I actually don't like We Can Fuck to be honest. I find it quite long and boring, but maybe it'll grow on me. Apart from Our Destiny/Roadhouse Garden, I find it to be the worst track on disc 2.

Random thoughts:

- Minus Our Destiny, songs sound just great for the most part

- The live version of Possessed is so much better IMO. This one reminds me of "Revenge of the Nerds" with that synth line.

- Dance Electric is great but is about 4 minutes too long

- I prefer the GB version of "We can fuck", which is pretty much perfect.

- Electric Intercourse...meh

- Our Destiny the song has grown on me big time

- Love and Sex is pretty good, lives up to the hype

- Velvet and Kitty and just OK, sound like B-Sides to me

- I WISH Father's Song was a piano only version, the synths are dated. Great song though

- Computer Blue Hallway Speech I will consider to tbe one of the greatest pieces of music ever made, that was Prince at the absolute top of his game and to have this version means everything to me

I haven't listened to the entire disc yet (I'm trying to save some for when I buy the CD after work today), but "Velvet Kitty Cat" is by far the least essential track from what I've heard. Hell, I'd have been okay if they just left it off the disc altogether because it really doesnt' add anything and sounds even weaker next to all of the amazing songs on this disc.

[Edited 6/23/17 8:04am]

We Can Fuck is a three part epic. The way it transitions from delicate to frantic to sensuous is simply sublime.

I feel like I've been on a long journey with this song: growing up with the dirty energy of the 86 version; starting off hating the GB release, but learning to appreciate it for what it is; and now coming full circle to its original, superb incarnation.

There are a few things irritating me about this whole release, but I'm happy they got this right.

mbdtyler said:

I haven't listened to the entire disc yet (I'm trying to save some for when I buy the CD after work today), but "Velvet Kitty Cat" is by far the least essential track from what I've heard. Hell, I'd have been okay if they just left it off the disc altogether because it really doesnt' add anything and sounds even weaker next to all of the amazing songs on this disc.

[Edited 6/23/17 8:04am]

Meh, it's cute. Not everything has to be epic (or have perfect fidelity) to be enjoyable. I kinda like it for what it is.

Damn, Possessed must have been a demo on boots. Love and Sex is marvy. Katrina's Paper Dolls is droll. We Can Fuck, hell yea. Good to have perfect hallway speech.

Father's song is diff. Velvet Kitty Kat makes me laugh

mdmeridius said:

I actually don't like We Can Fuck to be honest. I find it quite long and boring, but maybe it'll grow on me. Apart from Our Destiny/Roadhouse Garden, I find it to be the worst track on disc 2.

Yes, how we respond to music is very subjective. I love both, but I seem to be in the minority in preferring the other extended version of Computer Blue over the Hallway Speech version. As I said above, while most people seem to love The Dance Electric, it's always sounded a little dense and turgid to me, as though there's no “air” in it (difficult to explain).

PurpleTrollster said:

lynx said:

I dont know what else they could have added or taken out I think the outtakes are great. (A good EX quality Traffic Jam would have been terrific actually). Only thing extra I could have had were the other versions of the same track and there is no reason for that it's essential to have these tracks part of our collection.

Velvet Kitty Kat i always loved the title but the song itself is a throwaway but STILL glad to see it here just because hardly any Prince bootlegs are available for purchase no matter how good or bad they were. We Can Fuck is basically the same as We Can Funk....I'm not sure how people like one or the other 'more', however whats nice is we get this extended demo version in full glory! Prince's scream is alot more prominent than on Grafitti Bridge in the climax. "I dont know I just never felt this way before...you know I'm really happy ya know..."

Dance Electric is a classic, without Wendy and Lisa's vocals and some added reverb on the snare. This is now another version of the track, since Andre Cymone AC Remaster featured the instrumental and extended version on it, its nice to hear Prince's solo version.... some of his adlibs were taken out of the rereleased version even on the circulating version that's out.
I don't know if anyone else loves this song like I do but I could listen to this shit all day and never get tired of it. This IMO is one of his greatest 80's tracks ever.


Going to take some time for me to get into Katrina's Paper Dolls. Its cute though.

Love And Sex - Absolutely cannot stop listening to this track. There is so much great stuff going on...I need time to understand whats all going on in here. What I liked the most on first listen beyond his screaming vocals, were the multi layered vocals by the Revolution. It sounds like ehrre is a crowd of people in the studio singing "Come on baby hurt me in the upper room!" I wonder what they were all thinking when Prince wrote this manic track.

