viewaskew said:

Awww, did he hurt your wittle feelings??? People here need to get over themselves!!!

Prince doesn't owe anybody anything, and if the people behind this Tribute Album didn't follow the guidelines that his record company gave them. He's within his rights to take legal action. It's his right as an American citizen. If you don't like what he's doing, sue him!!!

I can already see the replies, "You're a Prince sycophant, who would defend him if he went on a multi-state killing spree"!!! Some of you people need to stop acting like he actually DID go on a killing spree!!!

This isn't that serious. It's called the music business for a reason. Musicians sue, and get sued all the time!!! That's what happens when you're in the public eye. People are always trying to take advantage of you.

Paris9748430 said:

Get over ourselves???

Just like he was trying to take advantage of the song "Creep" right?

Its about Prince making a hissy fit EVERYTIME someone makes a tribute to him (regardless if money is involved or not) with covering his songs. He can cover their songs in a heart beat with no second guesses but THEY CANT COVER HIS!! That is the point! I sure dont see other artists throwing fits cause other artists/bands are performing their songs and making a tribute to them now do we? NOPE!

His actions are speaking louder then words. If the little midget wants to defend his actions he is able to hold a press conference right?

There's a huge difference between Prince covering a single Radiohead song, and someone doing 5 full length CDs covering his music!!!

Prince doesn't throw a "hissy fit" every time someone covers his music. People have been covering Prince's songs since he first started. He may make a little comment here & there, but he doesn't make a big deal out of it.

There have been tons of other Prince tribute albums that have come out, and he didn't have a single problem with it!!! It's not like he doesn't want people to cover his music.

Obviously, he has a problem with this particular compilation. Maybe he has a problem with the amount of music being covered. Maybe all of the financial situations haven't been solved before putting this out. We don't know why he has a problem with this album, but he does.

Why should Prince have to hold a press conference over every business decision??? Especially one that involves a bunch of obscure Scandavian musicians that we've never heard of!!! You don't see cameras and reporters involved when Madonna and Springsteen meet with their lawyers!!!

He's just being really overprotective of his music right now, and really who can blame him??? This is his legacy, his life's work, and how he makes a living!!! His music is really all he has!!!

Paris9748430 said:

Not really if you really stop and think about it they are still covering his songs no matter how its put
He did before as I recall

No sorry you got that wrong he wants OUT of the business( he said this before) it maybe his legacy life work but if he wants out that bad he should leave and not be in the public eye making lawsuits out the ass

1)I think it's funny that people mention all of these "lawsuits" Prince has been bringing about. Who has he sued??? He's suing The Pirate Bay, and that's about it. He's just one of a lot of muscians to do so!!! And there's this potential suit. Other than that, he hasn't sued anyone!!! People act like he's suing little old ladies and small children!!!

2)I was making an example of the Prince Tribute albums from the past

3)How is he being biased??? Against who???

4)The only press conference he holds is when he announces a tour. He also held a press conference when he became Prince again. Other than that, he doesn't really involve the media in his business decisions.

5)I don't think he wants out the business, I think he just wants to take a business. As far as the "lawsuits out the ass". Again, he hasn't really sued anyone!!! He damn sure isn't suing individuals, and he's not suing for any monetary amount!!!

First of all, I'd like to correct a couple of things:
1. As I have said before, if you make a coversong (in the sivilized part of the world) all the moneybusiness are already taken care of. Either you pay the copyrightfee up front (if your distributors don't have a producer-deal), but in my case, I distribute my cd's through a distributioncenter, which reports every sale to Tono/NCB (the Norwegian answer to americas Harry Fox etc). That means that for every sold cd, Prince receives 100% of ca. 10% of the PPD - price pr. dealer, which in this case is 180 Norwegian kroner (ca. 32 dollars) for the sales via third part dealers, and 10% of 300 Norwegian kroner (54,5 dollars) for the ones we sell directly from our webpage. Norway has on of the worlds best systems when it comes to copyright-services, so the economical part is definitely taken care of.

