I know I'm late, but I JUST heard the version of "endorphinmachine" sans cowbell. It totally blew me away! I didn't expect it to be that much different from the released version. The guitar and the entire sound was so crisp and so raw. I had a similar reaction when I finally heard the original "Zannalee".

As great as TGE is, I'm trippin' thinking about what it could've been without the changes. Is it true that there's a more sparse version of "Gold" as well?

Also, were the lyrics of endorphinmachine inspired by Barbarella? I know Prince has referred to that movie a few times and this song just made me think of the Excessive Machine.

xpertluva said:

There are a couple of other versions out there. One is from the Interactive CD-Rom. It's the performance, filmed on the set of Top of The Pops, at the end of the "game". The other version pieces together is from the rehearsal in Paris 1995 at Canal+. There's about a 1 hour full color video of the rehearsal w/ the band (Prince is there for only part of it). He comes in and they go through "Endorphinmachine". He stops them into the 2nd verse or solo, because the sound guys are cranking the guitar in the monitor and he tells them they don't need to do that. He eventually picks up the song on verse 2, and continues on through the end. Some fans have pieces the two parts together, and made it into one regular song, just like the album. The other version might be the one he performed live on TV later that night. The TOTP version is very crisp. The rehearsal is very clear, but a bit more full bodied than the TOTP version, but still lesser in body than the album version.

xpertluva said:

there are a couple of different studio versions of endorphine machine, one segues from a band version of come and the other seques into space

there are a few different versions of gold, a couple are a bit sparser, less finished, but the album version is the best one, whereas the unreleased versions of zannalee and endorphine machine are better (less keyboards, more guitars). there are videos for endorphine machine and zannalee with the better versions

I think the version of Endorphinmachine I heard may have been from the Interactive cd-rom because there's a fairly long intro with the woman'd voice that was being used in segue's around that time.

xpertluva said:

The more sparse versions of "Gold" are just unfinished versions. There are about 3 or 4 versions out there, all leading up to the album version. Some don't have the guitar, or some might have less keyboard, maybe no background vocals on one. Same goes for songs like "Shy" and I think, "I Hate U". Folks need to track down The Work. I think Volume 5 or 6 (maybe 7?) have these versions on them.

The one from the CD-ROm just STARTS. There is no NPG Operator. The only cut I've heard w/ the NPG Operator is the album version from The Gold Experience.
[Edited 1/29/10 1:09am]

JBK said:

It is an awesome version. The best live one I've heard personally.

xpertluva said:

The lady in the Interactive game was actually Kat, one of the ErotiCity dancers at the time.

rlittler81 said:

Yes, but she wasn't on any version of "Endorphinmachine", just for clarity sake. I edited my response above about the CD-Rom/TOTP version.

ernestsewell said:

The lady speaks and then there's a delay (in the video I think it just shows different angles of a building or different rooms) and then the song starts. Mayte is dressed in green (you can see where my eyes went immediately:) and Prince is wearing a hat with a rose pinned to it. Is that the game version?

xpertluva said:

thats the quicktime videos from the interactive video game. there is a clearer version of that track on an in house cd that's been bootlegged. it was filmed at the same time using the same set at paisley when they made the most beautiful girl in the world mustang mix video as an exclusive for top of the pops in the uk (there is a video circulating with the full performance from tape, the broadcast version has presenters at the start and end)

xpertluva said:

Ahhh, yes it is. Most have edited out that chick talking and the ship taking off. That is the version though, yes.

What do U mean by "Excessive Machine?"


I do believe that Prince has a Sci-Fi section of his songwriting.

Excuse Me...Sy Fy. (Wyz Gyz)

For those that need an advertisement...Nike...Adidas...Ya Know, the Big Shoes in the sky...

Have an Niice Wiikend!!

Tame said:

Google it for heaven's sake. It'll answer a couple of questions for you actually.

ernestsewell said:

Well Okay When I get Around 2 It. I Tend to Like it Here and beg someone else to do my Electronics Searching 4 Me.

Tame said:

I'll take up your slack sine you were the only one to acknowledge that part of my post.

The excessive machine is a contraption depicted in the 60's sci-fi movie Barbarella. I think it may even be pronounced ex-sex-ive machine. Anyway, Jane Fonda's character is unwillingly strapped to it and pleasured by it (although she turns the tables on the situation). In fact, that scene appears in the long form of the Sexy MF video.
[Edited 1/29/10 23:23pm]

xpertluva said:

Don't you mean the
3 Chains O' Gold video? "Sexy MF" was all about the garage, picking up chickas, and ending up at the no-tell motel.

ernestsewell said:

Yep, you're rihgt. It's on 3 Chains 'O Gold. I haven't seen that in ages. I had it on VHS but it got ruined somehow. That part and The Continental clip was probably my fav part. I was disappointed that 3 Chains 'O Gold wasn't featured though.

xpertluva said:

You'd think of all songs, that one would have been on there.

I need to try and rerip my VHS to DVD and get a decent copy of it again. I need a new DVD recorder, preferably one with an S-Video input. I could get a better picture that way.