For me, this has always been Empty Room. I remember one of the many complaints about Crystal Ball being the omission of this track. I never understood the iconic status it maintains among the purple aficionados.

JoshuaWho said:

For me, this has always been Empty Room. I remember one of the many complaints about Crystal Ball being the omission of this track. I never understood the iconic status it maintains among the purple aficionados.

Really? You can't relate to the lyrics at all? To me, it's the perfect articulation of the anguish someone goes to when someone they love very much ends their relationship.

I can't think of too many songs that triumph lyricaly in this manner.

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'Teacher, Teacher'. Underdeveloped, too loosely formed to be salvaged for revisiting later on; the odd and temperamental W&L adjustments (synth harpsichord placed on top of a flunked Vanity 6 album candidate?) further take an already weak effort away from the coherence a viable track would need. I do not fully understand of the mad obsession with touching up the furthest reaches of Vault tracks during ~85-86 when he already demonstrated himself capable of so coldly and competently laying down outstanding new material as necessary. Well perhaps I do understand the reasons, but my opinions on the matter would be shockingly provocative.

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[Edited 1/21/15 1:12am]

imprimis said:

but my opinions on the matter would be shockingly provocative.

It wouldn't be anything we haven't heard before.

For me? Electric Intercourse. The Beautiful 1s is MILES ahead of that song. I don't get all of the love for that one.

(don't kill me)

thedoorkeeper said:

Moonbeam Levels. Love the title but find the song itself to be bland.

That is right in there with Empty ROom as a somewhat overrated underground hit.

I never understood the praise that "The Grand Progression" gets. I've always found it to be a song that completely bores me to tears.

Mindbells9 said:

I never understood the praise that "The Grand Progression" gets. I've always found it to be a song that completely bores me to tears.

Funny - now that one is right behind the orignial version of "Old Friends 4 Sale" as the best unreleased example of Prince's genius.

JoshuaWho said:

thedoorkeeper said:

Moonbeam Levels. Love the title but find the song itself to be bland.

That is right in there with Empty ROom as a somewhat overrated underground hit.

Yup, i concur, when i finally heard Moonbeam Levels i was SO disappointed. again, makes me appreci8 P as an editor. I think the real gems are few and far between and the overrated underwhelmers more common

Mindbells9 said:

thedoorkeeper said:

Moonbeam Levels. Love the title but find the song itself to be bland.

Yep, this is my pick also.

Roudhouse Garden/Our Destiny

Mindbells9 said:

thedoorkeeper said:

Does it get better? Am I missing anything?

No and no. (imo)

thedoorkeeper said:

Mindbells9 said:

I never understood the praise that "The Grand Progression" gets. I've always found it to be a song that completely bores me to tears.

I've never listened to The Grand Progression all the way. Always get bored and shut it off after 2 minutes. Does it get better? Am I missing anything?

hell yes

I'm always surprised how loved "All My Dreams" is.

I don't dislike it or anything, I'm just surprised it's usually included as one of the great outtakes. Considering that it was originally going to be on Parade and that "Christopher Tracy's Parade" is on there too and they're somewhat similar stylistically, I don't get the constant praise "All My Dreams" gets here when "Christopher Tracy's Parade" is hardly ever mentioned as one of the greats. I think "Christoper Tracy's Parade" is a bit more sophisticated musically and not as overly cartoonish.

A Place in Heaven with Lisa on vocals.

Moonbeam Levels

bluefish said:

thedoorkeeper said:

Moonbeam Levels. Love the title but find the song itself to be bland.

Yep, this is my pick also.

Same here as well. Never really got into this one..

Adonis and Bat-Sheeba, or whatever her name is.

Ugh, what a syrupy sticky bucket of slime.
No wonder Susan Rogers raised her eyes.