All of this discussion about the Digital Garden website being shut down has got me wondering a couple of things about Prince fans that collect bootlegs, so I'll ask:

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings?

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation?

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art?

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so?

To be fair, I'll answer for myself:

1) I listen to and collect unreleased Prince recordings.

2) I first became aware of the existence of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation by reading about the Black Album's cancellation and bootlegging in my local newspaper and then reading a review of it in Rolling Stone magazine. While searching to buy a copy of the Black Album I discovered there were many Prince bootlegs full of material I had never heard of.

3) Collecting Prince bootlegs has increased my level of interest in Prince's art, my opinion of his skills and my obsession to buy everything he releases and see him live every chance I get.

4) No.

For the record, it's not illegal to have this discussion...

[Edited 9/2/12 9:55am]

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings? Yes

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation? Visiting record fairs

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art? Without it I would have very little interest

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so? No

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings? Yes

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation? Visiting record fairs

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art? The bootlegs keep the interest in Prince as there is a huge back catalogue and continous stream of new bootlegs, whilst new official material is much less available, particularly in the last 10 years such as a 2 year break from the last album.

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so? No

djThunderfunk said:

All of this discussion about the Digital Garden website being shut down has got me wondering a couple of things about Prince fans that collect bootlegs, so I'll ask:

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings? I have heard them played.

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation? Reading interviews where Prince complains about bootlegs.

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art? It increases it.

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so? No.

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings? I have and with great joy! I also have watched one or two hundred DVD boots!!!

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation? Seeing copied casettes for sale out of a cassette case on O'Connell Bridge in Dublin...long gone but I still have them!!

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art?

It increases my interest, as in some cases I get to see the evolution of some tracks from demo to finished product on album till it's adapation to a live show and in some cases hearing songs being born in a live context...one of the reasons I love the Gold era is because we got to hear most of the tracks live in their raw firm long before me had the official release, did this fact stop be buying the Gold Experience...not at all, but I still see The Dawn triple disc boot of this era as being far superior to the offical ones

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so?

None what so ever, for I know that if an offical version, live or studio, is released by Prince then I will be first in cue to buy it.

[Edited 9/2/12 10:13am]

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings?

Yes...I have a few 100 songs...mostly studio. mostly mp3s...

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation?

1988: a ad in rolling stone magazine some woman in Pacific Palisades CA .She sold mostly videos and cassettes.

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art?

Now? not much... in his hayday... it was huge.

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so?

No...not listing. Buying? Yes.

TDG and unique already gave my exact answers.

djThunderfunk said:

All of this discussion about the Digital Garden website being shut down has got me wondering a couple of things about Prince fans that collect bootlegs, so I'll ask:

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings?

Listened yes, mostly of concerts and outtakes, I collect a few mp3s. Maybe about 25 in total, but without them, I'd never get them anywhere else coz they're not for sale.

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation? Not saying, my business and I'm not telling. It'll only ruin it further.

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art? A lot, it interests me more, much more. I like the fact that they're underground and non-commercial. Power to the people, and if they're not for sale, then I say they're a gift. I wouldn't buy them though, coz the money should go to the artist. But for sharing, well .....Love4oneanother you know.

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so?

No.

I downloaded hundreds of bootlegs this weekend and passed them on..everywhere from fb to friends and whatever...

Prince, you hear me?

He better be happy, I am doing this favor for him...

OzlemUcucu said:

I downloaded hundreds of bootlegs this weekend and passed them on..everywhere from fb to friends and whatever...

Prince, you hear me?

He better be happy, I am doing this favor for him...

I'm dumb founded!....so, are you saying that it's not illegal to download bootleg music (which others have admitted to in prior posts on this very site- I think) either?

I didn't know that.....

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings?

*

Yes, since 1990

*

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation?

*

It kinda all runs together now. Being a huge Prince fan and being surrounded by huge Prince fans during the early 1990s, it was a combination of getting information from friends in my hometown, pen pals across America and world, memberships in Controversy magazine, Prince Family Newsletter, and other magzines/organizations, being introduced to Goldmine magazine and local shops that specialize in out of print and unreleased material, and from special friends, such as Edwina Brunel and her Prince Tape Lending Library.

