I ask you to suspend disbelief for just a moment and consider that you have been named custodian of all of Prince's recordings, videos, films and written notes/lyrics...the sum total of a lifetime of creation never officially released.

Check your cynicism for a moment and agree that the "how?" and "why me?" arguments are irrelevant. For whatever reeason, you have complete control over The Vault. You do not own it. It is not your personal asset. You will not generate any income from it. The fact remains that whoever inherits it has decided that you, and you alone, will be responsible for all actions taken with the contents. Improbable? Absolutely! But then again, on the morning of April 21st, the earth shifted off its axis and reality has changed in ways we never contemplated, so roll with this.

So you have complete control over how this goes down. Do you:

• Throw open the gates and shower the universe with full access to every note, warts and all?

• Parse out 1 album/year, carefully choosing and ensuring participation from former members of his bands and other musicians who knew him best?

• Release only what you think fitting? If so based on what criteria?

• Burn it. He did what he wanted. He didn't release this stuff. Hence, he didn't want it released.

• Something else?

Here's the combination.....

What ya gonna do?

release a CD each 6/7 and 4/21 every year ..this way he'll always ber here and not forgotten

His music was his legacy. To destroy is like destroying Michaelangelo's art works etc.

Perhaps I'd talk to people that knew him best and know what he hinted at doing about his unreleased music. If he was storing it I think it's because he didn't want to destroy it. I see his vault as a time capsule in a way.

If he kept it in a vault maybe he wanted it to be released eventually.

[Edited 4/27/16 17:35pm]

donnyenglish said:

Free all of it. I would literally just dump it all on some cloud and let everyone access it for free. I think that he would prefer that over people profiting from his work.

the vault is massive, if one should listen to all the music one should probably use weeks and weeks........ that might be impossible:

I would love to see Susan Rogers dig into it, choose the best stuff and re-release the Prince albums with bonus-discs.. maybe in boxsets...?

for free..... ???

no way, people should pay for this!

why do you think music should be for free, I really don't think that.

if you get something you should give something in return.......

[Edited 4/27/16 17:40pm]

here's the legendary vault :


[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/ecnirp2004/Prince/Prince%20The%20Vault%202016_zpsjyq5ki3e.jpg[/img:$uid]


^ the mask is also seen on the front cover to the Sign "☮" The Times album...

Get in Susan Rodgers

Digitise and remaster everything.

Get in Wendy, Lisa, Sheila.

Group tracks together based on a solid set of criteria.

Put an album of stuff out, a Quad disc, with a Blu Ray of performances of some of the tracks and one of the discs would be a live only disc where some of the songs on the other 3 cd's were performed live at Paisley Park.

The album would be called:

Passion, Drive, Frantic & Live

After that ......?

[Edited 4/27/16 17:46pm]

luvsexy4all said:

lol i wudnt even know where to begin, but the only thing I do know is: I would need some help...

luvsexy4all said:

HalluRain said:

I ask you to suspend disbelief for just a moment and consider that you have been named custodian of all of Prince's recordings, videos, films and written notes/lyrics...the sum total of a lifetime of creation never officially released.

Check your cynicism for a moment and agree that the "how?" and "why me?" arguments are irrelevant. For whatever reeason, you have complete control over The Vault. You do not own it. It is not your personal asset. You will not generate any income from it. The fact remains that whoever inherits it has decided that you, and you alone, will be responsible for all actions taken with the contents. Improbable? Absolutely! But then again, on the morning of April 21st, the earth shifted off its axis and reality has changed in ways we never contemplated, so roll with this.

So you have complete control over how this goes down. Do you:

• Throw open the gates and shower the universe with full access to every note, warts and all?

• Parse out 1 album/year, carefully choosing and ensuring participation from former members of his bands and other musicians who knew him best?

• Release only what you think fitting? If so based on what criteria?

• Burn it. He did what he wanted. He didn't release this stuff. Hence, he didn't want it released.

• Something else?

Here's the combination.....

What ya gonna do?

Great thread . . and you've left the right person in charge

Let me just say as an avid fan of Tupac and with most of my idols being dead. you've picked the right person for the job. As I've spent many years watching in disbelief at the work of one of my greatest inspirations being ruined by those handling his projects. . . I've always wanted to handle a posthumous release. In fact, once beyond the recording aspects and delving into the production side of the project I even sometimes handle my own work as if it is a posthumous project

First of all . . a box set would be YEARS down the right. Kind of like you're just getting Elvis box sets with EVERYTHING now. You don't just throw it all in a box set right away and release it - not only is that not commercially viable but it would be a terrible way to handle his legacy

First order of business - We're launching Paisley Park Records - in tradition of Prince's business ethics we are not signing a deal at this time, we're going to strike while the iron is hot, right now there's no need for promotion. Call me a vulcher but it's for the betterment of Prince's legacy overall. We use traditional promotional methods and hire people that provide "label services". We sign a deal with Target to put out an exclusive version through them featuring a bonus track. In exchange we will charge them nothing but we're going to be getting great self-placement and store promotion, including a commercial. We are finally making a deal with Apple. The project will be released through iTunes, in exchange it's promoted through their newsletter and on the banner. The back catalog will not be available through iTunes (yet) but we also set a deal with Apple to launch a Beats 1 radio station for Prince on Apple Music. There Prince's backcatalog will be played

