udo said:

No hidden tracks?

.

Where exactly do you expect to find hidden tracks on 77-78 minute CDs? On the cover, under the sticker?

KaresB said:

udo said:

No hidden tracks?

.

Where exactly do you expect to find hidden tracks on 77-78 minute CDs? On the cover, under the sticker?

KaresB said:

udo said:

No hidden tracks?

.

Where exactly do you expect to find hidden tracks on 77-78 minute CDs? On the cover, under the sticker?

.

Just turn the record over; you will be amazed at what modern technology can do...

(Yes, I had not yet realised the length of the audio CD's)

udo said:

No hidden tracks?

If you play 'Head' backwards you get an ultra rare song titled 'Deah'.

I am curious if there were any other configurations for this release. I get the impression Moonbeam Levels may have been an after thought to add to the tracklist, no evidence, just a vibe.

Prince 4Ever gives off a re-hash of the The Hits project. Just like ML is reminiscent of Power Fantastic being released in the same manner.

TheEnglishGent said:

dance4me3121 said:

Was the track list really approved by Prince? If so I'm surprised he let "Head" be included [Edited 11/29/16 0:53am]

And the unedited Sexy MF. I strongly doubt that Prince approved this particular configuration.

I agree - I dont think he did either - he would not have let these two songs go on there, especially as he did not even sing them live in later years. I think WB made that call themselves.

gollygirl said:

TheEnglishGent said:

And the unedited Sexy MF. I strongly doubt that Prince approved this particular configuration.

I agree - I dont think he did either - he would not have let these two songs go on there, especially as he did not even sing them live in later years. I think WB made that call themselves.

Does seem odd. I was hoping for the radio edit of Sexy MF - "You sexy mutha aww-ah". Haven't been able to find that anywhere!

skipthecharades said:

WB forgot that the Glam Slam and LRC edits were available on CD (single) before.

And Girls & Boys. Although the sound quality on the Peach CD single was appalling.

djThunderfunk said:

KingSausage said:

My wife just heard Moonbeam Levels for the first time. She said it was "okay." WTF. Time for a divorce!

Unpopular opinion time:

Moonbeam Levels is not great, not bad either, but HIGHLY over-rated amongst fans. I'm glad it wasn't on 1999. I like the song that replaced it, Free, MUCH more.

In my not-so-humble opinion, of course...

Obviously, this is all opinion, but I'm actually shocked someone would prefer Free over Moonbeam Levels.

leecaldon said:

djThunderfunk said:

Unpopular opinion time:

Moonbeam Levels is not great, not bad either, but HIGHLY over-rated amongst fans. I'm glad it wasn't on 1999. I like the song that replaced it, Free, MUCH more.

In my not-so-humble opinion, of course...

Obviously, this is all opinion, but I'm actually shocked someone would prefer Free over Moonbeam Levels.

.

Playing some 'free' track from 1984 now to verify.

leecaldon said:

djThunderfunk said:

Unpopular opinion time:

Moonbeam Levels is not great, not bad either, but HIGHLY over-rated amongst fans. I'm glad it wasn't on 1999. I like the song that replaced it, Free, MUCH more.

In my not-so-humble opinion, of course...

Obviously, this is all opinion, but I'm actually shocked someone would prefer Free over Moonbeam Levels.

That's the beauty of Prince's catalog. Take 100 fans, have them pick "the best" and scratch your head that there is no consensus.

That's not "shocking", it's the way it's ALWAYS been...

udo said:

leecaldon said:

Obviously, this is all opinion, but I'm actually shocked someone would prefer Free over Moonbeam Levels.

.

Playing some 'free' track from 1984 now to verify.

.

It was a bit live so...

MMMMyes... `Free` has a more practical message, I guess.

What else?

djThunderfunk said:

leecaldon said:

Obviously, this is all opinion, but I'm actually shocked someone would prefer Free over Moonbeam Levels.

That's the beauty of Prince's catalog. Take 100 fans, have them pick "the best" and scratch your head that there is no consensus.

That's not "shocking", it's the way it's ALWAYS been...

I totally agree with you. It's just that these 2 just seem so starkly different in quality, to me

leecaldon said:

djThunderfunk said:

That's the beauty of Prince's catalog. Take 100 fans, have them pick "the best" and scratch your head that there is no consensus.

That's not "shocking", it's the way it's ALWAYS been...

