I just listened to the 10-min live version, and it's amazing.

I now know why some people here say crystal ball was a disappointment.

And since I'm interested, can any one of you recommend '94-'95 era essential live performances?

opiumden said:

I just listened to the 10-min live version, and it's amazing.

I now know why some people here say crystal ball was a disappointment.

And since I'm interested, can any one of you recommend '94-'95 era essential live performances?

That song was okay but I never really understood why it´s such a fan favorite. As far as I know he didn´t even write the lyrics.

Don´t know about "essential " live performances but I quite like the Beautiful Experience TV special, the Glam Slam Miami Satellite broadcast shows, the 1994 NYC Palladium show (not all of it but the "Shhh..." rendition is one of his best ever), and if you´re looking for some interesting aftershows I highly recommend the March 1995 Paradiso Amsterdam aftershows. The first night was the bomb and Prince was in a great mood, and they played a very mellow and soulful version of 18 and Over that kicks the studio version´s ass big time. Morris on the organ just killed it. Really great live rendition of a song that´s mediocre in hindsight (he was , in my opinion, channelling Snoop Dogg a tad too much on that one).

The London aftershows were also cool, the Emporium shows in particular.

This was when his Ohio Players and Larry Graham covers were still fresh and interesting and not the same old same old.

And the band was supertight!

Also check out some of the Paisley Park 7 dollar shows he did during that time.

"Hide The Bone" should have been the opening track on TGE.It's exactly the type of hardcore,sweaty funk jam that I like

Absolutely love the song. How i wish i could find a decent quality Crystal Ball CD set without paying through the roof for it!

[Edited 11/16/14 21:15pm]