...preferably currently on youtube -as in: give us a link.

I have been perusing so much of the Prince vids on youtube. (can't help but wonder if he did not do himself a disservice by allowing some videos to slip through at least for a time, so that more people could get to hear more of his songs -including the newer stuff).

But as for best Purple Rain performances - I am so far thinking of his performance at the AMA in 1985 I believe...

https://www.youtube.com/w...u1XyzHv4dU

But also another at Syracuse in 1985 (fairly well known)

https://www.youtube.com/w...ew4lmeebU8

Help me out with others that you know of...

Can't give the link but check out the 720p 9min11s version of Purple Rain in Milan 2010 (it was recently put up again after being deleted a few times already) ... it tears me up when I watch it.

I don't like the Syracuse version only because I hate the mix in general of that show. It's so tinny, and lacks bass. That needs to be beefed up and remastered - badly. It's a gem waiting to be shined up.

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Post-Revolution, for me, the best version of "Purple Rain" is at the Brit Awards, when Wendy & Lisa sat in with him, and Sheila E. was on drums for the song. There's something about that performance that seemed to current, yet had the original so in pocket, it was perfect. It wasn't terribly long or drawn out, but it was just right. Part of it was that he used his old guitar for the solo, that he used at First Avenue when it was recorded. Whenever he used the cloud guitar, or one of the symbol guitars, it never sounded right. I think he used the cloud more for aesthetic, especially in the 80s.

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With the Revolution, it was the original recording at First Avenue, that ended up on the record. I mean, we know it because of that version. So I stay true to that one. It's an easy choice for me.

EloiseEloise said:

Milano 2010 - without a doubt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3HOzCtC4hc

First Avenue 1983

I am going to have to agree with First Avenue. It was the original and very special.

When watching vids I also noticed that I prefer it when he plays Rain last. When he plays it early on it seems like he is rushing through it. I think it deserves the Anthem treatment.

AMA 85

Without a doubt:

Civic Center, St. Paul, MN, 26th December 1984

Who knows what the best version was, but Hop Farm was utterly euphoric.

JellyJam said:

Who knows what the best version was, but Hop Farm was utterly euphoric.

I have Hop Farm on my to watch pile for tonight. I have not watched it before for some reason.

BombFunk said:

The American Music Awards '85 one is pretty great, not sure if it's actually the "best" performance, but considering he was still riding high on the Purple Rain buzz and he was having a great night winning multiple awards, and the way he just nails the performance at the end it's pretty captivating to watch, and a really nice historical record.

EloiseEloise said:

bookwomen said:

JellyJam said:

Who knows what the best version was, but Hop Farm was utterly euphoric.

I have Hop Farm on my to watch pile for tonight. I have not watched it before for some reason.

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Wow. I'd never seen or heard Milano before. Just incredible. I wonder what was going on his mind during the solos. Such emotion and yet such control.

airth said:

avajane said: