http://blog.thecurrent.or...rdeyegirl/

.

The members of 3RDEYEGIRL (Prince excepted) were there; Barb and I were seated behind Ida at the console, and near Donna, who chatted with us about her native Toronto and the band’s recent European tour. Manning a laptop connected to the console was engineer Joshua Welton (who is also Hannah Ford’s husband), and before the music started there was a flurry of activity, with the studio phone ringing multiple times. Finally, we were ready to begin. Welcoming us to the listening session, Welton said, “I hope you like loud, because it’s gonna get loud, and it’s gonna get classic. This…is Plectrum Electrum.”

.

I repeat what I've said before: this is cheating. Putting people in a controlled environment, surrounding them with band members etc and having Prince monitoring everything, and then playing the album loudly on a super-professional sound system is not asking for opinions, it is sollicitating propaganda.

"it is sollicitating propaganda."

Or PR?

[Edited 7/20/14 16:03pm]

BartVanHemelen said:

http://blog.thecurrent.or...rdeyegirl/

.

The members of 3RDEYEGIRL (Prince excepted) were there; Barb and I were seated behind Ida at the console, and near Donna, who chatted with us about her native Toronto and the band’s recent European tour. Manning a laptop connected to the console was engineer Joshua Welton (who is also Hannah Ford’s husband), and before the music started there was a flurry of activity, with the studio phone ringing multiple times. Finally, we were ready to begin. Welcoming us to the listening session, Welton said, “I hope you like loud, because it’s gonna get loud, and it’s gonna get classic. This…is Plectrum Electrum.”

.

I repeat what I've said before: this is cheating. Putting people in a controlled environment, surrounding them with band members etc and having Prince monitoring everything, and then playing the album loudly on a super-professional sound system is not asking for opinions, it is sollicitating propaganda.

dude, GET OVER IT already, have you ever been to official record label listening sessions for tastemakers? obviously not, ITS THE SAME EXACT SETTING, often with the artist in the room, so much for your "cheating" expose, GET OVER IT.

BartVanHemelen said:

http://blog.thecurrent.or...rdeyegirl/

.

The members of 3RDEYEGIRL (Prince excepted) were there; Barb and I were seated behind Ida at the console, and near Donna, who chatted with us about her native Toronto and the band’s recent European tour. Manning a laptop connected to the console was engineer Joshua Welton (who is also Hannah Ford’s husband), and before the music started there was a flurry of activity, with the studio phone ringing multiple times. Finally, we were ready to begin. Welcoming us to the listening session, Welton said, “I hope you like loud, because it’s gonna get loud, and it’s gonna get classic. This…is Plectrum Electrum.”

.

I repeat what I've said before: this is cheating. Putting people in a controlled environment, surrounding them with band members etc and having Prince monitoring everything, and then playing the album loudly on a super-professional sound system is not asking for opinions, it is sollicitating propaganda.

Well, yes it is. Clearly this is promotional in intent, not audience testing. If it were a matter of getting opinions and then modifying the work to fit those--we'd never hear about it (or at least not while it was going on, or at least not with his approval).

WisdomNLove said:

dude, GET OVER IT already, have you ever been to official record label listening sessions for tastemakers? obviously not, ITS THE SAME EXACT SETTING, often with the artist in the room, so much for your "cheating" expose, GET OVER IT.

.

As it happens, yes I have. In fact, I know several people who attend these regularly. Artist in the room? Extremely rare. Super-duper sound system? Far from common.

EddieC said:

Well, yes it is. Clearly this is promotional in intent, not audience testing. If it were a matter of getting opinions and then modifying the work to fit those--we'd never hear about it (or at least not while it was going on, or at least not with his approval).

.

Of course this is intended as an ego stroke ("please tell me again how great I am"). I just want to point out to all the famz that this is NOT an objective review, though most people should have noticed she'd been starstruck from the first couple of lines from this blog post. But some people read these things and treat them as gospel.

.

(Remember Uptown's preview of Rave? How everybody on the Org was upset when I pointed out that it wasn't that positive at all, and that reading between the lines plenty of doubt? How everyone said I was wrong? And how I was proven right by Uptown months later when they published their scathing review of the album and the behind the scenes events?)

.

The real question (and one that apparently no one dares to ask) is: "if you think this is so great, Prince, why didn't you release it three/six/nine months ago?" Or: "why the sudden promotion for a record that you ignored for the past couple of months?"

Don't look behind the curtain.