I totally agree with you. It's just that these 2 just seem so starkly different in quality, to me

Agree that they are "starkly different in quality", I just disagree on which is of HIGHER quality.

leecaldon said:

djThunderfunk said:

Unpopular opinion time:

Moonbeam Levels is not great, not bad either, but HIGHLY over-rated amongst fans. I'm glad it wasn't on 1999. I like the song that replaced it, Free, MUCH more.

In my not-so-humble opinion, of course...

Obviously, this is all opinion, but I'm actually shocked someone would prefer Free over Moonbeam Levels.

I prefer "Free" over "Moonbeam Levels"

Both songs are great,but I think "Free" has a more universal message that is easy to understand.Even amongst hardcore fans,there are those who still don't know what the lyrics in "Moonbeam Levels" are really about.Prince made the right choice by placing "Free" on the 1999 album.

SoulAlive said:

leecaldon said:

Obviously, this is all opinion, but I'm actually shocked someone would prefer Free over Moonbeam Levels.

I prefer "Free" over "Moonbeam Levels"

Both songs are great,but I think "Free" has a more universal message that is easy to understand.Even amongst hardcore fans,there are those who still don't know what the lyrics in "Moonbeam Levels" are really about.Prince made the right choice by placing "Free" on the 1999 album.

"Moonbeam Levels" is poetic. My take on it is that it is a desperate plea for divine help from someone suffering through serious depression. The protagonist in it (Prince?) can only see what is negative ("all that's left is pain and sorrow as far as he's concerned"), and the call for "moonbeam levels" is a plea for healing inspired by God. The light from the moon is not its own but rather a reflection from the sun, so I think the narrator is asking the people around him for the best that they have to offer in the form of God's love. One thing I really love about it is that it is unclear whether he is asking a person for help (i.e. "please be a reflection of God's love") or God himself (i.e. "please send people into my life who can demonstrate your love"). In the end, the confession "he don't really want to die" offers a glimmer of hope.

Moonbeam said:

SoulAlive said:

I prefer "Free" over "Moonbeam Levels"

Both songs are great,but I think "Free" has a more universal message that is easy to understand.Even amongst hardcore fans,there are those who still don't know what the lyrics in "Moonbeam Levels" are really about.Prince made the right choice by placing "Free" on the 1999 album.

"Moonbeam Levels" is poetic. My take on it is that it is a desperate plea for divine help from someone suffering through serious depression. The protagonist in it (Prince?) can only see what is negative ("all that's left is pain and sorrow as far as he's concerned"), and the call for "moonbeam levels" is a plea for healing inspired by God. The light from the moon is not its own but rather a reflection from the sun, so I think the narrator is asking the people around him for the best that they have to offer in the form of God's love. One thing I really love about it is that it is unclear whether he is asking a person for help (i.e. "please be a reflection of God's love") or God himself (i.e. "please send people into my life who can demonstrate your love"). In the end, the confession "he don't really want to die" offers a glimmer of hope.

Interesting interpretation. You have definitely earned your moniker.

gandorb said:

Moonbeam said:

"Moonbeam Levels" is poetic. My take on it is that it is a desperate plea for divine help from someone suffering through serious depression. The protagonist in it (Prince?) can only see what is negative ("all that's left is pain and sorrow as far as he's concerned"), and the call for "moonbeam levels" is a plea for healing inspired by God. The light from the moon is not its own but rather a reflection from the sun, so I think the narrator is asking the people around him for the best that they have to offer in the form of God's love. One thing I really love about it is that it is unclear whether he is asking a person for help (i.e. "please be a reflection of God's love") or God himself (i.e. "please send people into my life who can demonstrate your love"). In the end, the confession "he don't really want to die" offers a glimmer of hope.

Interesting interpretation. You have definitely earned your moniker.

Thank you! "Moonbeam Levels" seems to be from that vein of very personal and vulnerable songs that he didn't usually release in the 80s, such as "Old Friends 4 Sale" and reportedly, "Wally". It's a really special track, in my view, and I'm overjoyed that it has finally made its way to the public.

Got my copy today from Amazon! Can't wait to hear Moonbeam Levels! Love the pics! Love what President Obama had to say!

It had to be remastered. It sounds betta.

Well, Moonbeam Levels is a good song. Not the best IMHO. The sound level is all over the place on this set, tho.

lastdecember said:

To me this was a rehash and repackaged Hits with a few new things and mixes tossed in and of course Moonbeam Levels.

Then you're not listening. And you contradicted yourself. If there are new things and other mixes and new songs "tossed in", then it's not The Hits at all, is it? I mean, I don't see "Power Fantastic" or "Pink Cashmere" on there again. By the way, it's not a fan set so you aren't going to see things like "Computer Blue" or "Dance With The Devil". It's a public listener set. To me, it negates Very Best, and challenges Ultimate in importance. The Hits is its own monster, IMO.