*

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art?

*

Probably not as much as on other fans. My love for bootlegs is more for live video and audio and not as much for unreleased songs. I love live music, and I think that Prince is one of the greatest live performers of all time, so I have loads of live video and audio. I have collected loads of unreleased studio stuff, but less than half of his unreleased work really moves me. Sometimes I find gems, but most of the time my reaction to unreleased studio stuff is “I see why it wasn’t released.” Now, I do have some unreleased songs that I have added to the album of that era, but, again, only half of Prince’s albums on my playlist have unreleased music added to them. So, my fandom is based mostly on Prince’s released studio work and his legendary status as a live performer so I use bootlegs mostly to satisfy my need for his live performance.

*

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so?

*

I think that selling and buying bootlegs are wrong, and, yet, I still do it. I wouldn’t say that I’m conflicted over it; I treat it more like getting a speeding ticket. I know that speeding can be dangerous, but it’s not a felony. (Ironically, though, I think that bootlegging is a felony.) I am more amazed at people who get angry that Prince limits access to his unreleased work. (And the truth of the matter is that having his officially released work on the internet does not allow him to profit from it. With today’s technology, anyone can get anything for free, especially if it’s floating on the internet.) Again, it is his work, and it is illegal to have access to it. So, even now, with all of the bootlegs that I have collected and continue to collect, I think of it more as a bonus. It’s great to have, but not being able to get it isn’t the end of the world since I’m not supposed to have access to it anyway. Of course, one of the hypocritical ways that I justify doing something that I think is wrong is that I tell myself, “No matter how much bootleg stuff I have, I always purchase Prince’s work when it is legitimately for sale.” So, like most people, even though I had a couple of versions of the Black Album, I purchased it when it was officially released.

The only reason I really got into Prince was because of bootleg supplements to his official stuff. With the bootlegs added, I get such a nice epic narrative of his artistic output that I then feel the urge to buy everything he puts out and see him multiple times in concert. For the me the bootleg material sealed the deal to fandom.

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings? define listened to. it depends upone what you mean by unreleased material.

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation? When I was alone on certain occasions in early 1996 and once in early 1997, I engaged in conduct that was wrong. These encounters did not consist of obtaining unreleased Prince recordings. They did not constitute bootleg relations as I understood that term to be defined at my January 17th, 1998 deposition. But they did involve inappropriate contact with some unrelease songs.

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art? Yes, sir. My -- let me just ask a question. If you are going to ask me about my deposition, could I have a copy of it? Does anybody have a copy of it???

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so? I think it's clear what inappropriately listening to bootlegs is. I have said what it did not include. it did not include obtaining bootlegs, and I do not believe it included conduct which falls within the definition I was given in the Jones deposition

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings? Yes

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation? imeem

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art? I felt like a kid in a candy store, and my interest definitely increased. Tera Waros, wherever you are...Thanks. Most others I maintain contact with.

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so? No. If Prince were to release the recordings/videos, etc. officially, I would buy them...providing he didn't tamper with, or censor the content of the material. I'd pay more money than he may realize if had them restored or remastered, to any extent possible.

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings? Yup to both.

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation? In the mid 90's through a way older friend [@ the time, I wasn't as much of a fan yet, so I wasn't as interested]. It took for me to find some on the Internet a couple of years ago to get me hooked onto them.

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art? A lot actually. Without the bootlegs, I really wouldn't care as much @ all now days to be honest

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so? Hell no! I do have moral issues buying his actual released albums, & being disappointed by them . & yes, as I've stated, If he'd release them in great quality & uncut, I'd gladly buy them

SuperFurryAnimal said:

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings? define listened to. it depends upone what you mean by unreleased material.

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation? When I was alone on certain occasions in early 1996 and once in early 1997, I engaged in conduct that was wrong. These encounters did not consist of obtaining unreleased Prince recordings. They did not constitute bootleg relations as I understood that term to be defined at my January 17th, 1998 deposition. But they did involve inappropriate contact with some unrelease songs.

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art? Yes, sir. My -- let me just ask a question. If you are going to ask me about my deposition, could I have a copy of it? Does anybody have a copy of it???

