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Thread started 09/03/16 7:16pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

Emotional Pump ~ 10.16.1986

is an unreleased track recorded on 16 October 1986 at Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA, USA (five days after Violet Blue, two days before Housequake).

The song was written for Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, who had influenced Prince greatly (see below for details of her influence). It was sent to her, but she didn't think it matched her style and she told Prince she couldn't sing it. The track remains unreleased.

PrinceVault

These are the only lyrics she ever mentioned:


'Emotional pump,

you're my emotional pump,

You make my body jump.'

Image result for Joni Mitchell October 1986 Image result for prince 1986

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Reply #1 posted 09/03/16 7:22pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

http://jonimitchell.com/library/view.cfm?id=1639

by Dominic Roskrow
Auckland Sun
June 9, 1988

"He implied something might happen. That whet my curiosity"

Joni Mitchell has been associated with some odd collaborations in her time, but she drew the line when Prince came up with a song idea.

The two had been jamming as friends do when Prince hinted at a joint project.

"He implied that something would happen between our two musics. Something that he had never done before. That whet my curiosity.

"I asked him to explain it but he said he could not put it into words. The closest he came to articulating it was that it was the open harmonies I got in conjunction with funk into a hybrid that would be fairly fresh.

"I said why didn't he build me a track so he sent a song with him singing 'Emotional pump, you're my emotional pump, You make my body jump.'

"I called him back and said that I could not do the song."

Prince is a big admirer of Joni and cites Hissing of Summer Lawns, released in 1975, as his favourite record.

She explains: "Just before a musician begins to make his own music he will absorb the most music and thoroughly in the privacy of their room. Your input before your output is at its greatest.

[??? unreadable] lot in particular 'The Hissing of Summer Lawns and, I think, Hejira, and he said Hissing was his favourite record.

"I think usually your favourite record is before you start making records because once you do your favourites are your own because you get so actively involved and opinionated out of necessity."

Mitchell herself went through an intense period of listening to jazz before she began recording 20 years ago, a fact that she says influenced some of her later albums.

"Though I started as a folk singer the move into jazz was no accident because I had absorbed so much vocal jazz beforehand."

Throughout her career Mitchell has tried to be innovative and experimental. And she believe that essentially music should be created to develop an art-form.

Anything that stands still is, by her standards, worthless. And it is a charge she lays at the feet of friend Neil Young and his most recent album This Note's For You.

"If I speak honestly I sound like a creep," she says, but continues, "In all honesty the record is nowhere near as good as Neil can do. It's a blues band and by blues band standards it is not a good blues band.

"I have read rave reviews of the horn section which I think is abysmal.

"I do not know about the lyrics but the general impression is the population can absorb a lot of intricacy.

"It's my opinion that planetary and global music should gain in sophistication. You take South America and the rhythms are sophisticated and so are the harmonies.

"If you are going to do something you have to look at whether it is as good as what went before.

"Is it as good as Muddy Waters? Nowhere near.

"You have to borrow from the old and make something new so that the idiom evolves. Music in my opinion is a living thing and if it does not evolve then you have done nothing.

"Neil has made a lot of strange albums recently and people are with him because he is a wonderful person and they want very much to like his album. But to me the calibre of writing is way below what he is capable of."

Mitchell sees few people creating music in the 80s that fall into what she considers the genius category, though she does have a healthy interest in what is going on around her.

"My standards are too high for pop," she says. "But if you look back at Woodstock there are only two or three geniuses there. I think The Who look ridiculous.

"Jimi Hendrix is great. He is one of the true geniuses of his generation. He blew his instrument right open. Miles Davis on trumpet, he has a record that is unbroken. He has many imitators but they can't match his soul.

"In the 80s there has been a degeneration in lyrics. Dylan set a standard that I thought would hold and it hasn't.

"In the 80s there was a lot of good dance music but even Prince, although he's great, he's not an originator like Sly was, so even the greats of this generation aren't in the truly genius status.

"There's an added problem in this generation. Before the 80s and the coming of video everything died and had to be ferretted out. In the 80s nothing dies, everything is on video and record.

"The 80s is the era of the poseur. Even Madonna, while I think she's written some good songs, is trying to look like Marlene Dietrich and Marilyn Monroe."

"I hope the 90s will be more of a thinking generation and that dance music and thinking music will go together.

"I'm not all into mind over body.

"I like dance music."

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Reply #2 posted 09/03/16 7:56pm

bonatoc

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What a great woman.