2. Why making a coverversion:
In my world one of the most respectful things an artist can do to salute an other artist is to make an own interpretation of his/her song. By that, the artist performing on my tribute-cd, tells Prince that they recognize his music, the same way that Prince gives a nod to Hendrix, Sly or Radiohead when he makes a coverversion of their music. Shockadelica has gathered 81 of Norways finest musicians, artists and Prince-fans. Their only goal was to tell him (and their fans) that Prince has been an important source of inspiration. Some of the artists even gives Prince the "blame" that they even work with music today. I have handpicked artists in all categories, Prince-fans from most of the musical corners of Norway. Many of the artists have sold 10 times as much records in Norway as Prince. Artists who have spent weeks and months in studio, recording their favourite Prince-song...most of them have rented studios, hired musicians and producers, spent their precious time trying to make a version that may inspire new fans, young people who don't have a clue who Prince is and giving the song new life...and of course hoping Prince would hear their song and mabye think for a second; "That was a nice twist on my song" I can't tell how many artists I have been introduced to by hearing a coverversion. You can have an opinion on the concept "coverversion" as much as you want, but it's silly to doubt that coverversions have been important of the evolving of musical history. Weather any of our coversongs will have the same impact as Hendrix version of Dylans "All along the watchtower", I don't know, but so far the response on "Shockadelica" in Norway, and the overwhelming Prince-hype because of the release of it, MUST have recruited some new Prince-fans out there. The fact that a 81 track/5CD-box enters #8 on the Norwegian official charts, tells a lot about the position Prince has in this country. I have talked to a lot of people who had never heard "Joy In Repetition", but after hearing the version on Shockadelica, having bought Graffiti Bridge. Personally I have bought more than 60 Charlie Mingus-cd's after I discovered Joni Mitchell's "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat". Noone can take away the power of a really good cover, and there are a lot of them on Shockadelica. I'm sure there are a lot of uninteresting stuff there too, but it's all done with the best intentions.

3. When it comes to the process of making a cover, it's a lot of different meanings and rules... The thing is that if you're making a straight cover, you don't have to apply. But if you're doing significant changes (lyrics, removing part of the arrangement, add elements from other songs to it etc) you have to apply to the Publishers. We did that in october 2007. We asked Universal Publishing, Sweden (a sub-publisher of Universal Publishing, USA), and our response was that "as long as you make a straight cover, no-one can stop it". To me that was a "GO", and I asked the artists that they should not make any lyrical changes, and told them to make "straight covers". As far as I'm concerned, we have done everything by the book, and even TONO (the copyright-agency in Norway) were surprised when they heard about this "claim" from Universal Publishing USA. As they said "I've never experienced anything like this". Therefore we keep on selling it, until we know what the reason for stopping it would be.

4. I can understand that Prince wants to have control over his own material. And I can understand his "war" against YouTube, piracy and everyone that steals his music in any way. But I dont understand how this can be worth stopping. One of the artists from the album has a sister who is a friend of Prince. She gave me these answers to why he doesn't like the compilation (I'm not sure if it's his words, or just guessing, but here goes:
a. He likes to remain in control of his material whenever possible
- I totally respect that (Christer's comment)
b. He doesn't feel that his older material represents his spiritual journey NOW and personally either changes them to fit or doesn't perform them.
- as long as there are songs registered and published, the songs CAN be covered. All
artists go through stages and phases of their lives, but the fact is that the songs are
released, and it's allowed to make coverversions of any song ever made, as long as
you don't do significant changes.
c. He doesn't like the way some of his material was covered in the past, so tries to stop covers when at all possible, except when he has given his permission before hand.
- I totally agree. But that's sort of saying that "all country & western is crap". I think all
music is good music until proven otherwise.
d. He doesn't celebrate birthdays.
- me neither, but I won't get angry if someones gives me a present or sings me a
birthdaysong.

I hope everything will turn out fine. I still haven't heard anything from the publishers since June 10th. And I still haven't heard anything from Prince or his management. I'm quite sure that when (of if) he hears the cd's, or know what kind of people and artists who's behind this, we'll have a peaceful end to this.. I'm quite irritated because of the way media twists this case into a personal issue, where Prince AGAIN has to take the blame. So far I've heard from the publishers and no-one else. I assume they have been told to stop all unauthorized Prince-related material, and I'm quite sure that Prince, himself, has not been involved. It's not a crime trying to protect the songs he has written. We should give him some respect for trying to stand up against something that will certainly be the death of commercial music. Piracy kills music, and that's where the war has to be fought, and Prince does a brilliant job there. But attacking your own fans and fellow musical colleagues will only destroy more. What would Prince fell if Sly, Hendrix, Thom Yorke, Norman Whitfield or Brian Burton would ask him to stop performing his songs? He or she would be embarrased. And I'm afraid that some of the 81 artists, showing their respect with trying to do the impossible: making an interpretation of something they consider A PERFECT SONG to salute their musical hero, are starting to feel a little bit embarrased. It's sort of like giving a very personal gift to someone you love, ant the receiver laughs and takes a good long piss at you.

