Not sure how to put this into words...

Given the fact that Prince was so controlling of his unreleased music and video, do you think in light of his passing we'll see "official" releases that may have taken decades for Prince to release, if he ever did, and how do you feel about this?

I am totally devastated at his loss, but taking the smallest of solace that there might be gifts of his greatness that will be forthcoming to help us.

Who knows what will happen to his estate, or how his his work will be curated.

Guess I'm just trying to find something to feel good about in all this.

I wish he had left a will including his wishes as regards the vault. If he was happy to have the music released then people could enjoy it without mixed feelings, or if he never wanted it released then at least it would draw a line. As it is, I feel pretty certain at least some of it will see the light of day when all the legalities are ironed out.

Personally I found it sort of upsetting when they opened the vault. I thought I would be desperate to hear all this music at last, but for some reason I find I'm not - I don't know, it just feels like a sort of violation to me. I had long hoped for the day when he would open that door himself and let the music out with his full approval.

Am not in any way criticising other views - I can totally understand that people want to know what's in there and that the thought of new music is keeping a lot of people going right now.

Just based on everything I've been reading in the last few days, it does seem that Prince wanted to release the music in the vault, at some point.

Jimmy Jam has talked about it, and the lady who worked for one of his recent distributers said they actually talked about it properly... Prince asked if he could have a whole section in their stores (A joke I assume)

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I think the reasons it wasn't released are, 1. he didn't have time to look back, 2. there was too much of it and 3. he always had something new to release instead.

There are enough direct comments from Prince to know that he had no problem and expected the vault material to be released at some point. I would even bet that he had fun shelving projects, knowing that it would add to the 'mythical' vault legacy.

I would guess the reason he wasn't in a rush was two fold:

1. He lived in the now. He was always more interested in what he was currently creating.

2. He still frequently dipped into the vault for ideas, inpiration, sounds and giveaways. You don't hand out your sweets if you still want the chocolate.

Its all well and good Sheila E saying she doesn't think they should be released, but that actually goes against what Prince has said. I guess she's worried there is a sex tape in there. .

I think Prince's untimely death will lead to more of the vault being released, but not necessarily make it faster. Depending on the fight/fallout of ownership, it might be 10 years before ownership is resolved, the the eventual owner will have little reason not to put it all out.

Prince was starting to show signs of looking back, and for all we know, we might have got the Purple Rain remaster this year. So his passing might actually delay that. However, where he might have released a two disc set (he gave stuff out sparingly due to point 2 above), the next owner might release a 7 disc set.

Would Prince ever have put out an album full of all the versions of Computer Blue? I doubt it. But his estate might, particularly if an individual or charity were to benefit directly.