So here we are, a year after the untimely death of Prince. Most fans look back to that period a year ago, look at all the mystery and scandal that was being reported, and wonder what it was all about. Now that we can say that there was no conspiracy and Prince's dignity is intact, it all seems like a completely different world to the one back then. Now we know what really happened, it all makes sense.

Prince's estate and the legal issues surrounding it are finally looking like they are being resolved. The music catalogue, including the vault has been purchased by Warner Brothers. As we know, Tyka was not keen to give it up, but the tax man had other things to say on the matter. At least now Tyka and the extended family will finally receive their dues from the estate and, by all accounts, they will all be pretty well off in the month's to come. The family deserves the closure they are sure to get very soon. Finally.

WB have promised that they will ensure the legacy of Prince and his music will not be tarnished. From what they know so far, there are entire albums, along with artwork and liner notes already compiled in the vault. They have promised to release these, as they are without any external inteferance over the coming years. In many cases videos have been shot for many of the songs on these unreleased albums. WB have stated that there are more than 15 years worth of completed "new" albums if they follow the album a year philosophy that Prince preferred (although it is fair to say that they have not yet finalised any actual schedule).

After many months of negatiations and back and forth WB have finally managed to purchase the Prince.com domain name, for an undisclosed amount it must be said. They havent revealed too much about their plans for the domain except to say that, in time, all the music in the vault will eventually find its way there. They have said they understand the importance to archivists, historians and fans that the music, no matter what state it may be in, is made available. They have not said whether any of the music will come at a premium however.

Of the songs in the vault that are orphaned (WB's term), meaning songs that seem to have no associated album, WB have said they will collate them by session/date (where known) and continue the project that Prince started with his Hit n Run series. It is not yet known whether these will be physically released or digital only through Prince.com, or at what intervals they will be released. WB have stated, however, that there could be decades worth of Hit n Runs! Regarding songs that are known to have been pulled from previously released albums, box sets will be created along with the original album. They will start the series next month with the release of the Purple Rain boxset.

Whilst WB are still collating the vault, there are still a lot of unaswered questions coming from the fans. What about the live recordings? What about the live video? What about the unfinished songs and alternate versions of songs? WB have yet to answer these questions, although an unamed source has said that some of the unfinished songs will need a producer to come in and put it all together. Who, how and when were not mentioned. The source did go on to say that some songs will be given to some of the label's up and coming artists in order to generate profit, but the source did go on to say that the original would still be made available on Prince.com.

So, whilst there are still questions and a lot of Prince's estate is still up in the air, it looks like things are starting to move in the right direction. I think we can all say that Tyka and family conducted themselves with dignity and, whilst the sale of the Vault was unfortunate, it was neccessary. It looks like WB are doing right by the music and, despite the initial mistrust, they seem to have the majority of the fans' support. Not everyone is happy, but then not everyone would be. There is concern about WB giving songs to other artists, but if they do still make the original recordings available, I think we should cut them some slack. Afterall, they did pay a small fortune for the music, so they do deserve to try and monitise it as best they can.

As for the cause of Prince's death, I think we now all understand how the media, rumours, gossip and leaks got it so wrong. No one, and I mean NO ONE, got it right. I think we can all be thankful to the authorities for keeping their mouths shut until all the information was in. I wonder how many of those unemployed "journalists" will work in the media again? And as for the armchair conspiracists and critics, well, how silly do you feel now?

<This is a first post from a long time lurker - 21st April 2017>