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so? I think it's clear what inappropriately listening to bootlegs is. I have said what it did not include. it did not include obtaining bootlegs, and I do not believe it included conduct which falls within the definition I was given in the Jones deposition

Excellent answer.

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings? Yep.

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation? This place.

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art? I probably would still marvel at the stuff he officially released considering that I still hear new stuff that went over my radar everytime I give it a listen, but the "boot market" enhanced my interest and affirmed his place as my fave artist of all times.

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so? Not the least bit. Its because of his bootleg market, I went back and BOUGHT the rest of his catalog and turned me from a casual to a serious listener.

An editorial from the inside cover of Uptown issue #15, Special Issue (The Definitive Prince Bootleg Discography Pt. II), July 1994:

"Welcome to our third special issue!

UPTOWN's previous bootleg issue (UPTOWN #4) attracted a lot of attention. The response showed that these records mean a lot to many fans, and most people were very pleased that we provided an informative guide, thus making it easier for fans to avoid being ripped off.

Bootlegs are illegal to sell because they have been issued without the authorization of the record company or person who owns the rights to the recordings they include. When an artists signs a contract with a record company, it is usually exclusive, meaning that no one else has the right to issue material recorded during the period that the contract is effective. This gives the record company ownership together with the artist of all recordings they release, as well as all studio material that they choose not to release, and all live recordings made during the same period.

The establishment line on bootlegs is that they are a curse on the record industry, because they take money away from the 'hard working' record labels, songwriters and artists, none of whom recieve any royalties on bootlegs. They also claim that sales of bootlegs harm the sales of official product; people are spending money they would set aside for buying the new Prince album, and are picking up a (much more expensive) Prince bootleg instead.

It is very easy to identify with both sides: as a fan you want to hear material that would otherwise have remained a secret; but as an artist, you can appreciate not wanting your audience to hear your moments of disaster in the studio or on the stage.

Supporters of bootlegs would have to concede the point that it isn't right that the creators and owners of a piece off music should receive no money when it is sold. But in answer to the industry's second point, they would say that 99.9 per cent of all bootlegs are sold to the people who already have got most of that artist's official releases. In other words, only die-hard Prince fanatics, who buy his albums and singles the week they come out, are going to bother to buy live tapes or studio outtakes by him. Accoding to this argument, a casual buyer would always choose an official album in preference to a bootleg.

It is quite understandable that there is a strong division of interest when it comes to bootlegs, between the fans who want every imaginable recording by their favourite artists, and the performers and record companies who don't receive any money on the products.

Even though it is illegal to sell bootlegs, it would be naive to close our eyes to the fact that their is a flourishing black market in these items. Certainly, few collectors could put their hand on their heart and swear that they have never been tempted by a bootleg.

The editorial policy of UPTOWN concerning bootleg records is one of assessment of materials only. We don't want to encourage fans to buy these records; they're usually very expensive and the sound quality is often disappointing. UPTOWN's aim is simply to report what is available. This discography contains details on around 200 records that have been released since April 1992, when UPTOWN #4 was published."

- Magnus Nilsson

If you liked reading this, say so. Maybe I'll take the time to transcribe the fantastic essay on bootleg collecting that Pierre Igot wrote for the issue, 'Hot & Cold Thing'. If nobody cares, I won't waste my time... It's friggin' long!

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Just noticed, 402 views and only 19 replies? Are some afraid to answer? Or do they just not care?

[Edited 9/2/12 17:29pm]

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings? Yes

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation? In 1988 due 2 the Black Album Hype. Later i collected live recordings and in time outtakes came to my attention.

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art? It keeps me interested and collecting them is quite an obsession. But as soon as Prince brings out new stuff i buy it. I think the outtakes and live recordings keep the spark alive in alot of fans.

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so? None at all. Prince would be smart to bring out outtakes himself, a lot of fans would buy it even if they have the bootleg version. The thing someone said about the Black album boots and the official release nailed it. I bought the official one too.

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings? I have, but nothing substantial. To be honest it's the sound quality that stops me and also live recordings are okay but again the sound quality is awful.

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation? Being a member of the Org. And then being able to use Google and find all the usual sites, torrent or otherwise.

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art? Slight. To be honest the majority of his material that I like is the material that has been released. I can often see why he chose not to release certain songs or why other versions made the final cut.

