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AMERICA
Extended Version!

Released in 1985, the 12 inch version was truly amazing, why? Because it was 21 MINUTES LONG!!!

Not a "remix" mind you, but what seemed to be the original long studio version that Prince And The Revolution kept jamming to and contributing to.

I'm still amazed at how adventurous Prince And The Revolution was at the time give us a longer version that just seemed to go on and on.

I remember picking up the single at my SilverLake neighborhood wrekastow (Uptown like section of Los Angeles, at least at the time!) and loving how the designers picked out small sections of the Around The World In A Day for the covers of the singles.

I also remember being surprised that the song wasn't fading or stopping...what?! I had to record it on to tape and listen for the next few weeks on my Walkman until I wore it out!

I love the song mainly for it's passion and musical hypnotic feel! It was a great release because it was backed up not only with a great long version but with an awesome live performance video which also was rather long!

These things made you wonder then and still make you wonder NOW is what other goodies are in The Vault! Longer versions of songs that fade on record, unreleased PHOTOS, alternate album designs, complete professionally shot videos...I don't think it's just music, lot's and lots of goodies.

I remember seeing a photo from that show in France where they took the America video from, Prince was wearing the large black hat and do rag but was wearing a red paisley suit with the same blue guitar he had in the America video. Anyone seen that or have it? I remember seeing it in Ebony magazine in a Prince feature around that time.

Anyway, I love this version, it's still mind blowing.

Favorite moments: Of course the beginning part where they slow down the actual tape track repeatedly like you would a vinyl record and then let it go on the guitar jam! Truly awesome, I remember just being blown away by that idea, very creative and in theme with the psychedelic feeling of the album songs. Then the longer wah wah pedal guitar jam, the fantastic synthesizer solo towards the middle that seems to lift you up (was that Dr. Fink or Prince? I like to think it's Dr. Fink which I think it is), the small snare drum playing toward the end, great touch. Prince's guitar solo after his scream! The bass just bounces so fiercly too!

It's also a full scope of emotions. The beginning feeling very confident, there is anger and disappointment in the lyrics, passionate pride, rebelliousness, and then moves to a melancholy feel at the end.

I thought it would be great to celebrate today a great Prince And The Revolution song that reflects (even The Revolution's band name) the musical and creative power of that era! Play it loud and proud in your rides, barbeques, homes!

Peace.






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[This message was edited Fri Jul 5 12:53:58 PDT 2002 by FlyingCloudPassenger]

FlyingCloudPassenger said:

Would that be Rockaway Records by chance?



all that you mentioned and Ive always dug the way the song began start stop, my tapes messed up etc...

Rockaway Records still rocks! Even with Ameoba now being on Sunset.

Well FlyingCloudPassenger,
You pretty much said it all on this one!!
I must say that I AGREE 100 percent!
I was 13 when I picked up the 12" the week it was released. I was so excited & I knew that I opened it right there at the rack and I shit a brick when I saw on the record label that it was 21 minutes long!!
When I brought it up to the counter, I said to the guy:
"look, it's 21 minutes long!!!"
I have always loved this cut for all of the reasons you have listed, & I do wish that the bass track was mixed higher. All I can do at this point is agree with you FlyingCloudPassenger!
I was fascinated by ATWIAD, it's 12 inces & b sides,
and the America 12" & video sealed the deal for me:
I then had no doubts that Prince was
THE SHIT!

chewymusic said:

Right on! Yeah man, how many times has Prince set the level how to be a rock star? No one, not D'Angele, not Lenny, Not most of today's "stars" has yet OR will kick his ass, no one.

When I saw the minutes too I was freaked! Then the interview on MTV. Too bad I didn't have a VCR at the time. Bt I loved catching the special on the weekend. Nice memories.

Also I agree, the bass is jumpin' but should have been boosted up. I'm sure it was Brown Mark, at leas that's what I like to believe.

rdhull said:

No actually it was a small disco/dj record store next to the army surplus store. Not there anymore.

jseven said:

Ameoba is okay, prices are cheap but kind of over ambitious and not a home grown thing for LA.

I was just over there at Rockaway the other night. I really was looking for the latest Record Collector magazine (big Prince article)
and always end up staying longer than I planned.

I get lost with all the goodies they have. I've been a loyal customer and buy my new albums and collectables there. No big store...support the little peoople who really love music!

I remember them when they were next to the Sav-On, actually at the far right corner of that small shopping center way back in the early 80's. Then they moved to where the coffee shop corner across from where they are at now, which by the ways (the location now) was a popular latin club where latin-stars from the 70's used to perform...interesting huh?!

One thing though, is that I wish they would have had kept Rockaway larger instead of dividing the building into different stores. But maybe it's a cost thing. As long as they survive. I must say thoughthat they have always had the best Beatles collectables and have great selection of rare and I mean rare stuff on display, for sale! It's always like a mini-rock history museaum! A must visit. That's why I spend a lot of time there, some dude had to just sit in front of the display to absorb it all. It's not huge but great!

Also, Rockaway sold a very rare copy of the Black Album a few years back. Maybe around 92 or 93. I think it went for 5-7k.

Glad ya'lls enjoyed it!
[This message was edited Thu Jul 4 14:55:11 PDT 2002 by FlyingCloudPassenger]

America is 1 of my most favorite songs. I love the intro and how it just spins off in2 his awesome guitar sound and his solo 3/4 of the way through the song.
I remember that pic of him with the red paisley jacket. I wonder what song they were doing. I miss the Revolution.

I like the wah wah guitar permeating through the endiing of the regualr edit but conoituinues and then he says "thats enough" lightly and goes into the regular elec guitar rhythm.

FlyingCloudPassenger said:

Im pissed thast they got rid of their huge selection of old magazines in the interim from my last visit to recently. They had all the old RStone mags, Musician magazine etc. Floridas' "Damn" cubed.

America is my son's best song. He was only
three and he saw Prince playing guitar and all
he could say was wah wah doing the guitar part.
He wanted Prince hat, coat the whole nine yards.

For christmas i had to buy a cowboy hat and
a kids guitar and he was still doing wah wah
the next year he got the hat and we caught
BET and he got America. the kid went wild
the that part came wah wah. He picked up his
guitar and was having a ball.

We went to the 1st celebration and he was down near
Prince and what did Prince play America. Boy
that was something. I still don't know if my
son interacted with Prince but the after the song
the boy was running up and down the aisle calling
Prince dad. Prince smiled and was proud.
An Kodak moment. 8)

Yes! This maxi-single is the bomb! I was so elated when I first put it on the turntable..now I HAVE dated myself...that plus the long version of "Girl"...oh my..if memory serves me correctly...the Revolution just kept playing "America" until the tape ran out when recording it at the warehouse that had housed Prince's studio at that time...they just plain jammed. My daughter loves "America" and we have been listening 2 that on our morning commute since her dance school did "America" at her first recital back in May. (We have also been listening 2 Paisley Park since Xenophobia, so "Around the World" is a popular CD in the rotation right now) She danced with the little kids and her goal is 2 dance 2 "America" someday with the big kids...she is 2 cute, plus she digs Prince...I've got it made..Peace and Love!