There's nothing surprising in it for people who have probably been listening to these songs for years, but for me, like electric intercourse before it, this is the best quality version i've heard of both OD and RG and it's just incredible to finally hear it the way it's supposed to sound.

SchlomoThaHomo said:

Listening to it on a proper system and I think the quality is kinda shit. It's better than what we had circulating, but not good enough for release imo. The cymbal crashes/chord stabs during Our Destiny are so muddy. They should sound perfect if they're really from the master. This sounds almost like a 1st or 2nd generation copy like Moonbeam Levels. I'm trying to keep my expectations low while hoping for the best from the other tracks.

You have to remember someone recorded that from iTunes or it is some shitty iTunes copy. The CD is sure to be a bit better, but let's not forget it's still 1985 technology. And that can only be improved to a limited degree.

The quality sure does seem to change between OD and RG. It sounds like two different sources were used.

SchlomoThaHomo said:

Listening to it on a proper system and I think the quality is kinda shit. It's better than what we had circulating, but not good enough for release imo. The cymbal crashes/chord stabs during Our Destiny are so muddy.

The cymbals are almost unbearable. They sound more like noise reduction artifacts than they do an instrument. There also seems to be several very small drop-outs that were apparent on the bootleg version.

[Edited 5/11/17 18:09pm]

bluegangsta said:

lottusflower said:

My first thought upon hearing this just now was that it's certainly not from a master, whereas Electric Intercourse sounds like it is.

I can hear audio degradation in both segued tracks, especially when listening with headphones. It would be good to have some kind of statement from Warners about the source of these outtakes, but seeing as nothing was mentioned about Moonbeam Levels, I won't be holding my breath. But, quite frankly, it's not cool.

TrivialPursuit said:

jjam said:

My first thought upon hearing this just now was that it's certainly not from a master, whereas Electric Intercourse sounds like it is.

I can hear audio degradation in both segued tracks, especially when listening with headphones. It would be good to have some kind of statement from Warners about the source of these outtakes, but seeing as nothing was mentioned about Moonbeam Levels, I won't be holding my breath. But, quite frankly, it's not cool.

since warners maintain that this is prince's definitive word on purple rain,
i wouldn't hold my breath on them coming clean about where what songs
come from.

i'm still convinced that prince gave them some stuff, but not all that they
are now releasing.

this will probably be clear once we get the full disc and can just hear it for
ourselves. the few tracks that sound clean and crisp will be the ones that
prince delivered to them, probably.

the rest, stuff like we can fuck etc, which are already highly unlikely to be
prince selected, will probably sound like our destiny/rg/moonbeam levels.

IstenSzek said:

SchlomoThaHomo said:

It doesn't sound like it's come from a degraded master - it sounds like a 2nd/3rd generation copy.

jjam said:

IstenSzek said:

jjam said:

My first thought upon hearing this just now was that it's certainly not from a master, whereas Electric Intercourse sounds like it is.

I can hear audio degradation in both segued tracks, especially when listening with headphones. It would be good to have some kind of statement from Warners about the source of these outtakes, but seeing as nothing was mentioned about Moonbeam Levels, I won't be holding my breath. But, quite frankly, it's not cool.

since warners maintain that this is prince's definitive word on purple rain,
i wouldn't hold my breath on them coming clean about where what songs
come from.

It's shite, though. It's pretty much a standard thing and a big selling point with expanded reissues for the source to be from master tapes (I buy enough of them), and for that to be specified. Considering what a landmark release Purple Rain was, this feels far from the definitive word. Maybe they're still undertaking research of the vault, but I'd sooner that they included something else that was of master quality.

KlyphIsBackAgain said:

IstenSzek said:

since warners maintain that this is prince's definitive word on purple rain,
i wouldn't hold my breath on them coming clean about where what songs
come from.

i'm still convinced that prince gave them some stuff, but not all that they
are now releasing.

this will probably be clear once we get the full disc and can just hear it for
ourselves. the few tracks that sound clean and crisp will be the ones that
prince delivered to them, probably.

the rest, stuff like we can fuck etc, which are already highly unlikely to be
prince selected, will probably sound like our destiny/rg/moonbeam levels.

And where exactly would Warner have gotten this "other" material? I really don't understand why people just can't accept that, according very reputable people over the years, Prince did not take care of his old tapes/recordings. So of course some material is going to be better quality. Back to these songs though. Yeah.... Not the best quality. I agree with all of the other comments. Still happy to have them.

this has nothing to do with what prince did with his tapes. they haven't been in the vault
at paisley park to pull up these tracks. and prince didn't give them all this shit. have you
been paying attention to prince since 2001? and you believe he would simply give them
'we can fuck' to put on the remaster? they had these tracks in their own vaults. there've
been numerous posts of people in the know on other threads about this.

