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Thread started 07/16/16 1:55pm

rogifan

Let's Go Crazy live versions: like or not?

Let's Go Crazy is one song I don't think Prince has even been able to replicate its brilliance live. I absolutely LOVE the album version of this song but don't like P's live versions, especially the one that included a horns section and the goooo crazy, go go go! version. Most of what P did live was brilliant (love, love, love the Little Red Corvette guitar solo at Coachella) but for some reason not Let's Go Crazy. Anyone else agree?
Paisley Park is in your heart
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Reply #1 posted 07/16/16 2:22pm

motherfunka

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I don't think there has been a live version that I don't like. The Lovesexy version with the Sheila E percussion break may be my 2nd favorite, after the Purple Rain tour version.

TRUE BLUE
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Reply #2 posted 07/16/16 2:38pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

I think he's played the same (SOTT) rendition forever until the 'Frankenstein' 3rd Eye Girl version

Like duringt he Purple Rain tour was killer. I love the first August 1983 rendition at First Avenue. Hearing those songs done live at that show always gives me a different appreciation.

I think Let's Go Crazy live on the Purple Rain tour was a close 2nd to the album. And I love how they beafed up Delirioius in the middle with the 'piano' break from Let's Go Crazy

The SOTT/Lovesexy version was fun, but from there on out it's been basically the same rendition.

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Reply #3 posted 07/16/16 2:44pm

Guitarhero

motherfunka said:

I don't think there has been a live version that I don't like. The Lovesexy version with the Sheila E percussion break may be my 2nd favorite, after the Purple Rain tour version.

yeahthat And the Dortmund Version with the crowd interaction (Let's Go) biggrin

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Reply #4 posted 07/16/16 3:26pm

TrivialPursuit

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The live "go go go, go go goo" call and response is horrible. I can't stand it. It takes away from the pure rock brilliance of the original. I've not really liked any live version of it, even on the PR tour although it's more desirable than any other after. The only other one would be the First Avenue performance in 1983.

"eye don’t really care so much what people say about me because it is a reflection of who they r."
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Reply #5 posted 07/16/16 3:45pm

motherfunka

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OldFriends4Sale said:

I think he's played the same (SOTT) rendition forever until the 'Frankenstein' 3rd Eye Girl version

Like duringt he Purple Rain tour was killer. I love the first August 1983 rendition at First Avenue. Hearing those songs done live at that show always gives me a different appreciation.

I think Let's Go Crazy live on the Purple Rain tour was a close 2nd to the album. And I love how they beafed up Delirioius in the middle with the 'piano' break from Let's Go Crazy

The SOTT/Lovesexy version was fun, but from there on out it's been basically the same rendition.

The Nude Tour version was different than SOTT/Lovesexy. It was more slowed down and like rogifan said, it had the gooooo crazy, go go go, go go go by Rosie. I loved that one too. D&P and Act I was completely different than the previous tours and had horns.

TRUE BLUE
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Reply #6 posted 07/16/16 3:59pm

rogifan

TrivialPursuit said:

The live "go go go, go go goo" call and response is horrible. I can't stand it. It takes away from the pure rock brilliance of the original. I've not really liked any live version of it, even on the PR tour although it's more desirable than any other after. The only other one would be the First Avenue performance in 1983.


This. I always thought the original was sort of a nod to Eddie Van Halen (or just letting the world know Eddie's not the only one who can do a killer guitar solo.
Paisley Park is in your heart
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Reply #7 posted 07/16/16 4:01pm

AlgeriaTouchsh
reek

It's just another studio to live band translation error, it's like:

"yeah I did this song called Let's Go Crazy"

then you have to tell the band to be at the same pace and sentiment - like the Rock In Rio bootlegs on Google Play from the original Brazilian television company:

"Is he playing Let's Go Crazy or is he just mildly chaking the upper octaves?"

.

