I know how many times i've thought when listening to "We Can Funk" on the

Graffiti Bridge Soundtrack.....wow the original is SOOOOO much better than

this and often have said so even recently on this board. My question is which

Prince songs have you heard on LP that you think Geez it woulda been so much

better if he scratched that one and released the original unreleased version

anyhow? Like I said.....mine is We Can Funk.

I think a lot of it depends upon which version we heard first.
I don't like a lot of the early versions that people talk about.
But maybe it's because I heard them later?

I've heard a lot of people complain about numerous tracks yet it seems as if

I can get noone to list any but anyhow for those who've heard Prince's NeoN

Telephone I know it had to be better than the 3' O'clock version hasn't it.

I never heard that one.

The original versions of old friends for sale and Can`t stop is much better than the released ones. MUCH better.

Love2tha9s said:

The interesting thing about this is the fact that the released version of We Can Funk is a lot closer to the original (in 1983) than a lot of people seem to know. I think people think the version he did in '86 was the original version, but it's really the first one done in '83 (with a lot of the original instrument tracks still in tact from when it was called "We Can Fuck") that resembles GB's version the most..

come and endorphinmachine

the 2 songs flow sooo nicely and endorphinmachine is unleashed sans that HORRENDOUS cowbell!

In my opinion it would have to be Something In The Water (does not compute). I like the original so much better than the one that was released. Another one for me would be Computer Blue; I found the original version (or maybe i should say the 12" version) a lot more interesting and exciting even though it's super long.

Jaarod86 said:

Definitely Computer Blue, the one that´s called "hallway version" among fans.
I think the version of Something In The Water you ´re talking about was recorded a year LATER than the one on 1999.
You mean the one with the piano, right ?
Prince´s rehearsal version of Noon Rendezvous and Something In The Water ( both summer ´83) also should´ve been released in one way or another, I like those extended jams.
Can´t Stop This Feeling I Got,
We Can Funk ( 1986 version)
Love...Thy Will Be Done ( sure , Martika´s version was nice, but imagine Prince releasing this)

Something in the Water ("Piano version"), is better than the one on 1999.`

G Spot, unreleased Prince demo, is better than Jill Jones'

Rave on 2 the Joy Fantastic, eighties version, is far better than the one he released on Arista.

We Can Funk, "Dream Factory", is way better than the one on Graffiti Bridge`

Hypnoparadise, as it was first floating aroung, is better than what was released through NPGMC.`

KoolEaze said:

I think he means the 1st studio version, quite similar 2 the released one but with much more sophisticated synth arrangements. It's a great version, too, but i prefer the released one, which is more rough. Minimalism makes it more agressive, more desesperate, truer 2 what Prince tries 2 communicate, in my opinion.

Oh, Love2tha9's : YES, Prince's version of Neon Telephone IS better that Three O'Clock's one.

Love2tha9s said:

Interesting. The original version of that song always sounded like it was missing something to me. The 'Graffiti Bridge' version sounds more complete. The vocals, in particular, on the 'GB' version are much better, IMO.

Jaarod86 said:

I really like that version too but don't feel that it would have fit the vibe of the album as well as the colder electronic version does. It's just the same with How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?. As amazing and loved as that track is, it just would not have fit into the flow of the 1999 LP.

I like the "electro" version of Irresistible Bitch.

wallysafford said:

YEAH !!! Coupled with "feel u up", these 2 RULE !!!

Love2tha9s said:

The Graffiti Bridge version of "We Can Funk" is the "original" version. It contains the basic tracks of the original recording so to all intents and purposes it is merely a reworking of the previously existing track.

The same goes for the numerous outtake versions from the Graffiti Bridge period, featuring contributions by the likes of George Clinton, et al.

The one recorded in 1986 with The Revolution prior to the Parade tour was a later recording of "We Can Funk". This one is not the "original" version.




.
[Edited 7/28/05 10:10am]

Norwayman said:

co-co-co sign!!!!!


M

I like the version of "Now" used in the video. I don't know which version is the "original" though. Haven't seen it on any boots, but I'm sure it's out there somewhere.

wallysafford said:

I had to go stick this one on when I saw your post, I'd forgotten just how awesome it was.

Jaarod86 said:

co-sign.

2 more that I love are the original versions of Around the World in a Day and Housequake although I can understand why both of them were reworked for release as they probably aren't to everybodys taste

shaomi said:

Yes that is the version i meant. Although it probably wouldnt have fit the vibe of "1999" i still love the simpleness of the studio version.

Aerogram said:

OHHH yesss!!

Tick Tick Bang (I cant even listent to the GB version)
We Can Fuck/Funk -
Still Would Stand All Time (Small club versio is one of his most electrifying performances ever, why oh why could this not even slightly translate to the album version???)
Nothing Comares 2 U (Nude tour version is one of the most powerful versions ive ever heard. It was stripped down and raw, outdoes every other performance he's done of it since)
Desire (The one with Eric Leeds all over it) - Prince's version of this is amazing, much better than the Family's released version.

Come / Endorphin Machine - Yes they should have been on the same album, and yes he should have used the overdub-less versions he originally recorded.

WOW, Prince has a version of Desire. ,man i'd love to hear it.

Love2tha9s said:

There are two of them in circulation and they are well worth the wait


.

giotto said:

TWO versions :O? wow. i thought there was only one. cool

CrozzaUK said:

I think it´s the best version of that song, you´re on point.

Jaarod86 said:

Co-sign ! 2 versions ???!!! How is the second one ? I only know the old bootlegged one.

PicassoFace said:

The video version is a live version, recorded @ Paisley Park on february 1994, a few weeks after the studio version. The DOW, Shhh, Interactive & The Jam videos were recorded that same nite. The whole concert was sent by Prince 2 some european radios, who of course aired it. A bootleg with an excellent sound quality (recorded on DRS3, a belgian radio) used 2 circulate under the name "Welcome 2 the Beautiful Experience". 4 some weird reasons, though, Prince edited one verse on Now, & Morris's solo on The Jam on that "radio release", but the whole show is GREAT, also including The Ride, & covers of Salt'n'pepa's None Of Ur Business, Ray Charles' What I'd Say & George Clinton's Martial Law. It was the 1st presentation of the "Come/Gold/Exodus sound" 2 an amazed audiance.
One or 2 boots were released after the videos were aired, containing audio recording of all the tracks from the Beautiful Experience video, where Now & The Jam r NOT edited. But the sound quality, coming from a VHS, is correct but poorer.

I remember that hearing all that stuff at the time was so like, wow! As said in the Gold Exp. booklet, Prince sounded like a new, rough, underground artist, so far from the "star" aspect of the 1987-92 shows. & that massive use of samples (including choirs & horns) coupled with real instruments was (is actually still is) completely revolutionnary !
[Edited 8/10/05 16:20pm]

Don't forget about the insane original recording of "Tick, Tick, Bang"!

I can't even listen to the GB version after hearing that fast and funky madness.

the original version of "Elephants and Flowers" is far superior in my opinion.