"...a 12-page booklet of never-before-seen photos by acclaimed photographer Herb Ritts."

I look forward to seeing those!!

Susan Rogers finally gets her wish!! Moonbeam Levels to be released!!

IstenSzek said:

[img:$uid]http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f331/larslimburg/justinewalpole_zpssnaqlk1a.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f331/larslimburg/tumblr_no9fxhymkS1qja2cwo1_1280_zpsgtt1yfit.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f331/larslimburg/70978f50407ed8d601c4d27736de9947_zpso3zsaowx.jpg[/img:$uid]

here's some other justine walpole prince pics that i think would make for more
beautiful or memorable covers.

but if she says prince picked the current cover. ok. that's all i can say "ok girl,
if that's what you say..."

Just wanted to add that all of the photos are from the Welcome 2 Chicago tourbook, Sep 2012.

donnyenglish said:

Assuming that Moonbeam Levels will be the single and they will make a video in the tribute format with photos and clips of our Prince. Fitting tribute song and video. Our Prince made this earth a better place to die for all of us. Looking forward to the video.

Assuming this is the version we know, I fail to see how it could make a relevant single for the market of 2016.

Mintchip said:

I'm as unimpressed by the selection as anyone. With a little more bravery, we could have at least had something to peak the interest of fans. Instead of a much needed career overview, like James Brown's 71 song "Star Time" box from 1991 (which was shortened to a more consumer friendly 20 song single set), instead of an overview filled with alternate takes or live cuts, like Dylan's "biograph", we leave "The Hits / B-Sides" as the best compilation on the market, by a mile.

Well contrarily to what some have said, this is not aimed at us fans: why would we want to buy a greatest hits compilation? They know some of us will buy it for the unreleased track regardless of what else is on it, and that some of us won't because we won't buy a 2 CD set for a single song while we can easily get a free download or buy the single track on iTunes.

My take is that this is just for the general public, and that the need for yet a new compilation is just a way of generating some hype while the 3 old comps are unable to do so. And they chose the content based on whatever criteria they feel relevant for that crowd.

So to be honest I couldn't care less for what is or what isn't on a GH package. It's not something I need or that I'd buy.

As for the bonus cut, I'm happy to see ML out but on the other hand I already have that song so it's not like it's gonna be a big day for me to have it with a slightly superior sound quality, unless of course this is a completely different version.

hw3004 said:

fabriziovenerandi said:

If WB owns outtakes is a disaster.

Why?

Because that means they own the best of the vault......all the unreleased 80s material.

[Edited 10/22/16 7:53am]

derrick31 said:

hw3004 said:

Why?

Because that means they own the best of the vault......all the unreleased 80;s material.

For one thing they wouldn't "own" anything: at most they have an exclusive distribution deal for X amount of time.

And I really don't see why they would be worse a distributor for those outtakes than any other label?

Papaj said:

Track Listings

Head (Sound Recording)

What?!?!?!?!?

Yeah, WTF does that mean? No indication on what version of Nothing Compares 2 U it is either.

Here's a link for amazon with the details BTW

[Edited 10/22/16 0:25am]

By the way, I can't figure out how the tracklist above (considering "Album Version" when there's not specification) would fit on 2 CDs.

BoraBora said:

By the way, I can't figure out how the tracklist above (considering "Album Version" when there's not specification) would fit on 2 CDs.

hmm yeah, CD1 might be able to fit at a stretch but I suspect there's few more edits in there than already mentioned. At a guess i'd say any single edits on The Hits / The B-sides will be used here as well.

[Edited 10/22/16 0:43am]

BoraBora said:

Papaj said:

Head (Sound Recording)

What?!?!?!?!?

I'm puzzled, too...

[Edited 10/22/16 1:20am]

jaawwnn said:

Yeah, WTF does that mean? No indication on what version of Nothing Compares 2 U it is either.

Here's a link for amazon with the details BTW

[Edited 10/22/16 0:25am]

Which do u want it to be? It's either the Hits version or its single edit.

databank said:

jaawwnn said:

Yeah, WTF does that mean? No indication on what version of Nothing Compares 2 U it is either.

Here's a link for amazon with the details BTW

[Edited 10/22/16 0:25am]

Which do u want it to be? It's either the Hits version or its single edit.

Oh people have been reading into this Rolling Stone article where Susan Rogers mentions Moonbeam Levels and a Prince vocals version of Nothing Compares so that's me wishing and hoping. If it was that version i'm sure it'd be mentioned by now though.

"We need to approach this with love and care and a high moral compass," Rogers says. "Some of his fans have written to me and begged that his material not be altered in any way." Among the gems Rogers would love to see released are a version of "Nothing Compares 2 U" with Prince singing lead, and the 1982 outtake "Moonbeam Levels," which she calls "poignant and revealing, which is probably why it was both valuable and risky for him."