And for those of you who havnt heard it, you can buy or pre-listen to the songs here: www.ccrecords.com,
or buy it here (if you're a paypal-user): http://www.thegarden.no/?...5080&gid=0
The cd costs 299 NOK (60 dollars) + shipping

toots said:

There's a huge difference between Prince covering a single Radiohead song, and someone doing 5 full length CDs covering his music!!!

Prince doesn't throw a "hissy fit" every time someone covers his music. People have been covering Prince's songs since he first started. He may make a little comment here & there, but he doesn't make a big deal out of it.

There have been tons of other Prince tribute albums that have come out, and he didn't have a single problem with it!!! It's not like he doesn't want people to cover his music.

Obviously, he has a problem with this particular compilation. Maybe he has a problem with the amount of music being covered. Maybe all of the financial situations haven't been solved before putting this out. We don't know why he has a problem with this album, but he does.

Why should Prince have to hold a press conference over every business decision??? Especially one that involves a bunch of obscure Scandavian musicians that we've never heard of!!! You don't see cameras and reporters involved when Madonna and Springsteen meet with their lawyers!!!

He's just being really overprotective of his music right now, and really who can blame him??? This is his legacy, his life's work, and how he makes a living!!! His music is really all he has!!!

Paris9748430 said:

Paris, you need medication. There is NOTHING Prince can do about stopping this for sale on the market. It's impossible. It's over. You lost and he lost. Ya Done, okay? You can object but everyone is going to laugh at Prince and yourself for trying to denounce this. Prince would literally get laughed out at the courts. You are showing minor signs of delusional cultish behaviour over an artist who would probably pie you in the face if it meant he could be on the cover of every magazine at once for one single day.

Why people even try to reason with apologists, it's a lost cause.

Paris9748430 said:

Paris, you need medication. There is NOTHING Prince can do about stopping this for sale on the market. It's impossible. It's over. You lost and he lost. Ya Done, okay? You can object but everyone is going to laugh at Prince and yourself for trying to denounce this. Prince would literally get laughed out at the courts. You are showing minor signs of delusional cultish behaviour over an artist who would probably pie you in the face if it meant he could be on the cover of every magazine at once for one single day.

Why people even try to reason with apologists, it's a lost cause.

Im still confused on the idea that the label said "OK" as long as their straight covers and nothing is changed. That means I can do a Zeppelin covers album note for note and release it and not have to worry about Robert Plant beating me down? Something is off here, whether is a difference because of countries and where things are sold, some countries have different legalities in terms of copyrights, publishing, payments etc..I really think this is just coming down to whether he wants it or not, and some artists, like him, like to control every aspect, hear every cover, and approve every detail, so him doing this is not a shock whatsoever, im actually surprised that people are suprised.

Trickology said:

I'm not denouncing anything!!! I think that this compilation is a great idea, and I hope it comes out!!!

I'm just of the opinion that Prince's everyday business decisions aren't a big deal, and this story doesn't matter!!! I don't care that he's suing the makers of this Tribute Album!!! I don't see what the big fucking deal is!!! People are acting like Prince comitted triple homicide!!!

Like I said earlier, musicians sue, and get sued all the time!!!

It's obvious when Prince isn't putting out a new album, or going on tour, people here completely run out of shit to talk about!!!

I don't get why people are so hurt & upset over this!!! It's like Prince has caused personal harm to someone!!!

I'm not defending his actions, I just think that this doesn't matter!!!

I could care less about who he sues, or delivers a Cease & Desist letter to.

I just think that his business decisions are just that. HIS business decisions, and they don't really affect anyone but him!!!

Honestly, the only reason people are up in arms over this is because it involves Prince. If any other artist did this (and they have), people wouldn't care less!!!
[Edited 6/29/08 15:46pm]

Prince strikes again.

Besides Amy Winehouse, I don't think I know of a more self-destructive or self-sabotaging artist.

Seriously. I. Just. Don't. Get. It.

As years pass and the lore of his assholiness accumulates, he's really just hurting himself....

And for what? I mean what is he gaining by doing this? Don't tell me it's the principle. NOthing's really been violated. Bizarre.
[Edited 6/29/08 21:15pm]

Besides Amy Winehouse, I don't think I know of a more self-destructive or self-sabotaging artist.

Seriously. I. Just. Don't. Get. It.

As years pass and the lore of his assholiness accumulates, he's really just hurting himself....

