The way "Moonbeam Levels" is placed amids the 90s tracks makes me think it could be a re-recording from the era (think of "Old Friends 4 Sale" from The Vault...).

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry, I'm way too excited for that reissue of Purple Rain with the 2nd disc of unreleased music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is why they don't release anything. You guys. Most Americans haven't heard the stuff. The family is trying to pay off some of the huge tax burdon. PR deluxe should be fine.

BoraBora said:

I'm interested to see the detailed tracklist with the version of any song.

For example, which version can we expect for "Glam Slam"?!?

The normal 4:25 7' edit or the rare promo 4:22 7'' Remix Edit?!?!?

Judging by the structure of the track lists, its two discs of 20 tracks each, so it would have to be the edits of all/most tracks to fit on.

The list certainly looks to have been created for CD, not digital as there is a format to the layout. Each disc starts with the biggest hits, then drops to a chronological order and then squeezes a non chronological anthem on the end of each.

Question: full versions? doubt it.

novabrkr said:

The way "Moonbeam Levels" is placed amids the 90s tracks makes me think it could be a re-recording from the era (think of "Old Friends 4 Sale" from The Vault...).

The chronological order of the middle section of the discs put Moonbeam Levels where the aborted Rave album would have been. So, from one point of view, its in the right place.

Surprised so many people don't rate Gotta Stop (Messin' About)! It's a great track, and has been pointed out it was released as a (non-charting) single in the UK. Sort of twice.

Well deserving of a place on this compliation album.

novabrkr said:

The way "Moonbeam Levels" is placed amids the 90s tracks makes me think it could be a re-recording from the era (think of "Old Friends 4 Sale" from The Vault...).

Nope, it's in the right place chronologically after "Glam Slam" and before "Diamonds And Pearls" as it was considered for the original Rave album in '89.

Although recorded in '82 it was never actually officially considered for 1999 as far as we know.

3rdeyeboy said:

novabrkr said:

The way "Moonbeam Levels" is placed amids the 90s tracks makes me think it could be a re-recording from the era (think of "Old Friends 4 Sale" from The Vault...).

The chronological order of the middle section of the discs put Moonbeam Levels where the aborted Rave album would have been. So, from one point of view, its in the right place.

Good observation. The Batman and GB era tracks are just placed earlier in the tracklist, so I missed this.

[Edited 10/21/16 9:00am]

nonames said:

veronikka said:

Only one unreleased song

Nothing Compares 2 U might be the early version Susanne Rogers talked about a while ago. But altogether I find this very disappointing: not one single song released after The Hits, only one unreleased song (possibly two) which we all have had for years in decent sound... What is the point? Who is going to buy it? A million people just bought The Very Best of, why would they buy another hits collection?

I already have this its called the Hits 1 & 2 and the B-sides, Ultimate Prine and that other Prince Hits cd.

But the 12 page booklet may make it worth my while to purchase.

[Edited 10/21/16 9:02am]

novabrkr said:

3rdeyeboy said:

The chronological order of the middle section of the discs put Moonbeam Levels where the aborted Rave album would have been. So, from one point of view, its in the right place.

Good observation. The Batman and GB era tracks are just placed earlier in the tracklist, so I missed this.

[Edited 10/21/16 9:00am]

It looks like Batdance and Thieves were place in the 'big hits' section at the front of each disc, with the 'lesser tracks' following a chronological order with the exception of an anthem at the end of each disc.

With Moonbeam levels being place correctly from a 'Rave' point of view, it makes me wonder if Prince have involvement.

More speculation:

If "Moonbeam Levels" was on the aborted Rave album from the late-80s, maybe no one from WB had to have an access to the vault tracks, as it was submitted to the company for evaluation, test pressing of the LP etc.? Not sure how the copyright issues would work in that case, but I wouldn't be surprised if they had acquired a master this way.

CAL3 said:

Noodled24 said:

Of course it is... but I think what people are saying is that they already have 3 or 5 (depending how you view it) Prince hits compilations... why not re-release one of them? There isn't a huge difference in the tracklist.

