I always thought this remastered track in 95 was very underrated and a big possible hit.

I first heard the track in 84 and it seemed nothing special at the time, in other words a 'keyboard' meadly. But its potential was truely acheieved in 95.

I can only descibe this version as one of my favourite Prince tracks.

The 95 version I feel was very rocky! If u will Prince grudge, heavy gutairs in the background and a thunderin base line!

It was recently played in 2004 shows, but never made at its best as in 95.

Sam 8)

I like both versions but for diffrent reasons, i cant decide.

ok, i listened to both and i'll have to choose the 84 version because it sounds more "majestic" to me

violetblues said:

Cool 2 here.

Sam 8)

I have Tokyo ONA Tour,
Dream Factory Outtake (presumably studio)
Xenophobia - definitely live and very good.
So which two are we discussing?
I like the Xenophobia version best.
Listening to Led Zepplin and don't want to stop to listen to
the three. Xenophobia was the only one with stars so it must be that version for my 50 Prince list also.

SUPRMAN said:

Dat would be 2002 ONA Tour i forgot. dats not bad. But still like 95 version better.

Sam 8)

sambluedolphin said:

There's no reported recording or performance of the song in 1984.

sambluedolphin said:

that shit
WAS NEVER DONE IN 84

get your facts right

langebleu said:

obsessed?

this cat claims hes obsessed

im obsesed about your terrible inaccurate facts

ruining my night shiiiit

as a few have stated, no 1984 take on the song is circulating, unless

purplepolitician said:

first rule of the org what
langbleu says-is stone cold fact

jonylawson said:

Before the witch hunt continues, maybe he meant 94?


Any way, of the 3 main versions - C-NOTE, I'll Do Anything and video version (the circulating 1995 version, based on the original '85 version) - I prefer the latter.

He's talking about a keyboard meadley from 84(?).

So when reading between the lines, I'm guessing he means the one verse, piano accompanied, I'll do anything outtake version from '92.

NouveauDance said:

I don´t really get the big difference between the "original" 1985 version and the revamped 1995 version. Didn´t Michael Bland say, here on the org, that the video version was pretty much the 1985 version and they used the 1985 version for the video ? Is there a big difference ?

I loved the 2004 version I accidently deleted my copy of it.

best version is the Paisley Park Celebration 2002 where he was just at the piano

Up until last year I would of said C-NOTE, but it now has to be the Indigo Aftershow version (28th August) - The sound he gets on the guitar is just out of this world.

Well when i dled it from napster (at the time) it was defnetly in he 80s, so maybe i got the dates mixed, but i can guaratee there are 3 different versions.

Sam 8)

i dunno what version i heard but it was very dangerousss

there no such thing as an empty room.....

2IZ1 said:

Technically we can create one. It would have to be a small one though.

But you know what he means. He's not referring to inanimate objects or living beings smaller than a mammal.

'95

sambluedolphin said:

If it was through Napster that you first hard the song, then the earliest you heard a recording was in 1999, when Napster launched.

L4OATheOriginal said:

it's probably my #1 all-time favorite moment as a Prince fan.

Seems to be a lot of confusion here about the various versions of this track,
so here's the facts...

Aside from various bootleg recordings of several live performances of the
song, there are 3 main versions of Empty Room circulating.

1992 version - recorded during the "I'll Do Anything" sessions, this version
is quite sparse and features just synth and piano (no guitar).

1994 version - this is a revamped version of the original 1985 recording. Most
of the original instrumentation is intact, and apart from some new vocals and
some overdubs, it's more of a new mix than a new version. A video was also
filmed, and it was later intended to be included on the abandoned "Roadhouse
Garden" album.

2002 version - recorded live at one of the One Nite Alone tour soundchecks,
this version was officially released on the download only "C-Note" album
in January 2003.

It's worth noting that the original 1985 version is NOT circulating.

BorisFishpaw said:

Ah, Boris, have I told you lately that...

I never heard the 85 version and wondered about it. Thanks for the info.

ps. How do you know if a certain song is circulating or not?

In your abscence, your prescence still fills this room.

MrVortex said: