I hadn't seen this, but it is quite interesting: https://www.facebook.com/...8291933688

Christian Irizarry-Wiesemann: I understand the album PURPLE RAIN was supposed to be a double album. Were there any drafts of the Screenplay/Shooting Script that included more music than what wound up in the final draft/final print of the movie?

AM: Hello, Christian. The album was never intended to be a double album. I was able to listen to a hundred songs that Prince had written, composed and produced before I had even started writing the screenplay. Out of those 100 songs I chose 11 that defined the thematic elements necessary to enhance the story. But, we needed 12 songs to create the album. Months before preproduction began, I was in the First Ave, 7th St. Club in Minneapolis and heard Prince perform a rough version of "Purple Rain" on stage with the Revolution. After Prince finished his performance , I met him backstage and asked him what the song was titled. He said: "Purple Rain." I suggested that this was the song that should be used for the pivotal moment in the story, after he discovers his father shot in the basement. Prince agreed, and asked if the title of the song could also be the title of the picture. I said, "Yes," and the film from that moment on was called "Purple Rain."

I'm sorry, but that's just a load of BS. It is well known the album had several configurations, so it wasn't like Magnoli "chose" anything. I also don't believe in the "100 songs" thing, because I doubt Prince had 100 unreleased songs at the ready back in 1983.

I don't believe this little story either,

Albert must remember this all wrong..

BartVanHemelen said:

I hadn't seen this, but it is quite interesting: https://www.facebook.com/...8291933688

Christian Irizarry-Wiesemann: I understand the album PURPLE RAIN was supposed to be a double album. Were there any drafts of the Screenplay/Shooting Script that included more music than what wound up in the final draft/final print of the movie?

AM: Hello, Christian. The album was never intended to be a double album. I was able to listen to a hundred songs that Prince had written, composed and produced before I had even started writing the screenplay. Out of those 100 songs I chose 11 that defined the thematic elements necessary to enhance the story. But, we needed 12 songs to create the album. Months before preproduction began, I was in the First Ave, 7th St. Club in Minneapolis and heard Prince perform a rough version of "Purple Rain" on stage with the Revolution. After Prince finished his performance , I met him backstage and asked him what the song was titled. He said: "Purple Rain." I suggested that this was the song that should be used for the pivotal moment in the story, after he discovers his father shot in the basement. Prince agreed, and asked if the title of the song could also be the title of the picture. I said, "Yes," and the film from that moment on was called "Purple Rain."

I'm sorry, but that's just a load of BS. It is well known the album had several configurations, so it wasn't like Magnoli "chose" anything. I also don't believe in the "100 songs" thing, because I doubt Prince had 100 unreleased songs at the ready back in 1983.

Where you there?

Yes I was reading that and wondering as well. He says he chose 11 songs to define the movie right at the start... so that could be the November 1983 version minus Purple Rain and adding Apollonia 6 and 2 Time songs? He's been pretty consistent with his 100 songs story over the years, wouldn't it be great if true?

[Edited 6/26/14 7:50am]

BartVanHemelen said:

I hadn't seen this, but it is quite interesting: https://www.facebook.com/...8291933688

I'm sorry, but that's just a load of BS. It is well known the album had several configurations, so it wasn't like Magnoli "chose" anything. I also don't believe in the "100 songs" thing, because I doubt Prince had 100 unreleased songs at the ready back in 1983.

I agree it's BS. No, I wasn't there, but some things jumped out at me:

1. When was the last time Prince let someone else pick the songs for his album?

2. If he offered 100 songs and he could find 12 songs? Just 11? And Prince serendipitiously played Purple Rain at that moment?

3. I had always heard that Prince said the title of the movie was going to be Purple Rain, or at least have "purple" in the title. And I don't buy that he asked the director for permission to name it that.

4. I don't buy for one minute that Prince had "zero. None." artistic control of the movie.

Chas said:

BartVanHemelen said:

I hadn't seen this, but it is quite interesting: https://www.facebook.com/...8291933688

I'm sorry, but that's just a load of BS. It is well known the album had several configurations, so it wasn't like Magnoli "chose" anything. I also don't believe in the "100 songs" thing, because I doubt Prince had 100 unreleased songs at the ready back in 1983.

I agree it's BS. No, I wasn't there, but some things jumped out at me:

1. When was the last time Prince let someone else pick the songs for his album?

2. If he offered 100 songs and he could find 12 songs? Just 11? And Prince serendipitiously played Purple Rain at that moment?

3. I had always heard that Prince said the title of the movie was going to be Purple Rain, or at least have "purple" in the title. And I don't buy that he asked the director for permission to name it that.

4. I don't buy for one minute that Prince had "zero. None." artistic control of the movie.

I actually believe that part.

