Over the last month or so, I've acquired scores (over 80GB) of Prince bootlegs. I've been doing some research as I go along, so needless to say, many are quite simply astounding. Given the heaps of praise it receives compared to some of the other shows I've heard, I think Small Club may be slightly over-rated.

Don't get me wrong, fidelity wise it's nearly perfect. (I happen to think Levi is a little low in the mix compared to the bass being generated by the keys and kick drum).

There are some very nice moments in the set, in particular the opening through "Just My Imagination." But the middle of the set is just okay to me. "People Without" if it was included on [insert one of your least fav studio albums here] in the same arrangement, would probably be considered one of the worst tracks on the album. This is made worse by the spoken word over keyboard noodling that introduces it. "Housequake" is nice, but certainly doesn't add or improve on the studio version. And then the Blues and JB workouts are good & fun, but not mind-blowing. It gets very good again at the end.

All of that said, it's still a great and highly-recommended Prince bootleg, in particular during it's best moments. But I don't think it's in my top-5. Even though they are audience recordings, Xenophobia 8/25/02, Prince, Josh, Cora: 2007 London Aftershow and New York Aftershow 2002 come to mind. As far as soundboards, the Japan '89s and Copenhagen 2002 are outstanding.

Which boots do you like better?

[Edited 6/24/11 19:46pm]

I have "SMALL CLUB" both on 2CD and 3Vinyl:

and I love it...

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/ecnirp2004/Prince/SmallClubvinyl-1.jpg[/img:$uid]

^ here's the vinyl.... fabulous, not overrated at all.

are we talking about audio bootlegs or video ?

My favs of video bootlegs are TV Apperances 1991-1995, Reel to the Garden and ofc Lovesexy in Dortmund'88. Oh, i forgot about Live 4 Love in London.

Great version of Rave on Small Club!

I still feel that the version of Just My Imagination on Just My Imagination is better. Maybe not fidelity-wise, but certainly passion-wise.

I like it, always have. But it´s never been one of my favorite bootlegs. I prefer the First Ave. shows, the 1984 rehearsal sessions, or the Bataclan (Paris) shows.

meisme said:

Great version of Rave on Small Club!

Yeah, this type of version should have been on the album, or at least the remix album. Totally rocking and kick ass! Instead, we got that weak version instead, almost embarrasing, really.

And the guitar solo on Just My Imagination might still be his best ever.

Imaginative said:

Prince, Josh, Cora: 2007 London Aftershow

[Edited 6/24/11 19:46pm]

For sheer Prince rock excitement, this one's hard to beat. Extraordinary guitar playing throughout, and great to just hear a rock threesome. I truly had newfound respect for Cora as a drummer after hearing this. The whole thing is beautiful raw energy.

I think the opening track, DMSR, are the 2 parts which really live up to the hype.

The version of Housequake is fairly atrocious. Levels of the arrangement are all fucked up.

"People Without" is kind of fun, especially with him adlibbing to the point of "head in their asses".

RAVE is good, but not really that remarkable a sound for me.

But those first two tracks are THE SHIT. As in awesome.

I don't think Small Club is the best bootleg ever, but I rate it very highly.

KoolEaze said:

I like it, always have. But it´s never been one of my favorite bootlegs. I prefer the First Ave. shows, the 1984 rehearsal sessions, or the Bataclan (Paris) shows.

2002?

Imaginative said:

KoolEaze said:

I like it, always have. But it´s never been one of my favorite bootlegs. I prefer the First Ave. shows, the 1984 rehearsal sessions, or the Bataclan (Paris) shows.

2002?

Yes, afaik, 2002 is the only time he has ever played that venue.

The thing about Small Club was that it is far more interesting and fun than Prince's official releases.

Imaginative said:

KoolEaze said:

I like it, always have. But it´s never been one of my favorite bootlegs. I prefer the First Ave. shows, the 1984 rehearsal sessions, or the Bataclan (Paris) shows.

2002?

Yes, 2002.....but the 1995 show was also very good.

It's a great recording of a great show. One of the very best.

It's not his greatest ever concert. So it's slightly overrated

Who knows? Maybe it's not the best (but one of the best for sure)!!! IMO everytime I hear the version of "Still Would Stand All Time" on this bootleg I fly on cloud nine!!!