And for what? I mean what is he gaining by doing this? Don't tell me it's the principle. NOthing's really been violated. Bizarre.
[Edited 6/29/08 21:15pm]

Hey Paris. YOu're the one with 12 exclamation points. I might suggest you get a grip.

The sentence doesn't suggest Amy and Prince have parallel behaviors but merely parallel effects. There are millions of ways to kill a career ... and being a Prince fan, you have a bird's eye view of one of them.

questlove once mentioned that P personally told them not to cover songs because he doesn't own the masters to his back catalog and Warner gets the majority of the money when a song is covered. If that's true maybe that has something to do with it. Also P may be sensitive to the way a song is interpreted,and that can take on different meanings as well.

Who knows, but its true that he freely covers artist when he feels like it, but hey whatever. I am really curious to hear how some of these songs came out.

SynthiaRose said:

Please, the average Prince listener. By that, I mean people outside of the Org, couldn't care less about what Prince is doing.

All they care about is if the music is good.

Filing a lawsuit against a bunch of obscure Scandinavian musicians is NOT gonna kill Prince's career!

Hell, it's not even gonna bruise it!

Nobody cares about this, and when Prince puts out a new album or goes out on tour,this will matter even less!

When he played Coachella, there was no mention of his internet battle. All that people talked about was how great the performance was. It wasn't "Prince played an incredible set, and by the way, he doesn't want any of his videos on Youtube".

When Prince puts out his next album, people won't be talking about this at all, because it doesn't matter.

christerfalck said:

You do realize "Prince apologists" that Christer just








Without even trying, nonethless. It's 1) Legal 2) International 3) Untouchable in a court of law These are covers of SONGS in Europe. GO S-T-U-D-Y why this case will implode on itself There is nothing Prince can do. Similar to how Prince can't touch Pirate Bay with their bootlegs, only the big difference is these arent bootlegs and this is completely legal recordings to be sold on the commercial market. What a brilliant idea masterfully orchestrated to come out on the 50th anniversary. Keep pimpslapping em, Christer

psychodelicide said:

lol; if you know how seriously he takes his music, and they all had to know, why do this?

SynthiaRose said:

You aren't seriously comparing Prince to someone with a deadly drug addiction and Emphysema!!!

He's not on drugs, he doesn't beat women, and he hasn't been accused of a violent crime.


There's nothing self destructive or self sabotaging about filing a lawsuit!!!

People file lawsuits all the time!!!

Jesus Christ people, get a grip!!!

if the discussion does not interest you, you don't have to involve yourself in it. but you have. so clearly it impacts you more than perhaps you're trumpeting in your posts.

Please, the average Prince listener. By that, I mean people outside of the Org, couldn't care less about what Prince is doing.

All they care about is if the music is good.

Filing a lawsuit against a bunch of obscure Scandinavian musicians is NOT gonna kill Prince's career!

Hell, it's not even gonna bruise it!

Nobody cares about this, and when Prince puts out a new album or goes out on tour,this will matter even less!

When he played Coachella, there was no mention of his internet battle. All that people talked about was how great the performance was. It wasn't "Prince played an incredible set, and by the way, he doesn't want any of his videos on Youtube".

When Prince puts out his next album, people won't be talking about this at all, because it doesn't matter.

Trickology said:

I'm not denouncing anything!!! I think that this compilation is a great idea, and I hope it comes out!!!

I'm just of the opinion that Prince's everyday business decisions aren't a big deal, and this story doesn't matter!!! I don't care that he's suing the makers of this Tribute Album!!! I don't see what the big fucking deal is!!! People are acting like Prince comitted triple homicide!!!

Like I said earlier, musicians sue, and get sued all the time!!!

It's obvious when Prince isn't putting out a new album, or going on tour, people here completely run out of shit to talk about!!!

I don't get why people are so hurt & upset over this!!! It's like Prince has caused personal harm to someone!!!

I'm not defending his actions, I just think that this doesn't matter!!!

I could care less about who he sues, or delivers a Cease & Desist letter to.

I just think that his business decisions are just that. HIS business decisions, and they don't really affect anyone but him!!!

Honestly, the only reason people are up in arms over this is because it involves Prince. If any other artist did this (and they have), people wouldn't care less!!!
[Edited 6/29/08 15:46pm]

Too many pages and posts to read. But has anyone heard the album? There are some horrendous covers on it but some real interesting gems too. I am glad that I a
have it just from a completist point of view but I doubt I will be listening to it much.