The relationship between his studio efforts and his live performances was a bit like that internet graffiti about Boris Johnson snogging Donald Trump

i wish i'd never kissed your lips, bearded lady
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Reply #8 posted 07/16/16 4:02pm

rogifan

OldFriends4Sale said:


I think he's played the same (SOTT) rendition forever until the 'Frankenstein' 3rd Eye Girl version



Like duringt he Purple Rain tour was killer. I love the first August 1983 rendition at First Avenue. Hearing those songs done live at that show always gives me a different appreciation.


I think Let's Go Crazy live on the Purple Rain tour was a close 2nd to the album. And I love how they beafed up Delirioius in the middle with the 'piano' break from Let's Go Crazy



The SOTT/Lovesexy version was fun, but from there on out it's been basically the same rendition.





I must say I kind of like the 'Frankenstein' version and it's little nod to Edgar Winter Group. At least it rocks hard and there's no silly horn section or bad keyboard parts. The Coachella performance is good too. He played a sped up version at North Sea Jazz festival which was weird. Though the faster version of Alphabet Street at that show was killer.
[Edited 7/16/16 16:04pm]
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Reply #9 posted 07/16/16 4:31pm

TrivialPursuit

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rogifan said:

TrivialPursuit said:

The live "go go go, go go goo" call and response is horrible. I can't stand it. It takes away from the pure rock brilliance of the original. I've not really liked any live version of it, even on the PR tour although it's more desirable than any other after. The only other one would be the First Avenue performance in 1983.

This. I always thought the original was sort of a nod to Eddie Van Halen (or just letting the world know Eddie's not the only one who can do a killer guitar solo.


I don't think Eddie played into it at all. Prince was doing solos since album one, or at least playing rock music. Let's not forget stuff like "Bambi", "I'm Yours", the end of "Ronnie Talk 2 Russia", and more. But the song definitely appealed to my white boy side back then. I just couldn't get enough of it. I'd play it in the same sitting as "DMSR".

"eye don’t really care so much what people say about me because it is a reflection of who they r."
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Reply #10 posted 07/16/16 4:44pm

purplepolitici
an

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Go Fucking Crazy! GO GO GO!!!
For all time I am with you, you are with me.
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Reply #11 posted 07/16/16 9:06pm

rogifan

TrivialPursuit said:



rogifan said:


TrivialPursuit said:

The live "go go go, go go goo" call and response is horrible. I can't stand it. It takes away from the pure rock brilliance of the original. I've not really liked any live version of it, even on the PR tour although it's more desirable than any other after. The only other one would be the First Avenue performance in 1983.



This. I always thought the original was sort of a nod to Eddie Van Halen (or just letting the world know Eddie's not the only one who can do a killer guitar solo.


I don't think Eddie played into it at all. Prince was doing solos since album one, or at least playing rock music. Let's not forget stuff like "Bambi", "I'm Yours", the end of "Ronnie Talk 2 Russia", and more. But the song definitely appealed to my white boy side back then. I just couldn't get enough of it. I'd play it in the same sitting as "DMSR".


Sure but someone who was into the whole heavy metal hair band thing in the 80s the guitar solos in this song seemed more like that than anything P had done previously.

The NY Times claimed LGC was Prince's response to Michael Jackson's Beat It, trying to one-up him basically saying I can do that too and I don't have to hire anybody because I can do it myself. Of course I don't buy that if for no other reason than LGC was probably written or at least conceived before Prince ever heard Beat it. I guess LGC reminds me of Van Halen because it came out the year Van Halen was at peak popularity and the ending solo reminds me of something Eddie Van Halen could do.
Paisley Park is in your heart
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Reply #12 posted 07/16/16 9:36pm

scorp84

I like some a little more than others. If I had to choose, it would be between the "Purple Rain Tour" & "Diamonds & Pearls Tour" versions with the breakdown going into "Kiss" as my favorites, as of right now.

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Reply #13 posted 07/17/16 12:17am

PeteSilas

live was great but of course it never was as good as the studio/record version. i noticed that he never played that blistering end solo the same way it was on the album, that tells you that he probably did a lot of cheating or rather, editing in the studio which he had a hard time matching live. so ya, i liked it, but not as much as the album or the extended versions which were brilliant.

