I wasn't planning on buying this but, I, along with others would like to know from those who bought the CD:

Do the songs sound better than in previously released versions?

How's the flow?

Your opinion of it as a collection?

I bought it mostly for an officially released version of "Moonbeam levels", plus I'm a completest. It is nice to have some of the radio edits on CD for the first time too. That being said, I like the extended versions and album versions of the songs a lot more. This is a nice collection for a casual fan who may not have all his albums.

[Edited 11/22/16 17:30pm]

sro100 said:

The booklet cover should have been the overall cover. Very cool picture with subdued colors. I think it's decent as a hits collection, it's the first one I've bought so I don't feel as gipped as others might. The sound quality of 4ever is very meh besides Moonbeam Levels. The sequencing is fine but nothing will beat the Head to Do Me, Baby transition from The Hits/The B-Sides.

I'm a completist so anything with Prince's name on it I will have. I bought two copies of the uncessored version, and I also pre-ordered the digital download on itunes.

Moonbeam leves it nice crisp and clear- Glad it hasn't been altered in anway.

My problem stems from Gett Off, Now it's a nice suprise with the additional lyrics that we have hear on some remix's and on the Gett Off VHS video release. However, it is censored (although this is the UNSCENSORED Version), In the lyric " Now move your big ASS round this way so I can work on that zipper baby" ASS is omitted / censored out by a DJ record scratch. This absolutely ruins the song IMO. Especially Later on on SEXY MF, it says "SExy Mother Fucker" Plain as day unedited/ uncensored. Then In my name is Prince Shit, Dick, and Ass are censored again by the "dj scratch" sound. WTH? Why? It makes no sense. I'd think FUCKER is more offensive than dick, ass and shit. :O( It was very dissapointing. So then I checked the Itunes version, and yep it's censored as well :O(

I honeslty am starting to think that Prince did pick out the album cover, however I think maybe it was going to be for "BLACK IS THE NEW BLACK" and not a "greatist hits" package. I'm starting to think there are in fact Theives in the temple $$$$$$$.

This leaves me dissapointed as well as unsure of the future of Prince's legacy.

However, I'm an extremely thankful for the release, and appreciative of the efforts. I think that maybe the powers that be that are making these decisions, should consult with the FAMS, I actually think we could do a better job at this.

The hits/ the b-sides is the best hits package by far Hands down. Moonbeam levels is definately the highlight of this release.

[Edited 11/23/16 5:20am]

[Edited 11/23/16 5:25am]

one2vibe said:

...

My problem stems from Gett Off, Now it's a nice suprise with the additional lyrics that we have hear on some remix's and on the Gett Off VHS video release. However, it is censored (although this is the UNSCENSORED Version), In the lyric " Now move your big ASS round this way so I can work on that zipper baby" ASS is omitted / censored out by a DJ record scratch. This absolutely ruins the song IMO. Especially Later on on SEXY MF, it says "SExy Mother Fucker" Plain as day unedited/ uncensored. Then In my name is Prince Shit, Dick, and Ass are censored again by the "dj scratch" sound. WTH? Why? It makes no sense. I'd think FUCKER is more offensive than dick, ass and shit. :O( It was very dissapointing. So then I checked the Itunes version, and yep it's censored as well :O(

...

This leaves me dissapointed as well as unsure of the future of Prince's legacy.

...

This is either a serious fuck up or a serious worry for future releases. I hope we get clarification from someone at Warner's about what's happened here.

It's going to be very hard to ever top The Hits/B-Sides. That is such a complete package (albeit with Batdance missing).

Ultimate was a very nice package too, bundled with a lot of the 12" mixes.

The Very Best Of was a waste (I never bought it).

4Ever is really just a delivery method for Moonbeam Levels. IMO, that could've been a single release but I get that they were trying to get a hits package out this year for the masses.

"Moonbeam Levels" is looking to be Prince's Lazarus, with talk of dying throughout (even though it was recorded well over 30 years ago).

I bought it for "Moonbeam Levels" but I gotta say, I'm very impressed. It does a good job of covering many of Prince's essential tracks.

