So, DataBank has a thread about rehearsals and their inclusion on PVault.

It got me thinking that I've not heard that many so I went definitely didn't go looking. While not looking a few questions came to mind

"Munchen 1987" - This seems like a must have. Paisley rehearsal at the end is amazing. "Mother Popcorn" with Prince describing a handsignal, and making up an oral cue for the band. "The Shit". Does anyone know which (boot) label this was released on? Or has it been released under a different title?

Which rehearsal should I be looking for to find Prince teaching The Revolution the chords to "Forever In My Life"?

Are there any other notable rehearsals people think are worth tracking down? I think what I'm looking for are the more loose rehearsals. Prince talking, messing about with songs, freaking out on his guitar etc, rather than flawless run-throughs.

[Edited 12/16/16 8:50am]

[Edited 12/16/16 8:50am]

Noodled24 said:

Are there any other notable rehearsals people think are worth tracking down? I think what I'm looking for are the more loose rehearsals. Prince talking, messing about with songs, freaking out on his guitar etc, rather than flawless run-throughs.

http://prince.org/msg/7/423078

Add this soundcheck to your list (if you don't allready have it)

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EG

[Edited 12/16/16 8:30am]

^ Thanks man, but I can't read that. The org is doing that thing where it makes links point to a "computerworld" article.

Noodled24 said:

"Munchen 1987" - This seems like a must have. Paisley rehearsal at the end is amazing. "Mother Popcorn" with Prince describing a handsignal, and making up an oral cue for the band. "The Shit". Does anyone know which (boot) label this was released on? Or has it been released under a different title?

The boot you are thinking of is titled "Munchen" and is on the fake Japanese label Irukndji Music Ltd.

Noodled24 said:

^ Thanks man, but I can't read that. The org is doing that thing where it makes links point to a "computerworld" article.

fixed

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EG

Noodled24 said:

Are there any other notable rehearsals people think are worth tracking down?

There are a lot, where to start?

If the SOTT era is an interest to you then you need 4DaFunk's Sign Of The Times Rehearsals Vol 1 and 2. They were originally released on the Sabotage label but 4DaFunk put a lot of work into their versions and are far superior. Here is more info on the 4DaFunk versions http://prince.org/msg/7/335866 pay attention to reply #9.

Yes there are many amazing rehearsals and I can't imagine being a Prince fan and not being able to hear and enjoy them. I can't think of that many that are poor and not worth your time. Most are excellent, with lots of long jams in there. Do some work and track more down and it is well worth it.

A couple that leap to mind is the one where he does "When Doves Scream" and also the Lovesexy Tour rehearsals where he is talking about Weird Al Yankovic's MJ song. Also The Sex Of it/ Baby Go Go rehearsal is amazing and so many others.. And the one with Another Lonely Christmas where he is teaching the band the song and jamming on Baby I'm A Star and ...yes track them all down

[Edited 12/16/16 8:38am]

[Edited 12/16/16 8:38am]

TheDigitalGardener said:

Noodled24 said:

"Munchen 1987" - This seems like a must have. Paisley rehearsal at the end is amazing. "Mother Popcorn" with Prince describing a handsignal, and making up an oral cue for the band. "The Shit". Does anyone know which (boot) label this was released on? Or has it been released under a different title?

The boot you are thinking of is titled "Munchen" and is on the fake Japanese label Irukndji Music Ltd.

Thanks, I was able to track down the album art but couldn't make out the label. Has this been released by anyone else? or is it known by any other names?

Noodled24 said:

TheDigitalGardener said:

The boot you are thinking of is titled "Munchen" and is on the fake Japanese label Irukndji Music Ltd.

Thanks, I was able to track down the album art but couldn't make out the label. Has this been released by anyone else? or is it known by any other names?

No and no.

TheDigitalGardener said:

Noodled24 said:

Are there any other notable rehearsals people think are worth tracking down?

There are a lot, where to start?

If the SOTT era is an interest to you then you need 4DaFunk's Sign Of The Times Rehearsals Vol 1 and 2. They were originally released on the Sabotage label but 4DaFunk put a lot of work into their versions and are far superior. Here is more info on the 4DaFunk versions http://prince.org/msg/7/335866 pay attention to reply #9.

My favorite era is probably 90-95. But if the rehearsals are loose and jam heavy I have no preference.

ElGorillos said:

Noodled24 said:

^ Thanks man, but I can't read that. The org is doing that thing where it makes links point to a "computerworld" article.

fixed

.

.

EG

Found it thanks mate.

Noodled24 said:

TheDigitalGardener said:

There are a lot, where to start?

