2 simple questions, please remember it's a YEAH or NAY thread so please keep it yeah or nay

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QUESTION #1: When the time comes 4 SOTT to be remastered, with one edition of said remaster being an expensive, deluxe boxset, would u be interested in paying an additional 20 bucks for it to contain, besides SOTT as it was, b-sides, remixes and outtakes, an additional 3 CD's containing the original Crystal Ball as it was intended, despite the fact that the vast majority of the material on it has been released either on SOTT or later releases? Of course, the content of the boxset would also be available on digital platform for a cheaper price.

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QUESTION #2: If u answered NAY to #1, would at least be interested in the original CB being available for a reasonably cheap price in digital format only?

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I say YEAH to #1 but #2 would do it 4 me as well since it's likely I'll buy the product digital only anyway.

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Thx for contributing

[Edited 6/15/14 15:19pm]

Yes.

Not that I have any evidence that there could be a release of Crystal Ball (as intended)--and I'm not particularly interested in a reconstruction. But if there is the possibility of something very similar to what was originally intended, then yes, I want it, and added to a Sign remaster seems the sensible way to do it.

that would be great ....yes and yes!...heres hopin

Optimus2 said:

EyeHatechu said:

Optimus2 said:

that would be great ....yes and yes!...heres hopin

do u guys think after the Purple Rain remaster....SOTT will be released 2ndly after that? (which I hope it is)......or do u think itll b another album?.....like Dirty Mind?

Optimus2 said:

EyeHatechu said:

Optimus2 said:

do u guys think after the Purple Rain remaster....SOTT will be released 2ndly after that? (which I hope it is)......or do u think itll b another album?.....like Dirty Mind?

Let's try and stay on topic but to answer u briefly... I have no idea SOTT has a cult following that puts it in a good position but in terms of sales Diamonds And Pearls, 1999 and Batman are the big successes after PR, so who knows. They may either chose to focus first on the big albums or decide to do something closer to one big/one small/one big.

databank said:

Optimus2 said:

do u guys think after the Purple Rain remaster....SOTT will be released 2ndly after that? (which I hope it is)......or do u think itll b another album?.....like Dirty Mind?

Let's try and stay on topic but to answer u briefly... I have no idea SOTT has a cult following that puts it in a good position but in terms of sales Diamonds And Pearls, 1999 and Batman are the big successes after PR, so who knows. They may either chose to focus first on the big albums or decide to do something closer to one big/one small/one big.

shut up data its 50% on topic ......but yeah u have a point on those albums also

EddieC said:

Yes.

Not that I have any evidence that there could be a release of Crystal Ball (as intended)--and I'm not particularly interested in a reconstruction. But if there is the possibility of something very similar to what was originally intended, then yes, I want it, and added to a Sign remaster seems the sensible way to do it.

The album was compiled on November 30th, 1986 and submitted to WB so yeah, it does exist and it was moe than a tracklist on a sheet of paper. It's very likely Eric Leeds also heard it because he expressed his regrets that the album wasn't released as such. Most likely the bootleg version that was compiled a few years back reflects it quite faithfully even though it was reconstructed from various sources.

Optimus2 said:

databank said:

Let's try and stay on topic but to answer u briefly... I have no idea SOTT has a cult following that puts it in a good position but in terms of sales Diamonds And Pearls, 1999 and Batman are the big successes after PR, so who knows. They may either chose to focus first on the big albums or decide to do something closer to one big/one small/one big.

shut up data its 50% on topic ......but yeah u have a point on those albums also

U know 50% doesn't do it 4 me, I'm an all or nothing kind of dude

databank said:

EddieC said:

Yes.

Not that I have any evidence that there could be a release of Crystal Ball (as intended)--and I'm not particularly interested in a reconstruction. But if there is the possibility of something very similar to what was originally intended, then yes, I want it, and added to a Sign remaster seems the sensible way to do it.

The album was compiled on November 30th, 1986 and submitted to WB so yeah, it does exist and it was moe than a tracklist on a sheet of paper. It's very likely Eric Leeds also heard it because he expressed his regrets that the album wasn't released as such. Most likely the bootleg version that was compiled a few years back reflects it quite faithfully even though it was reconstructed from various sources.

