No one knows anything about Prince's intentions.

FACT: Prince was planning to release Roadhouse Garden, Crystal Ball II and Madrid 2 Chicago in the late 90's/earky 00's, and he also released Crystal Ball and a lot of unreleased stuff on NPGMC in 2001, so at some point he was considering opening the doors to the vault and for some reason he suddenly changed his mind.

FACT: Prince said in December 2010 that he was planning to release remastered versions of his classic albums alongside a few outtakes when he'd get the masters back from WB. Nothing is known about the masters' status or his intentions regarding these reissues as of 2013.

FACT: Prince said in 2011 that he had 3 versions of Extraloveable and that eventually all would be released. Technically 3 versions have been released by 2013 so it's unknown f he meant the 1983, 1988 and 2011 versions or simply the 3 alternate takes of the 2011 version.

FACT: Prince said in 2012 that he believed that most of what's in the vault wouldn't be released in his lifetime, because there was too much stuff, but that it would keep being released after he passes away, indicating that he may be planning to release SOME stuff and that there are no plans to destroy his archives after he dies.

FACT: Prince said one thing and did another about 1000 times since the beginning of his career. He's also been caught lying (such as when he mentioned studio recordings with Miles Davis which, according to Alan Leeds, can't exist, or when he claimed he would have his masters back after 30 years instead of 35, which so far hasn't been proven to be true).

SO basically we don't know and it's likely that Prince doesn't know either.

I'll add that day when P's assistant told Kevin Smith in 2001 that Prince was storing loads of music and music videos in his vault and that she really had no idea why he was doing that (recording and filming so much for no apparent purpose than storing it in a vault), while she was nonetheless working with him every day. I think that says it all

I don't understand why this would really be an issue.

He was just being creative and as he could use a recording studio whenever he wanted he could also get his ideas on tape. What's admirable is that most of those outtakes are finished songs and not demos.

However, I don't think there's anything that usunual for an artist / musician of that age 25-35 to go through a very productive period. It's not like other artists put out everything they come up with either.

We have no element proving that Prince records less nowadays than he did in the 80's, by the way.

novabrkr said:

I don't understand why this would really be an issue.

He was just being creative and as he could use a recording studio whenever he wanted he could also get his ideas on tape. What's admirable is that most of those outtakes are finished songs and not demos.

However, I don't think there's anything that usunual for an artist / musician of that age 25-35 to go through a very productive period. It's not like other artists put out everything they come up with either.

^This.

databank said:

Superconductor said:

databank said:

We have no element proving that Prince records less nowadays than he did in the 80's, by the way.

Exactly. He probably still records a lot because that is a good way to preserve a song idea. Otherwise he would have to write it down, but that is not the same because with recording he can play around with sounds and mixes.

He can't write music. He can't read music.

steakfinger said:

Superconductor said:

databank said: Exactly. He probably still records a lot because that is a good way to preserve a song idea. Otherwise he would have to write it down, but that is not the same because with recording he can play around with sounds and mixes.

He can't write music. He can't read music.

True, this has been reported by several bandmembers.

databank said:

steakfinger said:

He can't write music. He can't read music.

True, this has been reported by several bandmembers.

Far from true. Prince can read and write music. If he couldn't, he wouldn't be calling out chords and note changes during rehersals.

joyinrepetition said:

databank said:

True, this has been reported by several bandmembers.

Far from true. Prince can read and write music. If he couldn't, he wouldn't be calling out chords and note changes during rehersals.

Calling out chords and keys are not the same as reading and writing music.

steakfinger said:

Superconductor said:

databank said: Exactly. He probably still records a lot because that is a good way to preserve a song idea. Otherwise he would have to write it down, but that is not the same because with recording he can play around with sounds and mixes.

He can't write music. He can't read music.

Really,,, I beg to differ.

databank said:

steakfinger said:

He can't write music. He can't read music.

True, this has been reported by several bandmembers.

Really, I think the music written in the Emancipation Book is from Mr P himself!

dbpdexter said:

joyinrepetition said:

Far from true. Prince can read and write music. If he couldn't, he wouldn't be calling out chords and note changes during rehersals.

Calling out chords and keys are not the same as reading and writing music.

Yeah, but people are sometimes trying to make it seem like he doesn't understand music theory at all. He obviously knows chords, keys and scales and knows how they work in relation to each other.

If I were to be argumentative I could say that simply writing down the names of chords would be one way to "write music".

Reading and writing music requires knowledge of music notation. Using the bass and treble clef to write and read notes on the staff is a discipline. Especially for composing.

I don't know what Candy Dulfer said but the fact that he'd tease her with it doesn't mean he can do what she can't0.

