4 years now the record industry has lost millions from the bootleg industry. Not that I care 4 the music industry. Artists like Prince, The Boss, Pearl Jam, and many others r losing their rights and millions. Currently the music industry has consumers in an uproar over their cd prices. $18.99 is the average price at most retailers. The internet is their biggest problem. all u have 2 do is download basicly any song u want. Or like myself buy used cds 4 a few bucks.

Musicians have huge followings all over the world. Why not record concerts and release them 2 the fans. Or like Prince, release unreleased songs. In my opinion musicians would benefit greatly, and most of all the fans. I know Prince is hot on the issue of bootlegs. I think he should realize what he's missing. At times Prince seems 2 b money driven so this would put a little more change in his pocket.

Pearl Jam had the right idea when they released an entire tour of live shows. The grateful dead let Deadheads record them at will. This is going 2 sound a bit cruel, but what is prince waiting 4?? He knows that they're a good number of bootleg companys out there. Is he waiting til he's in his 80's 2 release all the Vault music 2 live off of?? We all know he records each show, and films it. Musicians need 2 make a change and change the industry.

There is a train of thought that releasing too much of one artist/group's artwork--live or otherwise--may either 'compete' with the artist's other output or flood the market and thus get people sick of your product.
J'lo and Shaq, for instance, make we nauseous everytime i hear about their new album or movie.

I too wish Prince would release his live works and assorted outtakes from certain eras. He has tried to do this, hence the Crystal Ball CD. But it takes a certain amount of demand for your work to make it a money making venture, so as to promote further releases, esp to make sure each release makes it overseas so every fan can enjoy his music.

In that sense, the npgmc is a brilliant idea. The funds and demand are there before the CD gets shipped--but then non-club fans(who may not have a computer, etc) get cut out of the mix...and then we're back to the bootleg discussion.