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Thread started 10/14/12 8:47am

GoldenEPump

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Definitive Version of Purple Rain

Which do you think is the very best version of Purple Rain?

I was listening to the Syracuse '85 version earlier and that guitar solo is insane. The guitar is crying! For me it probably just about edges it. However, I would have to give a special mention to the Milan 2010 version. He channels something special during that guitar solo.

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Reply #1 posted 10/14/12 9:46am

majissty

GoldenEPump said:

Which do you think is the very best version of Purple Rain?

I was listening to the Syracuse '85 version earlier and that guitar solo is insane. The guitar is crying! For me it probably just about edges it. However, I would have to give a special mention to the Milan 2010 version. He channels something special during that guitar solo.

SYRACUSE...the soulful, soaring EXTENDED guitar intros get me every time. (& I'm REALLLLLY tired of this song, but I can still get with this version).

If U came 2 get your 'Purple Rain' on...U'RE IN THE WRONG HOUSE!!!!!!
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Reply #2 posted 10/14/12 11:00am

TheDigitalGard
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I have always loved the version from Dortmund '88, not too long, blazing solos, wonderful.

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Reply #3 posted 10/14/12 11:00am

databank

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I've heard so many live versions of it so many times that it hardly ever moves me anymore, so I'd go with the album version, the one I fell in love with in the first place, and the one that still does something to me every time.

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
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Reply #4 posted 10/14/12 11:14am

novabrkr

The album version.

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Reply #5 posted 10/14/12 11:29am

udo

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Any version of that song is definitive.

It has been played too often, too much.

Really.

Only sometimes I can feel the emotion that is supposed to go with it, so the better shows are without that song. Because of that song but also because of the rest of the setlist.

Pills and thrills and daffodils will kill... If you don't believe me or don't get it, I don't have time to try to convince you, sorry.
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Reply #6 posted 10/14/12 11:30am

RodeoSchro

They're all great. Everyone has a favorite.

I like the 4-14-11 LA Forum version, but not because of the song.

At the end, you hear a young lady in the audience say, "I can die now. I'm ready".

Awesome.

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Reply #7 posted 10/15/12 4:53am

databank

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RodeoSchro said:

They're all great. Everyone has a favorite.

I like the 4-14-11 LA Forum version, but not because of the song.

At the end, you hear a young lady in the audience say, "I can die now. I'm ready".

Awesome.

I was very strict, between 1994 and 1998, on the fact that I couldn't die before hearing Days Of Wild live at least once in my life. It happened in '98 so I guess I've been ready ever since, but still there are a few more things I'd like to do, so let's earn some time and say I can't die until the whole The Flesh album AND sessions leak (or get an official release) lol

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
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Reply #8 posted 10/16/12 9:43am

pureTsexy

Vocally, the lovesexy 88 version. He rarely sounds like he really means what he is singing anymore. But he had a certain passion in his voice on that version.
But no vocals really beat his album version.

Guitar, I'm torn between syracuse and Atlanta 85. Both are extremely good!
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Reply #9 posted 10/16/12 11:38am

thebanishedone

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There are versions of Purple Rain that beat album version vocally.for example Rock over Germany boot version 1993 and Arsenio Hall live version but it's only one verse i think
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Reply #10 posted 10/16/12 11:47am

skywalker

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Too obvious?

First Avenue 8.3.1983

"New Power slide...."
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Reply #11 posted 10/16/12 3:46pm

iloveannie

Original. I hate the solo he played (?) drying te superbowl. Fucking awful.
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Reply #12 posted 10/16/12 3:47pm

iloveannie

Fucking phone. It's shit but due an upgrade next month.
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Reply #13 posted 10/16/12 4:16pm

thebanishedone

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iloveannie said:

Original. I hate the solo he played (?) drying te superbowl. Fucking awful.

would you play better if rain is falling on you and your guitar?
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Reply #14 posted 10/16/12 4:32pm

EyeJester7

I would have to say like many mentioned...

Lovesexy in Dortmund..Something about that!

Of course I just raved about Milan back when someone posted a thread on it!!! Just amazing!

Also of course, is the one he did in Montreux! The beginning guitar licks to the song is too sweet to miss! JUST listen to it again!

He has performed it so many times so exceptionally well, it is really hard to pick!

He should start performing 'Last December' more often! smile

But here I go, talking about what he should do..lol

I just would like to see that song back in the setlist again!

It's Button Therapy, Baby!
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Reply #15 posted 10/17/12 12:40am

iloveannie

thebanishedone said:

iloveannie said:

Original. I hate the solo he played (?) drying te superbowl. Fucking awful.

would you play better if rain is falling on you and your guitar?

Don't be so defensive of his playing all the time wink

By the way I loved his rhythm on Controversy during that performance. But then you know I prefer his rhythm playing and fills over his soloing.
[Edited 10/17/12 0:44am]
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Reply #16 posted 10/17/12 7:31am

thebanishedone

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Man i'm not defensive we're good but give Prince some props.when it's cold or it rains it's very hard to play,so that might be the reason why he's guitar was out of tune and not all that good.
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Reply #17 posted 10/17/12 3:36pm

thebanishedone

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Iloveuannie can you rate the following guitar players from one to five Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix Ernie Isley Bruce Springsteen George Benson these are some of my favorites and i would like to know your opibion about them
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Reply #18 posted 10/17/12 3:48pm

iloveannie

thebanishedone said:

Iloveuannie can you rate the following guitar players from one to five Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix Ernie Isley Bruce Springsteen George Benson these are some of my favorites and i would like to know your opibion about them

How can you compare them when each is so dorothy ? Lol.
Hendrix however did things with the guitar that had never even been toyed with. Beautiful rhythm player aswell.
I'll have to use the mac to type the rest as my phone is rubbish.
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Reply #19 posted 10/17/12 5:27pm

thebanishedone

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I'm not comparing those guys.but they are my guitar heroes beside Prince,so i wonder what you think
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Reply #20 posted 10/18/12 2:39am

iloveannie

thebanishedone said:

I'm not comparing those guys.but they are my guitar heroes beside Prince,so i wonder what you think

Hmm, well I'm not overly familiar with either Springsteen or Isley purely because I don't enjoy their music.

Carlos Santana I can't stand either so that limits my knowledge somewhat. I can see a lot of him in the way Prince solos. Long notes, drawn out, bit boring.

George Benson. Well I love jazz guitar so that's an easy one. The nice thing about jazz musicians is that they study and therefore know which notes are the right ones as opposed to just widdling about with a mode or scale. You only need to listen to the staggering difference between the others you've mentioned and Benson to see what I mean. Prince for all his ability is a world away from Benson. Impossible to compare really. It's just a shame he never learnt his theory as he'd be able to use it to such wonderful effect.

Hendrix? Well let's face it what he did with the guitar surpassed anything Leo ever had in mind when he stuck those two pieces of wood together. I reckon his jaw must have hit the ground when he saw what he was doing with his baby. Hendrix, like Prince, really knew how to fill in and fill out the song. But when he solo'd, well that was just a wall of sound coming at you. How he ever made a single coil rumble, roar and scream like he did beats me.

So what do you think of the folk scene in the UK at the moment. Bands like The Bad Shepherds, Mumford & Sons, Bellowhead? It's a real happening thing at the moment. It gets you up off your feet and dancing, has lyrics that are raw and real: music that requires great passion, timing and harmony, that demands it be listened to. Not gonna be everyone's cup of tea but believe me when you're stood there with a beer in your hand and a girl on your arm it's the best thing going. Impossible not to dance and sing to. I like music that lifts the spirit and shows me I'm alive.

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