All these years later, I've grown to appreciate the Purple Medley more than I did when it came out. I loved the part that debuted on the AMAs, and I liked the full video that was later released. But it's not something I listen to quite often. But since I recently did, I'm now impressed with it again.

While listening to it, I was kind of blown away by how extensive it is and how much work must have gone into making this 10-minute song flow so well, considering all the elements that are a part of it. While some of the vocals sound like the original songs, almost all of them sound new, and there are overdubs. So are ALL the vocals new? I'm wondering if he just sang each vocal part over again and sometimes matched his original work and sometimes changed it up.

Same thing with the music. While much of it is similar, it really strays in many parts from the originals, and hearing how each song continues seamlessly into the next makes me incredulous. I'm curious how he did it--band? Him alone taking old tracks and recording new music and mixing them all together?

All in all, I'm thinking this must have been an arduous task for him to create, right?

[Edited 9/3/10 12:18pm]

I had heard a rumour ages ago that during the "slave" years he had re-recorded his entire back catologue and that the vocals were used on the Purple Medley.

It was never confirmed though.

I always assumed Kirk Johnson did a lot of that stuff, and Prince resang the vocals.

I don't believe Prince rerecorded his back catalog. That's a LOT to rerecord. He talked in 1999 about possibly rerecording stuff, and rereleasing it so he had masters of his songs. So as he was talking in future tense, it would seem to nullify him having already done it. Although a bit of conjecture, the wikipedia page on it seems to probably sum up the truthfulness of it, "This track appears to have little additional input from Prince, but is rather a compilation of remixes made by band member Kirk Johnson."

Kirk did do a couple of remixes for "Head" and something else ("When Doves Cry"?), as well as the "B-Side Remix" (which only had one b-side in the medley), so for me, logic dictates that Kirk did the remixing, and Prince just laid the vocals down for him. Remember, he was giving Kirk a lot of creative control in some ways with drum programming and mixing, and that lasted through 1998-1999.

Despite the rumour that the medley was a mix of the new rerecordings, I don't subscribe to that belief. I don't think P ever completed the entire rerecording of the back cataloguem and if he did, I don;t think it would all sound as samey as the medley versions.

The Purple Medley sounds like a live arrangement for the most. I think P and the band did it expressly for the tour (which would have no hits in it).

There are certain arrangements in it that would not sound right in a full song, and sound reminiscent of live arrangements, such as Purple Rain.

ernestsewell said:

I always assumed Kirk Johnson did a lot of that stuff, and Prince resang the vocals.

I don't believe Prince rerecorded his back catalog. That's a LOT to rerecord. He talked in 1999 about possibly rerecording stuff, and rereleasing it so he had masters of his songs. So as he was talking in future tense, it would seem to nullify him having already done it. Although a bit of conjecture, the wikipedia page on it seems to probably sum up the truthfulness of it, "This track appears to have little additional input from Prince, but is rather a compilation of remixes made by band member Kirk Johnson."

Kirk did do a couple of remixes for "Head" and something else ("When Doves Cry"?), as well as the "B-Side Remix" (which only had one b-side in the medley), so for me, logic dictates that Kirk did the remixing, and Prince just laid the vocals down for him. Remember, he was giving Kirk a lot of creative control in some ways with drum programming and mixing, and that lasted through 1998-1999.

Thanks. My problem with the Wikipedia assessment, though, is that it seems like Prince did have a lot of input, because almost all the music in it differs from the originals in some way (sometimes minor, sometimes not). And there seem to be changes that involved a lot of instruments (piano, keyboard, guitar, bass) and I didn't think Kirk was that much of a multi-instrumentalist.

SquirrelMeat said:

There were a few 'hits' though...well Prince songs at keast

ernestsewell said:

I always assumed Kirk Johnson did a lot of that stuff, and Prince resang the vocals.

