http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/ap-exclusive-prince-exalts-heaven-25828394

1st page of 3:

Nightfall is fast approaching at Paisley Park.

There are few lights on in the cavernous compound, and unseen doves (of course there would be doves) are cooing up a racket before twilight fades to darkness. But even their collective noise takes a back seat once Prince — sitting in the dimmest bit of light — goes to his Mac, cues up a track and hits play.

A melodious instrumental track floods the room, the lush orchestration compliments of the Minnesota Orchestra, whom Prince tapped to perform. Its inspiration has come from a little-heard Dionne Warwick song, "In Between the Heartaches," which he also played moments earlier.

The track remains a work in progress; Prince has written no lyrics yet. But it's music like this that keeps him going — to still, after all these years, take music to the next level.

"If you don't try, how will you get another 'Insatiable?'" he says, referencing his classic bedroom grove.

Over the next few moments at Prince's computer, he goes to YouTube to play an array clips that get his musical heart thrumming, dipping from old James Brown clips to the relatively new U.K. singer FKA Twigs.

Prince isn't always pleased about what he hears from today's crop of entertainers — "The quality of the music, everyone would agree is not the gold standard," he muses about today's mainstream pop universe.

But when it comes to his world, what he's hearing ranks among the best that he's heard in ages. On Tuesday, he will release his first album in four years, "Art Official Age," along with music from his latest protege act, 3RDEYEGIRL, "PLECTRUMELECTRUM."

"I'm completely surrounded by equal talent," an energized Prince says. "To me it feels like heaven."

———

It's not just the music that's taking his Royal Badness to new heights: For the first time, he is releasing his music with complete freedom. The man that once wrote "slave" on his face in protest of not being in control of his own music and famously battled and then departed his label, Warner Bros., is now back with the label — under his own terms.

"What's happening now is the position that I've always wanted to be in," says Prince. "I was just trying to get here."

In the spring, Prince, 56, finally gained what he had sought for more than two decades — control of his musical masters, and, in a larger sense, his musical legacy. In the past, Warner Bros. held the rights to Prince's music, even long after he left, as part of the contract he signed as a new artist.

But after savvy legal maneuvering, he owns the rights to all of his vast collections of hits, including archival music that Prince fans have been longing to hear for decades. Prince also gained control of the publishing rights to his compositions and has performance rights — which means he completely controls his own musical destiny.

His lawyer, Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, calls it his "fight for justice" and an enormous game-changer for the industry.

'"It's magnificent and what's important for him, he wants all musicians to have (this)," she said. "This is just something that he feels incredibly passionate about."

And on page 3:

He's working on a re-release of the epic "Purple Rain" album for its 30th anniversary, but when asked if he's excited about it, he flatly says no.

"Same album, just state-of-the-art sound," he says. "It's nice that it sounds better for the fans but I live in the now. I don't have to go backwards to celebrate."

He had no hesitation about working with Warner Bros again (after entering what his lawyer called an "amazing deal"): "I don't deal in history nor should they," he says. "It's not the entity that's the problem."

Gotta love the numerous lies.

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But after savvy legal maneuvering, he owns the rights to all of his vast collections of hits, including archival music that Prince fans have been longing to hear for decades. Prince also gained control of the publishing rights to his compositions and has performance rights — which means he completely controls his own musical destiny.

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Prince has always had control of his publishing. Warner Chappell Music simply administered it for him until the late 1990s (when their deal ended), since then he had Universal manage it.

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In the past, Warner Bros. held the rights to Prince's music, even long after he left, as part of the contract he signed as a new artist.

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Oh yes, the big record company abusing the poor little artist.

Let's ignore that Prince had several options, and that he's renewed that contract several times as an adult.

Let's also ignore that when he signed the $100 million deal he did so against the recommendations of his advisers and entourage.

Let's also ignore that REM had already gained control of their back catalogue at that same time, and that their new contract also had them gain control of their future master recordings.

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The simple fact that once again Prince is spreading lies says plenty.

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Also: crap work by that reporter. How about INVESTIGATING things instead of just parrotting what someone tells you?

He can can lie all he want to (including the continued use of 'we', as if he is speaking for some collective),
and he can keep releasing sub-par music, but if the Purple Rain reissue is just the same album, better sound... and all the out-takes remain in the vault...
well, then it's time for Occupy Paisley Park.

[Edited 9/29/14 3:16am]

I'm intrigued by this quote: "His faith in Welton is so strong that he shares productions with him on the album, and says for the first time, there are tracks where Prince doesn't even play an instrument, leaving it to Welton."

Which tracks could it be?

i think the funknroll remix is all Welton imo.

paulludvig said:

I'm intrigued by this quote: "His faith in Welton is so strong that he shares productions with him on the album, and says for the first time, there are tracks where Prince doesn't even play an instrument, leaving it to Welton."

