I'm thrilled to say that I just ordered a copy from the website Christer Falck mentioned on here ... and if not for Prince and his lawyers throwing yet another absurdly illogical and pompous legal hissy fit, I never would have heard of this tribute compilation. So hey, thanks, Shorty!

And thank you, Christer Falck!!

I always thought you were supposed to get permission to do stuff like that.

mayebelle81 said:

Do you think Prince got permission to do "One of Us"? Thought so Do you think he got permission to do that wretched "Betcha By Golly Wow"? Thought Not
Do you think Prince got Permission to do "I can't make you love me"? Do you think he got permission to do "la la means I love you" Do you think Prince got permission to take Days of Wild melody from Duke Ellington's Caravan? I don't think so,Mayebelle.



Do you think Prince got permission to sell as a digital mp3 a knock off of Hendrix's "machine gun" under a different name?

Do you think he got permission to put on his site other music videos by other artists?

My point is not to be sarcastic to you, it's to point out that we ALL LIVE in the GREY,Mayebelle. You,Prince and even me, live in what we call the Grey. Those that call out others on b.s. trivial details, are hypocrites and probably just had a bad day.

Seriously, let's not be Johnny/Joan Armchair Sheriff let's save that for websheriff. That's what his career is based on now.


[Edited 7/5/08 21:06pm]
[Edited 7/5/08 21:09pm]

How can u do a "tribute" compilation of someone else's work if they ask u not 2??

Madison88 said:

You need to ask Prince the same question he did do cover/tribute songs of other people.The rules should apply to him as well

toots said:

I find it hard to believe Prince has done anything close to this caliber of someone else's work....and if an artist asked him not to and threatened to sue...I just don't see him wanting that kind of publicity or capable of trying to capitalize on such a project. Yes, he has sung other people's songs....What these people have done is something on an entirely different level...It seems a contradiction: they claim to be honoring Prince at the same time not respecting him or his wishes.

and what happened to two wrongs don't make a right??? If you are still of the same mindset??? What a cheap shot at someone you claim to like???

Madison88 said:

The difference is also one song vs a complete CD of ripped off material...

pplrain said:

It doesn't matter whether it's one song or entire cd's, the laws are in place and none have been broken here. Anyone can record a cover tune if they pay the appropriate publishing fees. No permission required. These laws have been in place throughout Prince's career and for many years before he became famous.

It seems like he just wants to whine long and loud enough to actually change the law. Because attempting to file a lawsuit on this is just a waste of everyones time and money.

_

Madison88 said:

What mindset is this???

nd33 said it best, it dont matter if it a cd or one song the point is that its acover of a song regardless. If Prince had permission or not to cover anothers song then the same set of rules should regard to him IF he didnt have permission is my point!
[Edited 7/7/08 5:27am]

Prince
Jamie Starr
Nevermind
The Kid
Christopher Tracey
TAFKAP
The Artist
Squiggle
Prince (again)
Sue

Time for a new name?

"Do you think Prince got permission to take Days of Wild melody from Duke Ellington's Caravan?"


Oh my god, just downloaded this from itunes, I knew that arabic riff sounded familiar, never knew from where. Great track though (both of them!)






Just listening to this over, the theme from "the Godfather" also needs to take a bow...
[Edited 7/7/08 3:51am]

camma said:

You forgot one: Skippy (the one his mom gave to him when he was a young lad)

toots said:

I agree 100%

Quick question(s)...brief

1) Can we still buy this album
2) If I buy the album--will I actually get it?

nd33 said:

The difference between "before Prince and now" is that Prince is the first main
Music star who lives in a digital age.

Offcourse he will change the law where he can. Who wouldnt protect his intellectual ideas.

Elvis and the Beatles they had to deal only with Tape Recorders Back then.
It's time to protect ownership in every way it can.

Huraaay for Prince

christerfalck said:

Here you go Duckpurple


It's a good one (and pretty damn collectable after all this hoo-hah)
[Edited 7/11/08 5:29am]

fishy

So prince threatens to sue or actually sues for a mere 5000*81*0,10 euros/dollars at most? If at all?
He must be very broke if he cares about that kind of money.
In lawyers fees he'll be over that amount in a jiffy.
Where is his wit?

Trickology said:

[b]PRINCE ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION.
Don't just say that he won't or proof it otherwise...
again Proof it.....


[Edited 7/15/08 16:44pm]

catwoman555 said:

Is it the publishing company's task to secure rights?
If so: can we see what was paid for certain songs' rights?

ASCAP.com....