I don't believe Prince rerecorded his back catalog. That's a LOT to rerecord. He talked in 1999 about possibly rerecording stuff, and rereleasing it so he had masters of his songs. So as he was talking in future tense, it would seem to nullify him having already done it. Although a bit of conjecture, the wikipedia page on it seems to probably sum up the truthfulness of it, "This track appears to have little additional input from Prince, but is rather a compilation of remixes made by band member Kirk Johnson."

Kirk did do a couple of remixes for "Head" and something else ("When Doves Cry"?), as well as the "B-Side Remix" (which only had one b-side in the medley), so for me, logic dictates that Kirk did the remixing, and Prince just laid the vocals down for him. Remember, he was giving Kirk a lot of creative control in some ways with drum programming and mixing, and that lasted through 1998-1999.

actually Prince did end up re-recording most of his stuff. Mr Hayes said in 1999 they had just finished stuff like Soft & wet.

http://www.princevault.co...ple_Medley

RumAndRaisin said:

ernestsewell said:

I always assumed Kirk Johnson did a lot of that stuff, and Prince resang the vocals.

I don't believe Prince rerecorded his back catalog. That's a LOT to rerecord. He talked in 1999 about possibly rerecording stuff, and rereleasing it so he had masters of his songs. So as he was talking in future tense, it would seem to nullify him having already done it. Although a bit of conjecture, the wikipedia page on it seems to probably sum up the truthfulness of it, "This track appears to have little additional input from Prince, but is rather a compilation of remixes made by band member Kirk Johnson."

Kirk did do a couple of remixes for "Head" and something else ("When Doves Cry"?), as well as the "B-Side Remix" (which only had one b-side in the medley), so for me, logic dictates that Kirk did the remixing, and Prince just laid the vocals down for him. Remember, he was giving Kirk a lot of creative control in some ways with drum programming and mixing, and that lasted through 1998-1999.

actually Prince did end up re-recording most of his stuff. Mr Hayes said in 1999 they had just finished stuff like Soft & wet.

But Purple Medley obviously predates this. Logistically speaking, I think it would have been remarkably difficult for him to have rerecorded every album and b-side covered in Purple Medley by that point in 1995.

MikeyB71 said:

http://www.princevault.co...ple_Medley

I checked here before posting, but it's pretty thin on info. And it mentions the NPG but says there's no specific info on who took part and who did what in the recording.

Efan said:

I dont know...what else does he have to do all day...and after The Hits most of the stuff released was pre-recorded until Gold Experience came out

Efan said:

MikeyB71 said:

http://www.princevault.co...ple_Medley

I checked here before posting, but it's pretty thin on info. And it mentions the NPG but says there's no specific info on who took part and who did what in the recording.

Prince recorded "Purple Medley" in the same fashion he records the rest of his music.

Kirk Johnson's input was solely for the b-side.

In addition, someone had mentioned that "Purple Medley" was going to be recorded for the tour which would have no hits on it. Untrue. Prince did perform the hits during the tour (but also performed Purple Medley - so the hits he performed were not ones appearing on that track).

ernestsewell said:

I always assumed Kirk Johnson did a lot of that stuff, and Prince resang the vocals.

I don't believe Prince rerecorded his back catalog. That's a LOT to rerecord. He talked in 1999 about possibly rerecording stuff, and rereleasing it so he had masters of his songs. So as he was talking in future tense, it would seem to nullify him having already done it. Although a bit of conjecture, the wikipedia page on it seems to probably sum up the truthfulness of it, "This track appears to have little additional input from Prince, but is rather a compilation of remixes made by band member Kirk Johnson."

Kirk did do a couple of remixes for "Head" and something else ("When Doves Cry"?), as well as the "B-Side Remix" (which only had one b-side in the medley), so for me, logic dictates that Kirk did the remixing, and Prince just laid the vocals down for him. Remember, he was giving Kirk a lot of creative control in some ways with drum programming and mixing, and that lasted through 1998-1999.