Which tracks could it be?

That is certainly interesting. And hopefully he'll now give over songwriting duties to others as well.

Dandroppedadime said:

i think the funknroll remix is all Welton imo.

And U Know and Way Back home perhaps?

paulludvig said:

Dandroppedadime said:

i think the funknroll remix is all Welton imo.

And U Know and Way Back home perhaps?

Just guessing but I'd say those and AOC, too.

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

paulludvig said:

And U Know and Way Back home perhaps?

Just guessing but I'd say those and AOC, too.

There's guitar on AOC, so I guess it's not all Welton.

Askani said:

Every sentence he utters is a contradiction.

Yes, and isn't it great that Prince can watch all those great artists on YouTube...?

paulludvig said:

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

Just guessing but I'd say those and AOC, too.

There's guitar on AOC, so I guess it's not all Welton.

It sounds - pardon the pun - a bit too artificial to actually be Prince.

lets not forget that a song has many tracks. so that doesnt mean that JW is making all the music on some songs. its give and take with Prince. he surronds himself with younger people because that invigorates him. he hasnt aged so much that he sits back and lets all these young people run things for him. if u think for a second that Prince would accept any lazy people in his camp-your crazy. Prince, in return, is inspiring people who have a strong work ethic. and younger people are usually more ambitious, more hungry. although some people never lose that drive completely, people like Prince.

Pentacle said:

Askani said:

Every sentence he utters is a contradiction.

Yes, and isn't it great that Prince can watch all those great artists on YouTube...?

IKR? He's just a HYPOCRITE, point blank and period!

this is why he says in a song. "put your fon down, get your party on"! many people in society use technology too much like a crutch. but thats another discussion.

Oh Bart!, if you analysed every interview by any one famous you will be picking holes all day long. Dude think positive, life's wayyyy too short to picking up on trvia. We could also say that Thom Yorkes new way of distributing new music has totally shaken up the indutry [how exciting is THAT BTW!] but what's the point?! It's just a bit of promo ahead of the release!

I am just happy that Prince, on AOA, actually sounds arsed again - he's actually delivered [IMHO] an album that's cohesive, has a theme & has kept his sound but brought it up to date.

funkyhead said:

Oh Bart!, if you analysed every interview by any one famous you will be picking holes all day long. Dude think positive, life's wayyyy too short to picking up on trvia. We could also say that Thom Yorkes new way of distributing new music has totally shaken up the indutry [how exciting is THAT BTW!] but what's the point?! It's just a bit of promo ahead of the release!

I am just happy that Prince, on AOA, actually sounds arsed again - he's actually delivered [IMHO] an album that's cohesive, has a theme & has kept his sound but brought it up to date.

yes Bart-join us! be not afraid of the future! ba ah ah ah ah ahhhhhhhh!

Hey if somebody wants to put their stuff on YouTube and enhance Google's market value, that's a choice right there. Prince chooses not to. That's also a choice right there.
He didn't get his fans by following the crowd, did he?

XSX said:

And on page 3:

He's working on a re-release of the epic "Purple Rain" album for its 30th anniversary, but when asked if he's excited about it, he flatly says no.

"Same album, just state-of-the-art sound," he says. "It's nice that it sounds better for the fans but I live in the now. I don't have to go backwards to celebrate."

No ! It can't be

Prince couldn't have fucked WB as much as not releasing unreleased stuffs !

Oh god the worst happened. If they just remasterized PR (and with the loudness war it will sound like shit), why signing with Prince ?

[Edited 9/29/14 4:47am]

XSX said:

Hey if somebody wants to put their stuff on YouTube and enhance Google's market value, that's a choice right there. Prince chooses not to. That's also a choice right there.
He didn't get his fans by following the crowd, did he?

Yesssssss.

Anyway, he got his fans by clever marketing (pretending to stand for sexual and racial freedom etc. while showing off his pubic hair) and of course great music. Alas, this is no longer the case.

donnyenglish said:

thedoorkeeper said:

Why should he be excited about PR reissue?

$$$$$$$$$$$

Sensible said:

OCCUPY PAISLEY PARK! I'm on! We need proper remasters with outtakes!

exactly,


I am shocked if we don't get the 2CD Purple Rain remaster with bonus disc..

thedance said:

Sensible said:

OCCUPY PAISLEY PARK! I'm on! We need proper remasters with outtakes!

exactly,


I am shocked if we don't get the 2CD Purple Rain remaster with bonus disc..

In the best case 2 come ...we will get a 2 cds with Bonus= B sides - xtended/remixed versions from stuff we already know !!! >this is sad but i"m already HUGELY DISAPOINTED!!!!

[Edited 9/29/14 6:06am]