If I remember rightly didnt the Crystal Ball tracklist contain the amazing Shockedelica and Good Love?

Optimus2 said:

EyeHatechu said:

Optimus2 said:

do u guys think after the Purple Rain remaster....SOTT will be released 2ndly after that? (which I hope it is)......or do u think itll b another album?.....like Dirty Mind?

I hope SOTT will be released 2nd after PR. Im crossing my fingers..

yeah imagine how good the weird sounds of "If I Was Ur Girlfriend","Strange Reltionship" and the beat of "Housequake" would sound remastered.......not 2 mention that epic fallesto known as "Adore"

Optimus2 said:

databank said:

The album was compiled on November 30th, 1986 and submitted to WB so yeah, it does exist and it was moe than a tracklist on a sheet of paper. It's very likely Eric Leeds also heard it because he expressed his regrets that the album wasn't released as such. Most likely the bootleg version that was compiled a few years back reflects it quite faithfully even though it was reconstructed from various sources.

If I remember rightly didnt the Crystal Ball tracklist contain the amazing Shockedelica and Good Love?

http://www.princevault.com/index.php/Album:_Crystal_Ball_1986

Only The Ball remains totally unreleased (though Eye No was built on it). The original studio version of Rebirth Of The Flesh is also unreleased but we had a 1988 version in 2001. Several other tracks were slightly edited for release. That, of course, makes the whole album as such quite unecessary since we'll get the SOTT tracks with SOTT alongside Shockadelica, Good Love with either SOTT or Lovesexy (and it's also on the 1998 CB), Rockhard In A Funky Place with The Black Album and Joy In Repetition with Graffiti Bridge. What's really interested here is to get what rightly saw as his magnum opus at the time, the songs in sequence. It's my opinion that Crystal Ball was a much more superior album to SOTT and that, if released, it may have been a moderate commercial success but it would have been so critically acclaimed that it would have been worth it, if only for establishing as much more than a pop star. Being vastly superior to an album that's already a masterpiece is... wow! 4 that reason only it deserves a release despite its redundant aspects, the whole thing is such an extravaganza that it gives a fair idea of how extraordinary 's talent was at the time, it's an opera of sorts.

[Edited 6/15/14 18:28pm]

databank said:

Optimus2 said:

If I remember rightly didnt the Crystal Ball tracklist contain the amazing Shockedelica and Good Love?

http://www.princevault.com/index.php/Album:_Crystal_Ball_1986

Only The Ball remains totally unreleased (though Eye No was built on it). The original studio version of Rebirth Of The Flesh is also unreleased but we had a 1988 version in 2001. Several other tracks were slightly edited for release. That, of course, makes the whole album as such quite unecessary since we'll get the SOTT tracks with SOTT alongside Shockadelica, Good Love with either SOTT or Lovesexy (and it's also on the 1998 CB), Rockhard In A Funky Place with The Black Album and Joy In Repetition with Graffiti Bridge. What's really interested here is to get what rightly saw as his magnum opus at the time, the songs in sequence. It's my opinion that Crystal Ball was a much more superior album to SOTT and that, if released, it may have been a moderate commercial success but it would have been so critically acclaimed that it would have been worth it, if only for establishing as much more than a pop star. Being vastly superior to an album that's already a masterpiece is... wow! 4 that reason only it deserves a release despite its redundant aspects, the whole thing is such an extravaganza that it gives a fair idea of how extraordinary 's talent was at the time, it's an opera of sorts.

[Edited 6/15/14 18:28pm]

databank said:

EddieC said:

Yes.

Not that I have any evidence that there could be a release of Crystal Ball (as intended)--and I'm not particularly interested in a reconstruction. But if there is the possibility of something very similar to what was originally intended, then yes, I want it, and added to a Sign remaster seems the sensible way to do it.

The album was compiled on November 30th, 1986 and submitted to WB so yeah, it does exist and it was moe than a tracklist on a sheet of paper. It's very likely Eric Leeds also heard it because he expressed his regrets that the album wasn't released as such. Most likely the bootleg version that was compiled a few years back reflects it quite faithfully even though it was reconstructed from various sources.

