In no way am I looking for any copies, where to find it, etc (per the bootleg rule here on the Org- I totally get that).

I just want to know what your favorite live version of Purple Rain is... on cd, dvd, tv, etc. Especially with excellent soundboard quality.

I have quite a few in mind, but none that really stick out as the best. Arsenio '91- great performance but only about 4 minutes, The Super Bowl Halftime performance '07 - too short, with Beyonce at the Grammy's - no guitar solo, the AMA's '85 - great performance but not the best sound quality, the Rave 2000 dvd - good sound quality but definitely not his best.

I've been looking for this for years.

What's yours and why?

When performed purple rain in Milan. (PRICELESS!)

silkylee said:

When performed purple rain in Milan. (PRICELESS!)

Were you there, or are you referring to a particular recording? And year...?

XNY said:

silkylee said:

When performed purple rain in Milan. (PRICELESS!)

Were you there, or are you referring to a particular recording? And year...?

From 2010. There was some excellent audience footage floating about. That version was really exceptional.

My own favourite is Rotterdam May 28 1992, D & P Tour. Nice full version, crowd are amazing. No, I wasn't there.

There are far too many great performances of this song to give an exact answer.

I think that apart from the versions on the Purple Rain tour, every tour since has had great versions of the song.

Lovesexy Dortmund was always a fav of mine, not too short or long, and fucking blinding guitar solos with Prince playing his paisley bollocks off.

[Edited 2/17/11 3:11am]

The rough complete version cut in Makings of Rain (and 4 those of u who dont know, August 3, 1983 )

Werchter 2010.

P did "hot summer" when it started raining.....he changed it to Purple rain...had the purple lights on, reflecting purple drops of rain. The audiance sung the song in the rain, P "do you mind if I just play the guitar?"

he and the audiance were brilliant together. I would love to see the footage of that concert.

I actually loved the version he did on Arsenio Hall. He was spinning around and playing at the same and the audience was loving it. I remember staying up for all his appearances on Arsenio. Sometimes I think he is music's last SUPERSTAR. I did not think I could hear "Purple Rain" one more time but that night he was smokin. I have a boatload of artists that I love but I do not stay up late at night to see them. I will just catch it on youtube or something. With Prince I have to see it live while its happening and get those butterflies before he hits the stage. That was one of those nights.

Favorite version would have to be any of the near 20 minute versions played on the Purple Rain tour that are on boots...Syracuse, Miami, Atlanta. Why...because I like most of his songs live best with the band that was around at the time the albums came out.

right now, the one from Milan.

but other than that any one where he plays the full thing. even better, when he drags it out forever. including the intro, the multiple solos and the endless repetition of the coda, when the music drops out and the crowd is singing "ooo-hooo-hoo-hoooo" off-key from the rafters.

those tours where he plays about a 4-5 minute version, even taking out a verse... plus all that bullshit about time being a trick, etc. those just leave me cold.

Drehova26 said:

It's between Chicago Rain & Syracuse version becuz I felt that they were intimate between the band y the crowd, the intro solo of Prince were beautiful y intense 2 get the crowd ready 4 the verse y his solo, the crying of the guitar always makes my eyes water! Between the 2 cuz I grew up with Syracuse since I was 4, Chicago Rain is tops in my book!

I don't know the titles as well as I would like to, but what is the date on Chicago Rain? I have quite a few "titles" but not this one.

dreaminaboutu said:

I actually loved the version he did on Arsenio Hall. He was spinning around and playing at the same and the audience was loving it. I remember staying up for all his appearances on Arsenio. Sometimes I think he is music's last SUPERSTAR. I did not think I could hear "Purple Rain" one more time but that night he was smokin. I have a boatload of artists that I love but I do not stay up late at night to see them. I will just catch it on youtube or something. With Prince I have to see it live while its happening and get those butterflies before he hits the stage. That was one of those nights.

I'mk the same way. I still get worked up waiting for his set, on whatever talk show he's playing. I remember freaking out when he played Fury on SNL, and I couldn't believe how brilliant he was. The Arsenio Purple Rain is awesome too, just wish it a little longer.

Any version that doesn’t include a twenty-minute audience chant of “PURPLE RAAAAAIIIN! PURPLE RAIInnn…ack…ack…losin my voice…”

.

[Edited 1/25/17 14:16pm]

XNY said:

i wish you could share songs on here. i always read about stuff people watch or listen to thats so great, but i have no idea how to get a hold of any of it for myself. all i really have is all his albums and like 200 unreleased songs. and only seen whats on youtube ._.

im missing outt =[

The version he did on the New Year's Eve 87/88 at Paisley Park when Miles Davis was there might not be the best, but it's very interesting. I thought playing "Auld Lang Syne" as the "intro" made it quite smart.

ofc Purple Rain, live in Dortmund 1988, at Lovesexy World Tour.