You're going to be looking at 2 albums within the next 18 months

The first one would be Hit N Run Phase 3 - whatever he was working on last. If that's not in a near completed state we are going to be compiling an album of his most recent works . . and putting them out now while they are recent. Inspiration comes from many sources and the ones behind these are likely to be most relevent now. If we can put put out Phase 3 . . GREAT! Phenemonal. It completes a trilogy and increases the sales of previous installments. If Phase 3 isn't near enough completion the album is going to be called

Free Ur Self - in typical Prince tradition each album will have a title track.

This release will coincide with a documentary. Bonus content will include the 50 pages that Prince completed for his memoir

The next project will dive deeper into the vault - back to the 80's - we're going to compile a project based on a specific time period . . as close to Purple Rain and the time preceding as possible.

Next we're going to release a full project

Now Prince's back catalog and streaming . . it will stay available via TIDAL, but no longer exclusively. We are going to launch Prince's very own streaming service. This will include all of the work that Prince has release and all of the work that he owns the rights to, so affiliated artists that he wrote for. Customers will have the option of paying $31.21 a year or $3 a month - the service will also include videos.

After this point we are going to assess the viability of physical music sales at this time . . they are declining every year so we may not need to allocate any resources for these kind of releases. If the buzz starts to die down we will sign a major 8 figure deal with a major label to distribute the work. This will be ONLY a distirbution deal. They will be entitled to 15% of the royalties. They will help promote the project and provide us with promotional outlets and label services from their in-tact connections

If anyone who reads this is in touch with Tyka let her know I'd be happy to help

- Finish compiling the Atlanta shows for immedately release on Tidal.

- Figure out what Prince was working on with Free Urself and prepare it for the first posthumous studio release.

- Contact Warner Bros and get the ball rolling on remasters. Go through the vault and figure out what type of bonus material there could be. Whether it's demos, unreleased material or a top tier live show from the same era.

- Get OOP albums back into circulation.

- Get OOP live performances back into circulation.

After all that's done, I'd have somebody go digitize and remaster the entire vault. Once there's a clear vision of what's actually in there, I would slow down releases. Every year there would be a new release, alternating between unreleased studio material and complete live performances.

I'd avoid giant boxsets or mass dumping the vault. I'd also avoid mixing eras in releases. Time capsules are better than releases like Crystal Ball.

Oh yes . . we're going through his vault for film clips and media, interviews and we're going to have a bidding war among film studios for a theatrical release Tupac Resurrection style documentary. Fearing clips and footage with Prince narrating the film in his own voice

Reissue each albums with companion material from the vault - much like the Earth Wind & Fire expanded reissues. EWF only included a handful of additional songs but if P's unreleased material is substantial enough, expand each album to 2xLP for singles and 3xLP for doubles.

I've heard tons of unreleased P material and not all of it is good/has held up.

That Purple Rain Tour basement rehearsal footage has surfaced again and it's rather boring.

I would like to see Syracuse 85, Detroit 86, Sign o' the Times and Dortmund 88 all get a proper remaster & release on DVD or Blu-ray

I would release it. Personally, I would hire Susan Rogers, who started the vault to do the finishing of any raw tracks. Maybe have Jimmy Jam produce it, not fully sure on that? But the main thing I would do is all proceeds, minus work on getting the material ready, should go to some of Prince's favorite charities.

It's a win/win. Fans get to hear the music we all have been dying to hear, and help to do some good in the world by supporting charities Prince would have approved of. I think he would smile down from heaven if good could come from his music.

Whatever the release path, in order to truly honour Prince the lion's share of the profits would have to be fed back into his charitable programmes, both environmental and educational. I like the idea of scholarships etc.

Thizz's ideas sound great.

Kong said:

Whatever the release path, in order to truly honour Prince the lion's share of the profits would have to be fed back into his charitable programmes, both environmental and educational. I like the idea of scholarships etc.

Thizz's ideas sound great.

Thank you

donnyenglish said:

Whatever they do, do not breadcrumb us and release stuff slowly. Release it rapidly because most Prince fans are approaching 50 or older. Everything should be released within 10 years. My other fear us the inevitable litigation over his estate will tie ecerything up for years.

Way too much for 10 years. You should see an active 10 years but expect 20-25 years and beyond. That would be ideal

First I would fuck with the media and threaten to burn it for a few months... and then i'd release a 2 albums and/or video project a few times a year as is LOL

Prince claimed to have had a proper follow-up to 1999, not Purple Rain.

I

Want

To

Hear

It!

I like the idea of Paisley becoming a historical landmark or museum...that's the only way my idea would work.

Staff the vault as a listening room and then individuals can go in while they are visiting. Maybe have it so you can book a half hour in the vault to go through the collection...

