Hi all,

I'm doing a university assignment comparing three different version of Alphabet Street:-

1. Alphabet Street Blues (Demo)

2. Alphabet Street (Lovesexy album version)

3. Alphabet Street (Indigo Nights Live Version)

If anyone has any information on any of these versions (anecdotes, personnel, back-story, dates etc) then could you please post them or send me in the right direction to find out as much as possible?

Cheers all!

do not forget "this is not music this is a trip"

and

One Nite Alone…The Aftershow: It Ain’t Over!

and

from the lovesexy Live VHS

http://princevault.com/in...phabet_St.

I want to hear as many versions possible, the version I know is a masterpiece

also you want the acoustic version

thats pretty good!

ravein2thejoy said:

also you want the acoustic version

thats pretty good!

that is the same as the blues version.

Sounds like a fun assignment!

What is the purpose? Are you studying the lyrics/music/production? etc

And why have you chosen those three versions?

O+>

owen said:

Sounds like a fun assignment!

What is the purpose? Are you studying the lyrics/music/production? etc

And why have you chosen those three versions?

O+>

Hi Owen,

I'm studying a production course so that is the main point of interest but all of the above are important. Anything people may have about production techniques/instruments and equipment selection/lyrical inspiration etc would be a great help. Literally anything at all.

I have picked these three versions as I feel they clearly display three clearly distinct areas of Prince's ability as a performer, producer and band leader. The acoustic/blues version highlights his heavy blues influence and strips back the song to its core which lays bare his songwriting and guitar skills. The album version is a perfect example of everything that the Minneapolis sound was and is an illustration of the production techniques and sounds he is best known for. The live version shows his band leadership skills and the influence of artists such as James Brown on his live performance.

Thanks for all the suggestions for other potential versions. I have already listened to most of these and any I haven't I will certainly check out. This post was mainly about getting extra info on the tracks I've selected as opposed to searching out more versions for potential study.

Anyone think they have something?

Kabuki,

I'm going to direct you to princevault.com.

You can search for songs alphabetically (no pun intended) and when you click on Alphabet Street, you will find some information about the different versions and it is referenced with other websites that have info as well.

Good luck on your assignment!

xoxo

Carrie

CallMeCarrie said:

Kabuki,

I'm going to direct you to princevault.com.

You can search for songs alphabetically (no pun intended) and when you click on Alphabet Street, you will find some information about the different versions and it is referenced with other websites that have info as well.

Good luck on your assignment!

xoxo

Carrie

Thanks Carrie,

Appreciate the pointers. Have already checked on princevault.com. Was hoping there was something lurking under the radar that I'd missed!

Thanks again

K2

OnlyNDaUsa said:

do not forget "this is not music this is a trip"

and

One Nite Alone…The Aftershow: It Ain’t Over!

and

from the lovesexy Live VHS

http://princevault.com/in...phabet_St.

I am yet to hear the "this is not music this is a trip" version.

Roxanne123 said:

OnlyNDaUsa said:

do not forget "this is not music this is a trip"

and

One Nite Alone…The Aftershow: It Ain’t Over!

and

from the lovesexy Live VHS

http://princevault.com/in...phabet_St.

I am yet to hear the "this is not music this is a trip" version.

i have heard the first part not the 2nd

I want someone to send these all to me please

I don't think Alphabet St studio version typifies the Minnieapolis sound!

Nasty Girl or Jerk Out seem to be the typical sound from the 80's

ufoclub said:

I don't think Alphabet St studio version typifies the Minnieapolis sound!

Nasty Girl or Jerk Out seem to be the typical sound from the 80's

Hi ufoclub,

Whilst I would certainly agree that your examples typify Prince's 80's output, they are far from the most popular or widely acknowledged tracks of that era and so, for the purposes of a university assignment, I had far more information to explore by picking a popular single.

Anyone have any information that I can use? Seriously, any and all help is very much appreciated.

K2

Kabuki2 said:

ufoclub said:

I don't think Alphabet St studio version typifies the Minnieapolis sound!

Nasty Girl or Jerk Out seem to be the typical sound from the 80's

Hi ufoclub,

Whilst I would certainly agree that your examples typify Prince's 80's output, they are far from the most popular or widely acknowledged tracks of that era and so, for the purposes of a university assignment, I had far more information to explore by picking a popular single.

Anyone have any information that I can use? Seriously, any and all help is very much appreciated.

K2

1999 is a much better example of the MPLS sound.