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Reply #14 posted 07/17/16 7:16am

dippydippywave
ofmydo

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Always love any live version of LGC but my only problem is that he always left out the 2nd verse and go straight to the 1st guitar solo (apart from the PR tour). Such a classic opening track should have been played in full.
The Sampler Set is great!
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Reply #15 posted 07/17/16 7:27am

rogifan

dippydippywaveofmydo said:

Always love any live version of LGC but my only problem is that he always left out the 2nd verse and go straight to the 1st guitar solo (apart from the PR tour). Such a classic opening track should have been played in full.

Yes! I'd much rather have a full version of this than Kiss or Cream.
Paisley Park is in your heart
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Reply #16 posted 07/17/16 7:33am

OldFriends4Sal
e

rogifan said:

TrivialPursuit said:


I don't think Eddie played into it at all. Prince was doing solos since album one, or at least playing rock music. Let's not forget stuff like "Bambi", "I'm Yours", the end of "Ronnie Talk 2 Russia", and more. But the song definitely appealed to my white boy side back then. I just couldn't get enough of it. I'd play it in the same sitting as "DMSR".

Sure but someone who was into the whole heavy metal hair band thing in the 80s the guitar solos in this song seemed more like that than anything P had done previously. The NY Times claimed LGC was Prince's response to Michael Jackson's Beat It, trying to one-up him basically saying I can do that too and I don't have to hire anybody because I can do it myself. Of course I don't buy that if for no other reason than LGC was probably written or at least conceived before Prince ever heard Beat it. I guess LGC reminds me of Van Halen because it came out the year Van Halen was at peak popularity and the ending solo reminds me of something Eddie Van Halen could do.

And Prince's 1986 jumps and splits were his admirable competition with Dave Lee Roth

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Reply #17 posted 07/17/16 7:51am

leecaldon

The 3rdEyeGirl version is probably my favourite in the post-Purple Rain era.

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Reply #18 posted 07/17/16 8:57am

Dibblekins

leecaldon said:

The 3rdEyeGirl version is probably my favourite in the post-Purple Rain era.

I love the 3rdEyeGirl version - it's MEAN!

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Reply #19 posted 07/17/16 10:48am

rob1965

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rogifan said:

Let's Go Crazy is one song I don't think Prince has even been able to replicate its brilliance live. I absolutely LOVE the album version of this song but don't like P's live versions, especially the one that included a horns section and the goooo crazy, go go go! version. Most of what P did live was brilliant (love, love, love the Little Red Corvette guitar solo at Coachella) but for some reason not Let's Go Crazy. Anyone else agree?


The original version was recorded live.

Anyway, the versions from the SOTT and Lovesexy tour are the best imo.
'Liberate My Mind'
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Reply #20 posted 07/17/16 12:04pm

PeteSilas

rob1965 said:

rogifan said:
Let's Go Crazy is one song I don't think Prince has even been able to replicate its brilliance live. I absolutely LOVE the album version of this song but don't like P's live versions, especially the one that included a horns section and the goooo crazy, go go go! version. Most of what P did live was brilliant (love, love, love the Little Red Corvette guitar solo at Coachella) but for some reason not Let's Go Crazy. Anyone else agree?
The original version was recorded live. Anyway, the versions from the SOTT and Lovesexy tour are the best imo.

naw, really? with no overdubs? i remember reading that many of the pr songs were done live but i'm sure they had overdubs. prince didn't do the same guitar work live not once that' i've seen. he made the end simpler and slower.

also, what a great rock and roll song it was, from the opening gospel chords to the finale which sounds like an old fashioned button like jerry lee lewis or ray charles would use. if nothing else, great great song.

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Reply #21 posted 07/17/16 1:12pm

mtlfan

I'm less familiar with the live catalog that a lot of people here, and the version on my SOTT tour bootleg is one of the weaker tracks in the set, but I am partial to the reloaded performances, and seeing LGC live on the Musicology tour ranks pretty high on my list of greatest life experiences.

Was LGC a response to Van Halen? Shrug. Was Jump a response to Dirty Mind?