It's crazy songs like this, Good Love, Dance Electric, Traffic Jam, When Doves Cry, down to The Everlasting Now and Get On The Boat. When Prince gets in the studio and goes nuts is when he is the best

[Edited 6/23/17 9:09am]

Love and sex is the hidden master. frantic. Shala laa laa

Dance electric - love every version.

Love & sex - not feeling it.

Computer blue - blasphemous to some but I've never liked it that much.

Electric intercourse - i find this version annoying.

Our destiny/roadhouse garden - blah.

Possessed - like it but prefer other version.

Wonderful ass - always been a fave n the sound quality is amazing! Maybe the best sounding on disc 2.

Velvet kitty kat - love it! Love his vocal delivery. Made me think of man in a uniform.

Katrina's paper dolls - love it.

We can fuck - a masterpiece! An instant top 5 fave! beyond phenomenal.

Father's song - love it.

I'm with the ppl that think a disc of the non Prince sung tracks is what this project needed. For all the completists. They should have included the Time songs, Apollonia 6 songs and the Dez song. Along with that, the instrumental music in the film.

That being said, I'm happy with this disc. I have so much of this on crappy bootlegs that's it's nice to hear clean versions. Disc 3 is another story entirely... I would have preferred 2 discs of Vault material.

Keep in mind that a full version of Computer Blue was probably closer to how they recorded it. Prince edited down so many songs that I think some are so used to the original edit that this one seems jarring.

So sad... WBR and Prince had numerous archivers contact them over the years to start or help out with a "Purple Rain" Expanded set and provide them with material to let them know what was out there... Hearing this disc now is just sad and seems like a half-assed rush job for a payday...
"The Dance Electric" is the version before the guitar dub and the final edit, so why this one was included is just mind boggeling especially since this has been "out there" for years in better quality than this release...

"Love And Sex" is awesome and new to me...

"Computer Blue" is out there in better quality and without glitches...

"Electric Intercourse" is awesome and a huge upgrade to the 2.5 minute warped tape sample that was out there...

"Our Destiny/ Roadhouse Garden" now this is a real bad cut and paste job... The "Our Destiny" ending is longer and segues perfectly into "Roadhouse Garden", where this came from is just a big WTF moment for everyone I talked to the last days...
"Possessed" is awesome and new to me, only heard the instrumental of this...
"Wonderful Ass" and "Velvet Kitty Cat" is the same as the original tape that has been going around for eons... I just need a better version of the re-recorded "Velvet Kitty Cat" from "Parade" era, that would be perfect...
"Katrina's Paper Dolls" is Prince's first re-recorded version in great quality, the second version is the most awesome though...
"We Can Fuck", Holy fuck this is AWESOME! Only heard 6 minutes of this one in true steaming pile of shit quality for about 20+ years, this is truly amazing!
"Father's Song" is nice but not the finished studio version but the rehearsal guide tape with flourishes to work on...

So all in all, as I've said before, WBR/NPG never listened to fans, collectors or archivers who were more than willing to help out FOR FREE and without the need of any credit whatsoever...

Neversin.

'The Dance Electric' is filled with DX7 and some sophisticated pre-sampler studio effects use. That's simply not part of his 1983 sound. Minor typographical error perhaps, and likely of no consequence to most human beings outside a scant few on this forum, but a sizeable prevarication otherwise.

.

Wendy is also fast to point out that 'Sometimes It Snows in April' was recorded thirty years to the day of his death, during each recent Revolution concert, but we understand that to be conveniently off by a year.

.

'Wonderful Ass' most likely was overdubbed (on multiple occasions spanning more than one era) prior to 1986, but the version here is likely an album-length refinement, in terms of the actual mixing and edit, for DF (if that was always a solidified name for that album slot). It was to be the vault's dose of purple among the newer jazz revue and folksy/psychedelica-ish material and more quizzical solo recordings of the time. To anchor a casual fanbase with certain built-in hopes and expectations. That's also very specifically why the track is left as 'barebones' as it is for the time period, because of its particular function. At a very early stage of conception, of course, when RHG/WCF/CSTFIG/ADAN/OF4S/AMD/TT/etc. were still in the running as track considerations. So to give it a 1984 date may not be entirely false, but it is likely deficient in giving the full picture of the track. The less adorned, more instrumental early take is so clearly a 1983 recording, not to mention that Fragnoli and Susan Rogers have discussed its essentially being among the 'many' tracks considered during the pre-production PR stages. I never imagined it being 'recorded' or 'done' as such in 1986, just cleaned up. 1984 and 85 is when I would have presumed most the added work was done, as with 'We Can Funk', 'All Day, All Night', 'Roadhose Garden', etc. September 1984 is when work was done on some of the material on ATWIAD (as well as 'Our Destiny'), perhaps 'The Dance Electric', 'Wonderful Ass' ('the Revolution will be heard!), etc. received some or all of their important overdubs during this time. Still wouldn't date the origins of TDE to earlier than about or just before that same time (Late Summer/Fall 1984), however.

