right on. [sarcastically]

The war will go on and on and on...
If U don't wanna miss your Saturday morning cartoons...

One, two. Evolution will be colorized.
One, two. Evolution will be colorized.
Yeah... right on. [sarcastically]

The war will go on and on...
Revolution will be...
Revolution will be...
Revolution will be on and on and...

(One, two) {repeated}

The war will go on and on and on
If U do not wish 2 be in the war U should leave now

We are about 2 challenge what U believe
If U do not wish 2 be challenged U should leave now
Saturday morning awaits

Do U love your country?
Do U love God?
Do U love your country as much as U love God?

If the government...
If the government...
If the government wants 2 put a microchip in your neck, heh heh
(Right on)

Do U still love your country?

The war will go on and on
If U do not wish 2 be challenged, leave now
The evolution will be colorized
One, two, the evolution will be colorized

We are running out of the essentials of life:
Oxygen, water, food, fertile earth

Underground right now as we speak, there is a metropolis
Awaiting, waiting... 4 U, me
Clean air, food 2 eat

Will U go, will U go?
Will U go underground 2 this metropolis, this metropolis paradise?

We are running out of the essentials of life here on earth!
Will U go, will U go, will U go?

Don't U love your country?
If your country no longer exists on this earth
But exists under this earth, will U go?

Underneath in this metropolis, there's food 2 eat, clean air
It's a paradise!

One condition: microchip in your neck

One, two, the evolution will be colorized
(Right on)

Would U stay above the metropolis, the microchip city?
Would U stay above and await your fate?

Do U trust your God?

Would U stay on top of the chip and await your fate?

2night U will be challenged, U best leave now
This war will go on and on.

One, two, the evolution will be colorized
One, two, the evolution will be colorized

Without God there is no country
Without God there is no metropolis
Without God there is no oxygen, there is no food to eat
Without God there is no chocolate microchip 4 your neck

Somebody say it!

One, two, the evolution will be colorized
In other words, there'll be a little bit of U and a little bit of me

One, two, the evolution will be colorized
The evolution will be colorized {x2}

1 4 me, 2 4 U
Preach a lie, not the truth
U give me candy and keep the store
Gonna' need it in the war

I said, 1 4 me, 2 4 U
U preach a lie, not the truth
U give me candy and keep the store
Gonna' eat it in the war

Batter up, pitcher down
What your teachers say, it ain't sound
Pledge allegiance 2 your flag
U tie me 2 a truck, 'n' then U drag

1 4 me, 2 4 U
U preach a lie, not a truth
U give me candy and keep the store
U gonna eat it in the war

U give me AIDS, your history
When it comes 2 mine, another name
Many die and this is true
Red, black, yellow, even Jew
Claimin' God was backin' U
All across, what a fool.

1 4 me, 2 4 U
U preach a lie, not the truth
U give me candy, U keep the store
Gonna eat it in the war

Shall I go on?

So U say
U got a cure?
HIV
I'm not sure

Every seed, fruit 2 bear
The great Babylon, I don't care

We know your name, it's the beast
All of God's child is your feast

When the righteous one plant the seed
No more kids with mama please

Only way 2 get there is the truth, y'all
In the war baby, come on me and U!

Come on! One, two. Evolution will be colorized
One, two. Evolution will be colorized
One, two. Evolution will be colorized
Play your organ, son

One Two.
1 4 me, 2 4 U
Preach a lie, not the truth
Give me candy, U keep the store
What the hell is goin' on y'all?

There's a mountain that's mighty high
Can't reach the top unless U fly
Ain't about the money, it's about the gold
21st century, money just got sold, y'all

You hear me?

Money just got sold, y'all
Check the date.
It's has-been
It's all gone
Your pocketbook is next
It's about the gold y'all

One, two, the evolution will be colorized
One, two, the evolution will be
One, two, the evolution will be
The evolution will be
The... evolution... will... be... colorized
[Edited 7/21/07 23:10pm]

Oh, and other thing, ... for most of the song Prince was laying down just reading off a sheet of paper and free-forming it.

The conga drums, synthetic drum beats and shrill screams from Prince really all add to the weird funky vibe. It's something that will never be duplicated, imo.

Jatrig said:

Its interesting how people can remember certain things about this War cassette gift. U remember how old u were; I don't remember how old I was when this appeared in the mailbox. But I remember coming home from a former employee, Allstate. It was really a surprise, I kept thinking hhhmmm, I didn't order this, but a free gift from the master artist, too cool.

a2grafix said:

I never knew that!

Does anyone know who is playing what on the track?

Astasheiks said:

2the9's must have been really disppointed

HalluRain said:

Rhonda, Morris, Kirk & Mike

In my opinion The War is Princes' last ever masterpeice, his last ever magnum opus!! Everything else he has brought out after that has been total shit, including Planet Earth!!!

it's strange though that in the year when he releases NPS that he slips a masterpiece like The War out unnoticed. It kinda proves that the genius is still capable of producing 'groundbreaking' material. The worrying/sad thing is that this might mean that he isnt that bothered for most of the time. I actually like Planet Earth though its easy to think that if he chose too, he could make something so free sounding as The War or even part of TRC and satisfy his hardcore fans at the expense of the contemporary/commercial brigade.