Honeslty, does wanting Joni sing "You're my Emotional Pump" really differ
from wanting Prince sing "Your butt is mine"? biggrin

I wonder if she reconsidered her views on Prince over the years.
I guess she did :

But even when you were somewhat obscure, so many musicians were citing you as an influence or even name-checking you in songs. Of all the musicians and rappers who have cited you as an influence, whose work do you appreciate most?
— Prince.

http://nymag.com/nymetro/...op/11888/

The Colors R brighter, the Bond is much tighter
No Child's a failure
Until the Blue Sailboat sails him away from his dreams
Don't Ever Lose, Don't Ever Lose
Don't Ever Lose Your Dreams
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Reply #3 posted 09/04/16 7:15am

OldFriends4Sal
e

bonatoc said:

What a great woman.

Honeslty, does wanting Joni sing "You're my Emotional Pump" really differ
from wanting Prince sing "Your butt is mine"? biggrin

I wonder if she reconsidered her views on Prince over the years.
I guess she did :

But even when you were somewhat obscure, so many musicians were citing you as an influence or even name-checking you in songs. Of all the musicians and rappers who have cited you as an influence, whose work do you appreciate most?
— Prince.

http://nymag.com/nymetro/...op/11888/

Yep, I guess she was talking from that period when he was still in the wonderful developmental period. They continued to be friends over the years.

I would love to hear a recording of these jam sessions they had.

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Reply #4 posted 09/04/16 8:23am

theplejades

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Besides Prince Joni Mitchell is my favorite artist. I wish they would have recorded something together. Some of her quotes above sound a bit snooty to my ears though because I think some of her songs especially in later years were not up to the high standards she set in the 70s.
I do not think that anything that Prince offered to her could have been worse than the song she did with Billy Idol called "Dancing Clown" that she released on Chalk mark in a rainstorm.

What a wasted opportunity!

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Reply #5 posted 09/04/16 8:45am

seanski

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Why does Questlove the only one who gets to hear these song. Who gave him the Keys to the vault? Ever since Prince passed this guys been leaking songs left and right. He's supposed tohave even heard "Wally"!!!! eek

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Reply #6 posted 09/04/16 8:54am

TonyWilliams

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seanski said:

Why does Questlove the only one who gets to hear these song. Who gave him the Keys to the vault? Ever since Prince passed this guys been leaking songs left and right. He's supposed tohave even heard "Wally"!!!! eek

he is best friends with alan leeds....

Love...thy will b done
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Reply #7 posted 09/04/16 9:02am

RaspBerryGirlF
riend

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seanski said:

Why does Questlove the only one who gets to hear these song. Who gave him the Keys to the vault? Ever since Prince passed this guys been leaking songs left and right. He's supposed tohave even heard "Wally"!!!! eek

I'm hoping that the fact that these songs are getting an airing in a vaguely public setting is indicative of their potential future release, maybe I'm just being overly optimistic though, who knows what's going to happen.

Heavenly wine and roses seems to whisper to me when you smile...
Always cry for love, never cry for pain...
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Reply #8 posted 09/04/16 9:13am

TonyWilliams

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RaspBerryGirlFriend said:

seanski said:

Why does Questlove the only one who gets to hear these song. Who gave him the Keys to the vault? Ever since Prince passed this guys been leaking songs left and right. He's supposed tohave even heard "Wally"!!!! eek

I'm hoping that the fact that these songs are getting an airing in a vaguely public setting is indicative of their potential future release, maybe I'm just being overly optimistic though, who knows what's going to happen.

apparantly Questlove is not in danger of having legal battles for playing these songs (come home, the screams of passion, emotional pump, elektra tuesday, love and sex) in public.

that makes me wonder if a release of some sort is already in the works.

Love...thy will b done
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Reply #9 posted 09/04/16 9:23am

RaspBerryGirlF
riend

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TonyWilliams said:

RaspBerryGirlFriend said:

I'm hoping that the fact that these songs are getting an airing in a vaguely public setting is indicative of their potential future release, maybe I'm just being overly optimistic though, who knows what's going to happen.

apparantly Questlove is not in danger of having legal battles for playing these songs (come home, the screams of passion, emotional pump, elektra tuesday, love and sex) in public.

that makes me wonder if a release of some sort is already in the works.