I know it existed. But does it still exist, or would it be a rebuilding from whatever remains? I want real released versions of all the songs, but unless they can give us the original sequence with all the fades and segues that one assumes were part of the album as submitted, then I'd prefer just to receive the individual tracks. Only go the full This Is Crystal Ball route if it actually is Crystal Ball.

I hate to get off topic, but someone else already mentioned Camille (which is part of the history of Sign, just as much as Crystal Ball was), so what about Dream Factory? Maybe not as easy to justify, but wouldn't it be nice to have those songs in their original home (or, in a few cases, original form or even any form officially).

I know, Crystal Ball is probably the most likely "unreleased album," but I'd like every variant he put together from this stage. I've got the fan-assembled versions, but I want to hear exactly how he put them together.

Actually (as I come back to add this)--the more I think about it, I think I might prefer Dream Factory. We've gotten almost all the songs officially from Crystal Ball, but there are more tracks that haven't been released from Dream Factory--and would give another chance to get All My Dreams out there if they don't release it with Parade.

[Edited 6/15/14 20:49pm]

EddieC said:

databank said:

The album was compiled on November 30th, 1986 and submitted to WB so yeah, it does exist and it was moe than a tracklist on a sheet of paper. It's very likely Eric Leeds also heard it because he expressed his regrets that the album wasn't released as such. Most likely the bootleg version that was compiled a few years back reflects it quite faithfully even though it was reconstructed from various sources.

I know it existed. But does it still exist, or would it be a rebuilding from whatever remains? I want real released versions of all the songs, but unless they can give us the original sequence with all the fades and segues that one assumes were part of the album as submitted, then I'd prefer just to receive the individual tracks. Only go the full This Is Crystal Ball route if it actually is Crystal Ball.

I hate to get off topic, but someone else already mentioned Camille (which is part of the history of Sign, just as much as Crystal Ball was), so what about Dream Factory? Maybe not as easy to justify, but wouldn't it be nice to have those songs in their original home (or, in a few cases, original form or even any form officially).

I know, Crystal Ball is probably the most likely "unreleased album," but I'd like every variant he put together from this stage. I've got the fan-assembled versions, but I want to hear exactly how he put them together.

Actually (as I come back to add this)--the more I think about it, I think I might prefer Dream Factory. We've gotten almost all the songs officially from Crystal Ball, but there are more tracks that haven't been released from Dream Factory--and would give another chance to get All My Dreams out there if they don't release it with Parade.

[Edited 6/15/14 20:49pm]

At some point made his final sequencing so yeah, of course this has to have been archived in the vault, is a maniac when it comes to archiving every bloody thing he ever did (every bloody rehearsal is being recorded for example).

As for Camille and DF well, it's tricky. I totally see your point. For me the main difference is that DF (in all 3 configurations) then Camille were works in progress toyed with at some point and decided to give up on to make the project evolve to its next step. It progressively went from DF1 to DF2 to DF3 to Camille to CB. Eventually, all but CB were mere drafts (according to Boris even the final configuration of DF wasn't considered final at all by and if the Revolution had not been disbanded the released 1987 DF would certainly have been different - IDK where Boris had this info but I trust him when it comes to those things). They were not evolved into the next configuration for any other reason that wasn't fully satisfied with any of them and that he felt his next album could be something better. The thing with CB is that it wasn't a draft. It was the album wanted to release, as such. If it hadn't been for WB being stubborn, it's the album we would have had, and some people who were around said that part of the reason was so frustrated and depressed at the time, and quite easily ready to move on to the next project instead of promoting SOTT for 6 more months by touring the US, is that he felt that he'd had to release an amputated album that didn't reflect his original vision. So yeah actually if had an actual proper online store that would be the basis of a proper archives program it would definitely be interesting to have him offer various work in progress configurations of his past albums, for the sake of historicity and the pleasure of hardcore fans, but if we're talking a SOTT rerelease CB is the configuration that makes sense.

As for All My Dreams, it belongs with Parade since it was recorded for that particular project in the first place, segued after OF4S if possible.

[Edited 6/15/14 21:06pm]

If he put it out, I would definitely buy it. Even if it was damn expensive.

Should he? probably not. Don't think the general public would really care for it.