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Reply #22 posted 07/18/16 12:34am

rob1965

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mtlfan said:

I'm less familiar with the live catalog that a lot of people here, and the version on my SOTT tour bootleg is one of the weaker tracks in the set, but I am partial to the reloaded performances, and seeing LGC live on the Musicology tour ranks pretty high on my list of greatest life experiences.



Was LGC a response to Van Halen? Shrug. Was Jump a response to Dirty Mind?



It's all a matter of taste in the end. It's funny that you mention LGC as one of the weaker tracks on your SOTT live boot, while in my taste the version on this tour (and the Lovesexy tour - on both tours the LGC/WDC/PP/1999-segment are the same) are the best. At some evenings played better than others of course, but still. In my case it probably has to do with the fact that I was so damn impressed watching these tours live back then. Simply good memories.
'Liberate My Mind'
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Reply #23 posted 07/18/16 8:01am

rogifan

mtlfan said:

I'm less familiar with the live catalog that a lot of people here, and the version on my SOTT tour bootleg is one of the weaker tracks in the set, but I am partial to the reloaded performances, and seeing LGC live on the Musicology tour ranks pretty high on my list of greatest life experiences.



Was LGC a response to Van Halen? Shrug. Was Jump a response to Dirty Mind?


There was a quote from EVH (which I can't find now but heard on a podcast) about how Prince was underrated as a guitar player because he did so many things well. It's interesting that fellow musicians and peers of Prince have higher regard for his guitar playing/skills than the general public does. I remember after he passed that RRHOF performance started circling and any site I went to that had a comments section was full of people either saying P's solo wasn't that impressive and any 14 yr old could do what he did or that he was being too showy and it was disrespectful to the original song. Yet Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine used that footage in a Rolling Stone article arguing that P was one of the all time great guitarists.
Paisley Park is in your heart
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Reply #24 posted 07/18/16 10:12am

rob1965

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All the better that P's peers, who really know what they're talking about, know about P's skills as a guitar player. Lots of people ('the larger audience') seem to forget that he mastered all kinds of guitar styles like blues, funk, jazz, hard rock, soloing, etc.
Most guitar players (including myself wink ) only master one particular style and playing a really good guitar solo is only for the best. The rest is okay or mediocre. At best. Prince was able to do it all.
'Liberate My Mind'
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Reply #25 posted 07/19/16 6:36pm

leecaldon

PeteSilas said:

rob1965 said:

rogifan said: The original version was recorded live. Anyway, the versions from the SOTT and Lovesexy tour are the best imo.

naw, really? with no overdubs? i remember reading that many of the pr songs were done live but i'm sure they had overdubs. prince didn't do the same guitar work live not once that' i've seen. he made the end simpler and slower.

also, what a great rock and roll song it was, from the opening gospel chords to the finale which sounds like an old fashioned button like jerry lee lewis or ray charles would use. if nothing else, great great song.

The version on Purple Rain was recorded in the studio.

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Reply #26 posted 07/20/16 2:57am

rob1965

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The album version was recorded in St Louis, live w/o audience.
'Liberate My Mind'
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Reply #27 posted 07/20/16 3:36am

udo

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rob1965 said:

The album version was recorded in St Louis, live w/o audience.

.

Source?

Pills and thrills and daffodils will kill... If you don't believe me or don't get it, I don't have time to try to convince you, sorry.
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Reply #28 posted 07/20/16 12:37pm

PeteSilas

udo said:

rob1965 said:

The album version was recorded in St Louis, live w/o audience.

.

Source?

i just read in alan lights book that Prince did it in the studio or rather a warehouse ill suited for sound and as I expected, he worked very hard on punching in and out for the solo, it was one of his more complicated solos (and best) and he never completely replicated it live.

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Reply #29 posted 07/20/16 2:44pm

rob1965

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udo said:



rob1965 said:


The album version was recorded in St Louis, live w/o audience.

.


Source?



Several. I'm not making it up, you know. 'I Would Die 4 U, Baby , I'm a Star and Purple Rain' were recorded for a live audience in Minneapolis. Let's Go Crazy was recorded in St Louis after Prince had his studio equipment flown in to record the song properly.
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