Yeah, exactly, that's why I'm potentially hopeful about forthcoming official releases of this stuff. Another possible reason to be optimistic imo is the fact that immediately after Emotional Pump Questlove played the studio version of Take This Beat which ended with Prince repeating the lyric "don't fuck with me." Given that we had heard earlier reports that Prince had erased some of the explicit tracks in the vault the fact that this version of Take This Beat exists hopefully indicates that he didn't exactly purge the vault of any and all songs containing profanities.

Heavenly wine and roses seems to whisper to me when you smile...
Always cry for love, never cry for pain...
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Reply #10 posted 09/04/16 9:31am

TonyWilliams

avatar

RaspBerryGirlFriend said:

TonyWilliams said:

apparantly Questlove is not in danger of having legal battles for playing these songs (come home, the screams of passion, emotional pump, elektra tuesday, love and sex) in public.

that makes me wonder if a release of some sort is already in the works.

Yeah, exactly, that's why I'm potentially hopeful about forthcoming official releases of this stuff. Another possible reason to be optimistic imo is the fact that immediately after Emotional Pump Questlove played the studio version of Take This Beat which ended with Prince repeating the lyric "don't fuck with me." Given that we had heard earlier reports that Prince had erased some of the explicit tracks in the vault the fact that this version of Take This Beat exists hopefully indicates that he didn't exactly purge the vault of any and all songs containing profanities.

hmmm

actually, i think that is the regular "i wish u heaven" part3 version that he played.

Love...thy will b done
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Reply #11 posted 09/04/16 9:34am

RaspBerryGirlF
riend

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TonyWilliams said:

RaspBerryGirlFriend said:

Yeah, exactly, that's why I'm potentially hopeful about forthcoming official releases of this stuff. Another possible reason to be optimistic imo is the fact that immediately after Emotional Pump Questlove played the studio version of Take This Beat which ended with Prince repeating the lyric "don't fuck with me." Given that we had heard earlier reports that Prince had erased some of the explicit tracks in the vault the fact that this version of Take This Beat exists hopefully indicates that he didn't exactly purge the vault of any and all songs containing profanities.

hmmm

actually, i think that is the regular "i wish u heaven" part3 version that he played.

Ah fair enough, sorry, haven't listened to that 12 inch for ages so couldn't remember what it sounded like.

Edit: Just had a listen to I Wish U Heaven Part 3 and yeah you're completely right, got my hopes up in vain I guess!

[Edited 9/4/16 9:41am]

Heavenly wine and roses seems to whisper to me when you smile...
Always cry for love, never cry for pain...
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Reply #12 posted 09/04/16 10:04am

purplepolitici
an

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I'm sure it's fantastic. From what I've heard of it, it sounds fine. Grainy, undecipherable cell phone vid. If it ever gets a proper release or boot leak I definitely won't skip it. All is welcome bringiton mr.green.

For all time I am with you, you are with me.
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Reply #13 posted 09/04/16 10:13am

sulls

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That snip sounded incredible! Please, pleeeeeeeeeease, purple gods!!!

"I like to watch."
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Reply #14 posted 09/04/16 10:23am

Revolution81

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Questlove doesn't have access to the vault. He's just playing stuff that has been in the hands of collectors for years
What's the use in half a story, half a dream
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Reply #15 posted 09/04/16 10:36am

sulls

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Revolution81 said:

Questlove doesn't have access to the vault. He's just playing stuff that has been in the hands of collectors for years


I'm a collector, but it sho' ain't in my hands lol cry
"I like to watch."
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Reply #16 posted 09/04/16 10:41am

Iamtheorg

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seanski said:

Why does Questlove the only one who gets to hear these song. Who gave him the Keys to the vault? Ever since Prince passed this guys been leaking songs left and right. He's supposed tohave even heard "Wally"!!!! eek

I think he is lying about that one. Even if he is friends with Leeds.

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Reply #17 posted 09/04/16 10:51am

Revolution81

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sulls said:

Revolution81 said:

Questlove doesn't have access to the vault. He's just playing stuff that has been in the hands of collectors for years


I'm a collector, but it sho' ain't in my hands lol cry

lol
Well I'm sure there are also collectors who have stuff he doesn't too.
I'm just pointing out he doesn't have any kind of special access to the vault.
Besides its not exactly a new thing for him, he's been mixing uncirculating prince into his sets for a few years now, for example: "eggplant"
What's the use in half a story, half a dream
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Reply #18 posted 09/04/16 10:56am

funksterr

Everybody's so desperate for relevancy right now they are going to let Jimmy Fallon's drummer do whatever he likes in hopes they can turn a dollar off it eventually. I'm just going to hold my nose and hope for the best. If he's playing these tracks in the middle of First Ave, with Prince luminaries in the building, you can bet he has an official source within the estate. I'd bet money, going forward Questlove will all but call the shots on future releases.

