Alright, I might sound like a complete idiot, but I am so confused about this, so maybe you guys can help. I have read that it was live, and also that it wasn't - and I know a live version exists. So next, was this released as a CD single, or download? And what year (I imagine it was through NPG Records, right?) I do not have much of a clue at all with this, I'm afraid...

THe only recording I know is a live one. Org 45 minutes. But the recording most have is 23 minutes. Apparently done at PP during a party. This was round 97 or so. Issueed on Cassette. Sent to those who ordered the Crystal Ball from 1-800-New-Funk and did not cancell their order...like I did.

I eventually got a copy and transfered it to CD. Every now and again it appears in the retail shop online.

One his best recordings ever.

All I know is that when I ordered "Crystal Ball" from his website way back when, it was sent in the mail as a bonus.

It is available as a cassette (mailed to people who bought Crystal Ball), a very valuable cd that always sells for $100 to $150 on EBay, and as a download on NPGMC.

I was there while it was recorded and the 22 minutes that were cut was just the loop played over and over and over and over....


.
[Edited 9/8/04 16:31pm]

Oh OK, guys great. Cheers. So if it came with Crystal Ball, this musta been out 1997/98, then? And only originally available as part of that set, for those whose orders got messed around?
[Edited 9/8/04 16:37pm]

FunkATron said:

Someone will give the date it was recorded, but it's from a live performance at PP, in 1998, released that year.

It was actually a pretty exciting release, in the throws of promotion for New Power Soul (one of Prince's most 'by-numbers' records ever (I say that not as a dig, I actually find the album to be a lot of fun)).

I remember it first appeared as a real audio streaming file.

Then later was made available through a 'free-trade' process - Prince actively promoted the sharing of this track, fans shared the song on CD-R amongst themselves, creating distribution trees.

I remember getting my CD-R from one of the "Collective", I still dig it out to this day. For me, the track was like a rose sticking out of the manure, I feel it was a pre-cursor to the musical and lyrical themes on The Rainbow Children.

FunkATron said:

Don't get me started!

NouveauDance said:

Great, thanks! And sorry for the unfortunate turn of phrase I used.

FunkATron said:

It didn't come with Crystal Ball, but was sent later to the peole who had ordered Crystal Ball. It was recorded June 20, 1998 at Paisley Park.

superspaceboy said:

I received it, but I bought Crystal Ball from BestBuy when it was released on a Sunday....

I don't know why I received it, but it was a pleasant surprise.

Maybe because I signed up for the Uptown Fanclub back in the 80's..

Only other free music I received was a Good Question album (who remembers them?).
[Edited 9/8/04 21:53pm]

steevetheeo said:

That's weird.
I ordered 'CB' from 1-800-New-Funk & never received it.
P's organization was really screwy during that time!

XtrueX said:

Yeah, I don't know what they were doing at that time (...I don't think they did either)

I pre-ordered Crystal Ball but never got it (and wasn't charged either). I ended up buying it
in a record shop! Then a few months after most people who ordered it from 1-800-NEW-FUNK
seemed to have recieved theirs, I ordered it again (for the round packaging and Kamasutra
CD). This time I recieved it with no problem, and they also sent me The War on cassette
as a freebie.

i've
heard
3
versions
of
it.

BorisFishpaw said:

Didn't they send you the "Love Sex Liberty" T shirt and Emancipation lyric booklet too?

Write and complain.
.

For some reason I think that I love this song...

I know that there was something about me that said that I love this track...I can't remember.



What was it like to hear the song performed? It seems like such a bake-fest...not that that is what I use it for...

It seems to me that Prince even acknowledges that it is a drug-influenced song (or at least songs like it) when he inhales into the mic and says something like "Hey man, this is great" in that I am holding-the-smoke-in voice.


Just because we live in Minnesota doesn't mean we can't funk!

langebleu said:

Hey, I had forgotten from where I got those items! Thanks for reminding me. Getting old sucks.

sextonseven said:

Yeah, I got those as well, thought it was quite a cool thing to do to make up for the delay.

langebleu said:

Actually they did!
(I'd forgotten about that)
[Edited 9/9/04 13:11pm]

Any1 wanna help a brutha out with this?

"It is available as a cassette (mailed to people who bought Crystal Ball), a very valuable cd that always sells for $100 to $150 on EBay, and as a download on NPGMC. "

Hey I have a CD of "The War". I thought it was rather common. Are you serious that it's worth $100????

langebleu said:

OMG! I just remembered I got those with it!

Worst thing is, when I ordered the Truth CD single, I also ordered some Mr. Happy underwear.

Awful, just awful

The War CD single was also for sale at 1800NEWFUNK for about one minute.
Supposedly there were only about 500 copies printed & they sold out pretty fast.
Thats how I got mine.

Oh My God, I forgot about that song.

I'm waiting for my copy of it from Love4OneAnother.

I figured that since they double charged me for Cyrstal Ball, I should have it by the time President Kerry gets sworn in.

anybody have a copy of this?????

paisleypark4 said:

Buy it from the club for $4
http://stores.musictoday....555&sfid=2