[Edited 10/22/16 1:31am]

SquirrelMeat said:

RodeoSchro said:

Let me ask you naysayers and Debbie Downers something:

Let's say you're in charge of Prince's estate and it owes a large estate tax bill. And it's your duty to raise the money to pay it. So for your first act, are you going to:

1. Market a greatest hits package that will appeal to the most people possible; OR
2. Market unheard songs from the vault that will appeal only to Prince's most dedicated fans?

If you choose #2, then it's a damn good thing you aren't involved in settling Prince's estate. Because if you were, the IRS would own everything about a year from now.

I'd have done neither, a greastest hits already sold millions in April/May, For retail, I'd have put the Purple Rain Deluxe out as the Xmas release.

Before that, to bag those that came back out of the woodwork in 2016, I'd have opened an online subscription Paisley Park Club, with memorial streaming, VVIP tour opportunity and the guarantee of an exlusive CD for initial early sign up.

I would have the PR Deluxe, but add a super deluxe with DVD/Blue ray. A bit of bonus material, a third CD. Possibly the Syracuse concert on DVD and box it up with a nice poster and book and charge £80-100. Maximise revenue from a small number of die-hards. maybe make it a 'limited edition' to ensure a purchasing frenzy ('Get'em while the gettin' is hot').

jaawwnn said:

databank said:

Which do u want it to be? It's either the Hits version or its single edit.

Oh people have been reading into this Rolling Stone article where Susan Rogers mentions Moonbeam Levels and a Prince vocals version of Nothing Compares so that's me wishing and hoping. If it was that version i'm sure it'd be mentioned by now though.

"We need to approach this with love and care and a high moral compass," Rogers says. "Some of his fans have written to me and begged that his material not be altered in any way." Among the gems Rogers would love to see released are a version of "Nothing Compares 2 U" with Prince singing lead, and the 1982 outtake "Moonbeam Levels," which she calls "poignant and revealing, which is probably why it was both valuable and risky for him."

[Edited 10/22/16 1:31am]

Rumor is Prince's original vocals were erased, but I could never find the source for this rumor so IDK if it's true. However, as you said urself, WB would be fools to have included this and not to brag about the package containing TWO unreleased tracks.

databank said:

jaawwnn said:

Oh people have been reading into this Rolling Stone article where Susan Rogers mentions Moonbeam Levels and a Prince vocals version of Nothing Compares so that's me wishing and hoping. If it was that version i'm sure it'd be mentioned by now though.

"We need to approach this with love and care and a high moral compass," Rogers says. "Some of his fans have written to me and begged that his material not be altered in any way." Among the gems Rogers would love to see released are a version of "Nothing Compares 2 U" with Prince singing lead, and the 1982 outtake "Moonbeam Levels," which she calls "poignant and revealing, which is probably why it was both valuable and risky for him."

[Edited 10/22/16 1:31am]

Rumor is Prince's original vocals were erased, but I could never find the source for this rumor so IDK if it's true. However, as you said urself, WB would be fools to have included this and not to brag about the package containing TWO unreleased tracks.

Alan Leeds said in an interview on Prince's Vault, that in some cases, vocals were erased from the multitracks tapes.

But, I'm sure there were at least mix-downs put onto DATs and whatnot.

This compilation is a mistake commercially and artistically.

1.4EVER will cannibalize the others greatest hits, and god knows they already have serious difficulties to sell the shipments in stores.

.

2. THE HITS/ THE B FACES sold only 126.000 copies in 9 months this year in the USA. ULTIMATE sold only 133.000 copies in the US. It will be tough to sell 4EVER in these conditions.

.

3. Only one unreleased song.

.

4. MOONBEAM LEVELS will NOT be promoted on the radio, or with a video clip. WBR has no interest on releasing that song, so what's the point?

.

5. If it was to release only one unreleased song, why did they wait 7 months to releas that shit?

.

6. If Prince really gave them unreleased material (and I highly doubt it), why in hell did they not released PURPLE RAIN DELUXE in june of that year ?or even in november ?

.

7. 4EVER was supposed to have post warner material on it, there were rumors about it months ago. They even announce TMBGITW . They tried to release it but they failed to make an agreement with NPG, because they didn't want to pay for it.

.

8. WBR forgot they have the rights to issue AOA and PLECTRUM ELECTRUM songs on a greatest hits package. Proof of that is that they still can produce it.

.

9. 4EVER is an another proof that COME is not printed anymore by WBR.

.

10. BATDANCE is a real surprise. The only hope is that they chose an edit version of the song.

.

11. They have the rights to reissue B FACES, long versions that doesn't exist on CD, not even on THE HITS cd 3, not even on ULTIMATE. This would have been commercially more efficient.

12. MOONBEAM LEVELS will be on PURPLE RAIN DELUXE

andymacfunky said:

SquirrelMeat said:

I'd have done neither, a greastest hits already sold millions in April/May, For retail, I'd have put the Purple Rain Deluxe out as the Xmas release.

Before that, to bag those that came back out of the woodwork in 2016, I'd have opened an online subscription Paisley Park Club, with memorial streaming, VVIP tour opportunity and the guarantee of an exlusive CD for initial early sign up.