.

databank said:

Quick question, simple and plain, and I hope Madhouseman or someone else can shed some light on this:

Could it be that research got the wrong dates for:

- The Dance Electric (August 83 on booklet vs. August 84 on Princevault)

- Possessed (August 83 on booklet vs. March 1984 on Princevault, and I'll add to that that the circulating "1983" version doesn't sound like a band recording at all. So could it be that one is an earlier, 1999-era solo Prince recording, while the rehearsal bit dubbed "Possessive" would be the 1983 band recording, while the "1984" studio cut could in fact have been recorded by P at around the same time?

- Wonderful Ass (September 1984 on booklet vs. early 1986 on Princevault): there are several other versions of WA in circulation, most likely earlier versions from 83, but the "1986" version, if it exists, could be something else entirely (this one seems a bit barebone for a Parade era rework) and that one could indeed be a 1984 rework.

.

I'm wondering because it seems plain incredible that high rank professional people from WB, being given the task to assemble an album with vault material could make such gross mistakes, while all the necessary information is there for anyone to find online. If that is so, WB seriously needs to reconsider who they put on the payroll: hell, they can give me the job, there wouldn't be fuck-ups like that if I was in charge of such a project!

.

Besides, it's happened before that later research contradicts ealier research: a very typical example (still uncorrected on Princevault as I type), is when Madhouseman revealed that his research shows that 1999, Little Red Corvette and Mia Bocca had not, as believed until that point, been recorded on the same day.

.

Si I'd be inclined to believe that WB got it right and that Nilsen/Uptown got it wrong, despite the seriousness of their work. However, if Madhouseman or any reliable source such as Susan R or a bandmember was to say the opposite, then I think the estate/WB would be better off hiring some of the devoted fans in this community to oversee future archive releases.

.

Thoughts?

[Edited 6/23/17 11:00am]

A circle of a handful of people is hardly "out there".

What surprises me most is... of al the versions I know of We Can Funk, the one released on Grafitti Bridge is the closest to this version?! I just don't think that is true, it sounds more something he rerecorded late eighties/early 1990 than i 1983/1984... strange love it though!

I haven't had any of these in decent quality. Any complaining about this release....it's nearly got me in tears, it's so good. Ok, so the single edits are stupid. I miss him so much.

Neversin said:

So sad... WBR and Prince had numerous archivers contact them over the years to start or help out with a "Purple Rain" Expanded set and provide them with material to let them know what was out there... Hearing this disc now is just sad and seems like a half-assed rush job for a payday...
"The Dance Electric" is the version before the guitar dub and the final edit, so why this one was included is just mind boggeling especially since this has been "out there" for years in better quality than this release...

"Love And Sex" is awesome and new to me...

"Computer Blue" is out there in better quality and without glitches...

"Electric Intercourse" is awesome and a huge upgrade to the 2.5 minute warped tape sample that was out there...

"Our Destiny/ Roadhouse Garden" now this is a real bad cut and paste job... The "Our Destiny" ending is longer and segues perfectly into "Roadhouse Garden", where this came from is just a big WTF moment for everyone I talked to the last days...
"Possessed" is awesome and new to me, only heard the instrumental of this...
"Wonderful Ass" and "Velvet Kitty Cat" is the same as the original tape that has been going around for eons... I just need a better version of the re-recorded "Velvet Kitty Cat" from "Parade" era, that would be perfect...
"Katrina's Paper Dolls" is Prince's first re-recorded version in great quality, the second version is the most awesome though...
"We Can Fuck", Holy fuck this is AWESOME! Only heard 6 minutes of this one in true steaming pile of shit quality for about 20+ years, this is truly amazing!
"Father's Song" is nice but not the finished studio version but the rehearsal guide tape with flourishes to work on...