With even the slightest bit of creativity they could have put together a decent enough album to appeal to fans & joe public.

Rather than just repackaging the hits (again) use live songs? use acoustic versions? use piano versions... throw in some songs that weren't hit's but are hailed as some of his best work (Joy in Repitition/Sometimes it snows etc

This looks like they popped in the hits/bsides hit shuffle and then whatever comes up next makes the album.

.

Yes, agree with Noodled.

.

As for the cover art... "easily better than at least the last 10 ACTUAL Prince album covers"? That claim is, IMHO, the equivalent to a bowel movement.

So obviously equal to your taste in design?

Dangelus said:

novabrkr said:

The way "Moonbeam Levels" is placed amids the 90s tracks makes me think it could be a re-recording from the era (think of "Old Friends 4 Sale" from The Vault...).

Nope, it's in the right place chronologically after "Glam Slam" and before "Diamonds And Pearls" as it was considered for the original Rave album in '89.

Although recorded in '82 it was never actually officially considered for 1999 as far as we know.

True that true that. Maybe it is a remixed verison compared to the one that is circulating. Im wondering how that selection of a track went...however we DO KNOW that Susan Rogers batted for this song to be released in the interview not too long ago.

KlyphIsBackAgain said:

As usual, whiny fans just don't get it. First, Prince had VERY FEW hits after he left WB. Yeah, WE may know he had some good songs after that, but big hits? Nah. Second, this is a WB release. Guess what? That means songs he recorded while under contract with WB. All the other stuff after was on various different labels or self released. Do you really think all the contracts/rights etc. would be worked out that quickly? No. Third. Both of these sets were more than likely in the works before P died, just like the vinyl reissues. Fourth. Welcome to the world of posthumous releases, where one or two songs are tacked on to greatest hits packages so uber-fans will buy them. Fifth. There are people in the world who don't know all these songs! This is also for them, not just YOU!! [Edited 10/21/16 3:04am]

THANK YOU. Best post on this thread.

P's legacy can't relied solely on his aging fanbase. The estate have to find creative ways of continue to make money for years and decades to come. Those songs are very good selected to lure new fans into hopefully diehard fans.

novabrkr said:

More speculation:

If "Moonbeam Levels" was on the aborted Rave album from the late-80s, maybe no one from WB had to have an access to the vault tracks, as it was submitted to the company for evaluation, test pressing of the LP etc.? Not sure how the copyright issues would work in that case, but I wouldn't be surprised if they had acquired a master this way.

I can't see them releasing something that is legally grey. I'm sure the track was submitted by Prince in the 2014 deal, either as a single track to go on a new hits package, or as part of the suggested remaster series.

Which means it could also be on the Purple Rain remaster or WB have more than one remastered album in the can (which the press release hinted at). 1999 might be next up.

It would make sense, that when the 2014 deal was struck, WB would at least got to choose which classic albums would get the remastered treatment, esspecially if they were having one last roll of the dice before the remasters fell back to Prince as part of the deal.

brassneck said:

CAL3 said:

.

Yes, agree with Noodled.

.

As for the cover art... "easily better than at least the last 10 ACTUAL Prince album covers"? That claim is, IMHO, the equivalent to a bowel movement.

So obviously equal to your taste in design?

.

Alright, I rescind my complaints about the album cover. I now consider it an instant classic.

3rdeyeboy said:

novabrkr said:

More speculation:

If "Moonbeam Levels" was on the aborted Rave album from the late-80s, maybe no one from WB had to have an access to the vault tracks, as it was submitted to the company for evaluation, test pressing of the LP etc.? Not sure how the copyright issues would work in that case, but I wouldn't be surprised if they had acquired a master this way.

I can't see them releasing something that is legally grey. I'm sure the track was submitted by Prince in the 2014 deal, either as a single track to go on a new hits package, or as part of the suggested remaster series.

