For the first time in a long while I listened to The Ladder this evening and for the first time it was through some Beats headphones (Just in case that makes a difference).

Now, am I slow picking this up or maybe hearing things, but during the first few seconds of the string intro, there's a beat going on in the background, similar in pace to the 'America' beat.

I wondered if it was just my CD and/or it's rip to the ipod, but I just found a stream on the interweb and there it is too.

I'll be more than happy if someone tells me that it's something that's been known for years, but I just want to make sure it's not my ears playing up.

[Edited 2/11/12 17:20pm]

TheGhostlyNun said:

For the first time in a long while I listened to The Ladder this evening and for the first time it was through some Beats headphones (Just in case that makes a difference).

Now, am I slow picking this up or maybe hearing things, but during the first few seconds of the string intro, there's a beat going on in the background, similar in pace to the 'America' beat.

I wondered if it was just my CD and/or it's rip to the ipod, but I just found a stream on the interweb and there it is too.

I'll be more than happy if someone tells me that it's something that's been known for years, but I just want to make sure it's not my ears playing up.

The string interlude before THE LADDER was written and recorded by Wendy & LIsa for the OUR DESTINY intro to the track ROADHOUSE GARDEN in September of 1984. You may be hearing the Linn Drum of that recording bleeding through to the string tracks.

Jestyr said:

TheGhostlyNun said:

For the first time in a long while I listened to The Ladder this evening and for the first time it was through some Beats headphones (Just in case that makes a difference).

Now, am I slow picking this up or maybe hearing things, but during the first few seconds of the string intro, there's a beat going on in the background, similar in pace to the 'America' beat.

I wondered if it was just my CD and/or it's rip to the ipod, but I just found a stream on the interweb and there it is too.

I'll be more than happy if someone tells me that it's something that's been known for years, but I just want to make sure it's not my ears playing up.

The string interlude before THE LADDER was written and recorded by Wendy & LIsa for the OUR DESTINY intro to the track ROADHOUSE GARDEN in September of 1984. You may be hearing the Linn Drum of that recording bleeding through to the string tracks.

That sounds like it's what it is. I've listened a few times now and it's the first 12 seconds of the intro that has that beat playing very quietly in the background.

Well, it was a revelation to me, anyway

Thanks for the response.

You bet!

TheGhostlyNun said:

Jestyr said:

The string interlude before THE LADDER was written and recorded by Wendy & LIsa for the OUR DESTINY intro to the track ROADHOUSE GARDEN in September of 1984. You may be hearing the Linn Drum of that recording bleeding through to the string tracks.

That sounds like it's what it is. I've listened a few times now and it's the first 12 seconds of the intro that has that beat playing very quietly in the background.

Well, it was a revelation to me, anyway

Thanks for the response.

Can't hear it with speakers and ain't got no earphones, but I've listened 2 it with earphones 1000 times back in the days and I can't remember hearing this! Not saying it ain't there, just that I'm bluffed

stevenevermind said:

Tell you what, it's certainly worth investing in a proper set of headphones. I am used to listening thro a cheapo pair but recently decided to splash out on a professional pair. Wow - it brings through loads of little sounds/nuaunces that I never ever heard before in Prince's music - like listening to new songs!

Absolutely agree, especially after hearing that beat.

The other thing I now hear is just how good the 80s albums actually sound with decent earphones and how the newer ones just seem to blast the music out.

Don't fuck your ears, though. Living with a tinnitus ain't a pleasant experience

databank said:

Don't fuck your ears, though. Living with a tinnitus ain't a pleasant experience

I hear that (or rather, I don't).

databank said:

Don't fuck your ears, though. Living with a tinnitus ain't a pleasant experience

Indeed, I can only imagine what that must be like.

However, with a pair of quality earphones it is not necessary to play music at very high volume as high detail can be obtained from much lower volumes.

Can't hear it....

TheGhostlyNun said:

For the first time in a long while I listened to The Ladder this evening and for the first time it was through some Beats headphones (Just in case that makes a difference).

Now, am I slow picking this up or maybe hearing things, but during the first few seconds of the string intro, there's a beat going on in the background, similar in pace to the 'America' beat.

I wondered if it was just my CD and/or it's rip to the ipod, but I just found a stream on the interweb and there it is too.

I'll be more than happy if someone tells me that it's something that's been known for years, but I just want to make sure it's not my ears playing up.

