From Princevault:

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March 1994, configuration (the one that would most likely have been released if WB had agreed to release both Come and TGE in Summer 94)

Interactive (both short or long version were apparently considered)

Days Of Wild

The Most Beautiful Girl In The World

Now

Acknowledge Me

Ripopgodazippa

319

Shy

Billy Jack Bitch

Eye Hate U

Gold

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Released version:

P. Control

Endorphinmachine

Shhh

We March

The Most Beautiful Girl In The World

Dolphin

Now

319

Shy

Billy Jack Bitch

Eye Hate U

Gold

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Sounds like a no-brainer because in the end the final version has more songs but trading Interactive, Days Of Wild, Acknowledge Me and Ripogodazippa against P. Control, Endorphinmachine, Shhh, We March and Dolphin is a bit of a difficult choice for me.

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Since we got all the tracks eventually I've recreated the 1994 version and it flows really well.

Interactive isn't as strong an opener as the fabulous P. Control but it made more sence with the NPG Operator concept, particularly the one in the middle of the track, and it was a pity to lose that.

The released version has more of a "power rock" sound in a way, while the original was a little more R&B oriented.

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In the end I'd say Prince made the right choices (though at 65mn he could have added 3 more tracks to the mix and while I do not always favor long albums, I think in that case the material was strong enough for it to work), because the released version is richer in sounds, more diverse and, in the end, more complex. It also displays a more dynamic flow.

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As for the strange, last minute decision of removing DOW, I think it makes perfect sense in light of P's choice to release a live cut in 98 instead: the song had evolved into a killer jam onstage, and by comparison the original studio cut lacked the energy it potentially had in it. Still, it was such an instant classic that seeing it taken out was really heartbreaking for mùany fans at the time (me included)

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But having been there at the time, therefore familiar with all the songs before the album was released, I found the sacrifice of the songs that were lost very painful, contrarily to outtakes you only hear and learn of long after you've heard the album as it was released.

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There were several other configurations but I've picked that one because it's the one we nearly got, and hoped to get, at some point in 1994. It's also the only one we can recreate because we have all the tracks in those particular versions.

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Thoughts?

(I assume TMBGITW was already the album version, but at that point it could have been the single version, I'm not sure if this has ever been revealed)

[Edited 11/7/16 23:10pm]

gandorb said:

I like the released version but if I was allowed to exchange one song it would be Acknowledge Me for March. I like March ok but think Acknowledge Me is one of his best hip hop influenced songs. It deserved a studio release.

i'd probably trade "we march" for "acknowledge me" and "shy" for "ripopgodazippa".

i always think i'd love "days of wild" on there, but in the end the studio version of it
isn't that spectacular. it lacks a lot of oomph that the live versions did have.

i also never cared about "pussy control" that much. i would have loved it if it'd been
a b-side. but as an album opener, i always skip right past it.

interactive >> into >> endorphinmachine. that would be a great back 2 back start,
into shhh into acknowledge me etc etc.



still, i also like the album as it is but it's fun, all these configurations that were
and never were.

I would rather have acknowlede and ripop as well.

I think the studio version of Days of Wild does not have that live or spark to it. Hard for me to explain it. I have always loved this track. I could listen to this track for hours, love the beat.

I never thought of P Control as a b-side, but that is perfect. I like the track, but it would be better as a b-side.

I have always enjoyed the Interactive-Endorphine Machine combo.

This was a really cool period. Come was a great compliment to TGE. This may be a period that was overlooked due to the whole SLAVE issue. In time, it will be "discovered" and appreciated. Just my opinion.

IstenSzek said:

that whole era is represented very well on the "the dawn" 3 disc bootleg.
all brought together and mixed together lightly. it's a brilliant release that
showcases exactly how good the material of that era is.

IstenSzek said:

We really should've got Interactive and Acknowledge Me on either Come or TGE - both were great single-worthy tracks. Ripopgodazippa has grown on me over the years, probably because of how many times I've seen Showgirls, but I really didn't like it at the time. I dig the sax on it.

NouveauDance said:

jaypotton said:

NouveauDance said:

We really should've got Interactive and Acknowledge Me on either Come or TGE - both were great single-worthy tracks. Ripopgodazippa has grown on me over the years, probably because of how many times I've seen Showgirls, but I really didn't like it at the time. I dig the sax on it.

You admit to watching Showgirls more than once!

If I can admit to watching Graffiti Bridge in double figures I can sure as shit say the same about Showgirls!

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