All previous threads concerning listening parties have been

moved to the Concerts forum wherever they appeared in

the Prince forum. Yet this thread, started by Bart, remains

here in the Prince forum. hmmmmm. You would think Bart

of all people would know which forum to post in.

[Edited 7/20/14 15:27pm]

BartVanHemelen said:

EddieC said:

Well, yes it is. Clearly this is promotional in intent, not audience testing. If it were a matter of getting opinions and then modifying the work to fit those--we'd never hear about it (or at least not while it was going on, or at least not with his approval).

.

Of course this is intended as an ego stroke ("please tell me again how great I am"). I just want to point out to all the famz that this is NOT an objective review, though most people should have noticed she'd been starstruck from the first couple of lines from this blog post. But some people read these things and treat them as gospel.

.

(Remember Uptown's preview of Rave? How everybody on the Org was upset when I pointed out that it wasn't that positive at all, and that reading between the lines plenty of doubt? How everyone said I was wrong? And how I was proven right by Uptown months later when they published their scathing review of the album and the behind the scenes events?)

.

The real question (and one that apparently no one dares to ask) is: "if you think this is so great, Prince, why didn't you release it three/six/nine months ago?" Or: "why the sudden promotion for a record that you ignored for the past couple of months?"

Valid questions--I don't know the answers, and as you say, no one's asking the only person who might be able to answer them (of course, he's not in the room in the most recent session). I'm curious though, about what you think. If it hasn't been released because Prince doesn't really believe in its quality, then why on earth would he start up the promo again? Why wouldn't he just let it fade away, and (if he's just got to plug something besides the Purple Rain remaster) give his PR push to the "solo Prince" thing that supposedly is coming? I can't figure out what he thinks he's doing.

.

As to the review of Rave issue--actually, I do remember it. But if people don't realize that "preview" articles about upcoming releases are often way more positive than the subsequent "reviews" (even when given by the same publication, or even the same person)--well, they're never going to get it. I'm reading all of this stuff in the sense of "previews"--which often are a sort "I scratch your back/you scratch mine" kind of thing. Bream and these folks from The Current, the people awhile back at MOJO, other lucky folks--get access and the ability to say something early. That gets them attention. They emphasize the positive... and there's a better chance that next time Prince wants to "give somebody a sneak peak" that they'll get it than if they emphasize the negative. Honestly, I'm sure they can find plenty of both.

.

I guess what I don't understand is that all of that seems so obvious that I don't see the point in saying that these reports aren't "objective" or the same sort of thing the people would say if they'd actually bought the album. Of course they're not. I can't believe anyone thinks they are, so why keep pointing out the obvious?

BartVanHemelen said:

WisdomNLove said:

dude, GET OVER IT already, have you ever been to official record label listening sessions for tastemakers? obviously not, ITS THE SAME EXACT SETTING, often with the artist in the room, so much for your "cheating" expose, GET OVER IT.

.

As it happens, yes I have. In fact, I know several people who attend these regularly. Artist in the room? Extremely rare. Super-duper sound system? Far from common.

so why are you trippin then? take a chill pill and put on a happy face

This person writes for a music blog?

It's the most useless piece of verbiage I've read in a long time. I know nothing about the songs on this album. BUT, what I do know is that this idiot's friend sent a text to their mother and was also given a bottle of water (which they took a picture of).

This is what sychophancy does to you folks. So sad.

BartVanHemelen said:

http://blog.thecurrent.or...rdeyegirl/

.

The members of 3RDEYEGIRL (Prince excepted) were there; Barb and I were seated behind Ida at the console, and near Donna, who chatted with us about her native Toronto and the band’s recent European tour. Manning a laptop connected to the console was engineer Joshua Welton (who is also Hannah Ford’s husband), and before the music started there was a flurry of activity, with the studio phone ringing multiple times. Finally, we were ready to begin. Welcoming us to the listening session, Welton said, “I hope you like loud, because it’s gonna get loud, and it’s gonna get classic. This…is Plectrum Electrum.”

.

I repeat what I've said before: this is cheating. Putting people in a controlled environment, surrounding them with band members etc and having Prince monitoring everything, and then playing the album loudly on a super-professional sound system is not asking for opinions, it is sollicitating propaganda.