The B-Side Remix was Kirk's edit of all the remixes he did together, though. "Tell Me How U Wanna B Done", "When Doves Cry", "Head", "Pop Life" and other mixes exist in full versions that Kirk did.

Spinlight said:

Efan said:

I checked here before posting, but it's pretty thin on info. And it mentions the NPG but says there's no specific info on who took part and who did what in the recording.

Prince recorded "Purple Medley" in the same fashion he records the rest of his music.

Sometimes he records music all by himself and sometimes with a band. Which is this?

RumAndRaisin said:

actually Prince did end up re-recording most of his stuff. Mr Hayes said in 1999 they had just finished stuff like Soft & wet.

"Most of his stuff" doesn't really have merit when Morris said they just finished "stuff like Soft & Wet", which is the first album. Most of what? Most of the first album? Are they recording in order, or randomly? There doesn't seem to be a lot of merit in his statement about the entire catalog being redone.

However, there were a few old songs rerecorded around the time of the "Purple Medley" period, in full. "Head", and "Pop Life", both of which are referenced the EP in question. There has never been any records or even rumor that he actually rerecorded everything. The two songs I mentioned here are circulating in full form, although I don't believe they were ever released officially.

Frankly if that's how Prince is going to rerecord his stuff, I'd rather just keep my original CDs and LPs and EQ it on my own.

Spinlight said:

ernestsewell said:

I always assumed Kirk Johnson did a lot of that stuff, and Prince resang the vocals.

I don't believe Prince rerecorded his back catalog. That's a LOT to rerecord. He talked in 1999 about possibly rerecording stuff, and rereleasing it so he had masters of his songs. So as he was talking in future tense, it would seem to nullify him having already done it. Although a bit of conjecture, the wikipedia page on it seems to probably sum up the truthfulness of it, "This track appears to have little additional input from Prince, but is rather a compilation of remixes made by band member Kirk Johnson."

Kirk did do a couple of remixes for "Head" and something else ("When Doves Cry"?), as well as the "B-Side Remix" (which only had one b-side in the medley), so for me, logic dictates that Kirk did the remixing, and Prince just laid the vocals down for him. Remember, he was giving Kirk a lot of creative control in some ways with drum programming and mixing, and that lasted through 1998-1999.

The B-Side Remix was Kirk's edit of all the remixes he did together, though. "Tell Me How U Wanna B Done", "When Doves Cry", "Head", "Pop Life" and other mixes exist in full versions that Kirk did.

Some of those remixes (in full) are on Work It 2.0, bloody good they are too.

Spinlight said:

I don't recall many Prince Hits in the traditional sense during 'the Gold Experience tour...I went to a few shows and heard Pink Cashmere, Come, Letitgo, I love u in me, peach etc...but certainly none of the big guns. Refreshing change actually and maybe something to do again as nowadays it just seems to be Nude Tour 2007, Nude Tour 2008, Nude Tour 2009, Nude Tour 2010

I believe there was also an Alphabet Street remix floating around out there (not very good, but it exists). I enjoy the Purple Medley every now and again when it comes up on shuffle. When Prince said he'd re-record his back catalog he seemed to say it in an almost vindictive way ("...WHICH I HAVE PLANS TO DO," or words to that effect). That would have been a crapload of work, but if anyone could do it, it would be him, I suppose.

BTW, in the new version of "The Work," little instrumental track/loops of a re-recording of "Let's Work" are included - I wounder if they were a part of that project? Thoughts?

purpledoveuk said:

Spinlight said:

Prince recorded "Purple Medley" in the same fashion he records the rest of his music.

Kirk Johnson's input was solely for the b-side.

In addition, someone had mentioned that "Purple Medley" was going to be recorded for the tour which would have no hits on it. Untrue. Prince did perform the hits during the tour (but also performed Purple Medley - so the hits he performed were not ones appearing on that track).