I've always thought/read/heard that 'When Doves Cry' was the last song written for the album...

I think you have to remember the number would include selections ghostwritten for The Time and Apollonia 6 (and maybe even Dez Dickerson).

If there is ANY truth at all to this story (doubtful), I would imagine the "100" songs included Prince's entire back catalog including b-sides, The Time's 2 albums + whatever new tracks were in development, Vanity 6 album + new tracks in development, and whatever home-made boombox piano demos he may have dragged out of the box.

Maybe THEN we might be approaching 100 songs. Anyone care to count how many songs from "For You" thru "1999" + The Time (both) + Vanity 6 = ????

BartVanHemelen said:

I hadn't seen this, but it is quite interesting: https://www.facebook.com/...8291933688

Christian Irizarry-Wiesemann: I understand the album PURPLE RAIN was supposed to be a double album. Were there any drafts of the Screenplay/Shooting Script that included more music than what wound up in the final draft/final print of the movie?

AM: Hello, Christian. The album was never intended to be a double album. I was able to listen to a hundred songs that Prince had written, composed and produced before I had even started writing the screenplay. Out of those 100 songs I chose 11 that defined the thematic elements necessary to enhance the story. But, we needed 12 songs to create the album. Months before preproduction began, I was in the First Ave, 7th St. Club in Minneapolis and heard Prince perform a rough version of "Purple Rain" on stage with the Revolution. After Prince finished his performance , I met him backstage and asked him what the song was titled. He said: "Purple Rain." I suggested that this was the song that should be used for the pivotal moment in the story, after he discovers his father shot in the basement. Prince agreed, and asked if the title of the song could also be the title of the picture. I said, "Yes," and the film from that moment on was called "Purple Rain."

I'm sorry, but that's just a load of BS. It is well known the album had several configurations, so it wasn't like Magnoli "chose" anything. I also don't believe in the "100 songs" thing, because I doubt Prince had 100 unreleased songs at the ready back in 1983.

Some of those could have been partial demos, not fleshed out, and really old too.

PS, the opening mood and structure of "Purple Rain" the movie is probably inspired by the opening of the movie "Cabaret".

That was also in that prince book Alex Hahn put out. I believe it.

2freaky4church1 said:

That was also in that prince book Alex Hahn put out. I believe it.

dont worry , have the org was is in the studio and on set durign these years

Giovanni777 said:

I've always thought/read/heard that 'When Doves Cry' was the last song written for the album...

Same here, I think Albert even says that in the 2 disc edition of the Purple Rain reissue in 2004. However, I don't see in this article where he is saying anything contrary to that.

motherfunka said:

Giovanni777 said:

I've always thought/read/heard that 'When Doves Cry' was the last song written for the album...

Same here, I think Albert even says that in the 2 disc edition of the Purple Rain reissue in 2004. However, I don't see in this article where he is saying anything contrary to that.

I'm gonna pull the DVD tonight and listen to that segment. I was under the impression that WDC was a late submission during editing of the film. He needed some music to accompany a montage so that he could move the story along quicker.

blacknote said:

motherfunka said:

Same here, I think Albert even says that in the 2 disc edition of the Purple Rain reissue in 2004. However, I don't see in this article where he is saying anything contrary to that.

I'm gonna pull the DVD tonight and listen to that segment. I was under the impression that WDC was a late submission during editing of the film. He needed some music to accompany a montage so that he could move the story along quicker.

That's right, spring of 1984.

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

ThomasBjj said:

If there is ANY truth at all to this story (doubtful), I would imagine the "100" songs included Prince's entire back catalog including b-sides, The Time's 2 albums + whatever new tracks were in development, Vanity 6 album + new tracks in development, and whatever home-made boombox piano demos he may have dragged out of the box.

Maybe THEN we might be approaching 100 songs. Anyone care to count how many songs from "For You" thru "1999" + The Time (both) + Vanity 6 = ????

That calculation makes sense, except: why would he offer already released songs, when the point is to increase your audience?

I think he had the 100 unreleased songs in his "vault" at the time, he started recording tremendously in his home studio in 1980, we have many songs titles and certainly not everything. Now it's very likely that none of those ended-up in the movie since the album was composed and recorded in 1983. This was probably just a work in progress, the both of them trying 2 find clues as 2 what the film would be about, IDK.

I've always doubted this tale. It's just too specific. If somebody handed any of us a bunch of songs 20 years ago (this tale first emerged in 2004), would we honestly remember if we heard 100, 90, or 110 songs? Or 73?

I think Magnoli did a great job on Purple Rain, but I think he's up-playing his importance as regards the musical selections.

ThomasBjj said:

I would imagine the "100" songs included Prince's entire back catalog including b-sides, The Time's 2 albums + whatever new tracks were in development

.