LOLs and lollipops: you don't say an artist had a listening party in an awfully self-promotional setting? I guess you'd expect scuptors to not unveil their latest work in the right setting on a pedestal, or painters to have their vernishing party in an dark alley with no spot lights cuz that would be cheating.

thedoorkeeper said:

tatocorcu said:

thedoorkeeper said:

All previous threads concerning listening parties have been

moved to the Concerts forum wherever they appeared in

the Prince forum. Yet this thread, started by Bart, remains

here in the Prince forum. hmmmmm. You would think Bart

of all people would know which forum to post in.

[Edited 7/20/14 15:27pm]

The last one was moved back to music and more, and it's a sticky there...

See I'm confused.

There is a PE listening party sticky in Prince music & more

and there is a PE listening party thread in Concerts. Some mods

have moved listening party threads around & there have

been a few complaints. Anywho I thought listening party

threads went into Concerts because Concerts is for performances

and special events. I thought a listening party qualified as

a special event. Whatever. I don't care. I was just funnin'.

I was just trying to poke the bear.

thedoorkeeper said:

BartVanHemelen said:

thedoorkeeper said:

Again, no description of the songs that were played. Not really a good sign.

BartVanHemelen said:

I repeat what I've said before: this is cheating. Putting people in a controlled environment, surrounding them with band members etc and having Prince monitoring everything, and then playing the album loudly on a super-professional sound system is not asking for opinions, it is sollicitating propaganda.

.

Well...

If mr P were to release nice 24-bit flacs (at 96 Khz or so), then the listener would just have to invest in some nice gear to appreciate similar sound quality.

If you have a system consisting of components priced ~300 euros each then you will be able to appreciate the sound of a thick analog master tape, properly digitized and transferred.

I'd recommend a discrete analog stage in your DAC and a quality amplifier.

.

This is by no means audiophile blahblah as that stuff is in the diminishing gains area (price versus quality).

.

Of course we'll only get a CD, if at all.

.

Of course all signs point towards huge restrictions for mr P surrounding the Purple Rain remastered release; why else would he do a listening session at the Park, and then another one? Why not simply release the PE album? Why not promote it by doing some shows, releasing a video, etc?

The lack of that confirms parts in the CONtract.

fbueller said:

Again, no description of the songs that were played. Not really a good sign.

Neither is this brightly glowing one...

"...and when I’d been asked for feedback on the music, all that came out of my mouth had been, “The loud sounds right.”

"It was as if we’d left Perkins and crossed Arboretum Boulevard into another world, a world where everything is amplified and funky and friendly and smells really great."

Oh yeah, as for the picture of the water bottle. Anybody else start instantly thinking of the line "There must be something in the water you drink..."?

Be honest!

udo said:

BartVanHemelen said:

I repeat what I've said before: this is cheating. Putting people in a controlled environment, surrounding them with band members etc and having Prince monitoring everything, and then playing the album loudly on a super-professional sound system is not asking for opinions, it is sollicitating propaganda.

.

Well...

If mr P were to release nice 24-bit flacs (at 96 Khz or so), then the listener would just have to invest in some nice gear to appreciate similar sound quality.

If you have a system consisting of components priced ~300 euros each then you will be able to appreciate the sound of a thick analog master tape, properly digitized and transferred.

I'd recommend a discrete analog stage in your DAC and a quality amplifier.

.

This is by no means audiophile blahblah as that stuff is in the diminishing gains area (price versus quality).

.

Of course we'll only get a CD, if at all.

.

Of course all signs point towards huge restrictions for mr P surrounding the Purple Rain remastered release; why else would he do a listening session at the Park, and then another one? Why not simply release the PE album? Why not promote it by doing some shows, releasing a video, etc?

The lack of that confirms parts in the CONtract.

Prince has expressed his desire to put out a vinyl several times already. Apparently, as a listener of music himself he's switched back to vinyl too.

BartVanHemelen said:

http://blog.thecurrent.or...rdeyegirl/

.

The members of 3RDEYEGIRL (Prince excepted) were there; Barb and I were seated behind Ida at the console, and near Donna, who chatted with us about her native Toronto and the band’s recent European tour. Manning a laptop connected to the console was engineer Joshua Welton (who is also Hannah Ford’s husband), and before the music started there was a flurry of activity, with the studio phone ringing multiple times. Finally, we were ready to begin. Welcoming us to the listening session, Welton said, “I hope you like loud, because it’s gonna get loud, and it’s gonna get classic. This…is Plectrum Electrum.”

.

I repeat what I've said before: this is cheating. Putting people in a controlled environment, surrounding them with band members etc and having Prince monitoring everything, and then playing the album loudly on a super-professional sound system is not asking for opinions, it is sollicitating propaganda.