Kabuki2 said:

ufoclub said:

I don't think Alphabet St studio version typifies the Minnieapolis sound!

Nasty Girl or Jerk Out seem to be the typical sound from the 80's

Hi ufoclub,

Whilst I would certainly agree that your examples typify Prince's 80's output, they are far from the most popular or widely acknowledged tracks of that era and so, for the purposes of a university assignment, I had far more information to explore by picking a popular single.

Anyone have any information that I can use? Seriously, any and all help is very much appreciated.

K2

the reason I brought up Minneapolis sound, was that in my opinion, Prince partially left the sound behind for some of Lovesexy. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis picked it right up. I think Prince wanted to always head somewhere a bit different and let imitators or proteges continue in the exact same vein.

For example I think Janet Jackson's album was more signature MPLS sound than Prince's SOTT album.

Alphabet St doesn't have that "sexy" vocal, deep machine kick, snare+hand clap, synth, + reverb that makes me think of the MPLS sound.

"Oh Sheila" was the worst but immensely popular use of the MPLS sound by an imitator.

"Raspberry Beret" still had it, but it was changing under that baroque harpsichord noise, sad strings, and finger cymbals.

I think the hand claps is an essential part of the sound. Glam Slam has it.

ufoclub said:

Kabuki2 said:

Hi ufoclub,

Whilst I would certainly agree that your examples typify Prince's 80's output, they are far from the most popular or widely acknowledged tracks of that era and so, for the purposes of a university assignment, I had far more information to explore by picking a popular single.

Anyone have any information that I can use? Seriously, any and all help is very much appreciated.

K2

the reason I brought up Minneapolis sound, was that in my opinion, Prince partially left the sound behind for some of Lovesexy. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis picked it right up. I think Prince wanted to always head somewhere a bit different and let imitators or proteges continue in the exact same vein.

For example I think Janet Jackson's album was more signature MPLS sound than Prince's SOTT album.

Alphabet St doesn't have that "sexy" vocal, deep machine kick, snare+hand clap, synth, + reverb that makes me think of the MPLS sound.

"Oh Sheila" was the worst but immensely popular use of the MPLS sound by an imitator.

"Raspberry Beret" still had it, but it was changing under that baroque harpsichord noise, sad strings, and finger cymbals.

I think the hand claps is an essential part of the sound. Glam Slam has it.

another element of the mpls sound is use of keyboards to produce the horn sounds.

ufoclub said:

Kabuki2 said:

Hi ufoclub,

Whilst I would certainly agree that your examples typify Prince's 80's output, they are far from the most popular or widely acknowledged tracks of that era and so, for the purposes of a university assignment, I had far more information to explore by picking a popular single.

Anyone have any information that I can use? Seriously, any and all help is very much appreciated.

K2

the reason I brought up Minneapolis sound, was that in my opinion, Prince partially left the sound behind for some of Lovesexy. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis picked it right up. I think Prince wanted to always head somewhere a bit different and let imitators or proteges continue in the exact same vein.

For example I think Janet Jackson's album was more signature MPLS sound than Prince's SOTT album.

Alphabet St doesn't have that "sexy" vocal, deep machine kick, snare+hand clap, synth, + reverb that makes me think of the MPLS sound.

"Oh Sheila" was the worst but immensely popular use of the MPLS sound by an imitator.

"Raspberry Beret" still had it, but it was changing under that baroque harpsichord noise, sad strings, and finger cymbals.

I think the hand claps is an essential part of the sound. Glam Slam has it.

a different direction but still I think songs like Scream of Passion, America, Movie Star, Wonderful Ass, Heaven, Girl, retained the Minneapolis sound but with a more explorative touch.

But I agree with what you say, the 'foundational' Minneapolis Sound by 1986/87 could be heard via Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Production: Janet, SOS band, Alexander O'Neal. Jesse Johnson,

OldFriends4Sale said:

ufoclub said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

a different direction but still I think songs like Scream of Passion, America, Movie Star, Wonderful Ass, Heaven, Girl, retained the Minneapolis sound but with a more explorative touch.

But I agree with what you say, the 'foundational' Minneapolis Sound by 1986/87 could be heard via Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Production: Janet, SOS band, Alexander O'Neal. Jesse Johnson,

I agree with all those sOngs. Alphabet st just doesn't have that sound in my opinion. And it has real horns!

Right, it was something different. the song Lovesexy on that album is probably the closest to the Minneapolis Sound but it has the horns with the synth