This is the most logical conclusion. Prince handed him a lump of songs, but they were not written specifically for the film during the span of pre-production. Some of those songs were probably already released singles.

.

The screenplay is structured around the songs, but he songs are not tailored to the story so that's the dead giveaway as to which came first. WDC on the other hand is telling the story we see in the film.

Chas said:

3. I had always heard that Prince said the title of the movie was going to be Purple Rain, or at least have "purple" in the title. And I don't buy that he asked the director for permission to name it that.

4. I don't buy for one minute that Prince had "zero. None." artistic control of the movie.

.

Why would Prince be able to name the film? It's believable that he suggested the name and the production agreed. I don't see where you're getting zero artistic control. His performances, and look were his own.

https://ca.music.yahoo.co...00277.html

'Purple Rain' Director Albert Magnoli Looks Back on Film's 30th Anniversary
By Laura Ferreiro | Yahoo Music – 10 hours ago

[...]

Prince gave him a whopping 100 original tracks to listen to in order to select a handful that would appear in the film, which was not yet titled.

"The music had to inform the content and themes of the film," Magnoli explains. "Both things had to work in conjunction with each other. I wanted to avoid 'let's hear some music and get back to the story.'"

Magnoli narrowed down the 100 tracks down to the 12 that would appear in the film. Interestingly, "Purple Rain" was not among the songs Prince initially gave him.

"We were always looking for the big anthem where [Prince] got onstage and essentially confessed his sins," Magnoli says. "Later he was playing at the First Avenue bar [in Minneapolis] with his band, which is where we shot the movie. He liked trying out new songs in front of a home audience. That's were he tried out 'Purple Rain.' But it wasn't called 'Purple Rain' at that time. It had no title. I said, 'I like that song,' and he said he was thinking of calling it 'Purple Rain.'" Prince then asked Magnoli if they could title the film Purple Rain, and Magnoli agreed.

[...]

So now there's a First Ave gig where Prince played some kind of proto-version of "Purple Rain"? And this is the first we've heard of it?

.

We also know for a fact that at least one of the songs wasn't recorded until very late in the project: "When Doves Cry". In fact, the earliest recording date for most of the album tracks is 3 August 1983, i.e. the well-known live gig. The one exception is "Baby I'm A Star" for which there's a version dating back to late 1981-1982. Are we really supposed to believe that almost all of these tracks date from far earlier, and that Magnoli picked them? And somehow this was completely missed by everyone Uptown et al talked to over the years, except Magnoli?

.

• Let's Go Crazy - 3 August, 1983
• Take Me With U - 27 January, 1984
• The Beautiful Ones - 20 September, 1983
• Computer Blue - 3 August, 1983
• Darling Nikki - August, 1983
• When Doves Cry - 1 March 1984
• I Would Die 4 U - 3 August, 1983
• Baby I'm A Star - Late 1981-1982 (Preliminary version)
• Purple Rain - 3 August, 1983

I can't help but feel Magnoli is just trying to increase his part in the movie.

BVH you're right. I think this has to do with trying to recall something from 30 years ago.

Magnoli said:

I see it as very possible that 12 songs were chosen from a list of some larger amount but they were replaced at a later point (e.g. Beautiful Ones for Electric Intercourse). It would be interesting to see how big the actual list was. Isn't there a similar story about Michael Jackson recording 100 songs for thriller and only choosing the best 9?

• Let's Go Crazy - 3 August, 1983
• Take Me With U - 27 January, 1984
• The Beautiful Ones - 20 September, 1983
• Computer Blue - 3 August, 1983
• Darling Nikki - August, 1983
• When Doves Cry - 1 March 1984
• I Would Die 4 U - 3 August, 1983
• Baby I'm A Star - Late 1981-1982 (Preliminary version)
• Purple Rain - 3 August, 1983

I can't help but feel Magnoli is just trying to increase his part in the movie.

I think this is the kind of critical approach we should adopt when reading all witness accounts from back in the day.

lwr001 said:

2freaky4church1 said:

That was also in that prince book Alex Hahn put out. I believe it.

dont worry , have the org was is in the studio and on set durign these years

BartVanHemelen said:

I can't help but feel Magnoli is just trying to increase his part in the movie.

He was the director of a star vehicle. How much more could he increase his part?

I gotta say, hyperbole or not, I respect Albert Magnoli for the work he did with Prince.

A lot of people don't realize that Magnoli's input as a director went beyond just the film "Purple Rain":

"Batdance" and "Partyman" videos (arguably Prince's best videos) were directed by Magnoli.

And he's credited as director of the SOTT concert film on the slates during production. Based on how that film resembles all of the above in angles, colors, and energy... I believe he probably was there.

I wonder if Magnoli would /could still work with Prince? Everything they touched together was gold!

treehouse said: