Been reading DMSR by Per Nilsen after having it on the shelf for quite some time. It was amazing reading it the first time, and its even more amazing now. The research this dude put into the book is astonishing. Im about half-way through the Parade/UTCM chapter, but Ive been meaning to ask this question since reading the PR chapter.

It says in the book that Prince recorded WDC with bass, and the engineer and himself were trying to figure out what was bugging Prince about it. So of course, he drops the bass, Dr. Fink didnt like it yada yada yada it turned into a massive hit, you get my drift.

But what Im curious about is does the version of the song WITH bass exist amongst the most hardcore of hardcore collectors? Is it one of those ultra-tight, we-wont-share-it ala "Neon Telephone"? I tried searching to see if this was discussed before, but didnt find anything, and forgive me if you feel as if this is perhaps a pedestrian topic for such a huge song. But...is it out there? Only among a few collectors? Right under my nose?

Also, the fact that he had to trim down the legendary 12-minute version of "Computer Blue" to make for WDC kinda bothers me, but a wise choice nontheless. PR should have been a double album..

I haven't heard of anyone passing around a studio version with bass guitar, but you can get a drift of what the bassline might have been from the live versions played.

Also, in my opinion, the studio version does have a bass musical element, but it's simply created by the toms.

ufoclub said:

I haven't heard of anyone passing around a studio version with bass guitar, but you can get a drift of what the bassline might have been from the live versions played.

Also, in my opinion, the studio version does have a bass musical element, but it's simply created by the toms.

This!

I've always felt like I could hear some sort of bassline in When Doves Cry, it's faint but you can hear it.

There is a bass in When Doves Cry but bass from kick,not an actual 4 string instrument.

I doubt Prince mixed a version with real bass.he omited it before mixing a master

I interviewed Dr. Fink when I made my documentary about Parade.

I think it's in the final edit, but the way Dr. Fink tells it is that Prince played him WDC and there was no bass. Fink says, "I assume you'll be adding bass", and Prince said no.

That may conflict with stuff that's been said before, I'm not sure, but that's how he tells the story these days.

Militant said:

I interviewed Dr. Fink when I made my documentary about Parade.

I think it's in the final edit, but the way Dr. Fink tells it is that Prince played him WDC and there was no bass. Fink says, "I assume you'll be adding bass", and Prince said no.

That may conflict with stuff that's been said before, I'm not sure, but that's how he tells the story these days.

but for all matt knew there had been a bass and prince dropped it and then matt asked and prince just say NO.... so it is really nancy regan's fault.

funkaholic1972 said:

ufoclub said:

I haven't heard of anyone passing around a studio version with bass guitar, but you can get a drift of what the bassline might have been from the live versions played.

Also, in my opinion, the studio version does have a bass musical element, but it's simply created by the toms.

This!

No, this - That's the kick drum. There is only one tom hit near the end of the pattern.

steakfinger said:

funkaholic1972 said:

This!

No, this - That's the kick drum. There is only one tom hit near the end of the pattern.

I believe you immediately. My point was that a percussive element (kickdrum, tom) was used to create a bassline.

steakfinger said:

funkaholic1972 said:

This!

No, this - That's the kick drum. There is only one tom hit near the end of the pattern.

In this midi file they've interpreted what I thought were the toms (the bassline) with a cowbell or woodblock noise, check it out:

http://www.download-midi....s-cry.html

I always thought the bassline was made of one hit on the kick but then this echo effect on the drum machine tom voice that also tunes it down as it echoes.

errant said:

Neon Telephone is readily available and has been for quite some time.

Sorry, last I checked it was super protected so that was the first song that came to mind.

http://www.vulture.com/20...rince.html

In the above article, Questlove said that he heard the version of "When Doves Cry" with bass. I'm assuming he either has it (since he's known to have tons of uncirculated stuff) or someone like Alan Leeds or Wendy and Lisa let him hear it.

[Edited 2/17/14 17:31pm]

kygermo said:

errant said:

Neon Telephone is readily available and has been for quite some time.

Sorry, last I checked it was super protected so that was the first song that came to mind.

I have had Neon Telephone since at least 2005, and it probably leaked way before that.

stillwaiting said:

kygermo said:

Sorry, last I checked it was super protected so that was the first song that came to mind.

I have had Neon Telephone since at least 2005, and it probably leaked way before that.

i had it in 93 or so...when did the Jewel Box come out?

I always thought he lifted the bass line from "When Doves Cry" and used it for "Erotic City", but someone showed me recording dates that contradicted this. Regardless, match up the Erotic bass with the Doves keyboards and they're almost identical