independent and unofficial
Prince fan community
Welcome! Sign up or enter username and password to remember me
Forum jump
Forums > Prince: Music and More > Black Album (1987) on cassette?
« Previous topic  Next topic »
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
Author

Tweet     Share

Message
Thread started 07/25/12 3:14pm

kevinpnb

avatar

Black Album (1987) on cassette?

Apologies if this info is right in front of my face and I'm just missing it, but I'm curious.... Was there a planned cassette release for The Black Album in 1987?

I see references to collectible original copies on vinyl and cd, but tapes were way more prominent than cd in 87. Anyone know the real scoop on this?
[Edited 7/25/12 17:51pm]
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #1 posted 07/26/12 8:42am

databank

avatar

That's a bloody good question! Never heard of any either so I guess none survived, but I can hardly imagine none was planned: just EVERYTHING that was released by a major got a cassette release in 1987 (including the most obscure Paisley Park albums).

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #2 posted 07/26/12 9:05am

PATSHEART

Now THAT'S a great question!

I now present unto you an original person, one that is able to rationalize and make decisions that utilize intellectual significance. Yes, this person is on the endangered species list. - Patsheart April 2, 2009
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #3 posted 07/26/12 1:30pm

SPYZFAN1

That is a good question. I'm sure it would have been released..Maybe it would have still been called the "Black Album". By that time vinyl was getting old and cassettes were still popular.

I still have the 90's re-release on cassette (still unopened and sealed) somewhere.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #4 posted 07/26/12 3:34pm

dualboot

avatar

That is something I also was wondering about.

Never saw a reference besides a promo mention, which could be a selftyped white sheet with cassette.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #5 posted 07/26/12 7:20pm

HonestMan13

avatar

The bootlegs I saw of the Black Album back then were on fan made cassettes. I still have mine and that's how it got around so fast from everyone making copies. I don't think there were cassettes made up when he called for it to be destroyed. I just remember hearing that about 500 vinyl copies survived. I would think cassettes would be easier to smuggle out cause of their size. Last I heard of a vinyl copy it sold for $13,500 at an auction somewhere.

[Edited 7/26/12 19:21pm]

When eye go 2 a Prince concert or related event it's all heart up in the house but when eye log onto this site and the miasma of bitchiness is completely overwhelming!
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #6 posted 07/26/12 9:07pm

electricberet

avatar

I also don't know the answer. Perhaps cassettes took less time to manufacture and none had been made when the plug was pulled?

Another interesting question is whether there might have been a planned 8-track release. Record clubs were still offering 8-tracks through 1988, and SOTT saw an 8-track release.
The Census Bureau estimates that there are 2,518 American Indians and Alaska Natives currently living in the city of Long Beach.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #7 posted 07/26/12 9:21pm

dizzidecazz

avatar

A friend of mine has a cassette promo copy given to him by a WB exec back in the day.

may display symptoms of sarcasm
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #8 posted 07/26/12 10:22pm

callimnate

avatar

dizzidecazz said:

A friend of mine has a cassette promo copy given to him by a WB exec back in the day.

The recently re-opened theblackalbum.info doesnt have any info on a cassette release, and this site is pretty spot on with its info.

SO...... if your friend does indeed have a promo tape, and its from '87.......... PM me! wink

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #9 posted 07/27/12 2:39am

dualboot

avatar

callimnate said:

dizzidecazz said:

A friend of mine has a cassette promo copy given to him by a WB exec back in the day.

The recently re-opened theblackalbum.info doesnt have any info on a cassette release, and this site is pretty spot on with its info.

Thanks.

Little sidenote here. I never got around doing cassettes or cd's on the site. It was purely dedicated to vinyl with a focus on tracking the numbered white and grey ones.

The thought is to change it to a broader spectrum of media.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #10 posted 07/27/12 9:05am

Jamzone333

avatar

kevinpnb said:

Apologies if this info is right in front of my face and I'm just missing it, but I'm curious.... Was there a planned cassette release for The Black Album in 1987? I see references to collectible original copies on vinyl and cd, but tapes were way more prominent than cd in 87. Anyone know the real scoop on this? [Edited 7/25/12 17:51pm]

I purchased a bootleg on cassette at Tower Records here in Los Angeles about 86 or 87 but it was so dark to me. I don't know what happened to that cassette. True story.

"A united state of mind will never be divided
The real definition of unity is 1
People can slam their door, disagree and fight it
But how U gonna love the Father but not love the Son?
United States of Division"
gigglebowfroguitar
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #11 posted 07/29/12 8:51pm

dizzidecazz

avatar

callimnate said:

The recently re-opened theblackalbum.info doesnt have any info on a cassette release, and this site is pretty spot on with its info.

SO...... if your friend does indeed have a promo tape, and its from '87.......... PM me! wink

He's not a fan, but was/is in the industry. I've been down the path of people wanting more info or to buy it but he's just not interested. Doesn't care, doesn't need the money, can't be bothered. That's pretty much his lifes creed. So no dice.

may display symptoms of sarcasm
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #12 posted 07/30/12 10:01am

Huppeldepup

avatar

I have a printer's proof of the 1994 Black Album CD and tape. Though the design features the 1994 catalogue number, the proof itself features a 1987 date. I was told this is because they pulled out the original 1987 artwork when they worked on the 1994 release. So, yes a tape was definitely planned in 1987. But, no I don't think any copies survived.

Thomas

Can you help me expand my collection?
www.unused-prince-tickets-com
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #13 posted 07/30/12 10:40am

electricberet

avatar

I'm sure a cassette was planned. As the OP pointed out, that was a very popular medium in 1987. I first listened to all of his albums up to Lovesexy on cassette. The question is whether any cassettes were actually pressed in 1987 before the release was withdrawn. It sounds like the answer is no. Of course, there were many bootleg cassettes in circulation after the album was pulled, but those probably traced back to a CD or LP.
The Census Bureau estimates that there are 2,518 American Indians and Alaska Natives currently living in the city of Long Beach.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Forums > Prince: Music and More > Black Album (1987) on cassette?