I would have the PR Deluxe, but add a super deluxe with DVD/Blue ray. A bit of bonus material, a third CD. Possibly the Syracuse concert on DVD and box it up with a nice poster and book and charge £80-100. Maximise revenue from a small number of die-hards. maybe make it a 'limited edition' to ensure a purchasing frenzy ('Get'em while the gettin' is hot').

you are dreaming they are milking these releases and are giving you as little as possible. even purple rain deluxe. 1 extra disc is bare minimum you would expected to get people interested .you see all other peoples deluxe sets with loads of discs. we get 1 extra track on 1 release and 1 extra disc on next.

If found that hits compilation at bol.com.

They ask €19.99 for the discs. Why not make it €31.21?

Most of the bootlegs I buy are cheaper and they offer more surprising stuff in nice quality.

RODSERLING said:

This compilation is a mistake commercially and artistically.

1.4EVER will cannibalize the others greatest hits, and god knows they already have serious difficulties to sell the shipments in stores.

.

2. THE HITS/ THE B FACES sold only 126.000 copies in 9 months this year in the USA. ULTIMATE sold only 133.000 copies in the US. It will be tough to sell 4EVER in these conditions.

.

3. Only one unreleased song.

.

4. MOONBEAM LEVELS will NOT be promoted on the radio, or with a video clip. WBR has no interest on releasing that song, so what's the point?

.

5. If it was to release only one unreleased song, why did they wait 7 months to releas that shit?

.

6. If Prince really gave them unreleased material (and I highly doubt it), why in hell did they not released PURPLE RAIN DELUXE in june of that year ?or even in november ?

.

7. 4EVER was supposed to have post warner material on it, there were rumors about it months ago. They even announce TMBGITW . They tried to release it but they failed to make an agreement with NPG, because they didn't want to pay for it.

.

8. WBR forgot they have the rights to issue AOA and PLECTRUM ELECTRUM songs on a greatest hits package. Proof of that is that they still can produce it.

.

9. 4EVER is an another proof that COME is not printed anymore by WBR.

.

10. BATDANCE is a real surprise. The only hope is that they chose an edit version of the song.

.

11. They have the rights to reissue B FACES, long versions that doesn't exist on CD, not even on THE HITS cd 3, not even on ULTIMATE. This would have been commercially more efficient.

12. MOONBEAM LEVELS will be on PURPLE RAIN DELUXE

.

What in the world is a b face?!

.

"4EVER will cannibalize the others greatest hits, and god knows they already have serious difficulties to sell the shipments in stores. THE HITS/ THE B FACES ( ) sold only 126.000 copies in 9 months this year in the USA. ULTIMATE sold only 133.000 copies in the US. It will be tough to sell 4EVER in these conditions."

Er... you do realize that those compilations were released 23 and 10 years ago respectively, do you? Those figures are in fact pretty impressive all things considered.

.

What sort of proof do u need as to whether Come is still in print or not, either it is or it's not, it's pretty easy to verify and it has nothing to do with its singles being included on a compilation.

.

Why in the world would Moonbeam Levels be on PR deluxe when it's a 1999 outtake, and when it'll already have been released on 4ever?

.

The rest of your post is a bit obscure to me: it's a mix of unsupported speculation (u do not know a thing for fact about the business matters behind this project), confusing demands (why would you care whether Batdance is an edit or not?), and out of place rant (what do you care what's on this package when you are not the target audience, or whether WB saturates the market with it or not when you are not gonna get royalties from it anyway?). And to be honest the tone of your post, overall, is pretty vulgar.

Your posts are usually articulate and relevant IIRC but here, no offence but I'm really disappointed

[Edited 10/22/16 4:18am]

As some might have stated this is a Warner's release. As far as I can see this release make people believe that Prince only made music until 1992. Why not a song of every album including a few unreleased ones. True, it must be a thing to collect money, but will this set help them. I think the other available sets have been sold since his passing, so why anotherone? The inclusion of Moonbeam Levels excites me and makes me affraid. In a way I hope Bart's comments about WBR and the owning of outtakes during Prince's contract are not true!

Well, it's not going to be the same anyway! Prince never did things that pleased all of us, so the ones running things now sure will not either.

Rolling Stone article seems to think 'Nothing Compares 2 U' WILL be Prince's solo studio version!

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/unreleased-prince-songs-set-for-greatest-hits-purple-rain-w446053

bluegangsta said:

databank said:

Rumor is Prince's original vocals were erased, but I could never find the source for this rumor so IDK if it's true. However, as you said urself, WB would be fools to have included this and not to brag about the package containing TWO unreleased tracks.

Alan Leeds said in an interview on Prince's Vault, that in some cases, vocals were erased from the multitracks tapes.

But, I'm sure there were at least mix-downs put onto DATs and whatnot.

Thx for clarifying So he didn't say NC2U specifically, did he?

Dangelus said:

Rolling Stone article seems to think 'Nothing Compares 2 U' WILL be Prince's solo studio version!

.

If they are right that means 2 `new` songs.

Actually 1.5 or less since NC2U was released a while ago and we know ML...