Just wondering if you prefer Prince's songs live or studio versions. I for the most part prefer live, and more importantly with the band that he was with at the time the songs were released. Reminds me of the 1985 MTV interview when Prince, or was it Alan, who said "it's even funkier live". That statement was so true! Thoughts???

A lot of the live versions of the songs sound better then the album versions. You'll get no argument from me on that. You ever heard Beautiful Strange LIVE? That songs will "touch" you ... Emotionally ...

Live.

Studio

Both! I just want his music.

Studio

I like both live and studio

But I prefer the live stuff

LIVE.
He puts so much more effort into his guitar playing live.
But as far as "sound"...I still go with Live. Simply cause he over produces his albums now. And has since the late 90's.
Give me a little more RAW sound like Contraversy through Sign O the Times, and Ill be happy.

ronnwinter said:

There is so much energy put into the live shows. There certainly is a difference. One can tell when listening.

I just wish the studio stuff had the same energy as the live stuff.

L I V E

Mostly studio. The odd P song is much better live, such as Bambi, Days Of Wild, Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic and most of The Rainbow Children stuff.

His live version of Let's Go Crazy is just an exercise in frustration. Gimme that 12" any day. None of his minimalist funk or electronic music plays well in a live setting. When Doves Cry? Kiss? I don't want to hear those classics covered by his band-of-the-moment.

Def. live!

64 bit mp3 studio out takes. Love 'em!

Live is great except it would be cool if he set up a dance floor in the front of the stage...No Standing Still Gockers and Drooling Shorties.Just people that wanna move with the Music....U go to a show at Paisley and everyone packs in like its the last vagina on earth and There's little room for movement expression.

definetely live.everytime i see him live it just hype's me up and i know im in the presence of a musical god.

studio...b'coz i've never seen him live. those who've seen him live should consider themselves LUCKY!

Depends on the song.


I think it comes down to production. As squirrelgrease said, there are certain songs (including some big hits) that just don't work with a full band. They come off as schmaltzy Vegas-revue lite. And there is just too much opportunity to meander off into some latin jazz break during every other song.

On the other hand, I am sometimes frustrated with the way he mixes his studio work. There are times when he's got a killer guitar solo or piano line going on and you'd barely even notice if you didn't zero in on it to pick it out. It's buried in the mix, which is cool to an extent, but too often its almost covered up. Buried under the drums or strings or synths. And so much of the pop and rock stuff feels like he's going through the motions on record. And they really chug along fiercely when he does them live. Could be down to the one-man-band vs. live jam syndrome.

squirrelgrease said:

I am totally with you on this.

I never liked Kiss live, other than with the Revolution or the Lovesexy band. When Doves Cry kicked ass with Michael B. on the Nude tour. The version Prince did in South America in 1991 of Let's Go Crazy was awesome too, a new twist on a classic. Never heard it done that way again.

Live!

studio!

depends on song

Mostly studio.

CHRISLUV92 said:

OK I concede this point. You're right as rain!!