TheEnglishGent said:

Genesia said:

Actually, you can't. You have to register - with a valid address and credit card - for whatever country you select. So your douchebaggery was for naught.

Actually, you don't need to register to listen to the sample, only to purchase.

Exactly

"Our Destiny" sounds terrific but the quality of "Roadhouse Garden" seems worse to my very untrained ears. Happy to have it either way <3

Heard it. Still prefer the live version from the 1984 b'day boot.

Moonbeam said:

I have to say that it is a very smart strategy on WB's part to release these tracks one at a time ahead of the album launch.

I guess it is. I'm not buying them, though. I would, if I didn't know the whole package was coming in June, but Im fine with waiting--but what does WB gain from this strategy? Is it drawing anyone to the actual product that won't be getting it anyway? I'm just confused by what the point is.

These sound incredible as studio although Im used to the live versions. Both Lisa's and prince's voices are so....creamy?

coldasice said:

Yes I made the newbie post. It was only due to influx of craziness since P died. For example...these McDonald's questions and stuff of that sort are just silly. This Roadhouse Garden question is totally valid, but "How did Prince smell?"Really. That type of thing is what I was talking about. This forum used to be interesting and about the music. The other thing I notice is a new other will post an article from years ago that we've seen millions of times, however don't annoy anybody & I'm happy to answer any I know the answer to. Anyway I can't wait to hear Roadhouse Garden I was hoping Our Destiny would be the duet version or just P, still cool though. Sorry for sounding drab about new members I'm really not a dick, sorry.

Its all good man, for me I just look at it like - there are so many limited places to geek out on Prince that I don't think repetitive questions or posting old interviews is really a bad thing. Like I would say the most positive thing to do is to either not click on it if its annoying or lead the person with the question to an answer. Because all in all we are all on the same team - we are all P fans! And I think the best course of action is to have a community where everyone feels welcome and able to ask things they individually may not know

TrivialPursuit said:

SchlomoThaHomo said:

Listening to it on a proper system and I think the quality is kinda shit. It's better than what we had circulating, but not good enough for release imo. The cymbal crashes/chord stabs during Our Destiny are so muddy. They should sound perfect if they're really from the master. This sounds almost like a 1st or 2nd generation copy like Moonbeam Levels. I'm trying to keep my expectations low while hoping for the best from the other tracks.

You have to remember someone recorded that from iTunes or it is some shitty iTunes copy. The CD is sure to be a bit better, but let's not forget it's still 1985 technology. And that can only be improved to a limited degree.

The iTunes copy will basically be so similar to the CD release that most won't notice however - iTunes rips their music at 256 AAC which is comparable to 320kps MP3 which is already very hard for most to detect differences between that and lossless. But overall I definitely hear some tape issues such as wishy washy cymbals on OD and RD has the sound that is definitely bootleg reminiscent such as Moonbeam Levels. It's very listenable though, I am enjoying the fact we have these songs in even this quality either way so I am happy

[Edited 5/11/17 20:38pm]

[Edited 5/11/17 20:39pm]

Why they aint release this material instead of ATWIA goddamned Day?

Wow, I'd say this is worse quality than Moonbeam Levels. Yikes.

.

Edit: Roadhouse Garden sounds much better than Our Destiny, imo. The cymbal crashes and background vocals on Our Destiny sound awful, sharp, painful even. Roadhouse Garden is stereo and still spartan, nothing new here from the leak (which might've been mono, but was clearly just both channels smushed together).

[Edited 5/11/17 21:30pm]

BeatofBlackWings said:

Wow, I'd say this is worse quality than Moonbeam Levels. Yikes.

.

Edit: Roadhouse Garden sounds much better than Our Destiny, imo. The cymbal crashes and background vocals on Our Destiny sound awful, sharp, painful even. Roadhouse Garden is stereo and still spartan, nothing new here from the leak (which might've been mono, but was clearly just both channels smushed together).

[Edited 5/11/17 21:30pm]

Yeah Our Destiny is harsh especially on the syncopated hits with the instrumentals and cymbals. The cymbal crashes sound warbled even

[Edited 5/11/17 21:54pm]

ForceofNature said:

Yeah I am curious as to what went on behind the scenes in terms of deciding on this particular version in the sense of what was readily available and viable to be used. Overall I am still happy to get it though, the performances musically are great and its awesome to have the Roadhouse Garden version in proper stereo with both channels in tact lol