Ok...this topic has been beaten to death but i want to try and understand this from Prince's perspective.

He takes his live DAT recording and pops it in the player and pumps it...being a perfectionist and being as critical as he is - he is already thinkin' how flat and unispired the performance sounds. So he starts to add vocal dubs, synth parts and effects...and before he knows it he's changed the whole recording to make it sound good to HIM!

I'm trying to think of an analogy for us everyday folk...maybe like when we go out on a Sat nite we check ourselves in front of the mirror b4 hitting the party - add make-up, funky ass clothing and make ourselves look as sweet as possible. Other ppl might not like the way we've done ourselves up - but fuck it - we like it!

I'm hoping this makes sense...as i myself don't really like a live recording altered in anyway - but hey - if Prince wants it 2 sound overdubbed - then who r we to argue?

derek said:

yes you are making sense...and i agree 100%. Maybe we should start a letter writing campaign to let prince know how we *as consumers* would prefer a live album...


and as far as arguing goes, well...I think Prince has the right to tinker with his music anyway he wants...but we, as consumers have the choice to purchase the music or not...which, now that i think about it, because of the npgmc set up, we sorta lost that option...


im thinking about a letter campaign..maybe the org should have a poll...and then the results (with explanation) can be forwarded to the npgmc...democracy at work, no?

I've commented on previous threads before. In my opinion, it's all about a clean final product. For me, the "live" essence is not lost by the types of overdubs that were apparently present on the Montreal version of "Days of Wild."

I can't wait for the live ONA CD set. It will immediately and permanently replace the shitty downloaded boots from the ONA Tour that I've acquired by "free" file-sharing programs. I'd much rather pay Prince for his live material complete with vastly improved sound quality, elimination of fan conversation, and inclusion of well-integrated stereo sound effects.

ok, eye really dont mind overdubs, as long as the overdubs, are suttle, and they blend.. not the subject in a sense, meaning not the highlight of the song.. like on DOW.. the clapping of prince, the layered voices of "you in the black dress" yada yada yada.. it was too obvious, and much louder than the rest of the song, and it overpowered the actual live performance.. and eye hear overdubs in the 1+1+1=3 song.. its very nice sounding.. even he layers more voices.. let it blend..

oh and about Sound Effects.. eye really dont mind cool scratches, nitches of effects here and there.. that makes it sound very nice..but like eye said before.. suttle, and blend

I thought the SOTT movie was just the greatest concert ever, until it dawned on me that it was heavily overdubbed/redone in the studio.

did I care? hell no, I'm glad he did. everything about that movie is as perfect as can be. and live recordings typically sound like shit, unless you're in Phish or something

Yeah I like the overdubs and sometimes when you can hear added voices talking, it makes me laugh.