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Reply #19 posted 09/04/16 11:10am

Iamtheorg

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funksterr said:

Everybody's so desperate for relevancy right now they are going to let Jimmy Fallon's drummer do whatever he likes in hopes they can turn a dollar off it eventually. I'm just going to hold my nose and hope for the best. If he's playing these tracks in the middle of First Ave, with Prince luminaries in the building, you can bet he has an official source within the estate. I'd bet money, going forward Questlove will all but call the shots on future releases.

just great neutral

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Reply #20 posted 09/04/16 11:12am

sulls

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Everybody want what they don't got (especially me)
"I like to watch."
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Reply #21 posted 09/04/16 11:18am

leadline

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Ok so, played of the PA, when, and by who?

"You always get the dream that you deserve, from what you value the most" -Prince 2013
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Reply #22 posted 09/04/16 11:33am

RaspBerryGirlF
riend

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leadline said:

Ok so, played of the PA, when, and by who?

It was played by Questlove during one of the afterparties for the recent Revolution shows, think it was the one on the 2nd.

Heavenly wine and roses seems to whisper to me when you smile...
Always cry for love, never cry for pain...
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Reply #23 posted 09/04/16 11:51am

TonyWilliams

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Revolution81 said:

Questlove doesn't have access to the vault. He's just playing stuff that has been in the hands of collectors for years

ehm....so the studio version of "the screams of passion" has been in the hands of collectors for years? or "emotional pump" or "come home" ? ....i musta been sleeping, hahaha.

Love...thy will b done
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Reply #24 posted 09/04/16 11:54am

leadline

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RaspBerryGirlFriend said:

leadline said:

Ok so, played of the PA, when, and by who?

It was played by Questlove during one of the afterparties for the recent Revolution shows, think it was the one on the 2nd.


Man everytime this dude plays something nobody else has it gets my panties in a bunch. This stuff should be shared with all fans, and not just for quests ears only.

Perhaps I am the a-hole.........I don't know.

"You always get the dream that you deserve, from what you value the most" -Prince 2013
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Reply #25 posted 09/04/16 11:58am

purplerabbitho
le

Does anyone find Questlove sort of annoying at times. I like the dude but he seems to think that Prince died in 1990.

RaspBerryGirlFriend said:

leadline said:

Ok so, played of the PA, when, and by who?

It was played by Questlove during one of the afterparties for the recent Revolution shows, think it was the one on the 2nd.

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Reply #26 posted 09/04/16 12:00pm

IstenSzek

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well, the way i see it is this, IF the estate throws a hissy fit for some reason
and they decide to not release vault tracks, then at the very least there are
a good 2 dozen amazing tracks still in the hands of a very small group of
folks who might then decide to let them go. we all know who these people
are, let's not kid ourselves. in the end we'll hear those songs, it might take
another 5 years or so though, maybe 10.

and true love lives on lollipops and crisps
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Reply #27 posted 09/04/16 12:54pm

Militant

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moderator

Revolution81 said:

sulls said:
I'm a collector, but it sho' ain't in my hands lol cry
lol Well I'm sure there are also collectors who have stuff he doesn't too.





cool cool cool

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Reply #28 posted 09/04/16 1:01pm

jayseajay

purplerabbithole said:

Does anyone find Questlove sort of annoying at times. I like the dude but he seems to think that Prince died in 1990.

RaspBerryGirlFriend said:

It was played by Questlove during one of the afterparties for the recent Revolution shows, think it was the one on the 2nd.

I find Questlove annoying a lot of the time. But that might just be me.

Not like I love my guitar....
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Reply #29 posted 09/04/16 1:12pm

leadline

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jayseajay said:

purplerabbithole said:

Does anyone find Questlove sort of annoying at times. I like the dude but he seems to think that Prince died in 1990.

I find Questlove annoying a lot of the time. But that might just be me.


no it is not just you, i think the dude gets off on being the only one that has this stuff and severly enjoys rubbing it in people faces......could be wrong, just the impression I get.

"You always get the dream that you deserve, from what you value the most" -Prince 2013
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