Long-time reader and forum-lingerer, but this is the first time I've wanted to write a bit about my love for Prince's music. I'm interested to know if i'm just mad and obsessed, or if there are similar people out there like me

I love digging through B-Sides, outtakes, alternate versions - and I love how when you listen to stuff that didn't make the cut it helps you appreciate their respective albums / periods even more. Most of my favourite bands are the kind who have generated a lot of work, and top of the pile is Prince. The sheer volume of output (official or otherwise) means there is always something new to listen to and discover.

Anyway, I like fussing and making my own playlists and album configurations. I might mock up some artwork, and sometimes if there are a lot of outtakes or b-sides i like making compilations so that its all neat on my iPhone (think i have OCD when it comes to tags and artwork - it must conform!!)

First port of call is a concise listing for Emancipation - a triple album which i unfortunately never had the patience to really check out. I'd skim through and listen to a few of the highlights, but in my personal opinion his quality control really suffered during this time (completely understandable considering the personal circumstances, and the place he was in his life). When I was growing up back in Wales (and before I even got into Prince) this album was regularly in bargain bins with 'Rave'... it seems to just have a bad vibe about it for some reason.

I've gone for the most noteworthy songs on each disc, along with the songs i just liked the most - and also added a few of the really good outtakes that leaked on the Secret Chapter disc. Some of these tunes were really good, and would definitely have helped the album as a whole in my opinion (I absolutely love the strings and guitar on Slave 2 The System - a real shame this wasnt included)

EMANCIPATION - Single Disc

[SLAVE]
[SLAVE 2 THE SYSTEM]
[EMANCIPATION]
[VAN GOGH]
[FACE DOWN]
[NEW WORLD]
[HOLY RIVER]
[SOMEBODYS SOMEONE]
[DAMNED IF I DO]
[COURTIN' TIME]
[WE GETS UP]
[FEELGOOD]
[JOINT 2 JOINT]
[SLEEP AROUND]
[RIGHT BACK HERE IN MY ARMS]
[THE LOVE WE MAKE]

I quite like the flow of this playlist/comp, but the narrative is a bit off (SLAVE, SLAVE2, EMANCIPATION! - everything else. Sort of ruins what he was probably going for. I've gone for serious start, Light and fun in the middle, the serious end).

THE LOVE WE MAKE and HOLY RIVER seem the other really significant works on this album, so have placed them accordingly. WE GETS UP gets a lot of hate in these parts, but i think its a nice funky workout (reminds me a little bit of PRETTYMAN on Rave - not so much the style, but the fact it stands out amongst other uniform songs). I added VAN GOGH as i really dig the tune, even though again its probably not a good fit conceptually.

FACE DOWN is one of the songs I couldn't cut, massive tune!

You'll notice a lack of the ballads from disc 2... just never really hit the spot for me. Maybe one day i'll grow to appreciate them, but like i say i was going for a nice punchy set of songs - or the most noteworthy/bigger statements. I'm big & dumb like that

Anyway, feel free to let me know what you think (or flame on!). Its all good fun.

And am also up for suggestions on songs I may have missed (especially outtakes) that are worth checking out

I've done similar things for the original RAVE UNTO THE JOY FANTASTIC configuration, which i might post at some point, and another for the outtakes from 1988-1989 period. I also put together another disc to compliment THE HITS, highlighting everything since 1993.

I have waaaaaay too much time on my hands...

[Edited 10/13/15 14:24pm]

[Edited 10/13/15 14:25pm]

...and forgive me for the fact i have no idea how to space anything out on here!

From time to time we have been known to start a thread like this one, so the replies may be few. But I love your list. I would not include Damed if I Do, Courtin Time and We Get's Up and would add Emale, One of Us and My Computer. There is also a remix of Face Down that I love but I can't recall the name. You are not just mad and obsessed either. There is a world of music to be explored with Prince so just try to enjoy it and don't worry if anyone makes fun of you. Most people just think "Purple Rain" when they think of him. They are the ones missing out.

Thanks for the heads up

I'm always having a nosey on here to see whats happening, for years really. Just never really had much to add to the discussion. I did spot a few Emancipation threads where things had got a bit salty!

Its one of those albums where if you look past the shortcomings you can see his craft and musicianship still shining through. Not my favourite by any means, but fun to read about and fun to listen to (if only for the pure variety)

Good call, I must admit I don't think I've given the Face Down remix a good listen. Will have to check it out again.

I'm kind of old school when it comes to the flow of an album. Usually I like albums to be top-heavy with the best few songs/singles at the start... some mellower things in the middle, and then usually a big end song (which for this set has to be The Love We Make). I always found the fact that the original 3cd set finished with the title track a bit odd, as its one of the more iconic songs from this period and its kind of buried at the end (at least for anyone who isn't devoted enough to work through the 3 discs). I saw he performed it at the Brits, but as it wasnt a single it seems it was kind of lost. Hence its bumped up the tracklist here

Another thing - Whilst I love listening to the original tracks, I do find that sometimes the studio 'radio edits' work better when I'm trying to put together something a bit more punchy like this. I managed to get a hold of the Holy River radio edit for this list (even though I love the guitar solo at the end).

Thanks for the ballad suggestions... I do think it could do with one decent one in the middle somewhere, before the more carefree/fun songs kick in. Will have to get listening!