Cool find. I’ll have to listen on headphones, but that is an interesting piece of info. For some background info on the strings, I think that they were recorded on Friday, September 28, 1984 in studio 2 at Sunset Sound when they were working on the intro to OUR DESTINY. On OUR DESTINY, I know that there is a beat behind the strings, which is possibly what you are hearing. On both THE LADDER and all versions of OUR DESTINY, the cymbals can be heard, but the difference is the drum, which may bleed through and be deep in the background on THE LADDER. As far as I know, this string section was only used in these two songs so I don’t think the drums would be from any other track.

madhouseman said:

TheGhostlyNun said:

madhouseman said:

Cool find. I’ll have to listen on headphones, but that is an interesting piece of info. For some background info on the strings, I think that they were recorded on Friday, September 28, 1984 in studio 2 at Sunset Sound when they were working on the intro to OUR DESTINY. On OUR DESTINY, I know that there is a beat behind the strings, which is possibly what you are hearing. On both THE LADDER and all versions of OUR DESTINY, the cymbals can be heard, but the difference is the drum, which may bleed through and be deep in the background on THE LADDER. As far as I know, this string section was only used in these two songs so I don’t think the drums would be from any other track.

Thanks for the info. I can't listen to it now without hearing that beat. Just wish someone else would post to say they've heard it.

I listened closely and couldn't hear it. sorry.

TheGhostlyNun said:

stevenevermind said:

Tell you what, it's certainly worth investing in a proper set of headphones. I am used to listening thro a cheapo pair but recently decided to splash out on a professional pair. Wow - it brings through loads of little sounds/nuaunces that I never ever heard before in Prince's music - like listening to new songs!

Absolutely agree, especially after hearing that beat.

The other thing I now hear is just how good the 80s albums actually sound with decent earphones and how the newer ones just seem to blast the music out.

While this is true, some recordings are mixed/equalized better than others. I played "ICNTTPOYM" on recording studio monitors and those really emphasized the lack of bass frequencies in his 80s songs. Maybe it was an 80s recording style, but more reason why his stuff needs to be remastered.

ok I just heard it. It's REALLY subtle but it's there. How the hell did you pick that up?!

chewymusic said:

ok I just heard it. It's REALLY subtle but it's there. How the hell did you pick that up?!

Thank goodness for that! Someone else, yay!

As I say, I was just listening to it on new headphones and I suddenly picked it up.

Ok. I had to use my Sennheiser HD 600 headphones to hear that "beat". I couldn't ear it with my Apple In-Ear headphones. It's definitely there. About 120 BPM. It's very subtle. It's there from the start, but you hear it better between 0:08 and 0:12. Not sure what is is, though.

[Edited 2/11/12 11:22am]

stevenevermind said:

Tell you what, it's certainly worth investing in a proper set of headphones. I am used to listening thro a cheapo pair but recently decided to splash out on a professional pair. Wow - it brings through loads of little sounds/nuaunces that I never ever heard before in Prince's music - like listening to new songs!

I've got a pair of professional BayerDynamic Studio headphones.

When I listen to 'kiss' on them, I could swear I hear some rythmguitar accents/echo between the beats.

It's like they've recorded the track with the guitar and all , and decided to erase them in the mix.

thePJsupreme said:

stevenevermind said:

Tell you what, it's certainly worth investing in a proper set of headphones. I am used to listening thro a cheapo pair but recently decided to splash out on a professional pair. Wow - it brings through loads of little sounds/nuaunces that I never ever heard before in Prince's music - like listening to new songs!

I've got a pair of professional BayerDynamic Studio headphones.

When I listen to 'kiss' on them, I could swear I hear some rythmguitar accents/echo between the beats.

It's like they've recorded the track with the guitar and all , and decided to erase them in the mix.

That is precisely correct. You are hearing headphone bleed-through (due to microphones that pick up the performers headphones that are playing the tracks that eventually got mixed out of the tune) Good ears.

Jestyr,

As always, you are on point.

love,

Spirit

Jestyr said:

thePJsupreme said:

I've got a pair of professional BayerDynamic Studio headphones.

When I listen to 'kiss' on them, I could swear I hear some rythmguitar accents/echo between the beats.

It's like they've recorded the track with the guitar and all , and decided to erase them in the mix.

That is precisely correct. You are hearing headphone bleed-through (due to microphones that pick up the performers headphones that are playing the tracks that eventually got mixed out of the tune) Good ears.

thx..

SpiritOtter said:

Jestyr,

As always, you are on point.

love,

Spirit

Anjan! Good to hear from you brother.

Jessie,

I would like to see your wisdom on this thread of thought. You don't have to share your pearls publicly, although it might help with the group dynamic & process. Regardless, is it cool if I contact you privately?

http://prince.org/msg/7/376151

love,

Spirit

SpiritOtter said:

Jessie,

I would like to see your wisdom on this thread of thought. You don't have to share your pearls publicly, although it might help with the group dynamic & process. Regardless, is it cool if I contact you privately?

http://prince.org/msg/7/376151

love,

Spirit

Unfortunately S.O., the ComputerWorld link does not work.

J,

Try copying into a new browser: http://prince.org/msg/7/376151

love,

Spirit