Welcome to the world of public relations, Bart.....

but wheres the promotion if nothing is revealed about what went down?

BartVanHemelen said:

http://blog.thecurrent.or...rdeyegirl/

.

The members of 3RDEYEGIRL (Prince excepted) were there; Barb and I were seated behind Ida at the console, and near Donna, who chatted with us about her native Toronto and the band’s recent European tour. Manning a laptop connected to the console was engineer Joshua Welton (who is also Hannah Ford’s husband), and before the music started there was a flurry of activity, with the studio phone ringing multiple times. Finally, we were ready to begin. Welcoming us to the listening session, Welton said, “I hope you like loud, because it’s gonna get loud, and it’s gonna get classic. This…is Plectrum Electrum.”

.

I repeat what I've said before: this is cheating. Putting people in a controlled environment, surrounding them with band members etc and having Prince monitoring everything, and then playing the album loudly on a super-professional sound system is not asking for opinions, it is sollicitating propaganda.

a generally happy person would have also been happy for the writer having this experience.

sheesh, they might even have visualised the fun they might have had, had they gotten the

opportunity to attend Paisley Park and listen to new music before millions. instead we get this apparent jealousy from whoever "Bart" is...lol

the question must be asked, is not this post and all those who jumped on its theme like flies on shit part of propaganda to continually attempt to diss Prince and his works?

fail?

peace.

Praxis said:

a generally happy person would have also been happy for the writer having this experience.

sheesh, they might even have visualised the fun they might have had, had they gotten the

opportunity to attend Paisley Park and listen to new music before millions. instead we get this apparent jealousy from whoever "Bart" is...lol

the question must be asked, is not this post and all those who jumped on its theme like flies on shit part of propaganda to continually attempt to diss Prince and his works?

fail?

peace.

Well said!

BartVanHemelen said:

http://blog.thecurrent.or...rdeyegirl/

.

The members of 3RDEYEGIRL (Prince excepted) were there; Barb and I were seated behind Ida at the console, and near Donna, who chatted with us about her native Toronto and the band’s recent European tour. Manning a laptop connected to the console was engineer Joshua Welton (who is also Hannah Ford’s husband), and before the music started there was a flurry of activity, with the studio phone ringing multiple times. Finally, we were ready to begin. Welcoming us to the listening session, Welton said, “I hope you like loud, because it’s gonna get loud, and it’s gonna get classic. This…is Plectrum Electrum.”

.

I repeat what I've said before: this is cheating. Putting people in a controlled environment, surrounding them with band members etc and having Prince monitoring everything, and then playing the album loudly on a super-professional sound system is not asking for opinions, it is sollicitating propaganda.

These still don't seem like full blown attempts to create far reaching hype. Remember the Diamonds and Pearls era similar mention of playing stuff for celebs like Anthony Kiedis? ... and that was in Rolling Stone, if I remember correctly.

I think when he invites reviewers from CNN, Jack White, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, the gals from The View, Howard Stern, or whatever has larger target audiences, then that would be a serious attempt at hype.

Or even more dramatic, if he provided a live streaming link listening party on CNN's entertaiment section. Of course it would be bootleged, but that would only help his hype! Then he could drop the high quality version with artwork for sale. Or just drop a whole different album that completely surprises everyone.

What if he live streamed a listening party for the new album, and then released the deluxe Purple Rain? Then a month later put out the high quality version of the new album while also pushing a really well made music video for whatever track sounds like a single on Itunes, Youtube, Vevo, or whatever works these days.

Sadly, his most guaranteed chance at hitting a sudden pop homerun would be to do a "Game of Thrones" Weird Al style parody music video.

I'm joking... I think.

novabrkr said:

Prince has expressed his desire to put out a vinyl several times already.

So why doesn't he actually release it?

The longer it takes the more proof about CONtractual issues.

BartVanHemelen said:

.

Of course this is intended as an ego stroke ("please tell me again how great I am"). I just want to point out to all the famz that this is NOT an objective review,

"Objective review?" What would you know of such a thing. Your ability to like a new Prince song has been gone for over 20 years. No matter what Prince releases, you will HATE IT! I can't think of one song you have postively commented on.

Future Soul Song, The Dance, Fury, Relfection, Eye Love U But I Don't Trust U Anymore....from my memory, you think those five songs are on the same level with Jughead and Daddy Pop or even worse.