Will he? I SERIOUSLY doubt it.

I'd be happy with whatever tracks that haven't been released already. Just put them on a disc of outtakes. If I care to, I can build my own playlist.

Really don't need 3 discs of songs that are already available just to pick up a few outtakes. Don't get me wrong... I WANT those outtakes BADLY! Just don't really NEED it to be tracked in sequence for me. Especially if it means it might take up space that could hold more unreleased stuff.

Nay.


Sign "☮" The Times is a masterpiece.

I prefer to see the remaster as it is - strong and no fillers.

Of course with a bonus disc with b-sides and outtakes.

Does anyone know if official artwork was created for the album?

paulludvig said:

Does anyone know if official artwork was created for the album?

Not that we know of but who knows...

Yeah.

I don't see the tracks being already released a big problem. One of the point of the remasters is to ensure that the albums are still on print and widely available, right? I can't see the CB collection from 1998 being something that will see a rerelease (besides, as a release it's a bit of a mess anyway). Of course, another option would be just having all that stuff easily available on the Internet.

novabrkr said:

I don't see the tracks being already released a big problem. One of the point of the remasters is to ensure that the albums are still on print and widely available, right? I can't see the CB collection from 1998 being something that will see a rerelease (besides, as a release it's a bit of a mess anyway). Of course, another option would be just having all that stuff easily available on the Internet.

I hope it will, it's part of the story. But we're not there yet, by the time it's time 2 reissue late 90's material physical sales will be close to zero. An online store remains the best thing for huge discogaphies like P's: minimum cost, maximum availablility.

databank said:

EddieC said:

I know it existed. But does it still exist, or would it be a rebuilding from whatever remains? I want real released versions of all the songs, but unless they can give us the original sequence with all the fades and segues that one assumes were part of the album as submitted, then I'd prefer just to receive the individual tracks. Only go the full This Is Crystal Ball route if it actually is Crystal Ball.

I hate to get off topic, but someone else already mentioned Camille (which is part of the history of Sign, just as much as Crystal Ball was), so what about Dream Factory? Maybe not as easy to justify, but wouldn't it be nice to have those songs in their original home (or, in a few cases, original form or even any form officially).

I know, Crystal Ball is probably the most likely "unreleased album," but I'd like every variant he put together from this stage. I've got the fan-assembled versions, but I want to hear exactly how he put them together.

Actually (as I come back to add this)--the more I think about it, I think I might prefer Dream Factory. We've gotten almost all the songs officially from Crystal Ball, but there are more tracks that haven't been released from Dream Factory--and would give another chance to get All My Dreams out there if they don't release it with Parade.

[Edited 6/15/14 20:49pm]

At some point made his final sequencing so yeah, of course this has to have been archived in the vault, is a maniac when it comes to archiving every bloody thing he ever did (every bloody rehearsal is being recorded for example).

As for Camille and DF well, it's tricky. I totally see your point. For me the main difference is that DF (in all 3 configurations) then Camille were works in progress toyed with at some point and decided to give up on to make the project evolve to its next step. It progressively went from DF1 to DF2 to DF3 to Camille to CB. Eventually, all but CB were mere drafts (according to Boris even the final configuration of DF wasn't considered final at all by and if the Revolution had not been disbanded the released 1987 DF would certainly have been different - IDK where Boris had this info but I trust him when it comes to those things). They were not evolved into the next configuration for any other reason that wasn't fully satisfied with any of them and that he felt his next album could be something better. The thing with CB is that it wasn't a draft. It was the album wanted to release, as such. If it hadn't been for WB being stubborn, it's the album we would have had, and some people who were around said that part of the reason was so frustrated and depressed at the time, and quite easily ready to move on to the next project instead of promoting SOTT for 6 more months by touring the US, is that he felt that he'd had to release an amputated album that didn't reflect his original vision. So yeah actually if had an actual proper online store that would be the basis of a proper archives program it would definitely be interesting to have him offer various work in progress configurations of his past albums, for the sake of historicity and the pleasure of hardcore fans, but if we're talking a SOTT rerelease CB is the configuration that makes sense.

As for All My Dreams, it belongs with Parade since it was recorded for that particular project in the first place, segued after OF4S if possible.