If the SOTT era is an interest to you then you need 4DaFunk's Sign Of The Times Rehearsals Vol 1 and 2. They were originally released on the Sabotage label but 4DaFunk put a lot of work into their versions and are far superior. Here is more info on the 4DaFunk versions http://prince.org/msg/7/335866 pay attention to reply #9.

My favorite era is probably 90-95. But if the rehearsals are loose and jam heavy I have no preference.

Ok, try "Nudity" on the old Thunderball label. It's 2 discs worth of Nude Tour rehearsals from Paisley, all soundboard, great boot.

TheDigitalGardener said:

Ok, try "Nudity" on the old Thunderball label. It's 2 discs worth of Nude Tour rehearsals from Paisley, all soundboard, great boot.

OMG I remember that boot. Good stuff.

While it's just one song and I don't know if there's a larger boot around it, there's a version of "DMSR" he rehearsed with the band that's a hoot. It goes on a while, and he takes them through about a gazillion key changes at one point. But at the beginning he yells out "Dance. Music. Hamburgers. Hot dogs. Pizza. Root beer. Pussy! That's a perfect weekend." The track is like 7 or 8 minutes. I got to ask Dr. Fink about that once, and he said he remembered that rehearsal. He just noted it was fun. I think it's from 1984 at some point.

There are Lovesexy rehearsals that are pretty great, too. I think there are some SOTT rehearsals, and it's interesting to hear the progression of stuff. He starts out doing SOTT, Play, Housequake, Dorothy, etc. Beautiful Night is how it sounds on the record. Then a few weeks later, on another boot, Dorothy is replaced by "Girls and Boys". IGBABN is now faster like in the movie. I remember Sheila talking about how he wanted to go through SOTT front to back almost straight through, but then he'd start adding older songs in.

Put that magazine down. lol

TheDigitalGardener said:

Noodled24 said:

My favorite era is probably 90-95. But if the rehearsals are loose and jam heavy I have no preference.

Ok, try "Nudity" on the old Thunderball label. It's 2 discs worth of Nude Tour rehearsals from Paisley, all soundboard, great boot.

Good Shout. I think I had this back in the day. But it's been years since I've heard it.

You've been very helpful, do you happen to know which rehearsal is the one where he teaches the revolution "Forever in my life"? - Prince is calling out the chords and playing electric guitar?

ElGorillos said:

Noodled24 said:

TheDigitalGardener said:

Ok, try "Nudity" on the old Thunderball label. It's 2 discs worth of Nude Tour rehearsals from Paisley, all soundboard, great boot.

You've been very helpful, do you happen to know which rehearsal is the one where he teaches the revolution "Forever in my life"? - Prince is calling out the chords and playing electric guitar?

The one you may be thinking of is on Vol.1 of the 4DF SOTT Rehearsals. It's a 7 min version, but Prince doesn't seem to be teaching the song. It's a run through of the "Forever In My life" line with Prince jamming things on acoustic guitar. There are also two versions on Vol.2. A short 2 min version which is pretty standard, and there is a longer 7 min version which is more of a jam, with Prince calling out drums, organ and he playing acoustic guitar again.

I can't think of any other FIML rehearsal.

TheDigitalGardener said:

Noodled24 said:

You've been very helpful, do you happen to know which rehearsal is the one where he teaches the revolution "Forever in my life"? - Prince is calling out the chords and playing electric guitar?

The one you may be thinking of is on Vol.1 of the 4DF SOTT Rehearsals. It's a 7 min version, but Prince doesn't seem to be teaching the song. It's a run through of the "Forever In My life" line with Prince jamming things on acoustic guitar. There are also two versions on Vol.2. A short 2 min version which is pretty standard, and there is a longer 7 min version which is more of a jam, with Prince calling out drums, organ and he playing acoustic guitar again.

I can't think of any other FIML rehearsal.

My bad, it's "Strange Relationship" not FIML. From 3 years before the SOTT album was released.

[Edited 12/17/16 8:58am]

Noodled24 said:

TheDigitalGardener said:

The one you may be thinking of is on Vol.1 of the 4DF SOTT Rehearsals. It's a 7 min version, but Prince doesn't seem to be teaching the song. It's a run through of the "Forever In My life" line with Prince jamming things on acoustic guitar. There are also two versions on Vol.2. A short 2 min version which is pretty standard, and there is a longer 7 min version which is more of a jam, with Prince calling out drums, organ and he playing acoustic guitar again.

I can't think of any other FIML rehearsal.

My bad, it's "Strange Relationship" not FIML. From 3 years before the SOTT album was released.

[Edited 12/17/16 8:58am]

Ok. The version you require is on Sab's "Purple Rush Vol.1 - 2008 edition" It's on disc 3. Guitar heavy version with Prince shouting out the chords (and even making a mistake himself).