As far as 4ever, of course you're going to have all the hits on there. That's the point. It's not a mixtape, it's a "he's gone, and here's what everyone loved and then some" set.

Because there are extras that wouldn't normally be in a greatest/very best set makes it quite unique.

Some fans are just never satisfied. Most are grateful that anyone is paying attention at all beyond another fentanyl report on E.T. or Access Hollywood. Just run with it.

Not sure if this is in the six damn pages of this thread or not, but did anyone notice "Mountains" cuts off abruptly, like it was pulled from the album. It cuts just before you hear the child's voice that leads into "Do U Lie?" Surely someone could have just grabbed the master track for the 7" single or something.

I know people were questioning the source of "Moonbeam Levels". I didn't get into that too much, but it sounds fine for what it is. 1999 had sound issues all over it. Frankly, I'd love to hear a hiss-free version of "Little Red Corvette" after all this time, first. (Parade had similar issues - why the fuck is "Venus De Milo" so goddamn low and hissy???)

TrivialPursuit said:

Not sure if this is in the six damn pages of this thread or not, but did anyone notice "Mountains" cuts off abruptly, like it was pulled from the album. It cuts just before you hear the child's voice that leads into "Do U Lie?" Surely someone could have just grabbed the master track for the 7" single or something.

It was mentioned, and you're quite right. Another one is Let's Work: the 7" edit fades out, while this one, though the rest of the edit is correct, does not.

Weird!

Moonbeam said:

SoulAlive said:

I prefer "Free" over "Moonbeam Levels"

Both songs are great,but I think "Free" has a more universal message that is easy to understand.Even amongst hardcore fans,there are those who still don't know what the lyrics in "Moonbeam Levels" are really about.Prince made the right choice by placing "Free" on the 1999 album.

"Moonbeam Levels" is poetic. My take on it is that it is a desperate plea for divine help from someone suffering through serious depression. The protagonist in it (Prince?) can only see what is negative ("all that's left is pain and sorrow as far as he's concerned"), and the call for "moonbeam levels" is a plea for healing inspired by God. The light from the moon is not its own but rather a reflection from the sun, so I think the narrator is asking the people around him for the best that they have to offer in the form of God's love. One thing I really love about it is that it is unclear whether he is asking a person for help (i.e. "please be a reflection of God's love") or God himself (i.e. "please send people into my life who can demonstrate your love"). In the end, the confession "he don't really want to die" offers a glimmer of hope.

beautiful..well said

TrivialPursuit said:

Not sure if this is in the six damn pages of this thread or not, but did anyone notice "Mountains" cuts off abruptly, like it was pulled from the album. It cuts just before you hear the child's voice that leads into "Do U Lie?" Surely someone could have just grabbed the master track for the 7" single or something.

Uh huh, they managed to do that in 1993 for the Peach b-side but apparently this was too much effort in 2016.

[Edited 12/6/16 17:04pm]

After reading this in an article:

"When Prince’s 2014 deal with Warner Bros. was announced, the wording of the press release suggested that the artist at least verbally agreed to issue upgraded versions of his Warner Bros.-era albums and mine his vault for previously unreleased material, beginning with a Purple Rain deluxe edition. (Several contemporaneous tracks were released as B-sides and many more have appeared on bootlegs, and several full concerts from the Purple Rain era were professionally recorded, including a March 1985 show that was released on the now out-of-print home video Prince and the Revolution: Live.) But when asked about the status of the Purple Rain reissue shortly after Prince’s death, Warner Bros. chairman and CEO Cameron Strang told Billboard, "I definitely discussed it with Prince. At times he toyed with doing something with it and maybe worked on it, but he considered Purple Rain a masterpiece, and I think he liked it the way it was."

I am skeptic of the PR release. The Prince 4Ever also makes me wonder exactly how much involvment Prince had in it prior to his passing.

I am curious to know if there were ever multiple track listings for 4Ever that did not contain Moonbeam Levels. I am inclined to believe the Estate gave that as a bonus to WB in an attempt to help sells. I have no proof, just a vibe, and I can be totally wrong.

This article is from the Estate, as an exhibit for their claim against Tidal, link:

http://www.mncourts.gov/mncourtsgov/media/CIOMediaLibrary/Documents/Exhibits-5-through-8-to-Declaration-of-Katherine-A-Moerke.pdf

Page 66 of 7.