You would have to make sure the original recordings were safe from the public, and it would have to be well organized, but I think it would be pretty awesome to be able to go in and spend a moment of time there.

Thizz said:

Giftofmusic said:

Get in Susan Rodgers

Digitise and remaster everything.

Get in Wendy, Lisa, Sheila.

Group tracks together based on a solid set of criteria.

Put an album of stuff out, a Quad disc, with a Blu Ray of performances of some of the tracks and one of the discs would be a live only disc where some of the songs on the other 3 cd's were performed live at Paisley Park.

The album would be called:

Passion, Drive, Frantic & Live

After that ......?

[Edited 4/27/16 17:46pm]

Last I heard, Sheila didn't want anything released. I don't necessarily trust her at this point, regarding the vault. Maybe it was a knee jerk reaction at that point. W&L are better patrons to make sure albums are done. Jimmy Jam & Questlove should be executive producers, making sure it stays on a time line, is marketed, and gets distributed at major outlets, etc.

violectrica said:

Thizz said:

Great thread . . and you've left the right person in charge

Let me just say as an avid fan of Tupac and with most of my idols being dead. you've picked the right person for the job. As I've spent many years watching in disbelief at the work of one of my greatest inspirations being ruined by those handling his projects. . . I've always wanted to handle a posthumous release. In fact, once beyond the recording aspects and delving into the production side of the project I even sometimes handle my own work as if it is a posthumous project

First of all . . a box set would be YEARS down the right. Kind of like you're just getting Elvis box sets with EVERYTHING now. You don't just throw it all in a box set right away and release it - not only is that not commercially viable but it would be a terrible way to handle his legacy

First order of business - We're launching Paisley Park Records - in tradition of Prince's business ethics we are not signing a deal at this time, we're going to strike while the iron is hot, right now there's no need for promotion. Call me a vulcher but it's for the betterment of Prince's legacy overall. We use traditional promotional methods and hire people that provide "label services". We sign a deal with Target to put out an exclusive version through them featuring a bonus track. In exchange we will charge them nothing but we're going to be getting great self-placement and store promotion, including a commercial. We are finally making a deal with Apple. The project will be released through iTunes, in exchange it's promoted through their newsletter and on the banner. The back catalog will not be available through iTunes (yet) but we also set a deal with Apple to launch a Beats 1 radio station for Prince on Apple Music. There Prince's backcatalog will be played

You're going to be looking at 2 albums within the next 18 months

The first one would be Hit N Run Phase 3 - whatever he was working on last. If that's not in a near completed state we are going to be compiling an album of his most recent works . . and putting them out now while they are recent. Inspiration comes from many sources and the ones behind these are likely to be most relevent now. If we can put put out Phase 3 . . GREAT! Phenemonal. It completes a trilogy and increases the sales of previous installments. If Phase 3 isn't near enough completion the album is going to be called

Free Ur Self - in typical Prince tradition each album will have a title track.

This release will coincide with a documentary. Bonus content will include the 50 pages that Prince completed for his memoir

The next project will dive deeper into the vault - back to the 80's - we're going to compile a project based on a specific time period . . as close to Purple Rain and the time preceding as possible.

Next we're going to release a full project

Now Prince's back catalog and streaming . . it will stay available via TIDAL, but no longer exclusively. We are going to launch Prince's very own streaming service. This will include all of the work that Prince has release and all of the work that he owns the rights to, so affiliated artists that he wrote for. Customers will have the option of paying $31.21 a year or $3 a month - the service will also include videos.

After this point we are going to assess the viability of physical music sales at this time . . they are declining every year so we may not need to allocate any resources for these kind of releases. If the buzz starts to die down we will sign a major 8 figure deal with a major label to distribute the work. This will be ONLY a distirbution deal. They will be entitled to 15% of the royalties. They will help promote the project and provide us with promotional outlets and label services from their in-tact connections

If anyone who reads this is in touch with Tyka let her know I'd be happy to help

I'm FB friends with her. Is there a credential relative to this I could give her?

Just have her contact howdoessuccesssound@gmail.com - I've been in avid study of music business for a very long time now and I would be happy to help out in anyway that I can. I've spent years studying with Donald Passman who's one of the most highly-regarded music business lawyers in the world. My only incentive would be to ensure the best for his legacy

Step One: Release the live Piano and Microphone album. This will sell like wildfire because first, it contains most of his hits, second, it was his last ever live performance, and third, the piano renditions paint him in a more sensitive light for the world - many of whom have just bought greatest hits compilations (handing their money over to WB). Get it out ASAP.

.

Step Two: Release HITNRUN Phase Three and market it as Prince's last official album that he was working on before he died.

.

Step Three: Opening the Vault will be a long, drawn out process. Therefore, you need to have a hit album to kick things off and trigger a string of extremely positive reviews. It would be ideal to begin with a full, untouched + unreleased album from the Purple Rain era accompanied by a marketing capmpaign of Prince saying "I kept my best songs from the record company". I would strongly and consistently imply that Prince held back his best work for future generations, instead of handing it over to the unfair system of that era.

[Edited 4/27/16 22:45pm]