airth said:

Erotic City is just unforgivable. I really don't believe someone decided it would be OK to put it out like that.

What's with the background hiss on God (Instrumental)? Was that there on the original? I only have a digital recording of the 12" now, but it sounds much cleaner even with its minor crackles and pops.

I fear this release was put together by clowns.

I hear it too playing it on Spotify. Really is a bad mistake

I said from the very beginning that WB was not going to make a big investment in this project.

See the article below about their financial problems. They simply want to make a quick buck which does not mean if they end of putting out all of the material we the public will get a lot of product but not with quality and care because WB needs money.

----------

As one executive puts it, Strang was handed "a total bag of sh-t” when he took over Warner Bros. in 2012. It’s been an uphill battle ever since.

In April 22, Warner Bros. Records' storied Burbank headquarters -- friendly, low-slung redwood buildings whose interiors are lined with gold and platinum plaques from the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac and Madonna -- were temporarily transformed into a temple to just one star: Prince, whose tragic and unexpected death from an opioid overdose the previous day had prompted a global outpouring of grief. As speakers blasted "Purple Rain," teary fans laid offerings at an impromptu shrine next to the entrance. Inside, the visage of the Purple One stared down from wall after hallway wall. It was a reminder of how the heritage of Warner Bros. Records proves almost inescapable.

Read rest of article here:

http://www.billboard.com/...ds-profile

------------

Moderator edit - Post edited significantly - please cease posting entire artciles - provide a sample quote and link

langebleu - moderator

airth said:

FUNKNROLL said:

Got my copy via iTunes this morning.

NOT hearing any dropout at the beginning of EC.

Where is it in the timecode, for civilians?

I see the posted waveform says 00:07 or something... (at seven tenths of a second for a blink and you'll miss it moment?)

That's interesting because it's glaringly obvious, right at the beginning. If you're not hearing it, it's either been corrected or there's more than one source out there.

Can you point me to the iTunes timecode not the waveform?

I'm technical... tried cueing to that waveform timecode but it seems beyond microscopic...

Thank you.

You do realize that WB has no master copies of the unreleased stuff right?? What he gave them is what we are getting and in some cases it is what you heard on bootlegs

FUNKNROLL said:

airth said:

That's interesting because it's glaringly obvious, right at the beginning. If you're not hearing it, it's either been corrected or there's more than one source out there.

Can you point me to the iTunes timecode not the waveform?

I'm technical... tried cueing to that waveform timecode but it seems beyond microscopic...

Thank you.

Sorry, I have no idea of the exact timecode. I don't have iTunes nor something like Audacity installed on my computer. It's simply the first second of the track. Have you listened to both the full and edited version? The difference between them couldn't be more obvious.

I said from the very beginning that WB was not going to make a big investment in this project.

See the article below about their financial problems. They simply want to make a quick buck which does not mean if they end of putting out all of the material we the public will get a lot of product but not with quality and care because WB needs money.[quote]

So do you think this is not a quality product?

I'm so glad I'm not an audiophile as I don't think I would ever enjoy anything as I'd always find something not quite right.

This dropped on iTunes last night and I've been enjoying it ever since. 🙂
[Edited 6/23/17 5:08am]

airth said:

FUNKNROLL said:

Got my copy via iTunes this morning.

NOT hearing any dropout at the beginning of EC.

Where is it in the timecode, for civilians?

I see the posted waveform says 00:07 or something... (at seven tenths of a second for a blink and you'll miss it moment?)

That's interesting because it's glaringly obvious, right at the beginning. If you're not hearing it, it's either been corrected or there's more than one source out there.

The title "Matered for iTunes" itself sugegst that Prince should have delievered at least three packages:

- lossless for CD

- modified for vinyl

- remastered for iTunes

Or the latter two remaster had been done by someone else. Than we are running into trouble

Waaaay too many problems with this release

The Erotic City glitch is enough to spoil it for me!

databank said:

Waaaay too many problems with this release

The Erotic City glitch is enough to spoil it for me!

It just shows how little care was take. It's such an easy problem to fix, but instead; they ignored it.

bluegangsta said:

databank said:

Waaaay too many problems with this release

The Erotic City glitch is enough to spoil it for me!

It just shows how little care was take. It's such an easy problem to fix, but instead; they ignored it.

Is there a way to present all this info regarding glitches to WB so they could do a recall and correct it?? Or do they only do this for manufacturing problems?

Yes, there is - email the CEO at steve.cooper@wmg.com.

I've been involved in reissues with lesser artists and lesser labels - if there are glitches/issues with the audio and enough people kick up a fuss, they correct the flaws and do another pressing.

Warner Music is not a small label and Prince is one of the biggest artists they ever had. So they're particularly accountable.

Again, nothing will be done about it unless you kick up a fuss online on social media AND also email them.