Eric Leeds explained very clearly that Prince does know chords, what they're called and how they sound, but that he can't read or write a music sheet and that when he'd need to tell someone a melody he'd hum it. Greg Boyer (who played with him alongside Candy) confirmed that and said that he was also hired to write down what Prince would hum for other horn players.

I'm quite sure the fact has been mentioned in various other interviews by various other bandmembers, though I don't remember quotes.

There's no discussion about it, it's a well known fact, period.

databank said:

I don't know what Candy Dulfer said but the fact that he'd tease her with it doesn't mean he can do what she can't0.

Eric Leeds explained very clearly that Prince does know chords, what they're called and how they sound, but that he can't read or write a music sheet and that when he'd need to tell someone a melody he'd hum it. Greg Boyer (who played with him alongside Candy) confirmed that and said that he was also hired to write down what Prince would hum for other horn players.

I'm quite sure the fact has been mentioned in various other interviews by various other bandmembers, though I don't remember quotes.

There's no discussion about it, it's a well known fact, period.

Exactly - this is not new knowledge and it shouldn't be in dispute. Calling out for the band to play a chord in E flat, for example, has nothing to do with reading music.

databank said:

We have no element proving that Prince records less nowadays than he did in the 80's, by the way.

Wel...

If the leaks are roughly proportional to the activity going on,

and the security is down due to less people around than in the 80's and nineties,

then the recording is down if we look at the unintended leaks.

Prince may not be able to sight read like a classical composer and maybe his notation skills are naybe a few flights above rudimental, but I'm sure he can probably chart with ease and obviously enough to guide a his band.

This does not belittle his knowledge of music theory by any means...

Like anything else, this is puresly speculation but I'm gonna go with this story...

udo said:

databank said:

We have no element proving that Prince records less nowadays than he did in the 80's, by the way.

Wel...

If the leaks are roughly proportional to the activity going on,

and the security is down due to less people around than in the 80's and nineties,

then the recording is down if we look at the unintended leaks.

The leaks have nothing to do with this. We know where and how the leaks happened in the 80's and early 90's and we know why there's no more of it. The security is not down, it's been the same since 1996 and anyway the leaks had little to do with security issues since they mostly came from Prince giving tapes to everyone and their cousin. It can't seriously been considered an indication of P's productivity.

doesnt owe anybody anything

databank said:

The leaks have nothing to do with this. We know where and how the leaks happened in the 80's and early 90's and we know why there's no more of it. The security is not down,

Did you pay attention at live gigs?

udo said:

databank said:

The leaks have nothing to do with this. We know where and how the leaks happened in the 80's and early 90's and we know why there's no more of it. The security is not down,

Did you pay attention at live gigs?

It's a different matter. Alan Leeds said that it's never been demonstrated and that it's unlikely that no one ever STOLE tapes from Paisley Park or other studios, that the leaks came from tapes P was then giving to so many people. No more giving tapes, no ore leaks

Prince himself has said that he can't read music and when asked if he would like to learn, he said that he wouldn't, as he doesn't want to alter how he makes music. I can't remember where that was from, but I know that I saw it.

That said, he has a deep understanding of music, including chords, scales, modes, harmonics, tonics and all their relationships - it is clear from his compositions.

Furthermore, there is reading music and there is reading music - I'll explain, from personal experience as a professional musician and producer myself. I would be classified as someone who can't read music - in that, you could put a piece of complex piano music in front of me and I can't just play it straight off the bat. However, I do know what most of the symbols and notations mean and I can sit there and work it out and, once I've got it, I can then play it from memory, without further reference to the music sheet. I can jam with a band though, with no musical direction, playing with just my ear - I don't even need to be told the key, I tend to get that right just from listening. You can't teach that, I'm just lucky to be born with that skill.

My wife, however, is a trained pianist (Grade 8) and she can read and write music. You can put a piece in front of her and she can just play it - just like that! However, put her in a jam situation and she's utterly lost - she will say, I need a music book! Now, she learnt and was taught how to read, write and play, but it is not an innate ability she has.

So, there you have it. I'd be damn surprised if Prince could not read a single note of music, as DreZone (hey friend, long time no see!) said, but he could still be classed as someone who can't read, just as I stated for myself above. One thing is for sure though, Prince has an immense understanding of how music works, as evidenced by the fabulous music he has produced over the years and his virtuosity on so many instruments.

Didn't Dr. Fink say that for ever album put out that their was 2 albums that didn't get released. Some having videos made for them.

I don't expect everything to be released at once, that would diminish the mystery of the anticipation of what IS in the vault not to mention tarnish the brand that is the mysterious Prince.

databank said:

We have no element proving that Prince records less nowadays than he did in the 80's, by the way.

I shudder to think how bad the unreleased stuff must be. Then again, it could just all be the same dreck.