why on earth would anyone do that?

To fit everything onto 1 LP disc unfortunately. These were the days before CD remember. Such a pity

shaomi said:

I can believe it. The long version just wouldn't have worked on Purple Rain

toejam said:

i know, but then i'd have released it as a b-side 4 crying out loud. "another lonely christmas" & "god (instrumental)" r cool but they suck compared 2 CB full version

Flowerz said:

i do have it, that's why i'm saying this

mynameisnotsusan said:

it would have

Flowerz said:

yeah but the extended was purposedly released so i'm ok with that

if not 4 bootlegs no one would ever have heard Computer Blue's full-long version

shaomi said:

there are like 4 or 5 diffrent versions..you know ?

mplsmike said:

I have 2 unreleased versions including the 12 minutes-long one, & an edited version of it (longer than the album version, though).
Never heard of any other
[Edited 11/3/07 18:47pm]

shaomi said:

There is a 14 minute version too

He edited almost every track on the album to make some tight ass "pop" record. And that's just fine!

Love the version with the 'hallway speech' and the other verse ("Where is my baby? Where can she be? Somebody please please tell me what is wrong with me?" etc), truly amazing. When I first heard the album cut (about 13 years ago now) I always felt like the song had a bit more to it. Like Flowerz just said, get the extended cut(s), you won't be disappointed

mplsmike said:

Genesia said:

Maybe that's the one i have, i'm not sure...

the 12 minute one has the "hallway speech"
the 14 minute does not

I checked & i have an 8 minutes & a 12 minutes version only

PurpleKnight said:

Makes sense but still...

I have the 11:34 version. The extended seems to have a lot of just blank fillerish stuff, noises and such. But I did take my sig from what Wendey (or Lisa) says at the end of it

This info might be out dated...
its from the 2004 book the vault


Computer Blue

St. Luis Park warehouse version #1 13:28
Sunset Sound version #2 11:57
Sunset Sound version #3 12:26
Sunset Sound version #4 7:33

the 14:something minute version just recently hit circulation with the last year or so (i think)
It whas listed as "Final Version" but who knows

.
[Edited 11/4/07 20:04pm]

it was....incredibly funky

He did the right thing for the album - P.R. wasn't 1999 pt.2.

The least he could've done is release it on 12" as a b-side though.

The 14 minute version is an early mixdown, it's like the closest to how Prince invisioned the song, the final version has the Hallway Speech + alot of additional overdubbing.

St. Louis Park warehouse is a live recording of sorts, we dub these tracks "live studio"...if you understand.

It's widely considered to be one of his finest works outside of All My Dreams.

NouveauDance said:

"computer blue" always felt unfinished to me before i heard the long version.it's the best one in my opinion.i admit it wouldn't have fit on the album.as a b-side was definitely the way to go.too good to be unreleased but the same can be said for so many of his songs(thank god for those bootlegs,btw).i think the 7 min. version would have fit on pr and been much better.it even segues into "darling nikki".so he had to at least consider it.the album version is fine.the longer versions just paint a bigger,better picture is all.

Added the full version on to my Ipod last night....

One of his most brilliant, inpired tracks... ever!


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[Edited 11/6/07 3:29am]