Maybe also copy in max.lousada@wmg.com - he's the CEO of Warner Music UK but will be taking over as CEO of Warner Music Group from October 1.

Erotic City... how could they do this?

JorisE73 said:

bluegangsta said:

It just shows how little care was take. It's such an easy problem to fix, but instead; they ignored it.

Is there a way to present all this info regarding glitches to WB so they could do a recall and correct it?? Or do they only do this for manufacturing problems?

Sorry thats never going to happen. The thing is this release is whatever WB had in thier archive and is what Prince gave to them...whatever condition it may have been in.

The only thing that can happen now is the estate release the some of these songs directly from the Prince Vault (which may be in better quality already) and remaster them more respectfully without any help or involvement from WB.

As far as I am concerned any WB prince releases wont be audiophile quality and are simply a quick money making excersise for them.

But I also have the same worries about the people running Prince's estate...

[Edited 6/23/17 6:23am]

DarkKnight1 said:

If you ever want to feel not ridiculous.....visit this board. Always provides perspective.

Why? Because there are obvious flaws in this release being highlighted by those who work hard enough for their money to spend it on something justifiable?

[Edited 6/23/17 6:45am]

maceoparker007 said:

JorisE73 said:

Is there a way to present all this info regarding glitches to WB so they could do a recall and correct it?? Or do they only do this for manufacturing problems?

Sorry thats never going to happen. The thing is this release is whatever WB had in thier archive and is what Prince gave to them...whatever condition it may have been in.

The only thing that can happen now is the estate release the some of these songs directly from the Prince Vault (which may be in better quality already) and remaster them more respectfully without any help or involvement from WB.

As far as I am concerned any WB prince releases wont be audiophile quality and are simply a quick money making excersise for them.

But I also have the same worries about the people running Prince's estate...

[Edited 6/23/17 6:23am]

I'm pretty certain that the issue with the long Erotic City intro isn't to do with the source, but a mastering glitch that wasn't flagged up. I've dealt with a few of these in my time with regards to reissues I've been involved with.

If it was an issue with the source, it would have been so easy to drop in the intro from the short version.

Either way, there aren't really any excuses. So complain to WB using the email addresses I provided.

DarkKnight1 said:

If you ever want to feel not ridiculous.....visit this board. Always provides perspective.

Can I assume that your perspective is that Prince's body of work doesn't deserve to be treated with respect?

bonatoc said:

Is there a good soul out there who has made a proper original PR vinyl FLAC?

Here's what the liner notes of the "Purple Rain - Homemade Deluxe Edition" say :

The first nine tracks are ripped from the 2008 Rhino Records vinyl reissue of Purple Rain which was mastered by Kevin Gray and provided with kind permission by euimyself.

Is anyone familiar with this 2008 Rhino Records reissue?
Is it any good?

[Edited 6/23/17 3:55am]

See for yourself. Here is the waveform of Let's Go Crazy (Top is "remaster", bottom is 2008 release). When listened to, the 2008 release completeley blows it away in sonics, clarity, and detail:

Unbelievable. The official remaster of one of the greatest albums of all time and you have JOSHUA WELTON do it? Not an accomplished sound engineer like Bernie Grudman (mastered discs 2 and 3) or Kevin Gray (2008 Release), but judging by experience and prior compressed/brickwalled PRINCE works, an amateur. Joshua Welton.

PurpleMedley122 said:

Unbelievable. The official remaster of one of the greatest albums of all time and you have JOSHUA WELTON do it? Not an accomplished sound engineer like Bernie Grudman (mastered discs 2 and 3) or Kevin Gray (2008 Release), but judging by experience and prior compressed/brickwalled PRINCE works, an amateur. Joshua Welton.

To be fair to WB, we have Prince to thank for that. I guess delivering the best possible sound was pretty low on his list of priorities at that time.

PurpleMedley122 said:

bonatoc said:

Is there a good soul out there who has made a proper original PR vinyl FLAC?

Here's what the liner notes of the "Purple Rain - Homemade Deluxe Edition" say :

The first nine tracks are ripped from the 2008 Rhino Records vinyl reissue of Purple Rain which was mastered by Kevin Gray and provided with kind permission by euimyself.

Is anyone familiar with this 2008 Rhino Records reissue?
Is it any good?

[Edited 6/23/17 3:55am]

See for yourself. Here is the waveform of Let's Go Crazy (Top is "remaster", bottom is 2008 release). When listened to, the 2008 release completeley blows it away in sonics, clarity, and detail:

Unbelievable. The official remaster of one of the greatest albums of all time and you have JOSHUA WELTON do it? Not an accomplished sound engineer like Bernie Grudman (mastered discs 2 and 3) or Kevin Gray (2008 Release), but judging by experience and prior compressed/brickwalled PRINCE works, an amateur. Joshua Welton.

I actually really like the remaster, there's definitely an increased clairty over my original CD and everything is more clear. That is, until it gets to the end. The ending has been destroyed and is a horrible distorted mess.