Just as citizens of a nation must be educated about their rights to ensure that they are protected and upheld, so too must those who compose words and music know the rights that support their own acts of creation. Without these rights, which directly emanate from the U.S. Constitution, many who dream of focusing their talents and energies on music creation would be economically unable to do so - an outcome that would diminish artistic expression today and for future generations.
At this time, when so many forces are seeking to diminish copyright protections and devalue artistic expression, this Bill of Rights for Songwriters and Composers looks to clarify the entitlements that every music creator enjoys.


We have the right to be compensated for the use of our creative works, and share in the revenues that they generate.


We have the right to license our works and control the ways in which they are used.


We have the right to withhold permission for uses of our works on artistic, economic or philosophical grounds.

We have the right to protect our creative works to the fullest extent of the law from all forms of piracy, theft and unauthorized use, which deprive us of our right to earn a living based on our creativity.

We have the right to choose when and where our creative works may be used for free.

We have the right to develop, document and distribute our works through new media channels - while retaining the right to a share in all associated profits.

We have the right to choose the organizations we want to represent us and to join our voices together to protect our rights and negotiate for the value of our music.


We have the right to earn compensation from all types of "performances," including direct, live renditions as well as indirect recordings, broadcasts, digital streams and more.

We have the right to decline participation in business models that require us to relinquish all or part of our creative rights - or which do not respect our right to be compensated for our work.

We have the right to advocate for strong laws protecting our creative works, and demand that our government vigorously uphold and protect our rights.
[Edited 7/17/08 20:26pm]

nd33 said:

You know...


u and alot of others need 2 go 2 ascap.com and do some research before coming here and attempt to smear Prince's good name.
[Edited 7/17/08 20:15pm]

metallicjigolo said:

...any everyone else who works as an artist for a living.

For a artist fansite this place sometimes seems a little unfriendly to artists rights, and for purely selfish reasons too.

He's not taking down the cure for polio from youtube for gods sakes.
Let the lil guy protect his livelyhood/artistic vision/whims whatever.

support the arts if you think they are important to you.

Fair-weather fans.....whatever the legal terms are I feel the real injustice is not respecting Prince's request to stop the project. Not to mention ignoring Prince's request to stop the project and creating a "tribute" to Prince at the same time.....They are obviously doing this for the money and not to truly appreciate Prince. That's exploiting someone and it's not nice....

Eye think people should always get permission with any promotional work so it's only right on Prince's part 2 finally do that. It also part of the law 2 get the permission of the writer/owner no matter what country they're from.

It's his music and he can do whatever the funk he wants

I'm sure the people who put all the time and effort to put the whole thing together didn't go into the project with the sole intent on making money off Prince. Who the hell does that, who goes, damn how can I make money? I know lets get 50 + artist together to cover Prince songs and sell them, thats the ticket!

Trickology said:

While the sequence of notes sound familiar....in my opinion the Days of Wild hookline melody is not a direct rip off.
You want rip-off....try MJ's orchestral and vocal intro to Will You Be There on Dangerous. No acknowledgment that it comes straight from Beethoven's 9th...." written and composed by Michael Jackson". Let's not start the rip-off debate.

Meloh9 said:

I meant to add to my earlier post that notoriety is another thing they are gaining purely by using Prince's name not to mention music. The list goes on and on....heck they turned even Prince's own fans against him...I feel that is sad and alot of why he's doing what he's doing. Some of us are helping drive him away.

What I find sad is that (having now listened to the tribute compilation in question, unlike just about every critic of it in this thread) although there are a few songs here and there (like the speed-metal cover of Sexy MF) that won't be making it into one of my playlists anytime soon, the VAST majority of the covers on here are FANTASTIC.

Shockingly, a musician named "Kornstad" even managed to record a version of "The Greatest Romance Ever Sold" that doesn't totally freaking suck - unlike, say, Prince's bile-worthy original, or Maceo's snooze-fest instrumental version. Man, if Prince wasn't so in love with the idea of having James Brown's former sax player squawk the same boring solo through every dang songm he'd hire Kornstad to play in the NPG, and Eric Leeds fans like myself could finally rejoice in the return to musicality. This guy plays a sax like it SHOULD be played - I know Maceo's a legend, etc., and technically he's proficient, but as a former sax player, the difference between a player like Eric Leeds or Kornstad and Maceo is PROFOUND. Maceo makes me glad I haven't played my sax in years, whereas the other 2 guys make me wish I was playing it right now.




There are DOZENS of beautiful cover versions on here, and the liner notes are enthusiastic about Prince's music and artistry. The fact that Prince didn't think this was a long-overdue cover album which lives up to the originals proves that he's lost his ear for good music. For him now, it's all about empty boasts and lawsuits. Boring.

I'm gonna go listen to Anne Marie Almedal's ethereal version of "Paisley Park" - if you haven't heard it, you MUST!

Thanks to all of the talented musicians and behind-the-scenesters who worked so hard to get this music out there. It's truly fantastic stuff!