I tried to see if there was a previous thread on this, couldn't find it - sorry if this is a repeat.
but I just wanna know what ya'll think about the 94 EAST cd ??

eye broke it out today, wanted something mellow 2 listen 2 at work & I like it. It wasn't the first time I listened to it, but it doesnt sound like Prince 2 me - am I missing something?
I really love the instrumentals, it's nice 2 work 2 & even put on 'repeat'...

Anybody else like it? hate it?

~Just anotha sucka~

what the hell is that supposed to mean?

My college roomate had it, but I hadn't heard its since.
Then my wife came across a two cd set of 94 East and snagged it for me. It's great hearing him not only at such and early point in his career, but to hear him only singing back-up to Pepe Willie on most tracks is really different, but in a cool way.

For anyone who hasn't heard of 94 East:
It's an ultra rare bootleg of Prince performing with a group call "94 east" led by a guy named Pepe Willie. This was recorded before Prince's solo album debut. Most of the songs have a similar feel to the songs on For You. Truly a collectors item, if you can find it.

I have a copy of this 2CD Set, it's called:

94 East

featuring

PRINCE

Symbolic Beginning

It's purple in color, with a case 4 the 2 discs titled volume 1 and 2. The inside liner notes written by Roger Murdoch reads as follows:

"Once you've achieved icon status you immediately become public property (just ask Princess Diana) - and this is doubly so for Pop stars. Virtually everything you've ever done is subjected to scrutiny, particularly the things you did before you became famous - from the paintings, poems and scribblings you did at school, to your first recordings. And (the artist formerly known as) PRINCE is very much a case in point. Take these tracks: they are indeed His Symbolness's very first forays into a recording studio (he was just 17 when he played on these sessions) and as such, they have attained near-mythical status over the years. The enigmatic imp can be heard variously contributing guitar, bass, synths and backing vocals on these historic recordings: six of these sides enjoyed a limited release in the late 80's...but further tracks were known to exist, and so the search was on. This, then, is the most comprehensive package of The Diminutive One's "pre-Prince" recordings to be released thus far - and it marks the first-ever release for no less than eight of these sides".

The notes go one 2 tell us about Prince growing up in MN., and how he got 2 play with Pepe Willie. Most of the songs on these discs are written by Pepe, except 4 one song, "Just Another Sucker" is credited 2 Prince as co-written by.

Overall, IMHO, the discs r adequate. These guys were gonna go nowhere fast. Prince was lucky 4 the experience at such a young age (17 and a session musician!!) wow!, but the group had a loooong way 2 go. The Collector Me is happy 2 have these discs in my collection, but the MusicLover Me is happy 2 keep them out of rotation.


It is available on the Charly Groove label.

Dig it, just shows the infinite expanse of his creativity.

June7 said:

That's the same set that I have. I agree. Definately a collector's item, but nothing that was going to set the world on fire.

This would make a realy good "before they were stars" type segment on VH1. "Or where are they now? The Pepe willie story"

From what I remember wasn't there an official release title '94 East the Minneapolis sound' or something like that? Is that what you were referring to?

It was released right after Purple Rain came out to cash in on Princes success. I think Prince and Andre Cymone played instruments and sang background before Prince got a record deal.

Ok, Mine is not a bootleg - I bought it at Tower Records just recently w/in the year - actually it's only 1 cd has 6 tracks & no lyrics or info inside whatsoever!
I think it's pretty cool though! not too many people seem to know about it.
but I knew my .org friends would know & wouldn't let me down!

tntsteele said:

I have the one yr talking about. It's a cassette called Minneapolis Genius: 94 East, The historic 1977 recordings and my sister got it in 1985. It's on "Hot Pink Records." I doubt it's an official release considering the label it's on. It only has 6 tracks; most likely the same ones on the cd that everyone else has. It's produced by Tony Silvester and Pepe Willie.

Darababyd, 'SymbolicBeginning' 2CD set IS the genuine article - I highly recommend it.