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So its been a while since I've kept up with new bootleg releases, and I'm feeling swamped with all the new leaks and sets coming out. The last set I really took abreast of was those Perfect Unreleased Prince discs that came out 5 or so years ago. So what I'd like to know is, what are the most essential releases since then? Any help and advice is great appreaciated

Just to be clear, I'm not asking for links or anything, just want to know what people consider the be the most essential releases.

Depends on what you like. I really like studio outtakes. I really think the five 4 CD Blast From the Past series is great. If you like live or rehearsals I'm sure somebody else can help with that.

[Edited 8/10/17 5:42am]

djdaffy1227 said:

Depends on what you like. I really like studio outtakes. I really think the five 4 CD Blast From the Past series is great. If you like live or rehearsals I'm sure somebody else can help with that.

[Edited 8/10/17 5:42am]

I suppose I lean more to enjoying studio outtakes... anything else besides Blast From The Past?

Revolution81 said:

Purple rain deluxe

I don't think that's a boot

There is no definitive bootleg of studio outtakes because better versions leak from time to time of specific songs. Therefore song wise, you will have overlap and have to decide for yourself what are the best versions (in addition to considering audio source and quality). As others have mentioned, the Blast From the Past Series is an excellent place to start for studio outtakes. Box of Chocolate and Parade Demos too. Work, 30 Years of Unreleased Funk. and Work It 2.0 are loaded with tracks - although many are on Blast From the Past. Live, I love the piano and mic tour - check out One Night at The Opera in Australia. Then there's 88 Nagoya, 84 Birthday Show, 88 Small Club Holland.

green2 said:

There is no definitive bootleg of studio outtakes because better versions leak from time to time of specific songs. Therefore song wise, you will have overlap and have to decide for yourself what are the best versions (in addition to considering audio source and quality). As others have mentioned, the Blast From the Past Series is an excellent place to start for studio outtakes. Box of Chocolate and Parade Demos too. Work, 30 Years of Unreleased Funk. and Work It 2.0 are loaded with tracks - although many are on Blast From the Past. Live, I love the piano and mic tour - check out One Night at The Opera in Australia. Then there's 88 Nagoya, 84 Birthday Show, 88 Small Club Holland.

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'm just finding it hard with all the individual leaks of songs recently.

Can you rec anything else from the Piano & Mic Tour? Also any other good soundboards that have come out in the last couple years?

The two Louisville shows and the Detroit show from 2015 are both soundboards and sound fantastic, and all three shows are excellent.

I'm more into live performances than studio outtakes, so some of my faves are:

- the 1984 birthday show

- Cow Palace 1985

- Yokohama 1986

- Nagoya 1989

- Chicago 1993

- Los Angeles opening night and Denver 2004

- L.A. Forum opening night 2011 (my favorite Prince boot)

- Eye's 12 cd Live Out Loud U.S. tour set

- Louisville Palace and Fox Theatre 2015

[Edited 8/14/17 10:51am]

Paard van Troje 1988 (Small Club) is #1 on the list for sure.

Portugal 2010 is becoming one of my favorite live shows ever. I'm talking about the DVD/video.

There's a little riff he plays in the bridge of "Take Me With U" that is brand-new and mind-blowing to me.

But the highlight is his extended guitar solo on "Guitar". Probably the most joyful solo I have ever seen him play. When he looks down at someone in the crowd, nods his head to say "Yes, I really AM killing it!" and then goes directly into his funk face?

Perfection.

Revolution81 said:

Purple rain deluxe

Ha!

67Cadillac said:

The two Louisville shows and the Detroit show from 2015 are both soundboards and sound fantastic, and all three shows are excellent.

I'm more into live performances than studio outtakes, so some of my faves are:

- the 1984 birthday show

- Cow Palace 1985

- Yokohama 1986

- Nagoya 1989

- Chicago 1993

- Los Angeles opening night and Denver 2004

- L.A. Forum opening night 2011 (my favorite Prince boot)

- Eye's 12 cd Live Out Loud U.S. tour set

- Louisville Palace and Fox Theatre 2015

[Edited 8/14/17 10:51am]

rob1965 said:

I'm also more of a live listener. My faves are: Atlanta 1985 Detroit 1986 Yokohama 1986 Paris 1987 New Years Eve show 1987 Paard van Troje 1988 Dortmund 1988 (actually not a boot as such, but nonetheless essential). Rotterdam 1990 (2nd show) Heerenveen 1990 Coachella 2008 Antwerpen 2011 Manchester 2014 And a lot more that I can't recall right now. [Edited 8/14/17 11:47am]

RodeoSchro said:

Portugal 2010 is becoming one of my favorite live shows ever. I'm talking about the DVD/video.

There's a little riff he plays in the bridge of "Take Me With U" that is brand-new and mind-blowing to me.

But the highlight is his extended guitar solo on "Guitar". Probably the most joyful solo I have ever seen him play. When he looks down at someone in the crowd, nods his head to say "Yes, I really AM killing it!" and then goes directly into his funk face?

Perfection.

Thanks for the tips!