[Edited 6/15/14 21:06pm]

Good points.

Nay, nay.

Just put all the Dream Factory, Camille, Crystal Ball tracks on as extras and call it a day. No need to have 2LPs worth of songs twice in one set.

EddieC said:

databank said:

The album was compiled on November 30th, 1986 and submitted to WB so yeah, it does exist and it was moe than a tracklist on a sheet of paper. It's very likely Eric Leeds also heard it because he expressed his regrets that the album wasn't released as such. Most likely the bootleg version that was compiled a few years back reflects it quite faithfully even though it was reconstructed from various sources.

I know it existed. But does it still exist, or would it be a rebuilding from whatever remains? I want real released versions of all the songs, but unless they can give us the original sequence with all the fades and segues that one assumes were part of the album as submitted, then I'd prefer just to receive the individual tracks. Only go the full This Is Crystal Ball route if it actually is Crystal Ball.

I hate to get off topic, but someone else already mentioned Camille (which is part of the history of Sign, just as much as Crystal Ball was), so what about Dream Factory? Maybe not as easy to justify, but wouldn't it be nice to have those songs in their original home (or, in a few cases, original form or even any form officially).

I know, Crystal Ball is probably the most likely "unreleased album," but I'd like every variant he put together from this stage. I've got the fan-assembled versions, but I want to hear exactly how he put them together.

Actually (as I come back to add this)--the more I think about it, I think I might prefer Dream Factory. We've gotten almost all the songs officially from Crystal Ball, but there are more tracks that haven't been released from Dream Factory--and would give another chance to get All My Dreams out there if they don't release it with Parade.

[Edited 6/15/14 20:49pm]

u know its funny 4 years ive been listening 2 a fan edit of that soing that goes on for 3.45 mins......and there was me thinkingt that it was the orginal version....it basically edits out all the instrumental bit in the middle..when i found out i was pissed!!! ha

NouveauDance said:

Nay, nay.

Just put all the Dream Factory, Camille, Crystal Ball tracks on as extras and call it a day. No need to have 2LPs worth of songs twice in one set.

Wouldn't mix Dream Factory and SOTT. SOTT ended up as a solo project by Prince and should remain so. Releasing songs that only appeared on various DF configuration as extras on SOTT would create the impression that SOTT was a Revolution project. Which it wasn't. Different with Crystal Ball. That album was a Prince solo album, just like SOTT, only bigger and better.

Optimus2 said:

EddieC said:

I know it existed. But does it still exist, or would it be a rebuilding from whatever remains? I want real released versions of all the songs, but unless they can give us the original sequence with all the fades and segues that one assumes were part of the album as submitted, then I'd prefer just to receive the individual tracks. Only go the full This Is Crystal Ball route if it actually is Crystal Ball.

I hate to get off topic, but someone else already mentioned Camille (which is part of the history of Sign, just as much as Crystal Ball was), so what about Dream Factory? Maybe not as easy to justify, but wouldn't it be nice to have those songs in their original home (or, in a few cases, original form or even any form officially).

I know, Crystal Ball is probably the most likely "unreleased album," but I'd like every variant he put together from this stage. I've got the fan-assembled versions, but I want to hear exactly how he put them together.

Actually (as I come back to add this)--the more I think about it, I think I might prefer Dream Factory. We've gotten almost all the songs officially from Crystal Ball, but there are more tracks that haven't been released from Dream Factory--and would give another chance to get All My Dreams out there if they don't release it with Parade.

[Edited 6/15/14 20:49pm]

u know its funny 4 years ive been listening 2 a fan edit of that soing that goes on for 3.45 mins......and there was me thinkingt that it was the orginal version....it basically edits out all the instrumental bit in the middle..when i found out i was pissed!!! ha

HA! Every time I tell those people who edite Tony M out of songs and do things like that "do it 4 ur own pleasure but please don't share them online or they may get confused with the real deal by some folks and possibly even become more shared than it at some point", they tell me "no, no, don't worry, people will know it's a fan edit, and we'll specify it on the file's name and no one would be as malicious as to erase that from the title, bla bla bla". U r the living proof that this is all BS and that fan edits shouldn't b shared online, at all.