heymistermusic said:

SanDiegoFunkDaddy said:

Pink Cashmere

ooohhhh, which one, I wanna check my stash for the version you enjoyed

Yes, I am curious too. I know I loved the versions he played during his Las Vegas residency.

1. Shhh

2. Beautiful Strange

3. Rock n' Roll Love Affair (for purposes of a unique entry)

4. Something is the Water

5. Days of Wild when mashed up with other songs

Bonus: Batdance

Mandingo said:

Strive said:

Mandingo said:

Well played. Face Down live on the Arsenio show

If you can, track down the version from NYC Live. It's otherworldly.

The one where he plays the bass and keeps saying "excuse me, sorry"

That performance is GENIUS!

2YOUNG2DARE - live at the DNA Lounge, San Fransisco, 04-23-2013

"turnmeUP!!"

probably qualifies as a completely alternate version but holy cow

Something In The Water Does Not Compute

Days Of Wild

Freaks On This Side

Push It Up

Screwdriver

IstenSzek said:

2YOUNG2DARE - live at the DNA Lounge, San Fransisco, 04-23-2013

"turnmeUP!!"

probably qualifies as a completely alternate version but holy cow

Ah yes, 100% this. Prince and 3rdEyegirl absolutely nailed this one live.

TheEnglishGent said:

Something In The Water Does Not Compute

Days Of Wild

Freaks On This Side

Push It Up

Screwdriver

Yes! Found it very difficult to warm to the album version (although there's a smoother unreleased one). The reworking at Xenophobia in 2002 was maginificent (along with similar renditions in the 3rdEyeGirl era).

Fury - The Brits perfromance was 48.24 times better than the stodgy album version

Something in the Water - Had the pleasure of seeing this several times on his last visit to London, and it literally changed from being a song I never really cared for to being one of my favourite ever live performances.

Controversy - I love this song. But when he did it live (particularly around the Musicology era) and he slightly sped it up... damn it was funky. And his chicken-scratch guitar sounds so much better live.

Shhhh - John B and Prince on this? Mind. Blown.

3121 - Replacing those shitty synth horns with proper live ones makes this a proper banger.

Days of Wild, Now, 3121, Mutiny, Housequake

So honestly...

No one thinks the studio version of Electric Intercourse cannot compare to the live versions?

I was going to say "none", but then I thought about it long and hard. I guess the only thing I can think of where a song came close to being better live than in the studio version is Strange Relationship. Both the long band version of the pre-tour First Avenue show, as well as the piano only version during the Lovesexy tour are great.

.

But in general, the studio versions add so many nuances and layers that simply don't come across in a live setting. Live there is a different energy, which is great when you are at the show, but it simply doesn't translate well to listening after the fact. Not too mention that most live shows (including soundboards) simply sound horrible. I've not been able to get a good sounding show for every tour yet, for instance.

.

And yes, I much prefer the Electric Intercourse studio version to any live or rehearsal version. It's not a very good song, as far as I'm concerned, though.

Mandingo said:

So honestly...

No one thinks the studio version of Electric Intercourse cannot compare to the live versions?

That was mentioned by the person who started the thread. Personally, I love the studio version of that one.

NorthC said:

All of them.

Yes this, hands down, every live version is better than studio.

TheEnglishGent said:

Mandingo said:

So honestly...

No one thinks the studio version of Electric Intercourse cannot compare to the live versions?

That was mentioned by the person who started the thread. Personally, I love the studio version of that one.

Me too.

leadline said:

NorthC said:

All of them.

Yes this, hands down, every live version is better than studio.

Disagree with regards to most of the EMANCIPATION stuff as well as some of the RAINBOW CHILDREN ALBUM (exceptions being Family Name/The Work/1+1+1=3..).... the multi tracking on some albums doesn't carry over onstage with one voice sometimes.

The Rainbow Children never worked live for me. THe tempo would be run through.

(from the versions I've heard)

I've gotta add.. that the version of NOTHING COMPARES 2 U featured on THE HITS (cd+tape) blows everything else away.

Prince was a behemoth onstage. Still is... in these formats. :*(

IF I WAS UR GIRLFRIEND!!!!

Controversy (his overall best live song, but especially from 2009 onward it was just a beast)

Peach (specifically The Sacrifice of Victor, Montreux 2 '09, and the opening L.A. Forum show in 2011)

Dreamer (Leno, Chicago 2012 and Montreux '13 being the best versions)

Shhh! (too many to name)

How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore? (P&AAM versions)

67Cadillac said:

Controversy (his overall best live song, but especially from 2009 onward it was just a beast)

Peach (specifically The Sacrifice of Victor, Montreux 2 '09, and the opening L.A. Forum show in 2011)

Dreamer (Leno, Chicago 2012 and Montreux '13 being the best versions)

Shhh! (too many to name)

How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore? (P&AAM versions)

although i still do love the album version, peach did become a monster live. wether in 1994 or
more than a decade later. it was always amazing imo.

67Cadillac said:

Controversy (his overall best live song, but especially from 2009 onward it was just a beast)

Peach (specifically The Sacrifice of Victor, Montreux 2 '09, and the opening L.A. Forum show in 2011)

Dreamer (Leno, Chicago 2012 and Montreux '13 being the best versions)

Shhh! (too many to name)

How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore (P& M versions)

Yes. The song nearly incited a riot in that 2nd Atlanta show!

Deleted - l'ange bleu - moderator

Muse 2 The Pharaoh (the version he played at a dutch soundcheck in 2002)
Uptown (I love that bass line)
Purple Rain (the original 1983 FA live recording)

Electric Intercourse
Do Me Baby (the album version is awesome but the Controversy tour live versions are amazing!)

100PercentSweet said:

IF I WAS UR GIRLFRIEND!!!!

I love the SOTT movie version but I don't think you can beat Camille's studio version.

JorisE73 said:

fury

reflection

ouverture #5

Mandingo said:

JorisE73 said:

Purple Rain (the original 1983 FA live recording)

I know he added strings and deleted verses for the album but technically is this not the same song?

Yes sure, but the live version has the better, longer, guitar solo which makes the song more epic to me.

JorisE73 said:

Mandingo said:

JorisE73 said: I know he added strings and deleted verses for the album but technically is this not the same song?

Yes sure, but the live version has the better, longer, guitar solo which makes the song more epic to me.

But it also has the extra verse with the lines that make no sense