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so? Bootleg morals? Not in the slightest. It's part of the fun. Didn't Prince himself admit to owning James Brown bootlegs? Well, there you are then, people in glass houses really shouldn't throw stones. And besides, who, apart from hardcore fans, is going to bother to listen, let alone search for, Prince bootlegs? I mean really? It's pathetic. I wish all I had to worry about was a few hundred nerds hunting about the internet looking for things I'd been clumsy enough to lose.

djThunderfunk said:

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings?

Yes

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation?

Back in 1987, I had been into Prince about 2 years, and had collected all the albums, and a good chunk of the b-sides & remixes, so I started seeking out the more rare releases. I scoured a magazine called "Goldmine," and through connecting with other collectors, I got some tape trade lists, etc. I had to buy my first few tapes, but then I started trading those, and then got access to the non-official albums. The rest is history.

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art?

It keeps up my interest, since Prince's release schedule has become so erratic. Through the boots, there's usually always something new to experience, even if its a crappy-sounding live show.

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so?

Nope. I buy everything he releases, plus I go to every one of his concerts that's feasible, so I feel like I put enough cash in his pocket to offset any boots I've bought. Also, I have not spent a dime on bootlegs in about 20 years. Since the internet got super-popular in the late 90s, my collection has multiplied faster than if bootleg CDs & tape-trading were the only means to get the music. Why pay money for something that's free? Also, I'm not putting money in a bootlegger's pocket. That being said, if I was having dinner with Prince I wouldn't exactly discuss my favorite unreleased songs.

djThunderfunk said:

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings?

Yes, of course. I don't buy them anymore (haven't for a long while), I download them for free. I hadly ever get or keep audience recordings save a couple of very special shows: I'm all soundboards. I have all the circulating outtakess save maybe a very few alternative versions. And I love rehearsals A LOT.

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation?

My local record store had loads of them, back in 1991 when boots could be found in many independent wrecka stows. I didn't understand what the hell they were and didn't really buy the seller's lies about legit "imports", then the next week I saw a doc about bootlegs on TV and figured it out by myself, and eventually I bought Charade.

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art?

Not so much at this point, mostly because I know the old stuff by heart and hardly anything new ever pops-up save better versions of old stuff (appreciated but I won't listen to them that much in the end), but of course a new soundboard or a couple of new unreleased tracks always make my day... Now if you get back to my first years as a fan, when I was a teen-ager and totally into Prince, boots enhanced my experience a LOT, allowing me to get a much deeper understanding of Prince's work as a whole.

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so?

Hell no! I understand Prince's concerns (it's his stuff after all), but since he has one of the most completist and demanding fanbase in the world, I also wonder why he won't just give... well, sell us what we want. Where is my website with "more than 500 experiences to choose from"? Been waiting for it for 18 years now!!!

1) Do you / have you, listened to or collected unreleased Prince recordings? I have in the past; I don't currently.

2) How did you first become aware of the existence of the vast amount of unreleased Prince recordings in circulation? I don't know.. I probably learned about them on the internet.

3) What effect if any does the Prince bootleg market have on the level of interest you have in Prince's art? None.

4) Do you have moral issues that cause you to feel guilty if you listen to a bootleg or even prevent you from doing so? No.

[Edited 9/3/12 5:33am]

SuperSoulFighter said:

Thunderfunk, were you involved in Uptown mag back then? I was a member, so you don't have to post it for me, but thanx anyway. Uptown always had good articles. Prince tried to shut them down too, but they did find a lawyer and settled the case. They kept running, but without the bootleg discographies.

No I wasn't involved. I didn't even subscribe. I picked the magazine up at records stores and traded them from friends.

IIRC, The settlement said they could still talk about the material (the concert, the outtake, the rehearsal, whatever) but could not give the title of the boot or the label that released it.

I think they agreed to too much considering Rolling Stone magazine regularly reviews bootlegs..

OzlemUcucu said:

I downloaded hundreds of bootlegs this weekend and passed them on..everywhere from fb to friends and whatever...

Prince, you hear me?

He better be happy, I am doing this favor for him...

I hope you sent some to the White House. Barack's a good dancer you know and he could certainly do with some chilling in the upcoming months.