The "flow" of the tracklist is excellent and works surprisingly well. I was just listening to it this morning and yes, as a hardcore fan, I notice the bits and pieces that are edited out of many songs that made me disappointed (like the "Don't worry, I won't hurt you..." intro to 1999 or the "Cat, we need you to rap..." part in Alphabet St.)... And with an artist like Prince, it is impossible to fit all of his essential songs onto 2 cd's... You would need a 4 or 5 cd anthology box set to truly include all his essentials, and even then that might be enough.

But for what this is, a greatest hits for the casual fan, I think it does an excellent job with the tracks it included (love that they included "Batdance") and having a high quality version of "Moonbeam Levels" is a real blessing. I'm glad I bought it and I'm looking forward to future releases from the vault!

Forgot to add... I love the remixed version of "Gett Off" that's included with some different lyrics. Yeah I realize it was probably previously released on the "Gett Off" EP or something (which I've hardly ever listened to) but it sounded new to me and it's awesome.

E319 said:

I never loved "The hits 1&2". I think the Prince pre-revolution and post-revolution is quite different and put a mix of those different sounds does not work. So, I like the 2cd of 4ever: there is space for Parade and Lovesexy era, Moonbeam Levels is a precious addition, the Gett Off single is a good choice, and yes, Batdance reminds the Prince extravaganza. I think the 2cd shows the range of creativity of Prince, from the Kiss falsetto to the funky-rap of Sexy MF. I'm not in love with the Nothing Compare 2U live rendition, maybe The Most Beautiful Girl in The World could be a better track to end.

Se7en said:

one2vibe said:

one2vibe said:

floralelephants said:

And I have the opinion that like Purple Rain, there should never be an edit of When Doves Cry.

I agree.On a compilation like this,they should always use the full-length album version of "When Doves Cry".It should be a crime to edit this song

SoulAlive said:

floralelephants said:

And I have the opinion that like Purple Rain, there should never be an edit of When Doves Cry.

I agree.On a compilation like this,they should always use the full-length album version of "When Doves Cry".It should be a crime to edit this song

It's a crime actually, here in Mexico they give you 5 years just for thinking about it.

KingSausage said:

Se7en said:

It's going to be very hard to ever top The Hits/B-Sides. That is such a complete package (albeit with Batdance missing).

Ultimate was a very nice package too, bundled with a lot of the 12" mixes.

The Very Best Of was a waste (I never bought it).

4Ever is really just a delivery method for Moonbeam Levels. IMO, that could've been a single release but I get that they were trying to get a hits package out this year for the masses.

"Moonbeam Levels" is looking to be Prince's Lazarus, with talk of dying throughout (even though it was recorded well over 30 years ago).

I second all of this. Well said. The Hits & B-Sides is stellar. Ultimate had some cool extended mixes. Very Best Of is a waste. 4ever is a nice compilation but can't touch the 3-disc awesomeness of The Hits & B-Sides.

Nothing can, especially when it comes to the B-Sides disc.

I'm a little confused by the reports above: is any version unreleased, as in a slightly different fade out or lyrics censorship, or were they all out already?

luvgirl said:

just spinning it as we speak. And to be honest, I am enjoying it. I think i am so used to the full or long versions that all these singles edits seem fresh and to the point! I think it will go down well with the casual Christmas shoppers and newbies. And hopefully bring in some new young fans. Imagine becoming a fan now! A whole new world opening up. I think am jealous! Its the perfect Cd for curious people who might wonder what all the fuss was about. So it that vein, its a success.

floralelephants said:

Mountains does not fully fade out (like it was taken straight from Parade where Do You Lie comes in at the end of the fade). Head should have been segued into the next song instead of just stopping and sounding clipped off.

I'm fine with the end of "Head", but the truncated fade out of "Mountains" is a great fault for a compilation like this.

I was expecting this release was curated by someone knowing P's music, at last.
Not a deaf "cut and paste" engineer.

so whats the sales so far??

luvsexy4all said: