Plenty of us (me included) have had our share to say about what really honks us off about this release, including (but not limited to):

1) it being available to the general public and not exclusive to club members
2) the timing of the release and lack of info about release dates to the club or to the public
3) it possibly fulfilling the rest of the CDs that club members were promised in February

Out of fairness (and casting aside the negatives listed above), let's discuss what could be great about this release. A start:

1) The obvious -- a live album with soundboard quality is something that we've never had officially released before
2) Assuming that overdubs are minimal, it's going to be awesome to listen to (and re-live if you saw one of the shows during which a track or two was recorded)
3) Even if you're a fan who was baffled and turned off by TRC, and disappointed by ONA (piano), there's no doubt that there are going to be tracks on this release that are going to stay in rotation for a while. I don't know of anyone who has seen the man live and said "this totally sucks." It's a fun and amazing experience.
4) If you're into quality packaging, this release promises to have something that we haven't had in a while -- actual sturdy plastic packaging that might last for more than 6 months -- and possibly a color booklet that's separate from the packaging.
5) And a stretch -- the possibility that since we know P tires of projects easily, he's probably already through with this release in his mind and hopefully has something else up his sleeve soon.

Talk amongst yourselves...

Since the 'preparation' took so long, I suspect that the packaging is not standard at all. It would have been ready far earlier, if the standard double/triple disc jewel case was being utilized for this release. My suspicion is that some alternate packaging is being used and that's why the whole thing took so long to put together. He hasn't used standard packaging for anything since the NPS CD and that's why they all take forever to be prepared and shipped out.

Jestyr said:

Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic had standard packaging and that was sent out at the beginning of year 1 of the club.

They take forever because Prince doesn't have the staff to effectively run the club.

"They take forever because Prince doesn't have the staff to effectively run the club."

Here here!!! amen

All I know is i'll be PISSED if I get shafted like i did on crystal ball.. I STILL don't have a booklet If we get shittier packaging than retail i"m gonna scream!!!

ok, i feel better now

anemone said:

One of the selling points of the Crystal Ball was supposed to the first ever "online lyric book". It's still available on the NPGMC site. The book that came with the retail version was nothing special so your not missing anything.

lovemachine said:

The jewel case for "Rave In2..." was actually one of those clear insets, so it was really a variation of a standard case with the black plastic inset.

Have you checked out Gage Marketing? They don't seem to be hurting for staff. I'm not sure that they handle the artwork and/or packaging issues for these releases at all, but they do handle product shipment and once they receive the product - it gets shipped. It's the artwork decisions that always hold everything up and from the past evidence - that sounds like a Samuel Jennings issue.

Jestyr said:

When was the last time you bought a cd? They all use the clear inset now.

Also, Samnation is not doing the artwork for the cd's. Besides I'm sure it's not the artwork holding up the releases. I can't imagine the artwork for any of the releases taking more then a day or two to complete. It's not like doing the "One Night Alone" case with cardboard was rocket science.



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[This message was edited Tue Nov 12 17:35:09 PST 2002 by lovemachine]

When was the last time you did artwork for a CD project - It's the ONLY thing EVER holding up a CD release. I've dealt with COUNTLESS examples of this in the music industry. You have no idea how many weeks it takes - just for approvals alone! Transfers of the two track masters and print runs of the actual CD's can take a few weeks but artwork is forever - especially with four-color booklets runs.

What proof do you have that Sam is no longer responsible for the artwork on these projects? Any?

Jestyr said:

The last time I was in charge of doing artwork for a cd was about a year ago.

As far as I know Sam never was in charge of artwork of the cd's. Sam is in charge of running the website. Steven Park was responsible for most of the 90's artwork including NPS and Rave. On "The Rainbow Children" and "One Nite Alone" someone named Jeremy Gavin took over.

Since Sam has never been credited on any of the cds what proof do you have that he is in charge of the artwork? Any?

How long do you think the approval process takes for an independent artist who has his art department in the same building? Also, they managed to get the artwork done and the cd's pressed for the "DOW" single they gave out at the Celebration in less then two weeks.



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[This message was edited Tue Nov 12 18:16:40 PST 2002 by lovemachine]

I think prince waited till the end of the european tour to release the box set. It´s quite boring to hear the concert prior to the real experience.

lovemachine said:

Actually, regardless of who is actually doing CD art these days (someone named Jeremy Gavin did TRC and the ONA piano CD), it would be silly to think anyone besides the boss could hold up CD artwork. These designers provide a service and are paid to be quick about implementing what the client wishes. Getting what the client wishes 100% correct is the challenge and can take quite awhile. Plus proofreading, color proofs, rerunning color proofs, final mockup approvals, etc. etc. You may think it's all slap-dash amateur stuff, but all CDs big and small take some effort.

When the 'independent artist' is in Europe and very busy placating members of his club with soundcheck and afterparty issues - communication with the art director can break down very quickly.

The CDs pressed for the celebration were two color and very simple - almost amateur. There was no four color booklet involved and no photos to approve.

This is one of the only positive critique of ONA live I've seen! Thank you!

I'm normally not a big fan of live releases (even from Prince), but it seems like I don't have a choice this time. What does interest me is the fact that Prince has probably done some manipulating of these songs - normally that is a bad thing, but for me it makes it more appealing.

A few of you mentioned the packaging. Sure, TRC and ONA came in cardboard cases, but I put my CD's in a normal jewel case and put the original sleeves away in a box. They're the same as the day I got 'em!

I 4 one look 4wards 2 receiving this ONA live. i just hope that it isn't the last cd in our memebrship deal. I would so love 2 hear the Xenophobia project...
Y would Prince have Xenophobia t-shirts and play the song live if he isn't gonna release it??
And thinking about Empty Room, he is playing that song, may that be one of the 2 rumoured bonus tracks on the Best of 0(+> ??

I think it is pretty impressive, that you are able to complain about a CD that hasn't even been released yet. Even if Prince released another 10 CDs in december, there would be so much to complain about if it was up to you.

You're all SICK...idiots.

ChocolateInvasion said:

Even poor little ol' me who started what was meant to be a *positive* thread? Sheesh.

The first 10-12 posts here weren't even related to ONA live anyway, so just chill, cool?

OK. Lovemachiene usually sounds like someone that just gets off on pointing out other people's mistakes or otherwise likes to sound superior, but in this case...
Jestyr, you just sound like a clueless name-dropping little bitch. Quit bickering with each other and wait for your discs like ther rest of us.

Oh yea..I forgot most CDs that have green somewhere on the disc or the packaging usually get delayed. Surely that is the reason Xenophobia is not out yet. My contact "Tommy" at Sony told me that.
[This message was edited Wed Nov 13 18:14:03 PST 2002 by Mars23]

Mars23 said:

Green on the disk?

Wondering why there isnt a little preview page with a set up of samples like ONA Piano cd.. in the DL section of npgmc.. strange they havent set anything up yet.. thought that was the place 2 look when a new joint drops at our doorstep

Doozer said:

The overdubs ARE minimal based on what we heard during the summer at the Celebration, and what was played on the P.A. at the cd release party in New York. And it sounded AMAZING.

Especially the Joy in Repetition performance from the New York aftershow. Just incredibly hypnotic base and out the box guitar soloing throughout.

lovemachine said:

I told you it was Sam Jennings.

Mars23 said:

.

Actually, I cannot imagine that anything of the box isn't ready yet. They're just waiting for whatever day to ship them, IHMO.
Maybe the fact that many people have to receive the first CD together with this, explains the wait. Just imagine how many Europeans signed up at last notice for the tour.