I'd love a new version in this clarity with the dynamic range of the original being preserved.

[Edited 6/23/17 7:06am]

FUNKNROLL said:

airth said:

That's interesting because it's glaringly obvious, right at the beginning. If you're not hearing it, it's either been corrected or there's more than one source out there.

Can you point me to the iTunes timecode not the waveform?

I'm technical... tried cueing to that waveform timecode but it seems beyond microscopic...

Thank you.

At the very beginning of the track there's a little crackle. You probably hadn't even registered it when listening, I certtainly didn't until I read the outrage here and went back and compared the two versions. Then I said, oh well, and carried on listening.

TheEnglishGent said:

airth said:

Waiting to receive my VINYL Remaster this evening and compare it to the 2011 Vinyl Remaster. Curious....

rogifan said:

airth said:

Can I assume that your perspective is that Prince's body of work doesn't deserve to be treated with respect?

I'm assuming it was Prince's decision to work with Josh Welton. Are you suggesting he didn't treat his body of work with respect? Or didn't really care about the PR remaster?

If we look at what Prince has said on the PR remaster, it would seem that he really didn't care.

TheEnglishGent said:

TheEnglishGent said:

rogifan said:

airth said: I'm assuming it was Prince's decision to work with Josh Welton. Are you suggesting he didn't treat his body of work with respect? Or didn't really care about the PR remaster?

If we look at what Prince has said on the PR remaster, it would seem that he really didn't care.

I have not receive my copy but so far reviews for the remasterd part of the set have been very good. He is getting good reviews for his work and the rumors are the rest of the tracks came from WB's vault as they have no access to P'r vault and he apparently was not interested in adding additional tracks to the project without more money.

I appreciate the scrutiny, not even on a technical/waveform level but just the act of listening carefully.

However, I'm still thrilled with the release. This morning, hearing Love and Sex for the first time, thinking THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HEARD ANY BIT OF A PRINCE SONG…that just doesn't happen often. And, looking forward, there is no known date when it will happen again.

So, the release is not perfect. Show me a Prince release that is. Hell, I still get pissed hearing an audible "pop" in the first verse of SOTT on the CD and digital versions that has never been cleaned up.

Prince wasn't known for his audio perfection, and lived up to that reputation through his association with novices like Joshua Welton and the distortion/brickwalling on AOA and HNR 1. I don't love Prince for his perfection…if I did, I'd never be happy with any of his music.

Who knows where the blame is for the audio issues with the PR Deluxe release. Prince himself? WB? Seems like a combination of both, as the credit is squarely laid on Prince for the remaster ("overseen by Prince himself") and the obvious fact that Prince had nothing to do with approving tracks like We Can Fuck for release — wouldn't have happened in his lifetime. We're hearing stuff that Prince stashed away as not worthy/ready for release and/or too profane for the latter part of his career and life.

I didn't expect this release to be perfect (though I certainly didn't expect flawed versions of tracks that have previously been released in much better shape like Erotic City). However, I say BRING ON MORE IMPERFECTION cuz we ain't gettin' any younger and the vault tracks aren't improving in sound quality while a bunch of fuckup lawyers fight over who has the right to what, and fans like us are left sitting around wondering when and if there will be another release like this one.

Doozer said:

I appreciate the scrutiny, not even on a technical/waveform level but just the act of listening carefully.

However, I'm still thrilled with the release. This morning, hearing Love and Sex for the first time, thinking THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HEARD ANY BIT OF A PRINCE SONG…that just doesn't happen often. And, looking forward, there is no known date when it will happen again.

So, the release is not perfect. Show me a Prince release that is. Hell, I still get pissed hearing an audible "pop" in the first verse of SOTT on the CD and digital versions that has never been cleaned up.

Prince wasn't known for his audio perfection, and lived up to that reputation through his association with novices like Joshua Welton and the distortion/brickwalling on AOA and HNR 1. I don't love Prince for his perfection…if I did, I'd never be happy with any of his music.

Who knows where the blame is for the audio issues with the PR Deluxe release. Prince himself? WB? Seems like a combination of both, as the credit is squarely laid on Prince for the remaster ("overseen by Prince himself") and the obvious fact that Prince had nothing to do with approving tracks like We Can Fuck for release — wouldn't have happened in his lifetime. We're hearing stuff that Prince stashed away as not worthy/ready for release and/or too profane for the latter part of his career and life.

I didn't expect this release to be perfect (though I certainly didn't expect flawed versions of tracks that have previously been released in much better shape like Erotic City). However, I say BRING ON MORE IMPERFECTION cuz we ain't gettin' any younger and the vault tracks aren't improving in sound quality while a bunch of fuckup lawyers fight over who has the right to what, and fans like us are left sitting around wondering when and if there will be another release like this one.

Great. Justify mediocrity; and that's what you'll get.