I don't recall many Prince Hits in the traditional sense during 'the Gold Experience tour...I went to a few shows and heard Pink Cashmere, Come, Letitgo, I love u in me, peach etc...but certainly none of the big guns. Refreshing change actually and maybe something to do again as nowadays it just seems to be Nude Tour 2007, Nude Tour 2008, Nude Tour 2009, Nude Tour 2010

Yeah, I mean, it was only "IIWYG", "Do Me Baby", "Sexy MF", and "7"... So, your mileage may vary depending on if you consider those big hits ("Do Me Baby" and "Sexy MF" were pretty big in the DC area).

Tim37200 said:

I believe there was also an Alphabet Street remix floating around out there (not very good, but it exists). I enjoy the Purple Medley every now and again when it comes up on shuffle. When Prince said he'd re-record his back catalog he seemed to say it in an almost vindictive way ("...WHICH I HAVE PLANS TO DO," or words to that effect). That would have been a crapload of work, but if anyone could do it, it would be him, I suppose.

BTW, in the new version of "The Work," little instrumental track/loops of a re-recording of "Let's Work" are included - I wounder if they were a part of that project? Thoughts?

Yes, Alphabet Street was one of the remixes.

Spinlight said:

purpledoveuk said:

Spinlight said: I don't recall many Prince Hits in the traditional sense during 'the Gold Experience tour...I went to a few shows and heard Pink Cashmere, Come, Letitgo, I love u in me, peach etc...but certainly none of the big guns. Refreshing change actually and maybe something to do again as nowadays it just seems to be Nude Tour 2007, Nude Tour 2008, Nude Tour 2009, Nude Tour 2010

Yeah, I mean, it was only "IIWYG", "Do Me Baby", "Sexy MF", and "7"... So, your mileage may vary depending on if you consider those big hits ("Do Me Baby" and "Sexy MF" were pretty big in the DC area).

Are you sure you are thing about the right tour? The Ultimate Live Experience Tour didn't feature any of those in the regular set list. Peach and 7 popped up a few times, but the only hit to appear every night was The Most Beautiful Girl In The world. The only other single to appear regularly was Letitgo.

The whole point of the purple medley was to help sell tickets to shows that had not sold out. It served to remind the public what Prince had done, despite he fact that he intended to tour with new music alone.

SquirrelMeat said:

Forgot about 7...but here in the uk we didn't get IIWYGF or Do Me Baby definitely...I was shocked when the next tour (well, 1 gig) had the hits back

SquirrelMeat said:

Spinlight said:

Yeah, I mean, it was only "IIWYG", "Do Me Baby", "Sexy MF", and "7"... So, your mileage may vary depending on if you consider those big hits ("Do Me Baby" and "Sexy MF" were pretty big in the DC area).

Are you sure you are thing about the right tour? The Ultimate Live Experience Tour didn't feature any of those in the regular set list. Peach and 7 popped up a few times, but the only hit to appear every night was The Most Beautiful Girl In The world. The only other single to appear regularly was Letitgo.

The whole point of the purple medley was to help sell tickets to shows that had not sold out. It served to remind the public what Prince had done, despite he fact that he intended to tour with new music alone.

I was referring more to the Gold Tour in '96 rather than TULE, so you're right about that.

Spinlight said:

Shows how much I know...thought it was the same thing

purpledoveuk said:

Spinlight said:

I was referring more to the Gold Tour in '96 rather than TULE, so you're right about that.

Shows how much I know...thought it was the same thing

Yeah, The Ultimate Live Experience was the 1995 tour where Prince debuted a lot of the Come/TGE stuffs. The Gold Tour was a small tour of the Pacific Southwest that incorporated different/more hits (incidentally, this was the last tour with Michael B, Sonny T, and Tommy B as members of the NPG).

Aaaaand according to Tommy B, he didn't mind getting canned too much as his role in the band by that point had pretty much been relegated to DJ as he mostly just triggered samples due to Prince's live and studio music being so sample heavy at the time.

When Prince put together the new New Power Generation, Sonny T and Michael B later dubbed them the "No Power Generation," lol.

[Edited 9/3/10 15:28pm]