It's on the original 2002 version of P-Rush Vol 1 but on the revised edition Strange Relationship is a track of it's own and not part of Billy's Sunglasses.

[Edited 12/17/16 10:42am]

[Edited 12/17/16 10:46am]

Thanks mate, I'll track that down asap. Strange Relationship sounds great with the rock edge.

He makes a mistake on the Orange Bowl rehearsal too. About 46 seconds in to the "Drums & Keyboard Check" he goes to cue "Bodyheat" but has a brain fart and says "bodyhat"... does what everyone does when that happens. Great stuff.

I love the ones that are long jams, nearly loops: the 86 Soul Psychodelicide is one of my favorite, the Feline rehearsal as well. I haven't listened to those in a long while but in a similar loop vein the Sex rehearsal from 90 and the Max one from 93 used to be my jam.

There's also a super interesting rehearsal dubbed the Skin Tight Rehearsal from July 1991 with only Levi and Rosie on vocals (P wasn't there), which features rare GB tracks as well as D&P stuff. Similarly to the South America shows, it shows what the D&P tour could have been if not for the later includion of the horn section.

The Nulle parre Ailleurs 94 rehearsal is also cool as it features indtrumental versions of some of the Come/TGE tracks from those days.

I'm not even certain if I have every circulating rehearsal or not, a definitive list of those in circulation at the time is, I think, included in the Vault book though, and I don't believe many more have surfaced ever since, or just in superior sound quality.

It's a precious opportunity to be able to listen to P's creative process like this, IDK if there are many other acts og which rehearsals are circulating. Apparently every rehearsal was recorded and it's all in the vault, let's hope the estate eventually sees some interest in that material, too.

[Edited 12/17/16 12:08pm]

databank said:

I love the ones that are long jams, nearly loops: the 86 Soul Psychodelicide is one of my favorite, the Feline rehearsal as well. I haven't listened to those in a long while but in a similar loop vein the Sex rehearsal from 90 and the Max one from 93 used to be my jam.

They sound interesting. I'll add them to the list. The Munchen 87 boot I'm trying to find is in a similar vein - "Mother Popcorn" for about 30 minutes. With Prince doing his best ever James Brown impression.

There's also a super interesting rehearsal dubbed the Skin Tight Rehearsal from July 1991 with only Levi and Rosie on vocals (P wasn't there), which features rare GB tracks as well as D&P stuff. Similarly to the South America shows, it shows what the D&P tour could have been if not for the later includion of the horn section.

That kind of thing wouldn't usually interest me to be honest, but it's something of a curiosity to hear the songs, how Prince was hearing them.

The Nulle parre Ailleurs 94 rehearsal is also cool as it features indtrumental versions of some of the Come/TGE tracks from those days.

I do have this, it's one of my favorites.

I'm not even certain if I have every circulating rehearsal or not, a definitive list of those in circulation at the time is, I think, included in the Vault book though, and I don't believe many more have surfaced ever since, or just in superior sound quality.

It's a precious opportunity to be able to listen to P's creative process like this, IDK if there are many other acts og which rehearsals are circulating. Apparently every rehearsal was recorded and it's all in the vault, let's hope the estate eventually sees some interest in that material, too.

[Edited 12/17/16 12:08pm]

I think they're great. Really hammers home just how good the bands were. Plus it offers a glimpse of Prince (somewhat) driopping his guard around his mates.

[Edited 12/17/16 14:31pm]

Farfunknugin said:

The nulles 94 rehearsals also on video, just sayin..

Is that the show on Canal+, where they rehearsed "Space", "Endorphinmachine", "Acknowledge Me" etc? That shit is amazing!

^ I love the fact he played an awesome mini-set in the rehearsal, while the TV performance was just one song.

Noodled24 said:

^ I love the fact he played an awesome mini-set in the rehearsal, while the TV performance was just one song.

"Let's do endorphin, 2nd verse. Tippy."

"Four score and seven years ago..."

Just came across a ONA Tour soundboard check.

Prince asks for some audience improvised backing vocalists to come on the stage,
and sing the "Last December" chorus. Prince coaching them is a funny, touching moment.

The quality of his singing and playing in these moments will always baffle me: there is no drop in his level of commitment just because it is a soundcheck or a rehearsal. It never sounds like he's on autopilot or something.

I would say that sometimes, these recordings are even better than the concerts. You can hear it's his playground for experimentations, the interpretations sound more free, and bold, yet discipline is the master driver.

Last but not least, Prince cracking jokes and laughing is the most bittersweet and heart-melting thing to hear.
What a brave, committed craftsman.
What a human being.