What do u think ofthe track crystal ball

It's a shame that that this song has never been exposed to the media like most of his other songs. It's a fantastic songs the bass the drums the voice the stings etc wow a masterpiece!

I really like the whole album as well as the song...I'll put it on later 2day.

It was nice to finally have the song released, but it's not a staple that I throw on compilations, or go out of the way to listen to. I do listen to the 3-Disc CB set quite often, though.

"Expert Lover." Although the case was pretty jacked upon purchase...I like it.

Songs like this are what opened my mind up to more eclectic work by other artist.

Absolutely sums Prince up-Genius

I didn't care for it.

I really dig it the original bootleg-version, but i am not that fond of the version that was officially released. He butchered it by:
- deleting Wendy's and Lisa parts (including the 'girls and boys of the purple underground' speech).
- replacing that great bass-solo with 'something' that sounds rather forced.

But, when it comes to the original version (just over 10 minutes) it ranges in my top 20 of greatest Prince songs.
Its that kind of suite-like, playfully experimental kind of compositions, incorporating several musical styles, i would LOVE to hear him do far more often. In All my dreams is another gem in that vein IMO. To me these songs like these and album like Parade were showing real creative growth.
Many dig his original funk-rock-electro-new wave hybrid (Dirty Mind - Purple Rain) more, but I always feel the years right after that (1985 - 1987) was were he REALLY peaked. Allthough he was great with his Minneapolis sound, his music and lyrics were sometimes a bit TOO obvious / in your face for my taste. The material that came right after that was IMO more subtle, nuanced, playfull, more surprising also. And Crystal Ball is a great example of that development, i think.

Riverpoet31 said:

I agree with every single word there.

in my top 10 of fav prince tunes, any day

Riverpoet31 said:

Well said. It shows such breadth and width and everything else...absolutely bloody love it

I like it. Except the part at the start which sounds like blowing into bottles. That's annoying IMO.

It's the song I listen to most off that CD. I have not heard the unofficial release-so I can't compare!!

Its also the one I listen to most from CB along with Love Sign and Pussy Control...

kewlschool said:

I know this sounds weird but even though I think it is the best track on the CD-its probably the one I listen to the least. CB the song is a perfect example of why you know Mozart is better than Chaka Khan or whoever but you end up listening to CK. It's the sheer excitement of the ability but is actually too good for the like of mere me

It's a great track, but I think it's over-rated (maybe not so much now it's officially released for over a decade) and honestly think CB was one of the rare examples of Prince's tracklist editing benefited an album. The cut from 3 to 2 LPs did SOTT a huge favour.

Fantastic song!

Best Line "My baby draws pictures of sex, all over the walls in graphic detail. Sex!"
[Edited 9/7/09 18:50pm]

Riverpoet31 said:

YES, U said it all, the original with the Claire Fischer string arrangement is killer, sorta reminds me of Others Out There, I love it and it totally had that Parade era feel,

I think I need to give the outtake another listen.

squirrelgrease said:

create a playlist with Alexa de Paris, I Wonder U, All My Dreams, Crystal Ball, Others Here With Us, Witness 4 the Prosecution, Mountains,Teacher Teacher, All My Dreams, Love or Money, Old Friends 4 Sale, Venus De Milo

HonestMan13 said:

Yeah
that's Susannah, she was into nude art

Tell me what the base says..... [CB version]

Lawdy!!!!

I like it.

I love it.

The offically released version sounds fantastic to me, but I do miss the Sisters and brothers of the purple underground speech.

I would this is in my top ten

DamnUSexyMf said:

The track us ok butbgeneralky makes me feel uncomfortable and sounds unfinished.

The best way I can describe it is like when I used to be at a friends party in my teens which was an all nighter and it's peaked, everybodys drunk, sat around watching MTV and seeing if there are any pizza places open at 3am...you've had enough, just want to go to sleep or go home...but you can't do either