Which means it could also be on the Purple Rain remaster or WB have more than one remastered album in the can (which the press release hinted at). 1999 might be next up.

It would make sense, that when the 2014 deal was struck, WB would at least got to choose which classic albums would get the remastered treatment, esspecially if they were having one last roll of the dice before the remasters fell back to Prince as part of the deal.

Sounds like this could be the case. I highly doubt they "just had to have it" from the actual vault and made a deal with the family in order to get it on the record.

Interesting that you brought up the possibility of it being from the PR remaster - yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Prince himself had chosen the track for the PR remaster and not for the 1999 one.

Dear God, dear God, dear God, dear God, dear God, dear God....

PLEASE let them follow the example of Elvis, etc. and not Micheal Jackson and just RELEASE MOONBEAM LEVELS AS IS WITHOUT ANY CHANGES/ADDITIONS.... or at least make it available....

Even though I have all of the stuff already on the new compilation, I'm excited about it. I see it as an opportunity for the non-fan to casual fan to discover his greatness.

I hope there are discussions to re-release all of the associated artist albums like Madhouse, Jill Jones, Mazaerati, Vanity & Appolonia 6, etc.

I am absolutely looking forward to this. Do I have all the songs already but one yes (unless you count bootz). I just hope they release it on VINYL as well.

However I am very disappointed that noe of the POST WB years are not included PRINCE had PLENTY of material to choose from and a complete Best of or "4ever" package should include all material he has released via internet or otherwise up till his death.

But I would love this on vinyl.

rogifan said:

This is so depressing because no matter what gets released someone is going to complain about it and claim it's not what Prince would have done, it's just gready bastards trying to milk his legacy blah blah blah. I already see people on social media complaining about the PR release even though that release is just fulfilling something Prince had already agreed to with WB. Sigh

Prince dissed the first Hits package & said it was nothing to do with him- the majority of songs on that are on this new hits package, it's a struggle to fathom why he would repeat himself like this. As for PR - this is a cash grab because it was delivered to WB in time for the 30 yrs of PR yet they held back, for reasons unknown which is suspect.

Fans would complain because the hits is not for fans it's for everyone else & everyone should be pissed at WB for holding back on PR instead of releasing it when it was due.

I will definitely get this. By far his best compliation of hits and surely all will be remastered so the sound willl be better than ever. If I could pick one unrealsed song it WOULD be Moonbeam Levels. My hope is that it's released as a single because it always had HIT all over it.

LuxLove said:

rogifan said:

This is so depressing because no matter what gets released someone is going to complain about it and claim it's not what Prince would have done, it's just gready bastards trying to milk his legacy blah blah blah. I already see people on social media complaining about the PR release even though that release is just fulfilling something Prince had already agreed to with WB. Sigh

Prince dissed the first Hits package & said it was nothing to do with him- the majority of songs on that are on this new hits package, it's a struggle to fathom why he would repeat himself like this. As for PR - this is a cash grab because it was delivered to WB in time for the 30 yrs of PR yet they held back, for reasons unknown which is suspect.

Fans would complain because the hits is not for fans it's for everyone else & everyone should be pissed at WB for holding back on PR instead of releasing it when it was due.

I'm thinking that Prince wanted a huge payday upfront for the new Purple Rain remastered. Thus, the delay in it's release. The new deal might be more realistic with the cash up front aspect.

veronikka said:

Only one unreleased song

While I am happy that these releases are happening (especially a remastered version of PR), like most of you, I already have all of these songs (except ML). If WB is releasing these for the 'casual fan', I just can't see a 'casual fan' dropping $30, $40 or $50 bucks for the new Hits set. They can already get a different hits collection(s) cheaper. But, if Prince actually was involved in the selection of these songa, maybe there's going to be another Hits collection with newer (and possibly more unreleased tracks) down the road? I agree that WB is going to test the water and if this release does well then we will see more unreleased material. So, will I buy the collection? Yes.

I think the photo is fantastic. Shows off his classy side.