So all in all, as I've said before, WBR/NPG never listened to fans, collectors or archivers who were more than willing to help out FOR FREE and without the need of any credit whatsoever...

Neversin.

Would be great to hear that second version, as I love this version.

Not what I was really expecting from the descriptions given a few weeks ago. Maybe those where about the second version. I was expecting something slower,darker.

Is it radically different?

I smiled when I heard that the original lyric in "We Can Fuck" was:

"Sex between 2 people is alright, whether they're in love or not".

databank said:

Marco81 said:

I had no idea the original We Can Fuck was the Graffiti Bridge tempo version, like a proto Doves Cry keyboard solo.

The lower tempo version is a billion times better, but then you don't get the dry drumkit workout so much.

And enough with the Bulmers Prison Labour virtue signalling, Spotify!

[Edited 6/23/17 11:59am]

[Edited 6/23/17 12:01pm]

jaypotton said:

databank said:

Only 4 songs on PR are live band recordings IIRC. TMWU, TBO, CB, DN and WDC are more or less just Prince.

What's IIRC? [Edited 6/23/17 11:39am]

If I Remember Correctly.

Neversin said:

Marco81 said:

A circle of a handful of people is hardly "out there".

And yet it is... Don't assume... Neversin.

What I mean is, if a track has been available for decades to a handful fans (from your post I read The Dance Electric, Computer Blue with no glitch, and Velvet Kitty Cat...), and 99% have not heard it, why wouldn't WB put it out for everyone to enjoy?

TheEnglishGent said:

Happy with this overall, it's like any other Prince album in as much as there's tracks I like and a couple I don't.

Only listened a couple of a times as the inconsiderate people at work keep disturbing me

In track order :

1. The Dance Electric.
Don't like it. Well, it's ok, but my god does it go on and on. After 3:30 I think I've heard it all. And when I think it should be starting to fade out there's still another 6 minutes left.

2. Love And Sex

Like this one, haven't fully digested it yet but liked it on first listen. Love the vocal delivery here.

3. Computer Blue (“Hallway Speech” version)

At least this one is long and interesting, unlike The Dance Electric, this is nearly a minute longer but feels like half the length. I hadn't listened to it much before because I didn't have a great copy and don't like listening to bootlegs that aren't great quality. Nothing to grumble about here, it's Computer Blue but more of it. Well, except for the last minute of it, what the hell is that all about?!

4. Electric Intercourse (Studio Version)

I was never overly attached to the live version, so this version wasn't as jarring to me as it was to some. Absolutely love this studio version, the vocals are amazing and it's a track only Prince could have done. An absolute classic.

5. Our Destiny / Roadhouse Garden
Meh. Never been one for the tracks where Prince isn't singing, so Our Destiny doesn't do much for me and Roadhouse is nothing special, feels unfinished.

6. Possessed

Mixed bag this one. Always loved this live and like the arrangements on the boots I have, even though I haven't played them much for the same reasons as not having listened to the extended CB very often. But I really don't like this arrangement of the track. The vocals are fine but the music isn't my thing, really not liking it at the moment. It may grow on me but I can't see it. Second worst one on the set for me. At least Dance Electric has a good groove for the few minutes before I need to hit skip.

7. Wonderful Ass

Always loved this and now it's here in amazing quality, exceeding the fine Box of Chocolates version. Very happy with this. Only problem is that I've heard it way too often but hey, that's my problem.

8. Velvet Kitty Cat

Love it. Whimsical and fun. Is he singing about an actual cat? I can't decide.

9. Katrina’s Paper Dolls

Love this one too. Got that fun feel to it like Velvet Kitty Kat but the subject matter seems more serious here, in contrast to the fun feel of the music.

10. We Can Fuck

Oh yes, awesome. Liked all the versions I've heard of this one in its We Can Funk incarnations. Ten minutes and not a boring moment, another stand out on this set.

11. Father’s Song
Ermmm, errrr. Depressing and down. Not my thing. I appreciate the playing but if I'm driving and this comes on I think I'd want to crash. Don't get it. Actuallly, I don't think I've made it to the end of this yet, gonna do that now, just in case... Nope, can't do it. Gave up at 4:40. I paid for the first two preview releases so that I could hear them early but I waited and didn't pay for this one. Would have been 99p but I am so glad I didn't pay for it, I'd rather drop and lose a quid on my way home from work!

It's interesting you like Computer Blue but not Father's Song - but that's cool.

At the moment I hate Love And Sex, but give it time.