For me, I would have the say The Revelations CDs; they are kick-ass! 52 CDs containing TONS of unreleased songs, remixes of songs that you may have never heard before, etc. The first time I listened to these CDs, I was in awe over all of this great music I have never even had the chance to hear before. A definite must have for all of you Prince music collectors out there.

The Work and Small Club.

Well, if you're going to basically include unlimited collections, then the iVault has to be in the conversation.

But if it's one specific boot, most are going to say Small Club.

Back in the day though, I would have said the Crucial boot. But now most of those songs have been released, although I still like the sax version of "Crucial" the best.

Fathers & Sons

zaza said:

Yeah, I'd have to say that's a very strong start. After that, the Sign O The Times and Lovesexy rehearsals are a good fix, especially the SOTT when you can hear how the show changed (esp how he sped up "Beautiful Night" when he original was going to do it like the album). They're all soundboard.

Any of the Hit N Run shows from 1986 are usually pretty good, and mostly soundboards as well.

Camille, the original Crystal Ball and Dream Factory configurations are good.

The Work is quite comprehensive and pretty much in order of when things were recorded, or at least sectioned by era. Each volume has 4 CDs to it, and I think there are 8 volumes. I still need 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9...although I think 9 is the NPGMC stuff.

The Purple Rush series is nice. It's all the 80's stuff from 1983-1985, covering certian Purple Rain tours, rehearsals, - anything soundboard, including The Family rehearsal, and more. I still need 6, and anything after 7, if there is anything.

I tend to gravitate toward soundboard recordings more than audience, but who doesn't?

^^ I agree, soundboard recordings are always the best.

Great answers, everyone. But I have never heard of Fathers & Sons before.
[Edited 2/8/10 12:19pm]

If you are an outtake junkie, "The Work EE" is about as good as it gets; "Work It 2.0" is a solid choice as well.

If you are after digital versions of vinyl tracks, than T's 12" is grail. Digital Funk Bitch's "7 Inch in the Computer" covers all the 7" edits, and is fantastic as well.

If you like your collections focused (i.e. featuring alternate takes of album tracks, choice remixes and "famous" unreleased outtakes taken from the album's sessions) and you place a premium on sound, Foefur's Expanded Album Remaster Series is hard to beat.

Live stuff... I can't wait to see what people post becuase there is SO MUCH. I agree w/ zaza though... Small Club is pretty sweet.

Edit - Just saw ernestsewell's post. Don't know how I missed collecting Purple Rush, but that really sounds like a wonderful document of an era. Thx for the tip.
[Edited 2/8/10 12:34pm]

"Yellow," is the only one I have, and I would certainly suggest it. I love it.

Oh, and as far as audience recordings, "Hallowed B Thy Name" is a great Gold-era after show.

Small Club and Work It 2.0.

I agree about The Work (original or EE), Work It 2.0 and Small Club, but I'm curious why no one has mentioned The Dawn (phenomenally assembled/sequenced 3-disc version of Come/Gold/Chaos material from 93-95).

pzlyprk said:

The Dawn is fantastic. Other great boots are Graffiti Bridge 2009 and Continental Drift. And you can't go wrong with the Wonderboy and/or the Sign O The Times film soundtrack and the LA Staples Center Musicology show audio.

Most of my boots were homemade, so all of them..lol

Those Lovesexy rehearsels are pretty damned good.

zaza said:

Gheez, how could I not mention my own?

zaza said:

poetcorner61 said:

I think Small Club is very much overrated. I never listen to it since hearing it over 7 years ago.

I think everyone should have the 1983 First Avenue show where he performed Electric Intercourse or For Those of You On Valium.

Vendetta1 said:

Love the performance of Strange relationship on that!!

Vendetta1 said:

OH! 4 Those Of U On Valium is most excellent. First time w/ the SOTT band, and playing those new songs. Same with the First Avenue gig. New band members, new songs.

Ya know, I have the "4 Those Of U on Valium" CD, but I haven't listened to it in a while. Think I need to listen to it again.

psychodelicide said:

Do you have the video? It is so awesome.

Vendetta1 said:

Vendetta1 said:

I got mine from RDHull. lol Back before he was a motherfucker.

Vendetta1 said:

Edited to say, yes I do have it. I didn't think I did, until I looked at my DVDs. There it was. Gotta check it out.
[Edited 2/8/10 19:45pm]

ernestsewell said:

squirrelgrease said:

I'm sorry. It bores me. His version of Just My Imagination does nothing for me.

ernestsewell said:

Wait. You call me a motherfucker all the time. Have I been unknowingly insulted?

Vendetta1 said:

You're not the only one who has said that Small Club is overrated. I have heard other people say the same thing.

Vendetta1 said: